Kapurthala

Kapurthala is a city in Punjab state of India. It is the administrative headquarters of Kapurthala District. It was the capital of the Kapurthala State (ruled by Ahluwalia Dynasty), a princely state in British India. The secular and aesthetic mix of the city with its prominent buildings based on French and Indo-Saracenic architecture self-narrate its princely past. It is also known as city of Palaces & Gardens. According to the 2011 Census, Kapurthala is the least populated city in India.[2]

Kapurthala
City
Jagatjit Club, Kapurthala
Kapurthala
Location in Punjab, India
Kapurthala
Kapurthala (India)
Coordinates: 31.38°N 75.38°E / 31.38; 75.38
Country India
StatePunjab
DistrictKapurthala
Founded byJagatjit Singh [1]
Government
  BodyMunicipal Corporation Kapurthala
Elevation
225 m (738 ft)
Population
 (2011)
  Total101,854
Languages
  OfficialPunjabi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
144 601
Telephone code01822
Vehicle registrationPB-09
Round about of Kapurthala city toward road approaching Jalandhar

History

Princely state

Kapurthala flag

Kapurthala was once the capital of Kapurthala State, a princely state in pre-independence India, ruled by the Ahluwalia Sikh rulers. Kapurthala flag has two color background, with insgnia and moto that says "pro rege et patria" (in Latin) meaning "For king and country"

Demographics

As per provisional data of 2011 census Kapurthala had a population of 101,854, out of which males were 55,485 and females were 46,169. The literacy rate was 85.82 per cent.[3]

Religion in Kapurthala[4]
Religion Percent
Sikhism
72.79%
Hinduism
24.74%
Islam
1.26%
Christianity
0.59%
Not Stated/Others
0.64%

Monuments and buildings

Sainik School, Kapurthala

The City of Kapurthala has several buildings and places of interest linked to its local history such as the Sainik School (Formerly Jagatjit Palace), Shalimar Bagh (Gardens), District Courts buildings, Moorish Mosque, Panch Mandir ("Five Temples"), Clock Tower, State Gurudwara, Kanjli Wetlands, 15,000-capacity field hockey venue Guru Nanak Stadium, Jagjit Club, and the NJSA Government college.The city also have first climatic change theater of country.

Sainik School (Jagatjit Palace)

Jagatjit Palace, Kapurthala

The Sainik School, formerly known as Jagatjit Palace, is housed in what was formerly the palace of the erstwhile Maharajah of Kapurthala state, Maharajah Jagatjit Singh. The palace building's architecture is based on the Palace of Versailles and Fontainebleau and is spread over a total area of 200 acres (0.81 km2). It was designed by a French architect M. Marcel and built by a local builder Allah Ditta. It was built in renaissance style with the sunken park in the front (Known as Baija). Its Durbar Hall (Diwan-E-Khas) is one of the finest in India, and the Plaster of Paris figures and painted ceilings represent the finest features of French and Italian art and architecture. The construction of this palace was commenced in 1900 and completed in 1908 in time for the new wife of the Maharajah Anita Delgado.

Elysee Palace

The Elysee Palace was commissioned by Kanwar Bikrama Singh and completed in 1862. This building has now been converted into MGN School of Kapurthala.

Moorish Mosque

Moorish Mosque of Kapurthala

An example of the secular history of Kapurthala is the Moorish Mosque, a replica of the Grand Mosque of Marakesh, Morocco, was built by a French architect, Monsieur M Manteaux. Its construction was commissioned by the last ruler of Kapurthala, Maharajah Jagatjit Singh and took 13 years to complete between 1917 and 1930. It was then consecrated in the presence of the late Nawab of Bhawalpur. The Mosque's inner dome contains decorations by the artists of the Mayo School of Art, Lahore. The Mosque is a National Monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. It was one of the monumental creations in the State during the premiership of late Diwan Sir Abdul Hamid Kt., CIE, OBE. It was his keen interest with Maharaja's blessings that the mosque was completed. Its wooden model lay at the entrance of the Lahore Museum.

Jagatjit Club

Jagatjit Club is an elegant building situated in the heart of the city based on the Greek roman style of architecture. Its design loosely resembles the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens and features the Coat of Arms of the erstwhile ruling family of Kapurthala with their royal motto "Pro Rege et Patria" (For King and Country) on its pediment. The building has been used for a variety of purposes since it was constructed, it was used as a church in the early nineteenth century, as a cinema hall in the 1940s and now houses a local club which includes a well built badminton court, a card room and a dining hall.

Shalimar Gardens

Shalimar Gardens are situated in roughly the centre of the city and provide an escape from the hustle-bustle of the city. The Shahi Samadhs (The Royal Cenotaphs) in the Shalimar Gardens emphasize the traditions of its ruling Dynasty. Marble obelisks inside the red sandstone Chambers, are Memorials to the former Rulers and their families. Nearby, a grand structure built in 1880 and built on a marble plinth, houses the Samadhs of Maharajas Kharak Singh, Jagatjit Singh and Paramjit Singh.

Panch Mandir (Five Temples)

Panch Mandir of Kapurthala is a place of reverence for all faiths. The temple complex is home to five small temples. Built during the reign of Sardar Fateh Singh, an extraordinary feature of this temple is that from the entry door, one can view all the five idols and pay obeisance to all. There is a temple Mandir Shivala Dewan Banna Mal Gautam in Nawanshahr Which is replica of Panch Mandir Kapurthala. Dewan Banna Mal Gautam was Chief Minister of Kapurthala State and Manager of His Highness Maharaja Sir Randhir Singh Bahadur of Kapurthala's estates in Oudh.

The State Gurdwara

The large and imposing red sandstone building (now painted white) of the State Gurudwara was consecrated in 1915 under the charge of Revail Singh. Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, it has vast expanses of marble haloed by the feet of the hundreds of devotees. It is situated in the center of the city on the Sultanpur road. Recently, it is being renovated. There is a big park behind the Gurudwara building.

Brahmkund Mandir

11 Mukhi Shiv Ling Brahmkund Temple is jathere of Gautam Brahmin Family of Dewan Banna Mal Gautam (Misr). This temple was built by Dewan Banna Mal's sons Dewan Acchru Mal Gautam and Dewan Sundri Mal Gautam. Dewan Banna Mal was Dewan of Maharaja Randhir Singh Bahadur of Kapurthala and Manager of Kapurthala's estate in Oudh. Bana Mala Wala village in Mand area of Kapurthala is after Banna Mal's Name and Dewan Banna Mal has also built Shivala Dewa Banna Mal in Nawanshahr.

Gurudwara Ber Sahib

The Gurdwara Ber Sahib is situated at Sultanpur Lodhi, which is one of the four sub-divisions (Tehsil) of Kapurthala. This historic site is of great importance to Sikhism as it is said to be the very place where the First Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak, spent 14 years(14 years 9 months 13 days) of his life . The place derives its name from a Ber tree (Zizyphus Jujuba) said to be planted by Guru Nanak himself and under which he first uttered the Mool Mantra or the "Sacred Word or Revelation" of Sikhism.

Kanjli Wetlands

Kanjli Wetlands, on the western Bein rivulet at the outskirts of the city, has been included in under the Ramsar Convention. It is a common site for bird watching and boating. An enormous project is currently being undertaken here to develop it into a destination for bird watching replete with modern-day facilities. Sadly the Kanjli Wetlands have been in a state of neglect lately with little attention being given by the authorities to the condition of flora and fauna and its surrounding infrastructure.

Climate

Climate data for Kapurthala (1981–2010, extremes 1966–1996)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 27.7
(81.9)
28.2
(82.8)
35.0
(95.0)
43.0
(109.4)
47.7
(117.9)
47.3
(117.1)
45.5
(113.9)
41.2
(106.2)
41.0
(105.8)
38.1
(100.6)
39.0
(102.2)
28.0
(82.4)
47.7
(117.9)
Average high °C (°F) 18.2
(64.8)
20.8
(69.4)
25.6
(78.1)
33.4
(92.1)
38.4
(101.1)
40.5
(104.9)
36.0
(96.8)
34.0
(93.2)
34.1
(93.4)
31.3
(88.3)
25.9
(78.6)
20.3
(68.5)
29.9
(85.8)
Average low °C (°F) 5.0
(41.0)
7.5
(45.5)
11.8
(53.2)
17.1
(62.8)
21.8
(71.2)
24.0
(75.2)
24.0
(75.2)
24.8
(76.6)
22.6
(72.7)
16.9
(62.4)
10.8
(51.4)
5.8
(42.4)
16.0
(60.8)
Record low °C (°F) 0.0
(32.0)
1.0
(33.8)
1.8
(35.2)
7.0
(44.6)
11.8
(53.2)
15.5
(59.9)
14.5
(58.1)
17.8
(64.0)
12.0
(53.6)
8.0
(46.4)
2.0
(35.6)
0.0
(32.0)
0.0
(32.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 24.1
(0.95)
32.8
(1.29)
35.6
(1.40)
23.3
(0.92)
31.9
(1.26)
29.3
(1.15)
171.3
(6.74)
148.6
(5.85)
109.0
(4.29)
12.1
(0.48)
7.3
(0.29)
12.0
(0.47)
637.3
(25.09)
Average rainy days 2.1 3.4 3.2 2.3 2.2 2.3 6.9 7.3 3.8 0.6 0.7 1.3 36.1
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) 75 74 72 62 60 56 75 83 72 69 70 72 70
Source: India Meteorological Department[5][6]

Transport

The City of Kapurthala is well connected with the main transport routes of the Punjab and Northern India. It is situated 19 km away toward South-West of its closest neighbouring city of Jalandhar.[7]

Road

Kapurthala is connected to rest of state and India through National Highway 703A and Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Marg (NH 703AA).[8][9]

Railway

The Kapurthala railway station which is located on Jalandhar–Firozpur line connects it to all parts of India through two major railway junctions stations of Jalandhar and Firozpur.[10]

Air

The nearest airport to Kapurthala, Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport is located at Amritsar, about 75 km away.[7]

Education

The main higher education institutions of Kapurthala are -

  • G.N.D.U Regional Campus, Fattudhinga, Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala, established in 2013.
  • College of Engineering and Management(CEM)
  • SD Public School, Sheikhupur,Kapurthala
  • NJSA Government College, established in 1856, popularly known as Randhir College, after its founder Randhir Singh of Kapurthala[11]
  • Anand College of Engineering and Management(ACEM)
  • Hindu Kanya College for women
  • Bebe Nanki G.N.D.U college Mithra.
  • Lord Krishna Polytechnic College (LKPC), Subhnapur road, Kapurthala
  • Shaheed Udham Singh College of Technology, Subhanpur Road, Kapurthala.(SUS COLLEGE)
  • Sardar swaran singh national institute of bio energy.

There are numerous primary and secondary schools in Kapurthala, notably -

  • Anand Public Senior Secondary School
  • Bawa Lalvani Public School
  • Christ King Convent School, the only ICSE pattern based convent school in the city
  • Dhilwan International Public School(DIPS)
  • Govt. Girls Sr. Sec. School Kapurthala(Ghanta Ghar School)
  • J.K. Public Senior Secondary School (started by local personality Jhanda Mal Sharma)
  • K
  • Kendriya Vidyalaya Kapurthala Cantt
  • KR Jain DAV Public School
  • MDSD Sr Sec School
  • MGN Public School
  • Onkar Public Senior Secondary School
  • Prita Lee Lesson Senior Secondary School
  • Sainik School
  • Little Angels Co-Ed School
  • Randhir School
  • GTB International Sr. Sec. School
  • Premjot Sr Sec Public School
  • Cambridge International School

Villages in Kapurthala District

According to census of 2001 there are 618 Villages in Kapurthala District. Kala Sanghian and Dhilwan are large towns in kapurthala district. Kapurthala district itself is divided into four sub districts

  1. Bhulath
  2. Kapurthala
  3. Phagwara
  4. Sultanpur Lodhi

Here is detailed link for villages in Kapurthala district.

Culture and Films

  • The film 'Tanu Weds Manu' (2011) had some scenes shot in Kapurthala city and Kala Sanghian.
  • Kapurthala gives its name to the Kapurthala stomacher, a wedding gift from the Maharajah to Mary of Teck, the future Queen Mary, in 1893.[12]
  • In the 2010 Pakistani drama Dastaan, a period drama that is set during the Partition of India, Kapurthala serves as the place where Bano, the main Muslim female character, is kept for nearly five years by a Sikh family.
  • Parts of Hindi movie Firangi (2017) were shot at Sainik School Kapurthala (Jagjit Palace). The appearance of the palace is different in the film compared to how it is in reality and it appears that parts of the school building were painted for the film as well the structure was altered using CGI.

Literature

References

  1. http://www.kapurthala.gov.in/origin.aspx
  2. "Top 10 Least Populated Cities of India - Census.co.in".
  3. "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  4. "Kapurthala City Population Census 2011 - Punjab".
  5. "Station: Kapurthala Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 389–390. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  6. "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M170. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  7. "How to reach Kapurthala". Kapurthala district official website. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  8. "Kapurthala-Taran Taran road declared as NH- 703 A A named as Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Marg". All India Radio (AIR). 17 October 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  9. "NH No. 703AA in Punjab named as Guru Nanak Dev Ji Marg". DD News. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  10. "Time table of KAPURTHALA (KXH) railway station". Rail Drishti. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  11. "College of excellence, 150 years ago". The Tribune. 1 October 2006.
  12. Royal Collection http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/microsites/royalwedding1947/object.asp?grouping=&exhibs=NONE&object=200188&row=17&detail=about
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