Punjab History:
Aryan Migrations (516 BC -- 321 AD).Persian Rule (516 BC -- 321 AD).Alexander's Invasion (321 AD).Muslim Invasions (713 AD -- 1300 AD).The Rise of Sikh Power (1700 AD -- 1849 AD).
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Punjab is an Indo-Iranian word meaning "the land of five rivers".
Punjab lies at the cross-roads of the great civilizations of the world.
Historicaly, the area west of Punjab was under the sphere of influence of
the Persians, the east was the heartland of the Indian civilization, the
south under the influence of the Arabs and the north under the Turko-Mongolian
influence. Many great religious movements which found world-wide appeal grew in
the fertile plains of Punjab. They include Budhism, Sikhism and many schools of
Sufi thought in Islam . This ethnic and religous diversity is reflected in the
cultural mosaic of todays's Punjab.
The Arts & Crafts of Punjab
Art is described as acreation or expression of something beautiful especiallyin a visual form and Arts and Crafts as a phrase means decorative designs and handicrafts. In this field, also,Punjab has the hoary and distinguished tradition which its people have maintained in spite of vicissitudes of time. |
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Mud Works :There is no limit to the creativity of Punjab's craftsmen. They have this panache for turning seemingly dull materials into masterpieces of art. Take as simple a thing as mud for example. Plastering the walls with mud and drawing ferns, plants, several other fascinating motifs has been a way of life of the woman of Punjab.Weaving and Embroidery:
Weaving of Durries (cotton bed or floor spreads) in myriad motifes and designs especially by young girls in the villages has been a long tradition in Punjab. These are also woven in stripes, cheek boards, squares, motifs of birds, animals and even plants as a part of dowry.Phulkari: Phulkari work is one of the most fascinating expressions of the Punjabi folk art. Women have developed this art at the cost of some of their very precious moments of leisure. They have always been very fond of color and have devoted a lot of their time to colorful embroidery and knitting.
PLACES TO VISIT
Chandigarh
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Chandigarh was Designed by
Le Corbusier, is the state capital of Punjab and Harayana states.
The famous French architect. Half day tour includes visit to the Secretariat,
High Court, State Library, Assembly Chambers, University, Botanical Garden
and the beautiful lake. Asia's largest rose garden, Zakir Gulab Bagh,
spread out over 30 acres of land, boasting of 50,000 rose-trees of 1600
different species!!
Covering an area of 56 square kilometres, Chandigarh is the first `planned'
city of India. The city has neatly laid out roads and parks, buildings
ranging against mountain peaks, boulevards and streets lined by endless rows
of trees and shrubs. The city is named after the Goddess Chandi Devi, whose
white - domed temple stands on the slope of a hill in the north east of
Chandigarh, on the edge of the Shivalik hills. Spread over an area of 114 sq.
kms, it is a modern city, built in 47 sectors.
AMRITSAR:
Visit the Golden temple - The sacred Sikh sanctuary, marbled, bronzed & covered with gold leaf wherein the Guru Granth Sahib- The Bible of the Sikhs is placed reverently. Also see the Community Kitchen where 10000 pilgrims are fed daily on voluntary and complementary basis. Visit the historic Jallianwala Bagh where Gen. Dyer's bullets killed scores of innocent Indians and the beautiful Ram Bagh Gardens. |
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The Sheesh Mahal, Patiala
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The Qila (fort) was also the residence of Patiala dynasty. The residential part was called Qila Androon or the Inner Fort. Its living apartments have names like Jail Walla Palace for royal prisoners, the Moti (pearl) Palace, the Sheesh (mirror work) Palace, the Rajmata (Queen Mother) Palace, the Palace of Colours, the Palace of the Moon. The recreational structures were called the Putli (Puppet) Ghar and Bagh Ghar or the Garden House. Its richly painted chambers are peerless.
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ANCIENT FORTS OF THE PUNJAB:
Forts of Sirsa, Bhatnair, Abohar and Bhatinda:
The Forts of Sirsa, Bhatnair, Abohar and Bhatinda, situated at the angles of
a figure nearly square with a side about fifty miles long, were built each on
the same plan and of the same dimensions, thus forming a sort of quadrilateral
in the path of the invaders from the North-West.
Ferozepur fort:
Another old fort calling
for mention is that of Ferozepur fort. Now used for commissariat purposes
for three-quarters of a century, it must at one time have been a place of
considerable strength. It is an irregular building, one hundred yards long
and about fifty broads surrounded by a ditch ten feet wide and ten feet deep.
Qila Mubarak Patiala:
There are three forts in the territory formerly comprised
in the erstwhile Patiala State which seem deserving of more than a mere
passing mention. In the first place there is Fort Bhatinda around which
grew a city bearing the same name. The origin of the name Bhatinda is
variously explained. It may have been called as Bhattian da kot or Bhattian
da adda, meaning the fort of the Bhattis or the abode of the Bhattis,
which through the inevitable corruption of words was changed into
the name now current.
Some Important Weblinks of Punjab
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