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About Jalandhar

We find different legends about the origin of the present name of Jalandhar. One story connects it to the time of the Mahabharata when there existed a demon king with the same name. Another legend takes it history back to the Ramayana era by suggesting that it was the capital of the kingdom founded by Luv, the son of Lord Rama. The term 'Jalandhar' means 'an area inside the water' in vernacular language, which is seen as yet another reason for it being known by this name, since Jalandhar lies between two rivers Satluj and Beas. Ancient sources refer to it by the name of Trigartta, because of it being flanked by three different rivers Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.

The recorded history of Jalandhar goes back to the time when Alexandra the Great was creating new landmarks in his cherished goal of conquering the world.

The area of present Jalandhar happened to be his eastern most territory and to mark this boundary he constructed a huge altar and left some of his companions there. Recent excavations have pushed its ancient history far back in the timeline. It is now agreed universally that Jalandhar was a part of the vast areas that provided the base for the development of the great Indus Valley civilizations.

By seventh century, during the visit of Hiuen Tsang, the well-known Chinese traveler, the city of Jullundur was found to be ruled by Raja Utito, who is also identified in history as the Rajput Raja Attar Chandra of the Katoch dynasty. The kngdom of Raja Utitio covered a vast land area spreading far and wide, but was regarded as a tributary of King Harsh Vardhana. The written record provided by the Chinese traveler mentions the existence of no less than 50 Viharas and Maths of Buddhism. The history of the region up to the twelfth century was largely dominated by the Rajput rulers.

Jalandhar was found to be ruled by the Shahi Kingdom of Punjab also, during the tenth and eleventh century, before it came under the control of Delhi rulers. The Mughals made it the capital of an administrative division of their empire. It was captured by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1811 and by 1846, it slipped into the hands of the colonial rulers. Since then Jalandhar remained under the influence of the British, however, it took active part in the freedom movement being carried out by the nationalist leaders of that time.

The Independence brought the region large scale exodus of people from both side of the borders, which culminated in unprecedented communal riots and much bloodshed. However, the city soon grew to become a chief trading center of the state and also an industrial hub, providing a base for the development of industries engaged in the production of leather goods, surgical tools and sports items.