Gurdaspur district

Gurdaspur district is a district in the Majha region of the state of Punjab, India. Gurdaspur is the district headquarters. It internationally borders Narowal District of Pakistani Punjab, and the districts of Amritsar, Pathankot, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur. Two main rivers Beas and Ravi passes through the district. The Mughal emperor Akbar is said to have been enthroned in a garden near Kalanaur, a historically important town in the district.[1] The district is at the foothills of the Himalayas.

This article is about the district. For its eponymous headquarters, see Gurdaspur.

Gurdaspur district
District
Sujanpur Fort
Sujanpur Fort
Location in Punjab
Location in Punjab
Coordinates: 31°55′N 75°15′E
Country India
StatePunjab
HeadquartersGurdaspur
Area
 • Total2,610 km2 (1,010 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[‡]
 • Total2,298,323
 • Density880/km2 (2,300/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialPunjabi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle CodePB 06,PB 18,PB 58,PB 85, PB 99
Literacy79.95%
Websitegurdaspur.nic.in

As of 2011 it is the third most populous district of Punjab (out of 22), after Ludhiana and Amritsar.[2] Batala, with 31% of the district's population, is its largest city.

History
Coin of Dharaghosha, king of the Audumbaras, in the Indo-Greek style, from Gurdaspur district, circa 100 BC.[3]
Obv: Standing figure, probably of Vishvamitra, Kharoshthi legend, around: Mahadevasa Dharaghoshasa/Odumbarisa "Great Lord King Dharaghosha/Prince of Audumabara", across: Viçvamitra "Vishvamitra".
Rev: Trident battle-axe, tree with railing, Brahmi legend identical in content to the obverse.[3]

1700s

This area was used as a base by Banda Singh Bahadur to raid the area upto Lahore. The Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah conducted an expedition against him in 1711, but with only temporary effect. Banda Singh Bahadur fought his last battle against Mughals at Gurdas Nangal and was captured.[4][5]

On 17 May 1746, the Chhota Ghallughara (smaller Sikh genocide) took place. Approximately 10,000 to 15,000 Sikhs were killed in battle on a single day in Kahnuwan, near Gurdaspur. Under the Lahore governorship of Yahiya Khan, Lakhpat Rai (revenue minister) and Shah Navaz Khan were directed to avenge the killing of Lakhpat Rai's brother, Jaspat Rai. An official decree to exterminate Sikhs was issued.

British Raj
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, which commemorates the first Sikh commune founded by Guru Nanak on the right bank of Ravi, went to Pakistan in the Partition of India

During British Rule the district of Gurdaspur was a subdivision of Lahore Division, the district itself was administratively subdivided into four tehsils: Gurdaspur, Batala, Shakargarh and Pathankot. According to the 1881 census the population of the district was 823,695 this had risen by over 100,000 to 943,922 in the 1891 census. However the 1901 census recorded a fall in population – 940,334, this was largely due to emigration – some 44,000 settlers settling in Chenab colony. According to the 1901 census there were 463,371 Muslims (49%), 380,636 Hindus (over 40%) and 91,756 (10%) Sikhs. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad who founded the Ahmadiyya movement had followers here.[6]

During the partition of India in 1947 the future of Gurdaspur was highly contested. According to the 1941 census, the population of this district had a narrow 51.14% Muslim majority. Radcliffe Award of the boundary gave only the Shakargarh tehsil of the district to Pakistan, and the rest to India. The Muslim population of the eastern tehsils migrated to Pakistan as refugees, and the Hindus and Sikhs of Shakargarh migrated to Gurdaspur after crossing the Ravi Bridge. They settled and spread in the Gurdaspur district.

Modern India

On 27 July 2011 a part of district is carved out to form a new Pathankot district, which was earlier part of Gurdaspur. The Pathankot district comprises two sub-divisions of Pathankot and Dharkalan along with two sub-tehsils namely Narot Jaimal Singh and Bamial.

Geography

Location

The Gurdaspur district is in the north of Punjab state. It falls in the Jalandhar division and is sandwiched between rivers Ravi and Beas. The district lies between north-latitude 31°36' and 32°34' and east longitude 74°56' and 75°24' and shares common boundaries with Pathankot district in the north, Beas River in the north-east, Hoshiarpur district in the south-east, Kapurthala district in the south, Amritsar district in the south-west and Pakistan in the north-west.

Government and politics
See also: List of cities and towns in Gurdaspur district

Politics
No. Constituency Name of MLA Party Bench
4 Gurdaspur Barindermeet Singh Pahra Indian National Congress Opposition
5 Dina Nagar (SC) Aruna Chaudhary Indian National Congress Opposition
6 Qadian Partap Singh Bajwa Indian National Congress Opposition
7 Batala Amansher Singh (Shery Kalsi) Aam Aadmi Party Government
8 Sri Hargobindpur (SC) Amarpal Singh Aam Aadmi Party Government
9 Fatehgarh Churian Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa Indian National Congress Opposition
10 Dera Baba Nanak Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa Indian National Congress Opposition

Tehsil
Tehsil
Sr. No. Subdivision /Tehsil Inhabited Villages Uninhabited Villages Area(km2) Population Density Per km2
1.Gurdaspur679371,369744,092544
2.Batala3475936618,105660
3.Dera Baba Nanak1316305115,660379
4.Kalanaur
5.Dinanagar
Total1,157482,6101,477,857566

Sub Tehsils (Total : 7)
Sub-Tehsil
Sr. No. Sub Tehsil Name
1.Kahnuwan
2.Sri Hargobindpur
3.Qadian
4.Fatehgarh Churian
5.Dhariwal
6.Naushera Majha Singh
7.Dorangla

C.D. Blocks (Total : 11)
C.D. Blocks
Sr. No. Block Name
1.Gurdaspur
2.Kalanaur
3.Dhariwal
4.Kahnuwan
5.Dinanagar
6.Batala
7.Fatehgarh Churian
8.Dera Baba Nanak
9.Sri Hargobindpur
10.Qadian
11.Dorangla

Municipal Corporation (Nagar Nigam)
Municipal Corporation Name
Sr. No. Corporation Name
1.Batala

Municipal Councils
Municipal Name
Sr. No. Municipal Name
1.Gurdaspur
2.Dhariwal
3.Dinanagar
4.Sri Hargobindpur
5.Dera Baba Nanak
6.Fatehgarh Churian
7.Qadian

Villages
Village Name
Sr. No. Village Name
1.Bangowani
2.Zahadpur
3.Khojala
4.Barnala
5.SaduChak
6.Kohali

Demographics

Population
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901702,372—    
1911622,008−1.21%
1921634,394+0.20%
1931718,523+1.25%
1941854,968+1.75%
1951851,140−0.04%
1961980,868+1.43%
19711,229,464+2.28%
19811,513,435+2.10%
19911,756,732+1.50%
20012,103,455+1.82%
20112,298,323+0.89%
source:[7]

According to the 2011 census Gurdaspur district has a population of 2,298,323,[2] roughly equal to the nation of Latvia[8] or the US state of New Mexico.[9] This gives it a ranking of 196th in India (out of a total of 640).[2] The district has a population density of 649 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,680/sq mi).[2] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 9.3%.[2] Gurdaspur has a sex ratio of 895 females for every 1000 males,[2] and a literacy rate of 79.95%.[2]

After the separation of the Pathankot tehsil into a separate district in 2011, the residual district has a population of 1,621,725 of which 1,260,572 were rural and 361,153 were urban. Scheduled Castes have a population of 373,544 (23.03%) of the population. Punjabi is the predominant language, spoken by 98.27% of the population.[10]

Gender

The table below shows the sex ratio of Gurdaspur through the years, according to various census years.[11] Note:- The figure for 2011 does not include the data of the areas that currently form Pathankot district, which were separated from Gurdaspur on that year, to form a new district.

Decadal sex ratio of Gurdaspur district by census years[12]
Year

(Census)

 Sex Ratio
2011907
2001890
1991903
1981907
1971890
1961869
1951846
1941843
1931809
1921794
1911774
1901853

Rural and Urban

The table below shows the percentage of rural population through the decades.[13] Note:- The separation of the areas in the current Pathankot district in 2011, may have significantly changed the numbers and figures for that year.

Percentage of rural population in Gurdaspur district by years[14]
YearPercentage
201177.73%
200174.56%
199178.02%
198178.31%
197179.7%

The table below gives the absolute number of rural and urban population through the years.[15][16] Note:- The separation of the areas in the current Pathankot district in 2011, may have significantly changed the numbers and figures for that year.

Rural and Urban population of Gurdaspur in absolute numbers by years[17][18]
YearUrbanRural
20113,61,15312,60,572
20015,35,22315,68,788
19913,86,41213,71,796
19813,28,26811,85,167
19712,49,0849,80,165

Religion

Religion in Gurdaspur District, 2011

  Sikhism (58.58%)
  Hinduism (29.36%)
  Christianity (10.44%)
  Islam (0.82%)
  Other (0.80%)

Sikhism is the largest religion in the residual district with 950,016 (58.58%), while Hinduism is the second-largest with 476,095 (29.36%). Christians are the third-largest community with 169,295 (10.44%), the highest share of Christians in the state, and Muslims 13,350 (0.82%).[19] Before Partition, undivided Gurdaspur district had a slight Muslim majority with a large Hindu minority and smaller Sikh and Christian populations. The area which now forms the current district had a Muslim majority and a large Sikh minority, with smaller Hindu and Christian populations.

Religion in Gurdaspur District
(2011 district borders)[lower-alpha 1]
Religion Population (1941)[20]: 61–62  Percentage (1941) Population (2011)[21] Percentage (2011)
Islam 380,775 53.72% 13,350 0.82%
Sikhism 193,108 27.24% 950,016 58.58%
Hinduism 90,412 12.75% 476,095 29.36%
Christianity 43,176 6.09% 169,295 10.44%
Others [lower-alpha 2] 1,401 0.20% 12,969 0.80%
Total Population 708,872 100% 1,621,725 100%

The table below shows the numbers of different religious groups in the urban areas of Gurdaspur district, through the years.[22][23][24][25][26][27] Note:- The separation of the areas in the current Pathankot district in 2011, may have significantly changed the numbers and figures for that year.

Numbers of religious groups in urban areas of Gurdaspur district by census year[28]
YearHinduSikhChristianMuslimOther Religions
20114,78,9891,40,53626,1518,2925,351
20013,79,7241,28,69721,6684,329807
19912,51,83166,0208,7131,540164

The table below shows the absolute numbers of different religious groups in the rural areas of Gurdaspur district, through the years.[29][30][31][32][33][34] Note:- The separation of the areas in the current Pathankot district in 2011, may have significantly changed the numbers and figures for that year.

Absolute numbers of various religious groups in rural areas of Gurdaspur district by census year[35]
YearHinduSikhChristianMuslimOther Religions
20115,95,3438,62,3381,50,4365,35111,512
20016,16,5228,06,2661,27,3158072,246
19914,76,5316,09,38090,924164510

Historical
Populations of Muslim and Non-Muslims in Gurdaspur District, based on Census Data. In the 1881 Census, Non-Muslims were in majority, at 52.49%. While the Non-Muslims had a slight majority, the proportion of the Muslim population increased in the following decades. By the 1930s, Muslims were the majority population in the District.[36]
Religion in Gurdaspur District
(1941 district borders)[20]: 42 
Religion Population Percentage
Islam 589,923 51.14%
Hinduism [lower-alpha 3] 290,774 25.21%
Sikhism 221,261 19.18%
Christianity 51,522 4.47%
Others [lower-alpha 2] 31 0%
Total Population 1,153,511 100%

Health

The number of registerd doctors in the Gurdaspur district were 1,642 and 6,118 registered nurses, as of year 2018.[37][38]

The table given below shows the population served per doctor in Gurdaspur district, by years.[39]

Population served per doctor in Gurdaspur district by years[40]
YearPopulationYearPopulation
20181,05820002,490
20121,67119992,382
20101,84519982,377
20082,09119972,441
20072,10819962,536
20061,97319952,558
20052,22819942,598
20042,40819933,019
20032,47819922,043
20022,45219912,806
20012,54719902,986

Notable people

Science and Academia

Sports

Military

Art and culture

Politics

References
  1. "About District". gurdaspur.nic.in. Archived from the original on 2 August 2005. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  2. "District Census 2011". Census2011.co.in. 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  3. Ancient India, from the earliest times to the first century, A.D by Rapson, E. J. p.154
  4. "History | District Gurdaspur,Government of Punjab | India".
  5. "District Heritage Society Gurdaspur" (PDF).
  6. "Imperial Gazetteer2 of India, Volume 12, page 395 -- Imperial Gazetteer of India -- Digital South Asia Library". dsal.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  7. "Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901".
  8. US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011. Latvia 2,204,708 July 2011 est.
  9. "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011. New Mexico – 2,059,179
  10. "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Punjab". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  11. https://punjab.data.gov.in/catalog/district-wise-decadal-sex-ratio-punjab
  12. https://punjab.data.gov.in/catalog/district-wise-decadal-sex-ratio-punjab
  13. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-rural-population-percentage-total-population-1971-2011
  14. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-rural-population-percentage-total-population-1971-2011
  15. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-total-rural-population-1971-2011
  16. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-total-urban-population-1971-2011
  17. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-total-rural-population-1971-2011
  18. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-total-urban-population-1971-2011
  19. "C-1 Population By Religious Community Data - Census 2011 - Punjab". censusindia.gov.in. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.
  20. "CENSUS OF INDIA, 1941 VOLUME VI PUNJAB PROVINCE". Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  21. "Table C-01 Population by Religious Community: Punjab". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  22. https://punjab.data.gov.in/catalog/district-wise-population-religion-punjab
  23. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-hindu-urban-population-1991-2011
  24. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-sikh-urban-population-1991-2011
  25. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-muslim-urban-population-1991-2011
  26. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-christian-urban-population-1991-2011
  27. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-other-religion-urban-population-1991-2011
  28. https://punjab.data.gov.in/catalog/district-wise-population-religion-punjab
  29. https://punjab.data.gov.in/catalog/district-wise-population-religion-punjab
  30. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-hindu-rural-population-1991-2011
  31. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-sikh-rural-population-1991-2011
  32. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-muslim-rural-population-1991-2011
  33. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-christian-rural-population-1991-2011
  34. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-no-other-religion-rural-population-1991-2011
  35. https://punjab.data.gov.in/catalog/district-wise-population-religion-punjab
  36. Singh, Kirpal (2005). "Memorandum Submitted to the Punjab Boundary Commission by the Indian National Congress". Select Documents on Partition of Punjab - 1947: India and Pakistan: Punjab, Haryana and Himachal-India and Punjab-Pakistan. Delhi: National Book Shop. p. 212. ISBN 9788171164455. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  37. https://data.gov.in/resource/districtwise-registered-number-doctors-punjab-1968-2018-april-march
  38. https://data.gov.in/resource/district-wise-registered-nurses-punjab-1968-2018-april-march
  39. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/districtwise-population-served-doctor-punjab-1968-2018-april-march
  40. https://punjab.data.gov.in/resource/districtwise-population-served-doctor-punjab-1968-2018-april-march
  1. Includes Gurdaspur and Batala tehsils, which are the tehsils which now cover the area of Gurdaspur district
  2. Including Jainism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Ad-Dharmis, or not stated
  3. 1941 census: Including Ad-Dharmis
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