Firozpur
Encyclopedia
Firozpur (abbreviated: FZR) (alternatively Ferozepur) is a city on the banks of the Sutlej River in Firozpur District
, Punjab, India, founded by Sultan
Firoz Shah Tughlaq
(1309–88), a Muslim ruler of the Tughlaq Dynasty
who reigned over the Sultanate of Delhi from 1351 to 1388.
The Manj Rajputs say the town was named after their chief, a Rajput of the Bhatti clan called Feroze Khan, in the middle of the 16th century. Firozpur is called ‘Shaheedon ki dharti’ (the land of martyrs).
Ferozpur today is a transportation and administration center and an ancient city. It is a border town on the Indo-Pakistan border with memorials of India's freedom fighters.
Three martyrs in India's struggle for freedom, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev
, were hanged in Lahore
for their revolutionary activities against the British Government on March 23, 1931. They were cremated and their Samādhi
is located in Hussainiwala
on the Sutlej
river bank.
Ferozepur also holds a historic place in Indian history as it was there that British Raj
established control over much of North-West India as well as what is now Pakistan through the Anglo-Sikh Wars
that were fought in this region. Today it is the headquarters of a brigade of the Northern Corps of the Indian Army
. Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Engineering and Technology is located at Moga
road in Ferozepur. It is a government Engg. College and has an excellent reputation.
Firozpur Cantonment is adjacent to and south of the city; during British times it was one of the largest cantonments in the country.
Ferozepur has easy access by road and rail to other places such as Amritsar
, Ludhiana, Jalandhar
, Delhi
, and Chandigarh
; the city is a center of numerous holy shrines and historic places. At the nearby city of Zira
, a Jain Swetambar Temple with ancient brass icons and wall murals is located.
In addition to cotton
and grain
cultivation and agriculture-related services, Firozpur has some light manufacturing. Commercial progress has been restricted by its vicinity to the border
with Pakistan. Normalizing relations between the two nuclear nations promises to raise the city's profile as a potential trade hub. Ferozepur is the oldest British district of the Punjab
, established in 1833 as district headquarters even well before Ludhiana and Amritsar became districts. Ferozepur district even after partition included many areas which were later reorganised to be a part of the Faridkot
, Moga
, Muktsar
and Bathinda Districts. The per hectare wheat yields of this district are comparable to the best in the world and they matched wheat yields per hectare of Ontario
Province in Canada
.
The influence of the Sikhs in the region started from 1758, when they defeated Adina Beg, the Afgan Mughal Governor of Lahore. Three years later, when Hari Singh, chief of Bhangi misl, captured Kasur
and nearby areas, one of his sardars, Gurja (Gujar) Singh, along with his brother Nushaha Singh and his two nephews — Gurbakhsh Singh and Mastan Singh — took possession of Ferozepore. Later, Gurja (Gujar) Singh gave Ferozepore to his nephew, Gurbakhsh Singh. The Ferozepore territory then contained 37 villages.
In 1792, Gurbakhsh Singh, while dividing his possessions among his four sons, gave the fort and territory of Ferozepore to his second son Dhanna Singh. In 1819, Dhanna Singh died, leaving his widow Lachman Kaur. In 1820, Lachman Kaur went for a pilgrimage to the shrines of Haridwar, Gaya and Jagannath after having placed her father-in-law, Gurbakhsh Singh, in charge of the territory.
During Lachman Kaur’s pilgrimage, her husband’s nephew, Baghel Singh, gained admittance to the fort under the pretext of visiting his grandfather, and occupied it. After about three years in 1823, on her return from the pilgrimage, Lachman Kaur made an appeal to the British authorities against the occupation by Baghel Singh. Capt Ross, the Deputy Superintendent of Sikh Affairs, represented her case to the Lahore agent. Maharaja Ranjit Singh
recalled Baghel Singh, and allowed Lachman Kaur to rule Ferozepore. When Lachman Kaur, who was issueless, died in December, 1835, the estate came under the possession of the British Government. In July, 1838, Chanda Singh and Jhanda Singh, the two brothers of Baghel Singh (he died in 1826), made a claim to inherit the estate. But the case was decided against them.
The economy of the town was on the decline at the time of the British annexation. In 1838, the population of Ferozepore town was 2,732. In 1841, it rose to 4,841, mainly due to efforts of Sir H. Lawrence, who built a market place towards the east of the old fort, which is now no more. The main market was also completed under his supervision.
There was a time when the town was used surrounded by a wall, which had 10 gates, namely Delhi Gate, Mori Gate, Baghdadi Gate, Zira Gate, Makhu Gate, Bansanwala Gate, Amritsari Gate, Kasuri Gate, Multani Gate and Magzini Gate, providing protection to people living inside. Five of the gates are now no more, while the existing ones — Kasuri Gate, Multani Gate, Baghdadi Gate, Makhu Gate and Amritsari Gate — are in a state of utter neglect.
Rani-ka-Taalab, named after Lachman Kaur, is now a dry tank. Situated on a campus of an educational institute, it has the samadhis of Lachman Kaur and her husband Sardar Dhanna Singh on its side. The temple of Radha-Krishan and Lord Shiva are also situated near the samadhis.
Old records state that Moti Bazar and Hira Mandi in the town were once big markets selling pearls and diamonds, respectively. Before Partition, Hira Mandi was the abode of singing girls. Most of the town’s markets and lanes do not bear any number. They are named after eminent local personalities and philanthropists. For instance, some of them are called Gali Dugglan, Mohalla Sodhian, Mohalla Baurianwala, Basti Shekhan, Basti Balochan, Hata Khuda Bakhsh, Kuchha Harnam Das and Gali Kumrianwali.
Once the town was surrounded by gardens, including Tulsi Ram Bagh, Gole Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Ram Sukh Das Bagh and Kanshi Ram Bagh. Gole Bagh was the only garden which was under the supervision of the municipality. The remaining gardens were either the property of individuals or trusts. Around 1960, these individuals and trusts started disposing of the garden land as it became difficult for them to maintain it. Gole Bagh, which was once full of fruit trees, is now used to dump garbage.
Three martyrs of India's freedom struggle Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his associates Shaheed Rajguru and Shaheed Sukhdev have their final resting place on the banks of the river Sutlej in Ferozepur. On March 23, 1931, despite popular protest, the three men were executed in Lahore and were quietly cremated in the dead of night near Ferozepore. They were executed for terrorism against the British.
Today, a Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial marks the spot and every year on March 23, thousands of people gather to pay homage of these freedom fighters. Ferozepore has another historical memorial, the Saragarhi Gurudwara, commemorating the sacrifice of 21 Sikh soldiers who perished at Saragarhi in Baluchistan. On 12 September, every year, people gather here to pay tribute to the heroic soldiers and celebrate Saragarhi Day. The memorial service also provides an occasion for ex-servicemen to have a reunion.
Ferozepur city is to the South-West of Amritsar
city and located some 109 km from Amritsar. Another nearby city to the North of Ferozepur is Tarn Taran
. To the East is Ludhiana about 120 km away. In the West it has Kasur
and Lahore
in Pakistan across the International Border at Husainiwala/Ganda Singh Wala
. Other nearby cities include Fazilka
, Abohar
, (located to the South-West of Ferozepur) to the North-East of Ferozepur are Nakodar
, Kapurthala
and Jalandhar
, (located North-East of Ferozepur). Jalandhar is 120 km away from Ferozepur. The cities of Muktsar
and Faridkot are South of Ferozpur.
Important distances from the city of Ferozepur
1) Amritsar
- 109 km
2) Ludhiana - 120 km
3) Jalandhar
- 120 km
4) Bathinda - 85 km
5) Abohar
- 120 km
6) Chandigarh
- 220 km
7) Delhi
- 389 km (via Bathinda)
, Ferozpur had a population of 95,451, which increased from 78,738 in 1991. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Ferozpur has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 68%. In Ferozpur, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Lala Lajpat Rai, who visited the orphanage, called it "the pride of the nation". Lord C.R Attlee, a member of the Simon Commission, who visited the institute on August 17, 1928, observed: "I was most favourably impressed by the excellent work by this orphanage which is an honour to society".
Another important institute here, the Home for the Blind, was established in 1956. The institute has two buildings. The aim of the home is to educate and rehabilitate the inmates. Since its inception, hundreds of blind youth have been rehabilitated. To overcome a financial crisis, some portion of the blind home has been rented out now.
This town has a municipal library and a district library as well. The Army has opened a library, named after Dronacharya, in the cantonment area for Army personnel as well as civilians. It has over 20,000 books on every conceivable subject. Around 50,000 books are expected to be acquired within the next three years. The library also has video games, computer games, and Internet facilities.
There are three educational institutions, namely DAV College for Women, Dev Samaj College for Women and Dev Samaj College of Education for Women, exclusively for women. Two other educational institutes — RSD College and Guru Nanak College — are co-educational.
Besides, there are a number of schools, including two government schools, one each for boys and girls. Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Engineering and Technology has been set up on the Ferozepore-Moga road. Besides, there are two industrial training institutes, one each for boys and girls, and a government polytechnic.
The key schools in the city and the adjoining Cantonment are :-
Colleges in area :-
Professional College:-
. On the first floor of the building, the three revolutionaries manufactured bombs, while on the ground floor, one of their associates, Gaya Pershad, practised medicine. When the news of the murder of Saunders, Assistant Superintendent of Police, reached Ferozepore, Dr Gaya Pershad disappeared from the scene. Saunders was shot dead by Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev in Lahore on December 17, 1928. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were sentenced to death in the Lahore conspiracy case and ordered to be hanged on March 24, 1931. But, in view of great upsurge in the country, the Britishers hanged them on March 23, 1931, at 7.30 p.m. The bodies of the three martyrs were cremated under cover of darkness on the banks of Sutlej, about 10 km from Ferozepore. After Partition, the cremation spot went to Pakistan but on January 17, 1961, when India and Pakistan exchanged enclaves, the site came back to India. A Shaheedi conference is held there every year on March 23 to pay homage to the martyrs. The foundation stone of the memorial at Hussainiwala
was laid on March 23, 1965, by the then Union Defence Minister. Y.B. Chavan, but its construction could not be undertaken as war had broken out that very year between India and Pakistan. In 1968 the then Chief Minister of Punjab, Lachman Singh Gill, got the memorial completed within a short span of 37 days at a cost of Rs 1.84 lakh.
This memorial was damaged by the withdrawing Pakistani troops in 1972. They also removed the busts of the three national heroes during 1971 war when the area was captured by Pakistani troops. The memorial came up once again in 1973 due to the efforts of the thenPunjab Chief Minister, Giani Zail Singh.
Another monument at Ferozepore — the Barki Memorial — was set up in 1969 in memory of those soldiers of the 7 Infantry Division who laid down their lives on the battlefield in 1965, and paved the way for the fall of Barki, a town situated at a distance of 15 miles south-east of Lahore. The foundation stone of the Barki Memorial was laid on September 11, 1969. It has a pillar in the centre, a Patton tank and a Barki milestone in the south and a water fountain in the north. The pillar is 27 feet high, and is built of red and white sandstone.
Then there is the Saragarhi Memorial at Ferozepore. The Saragarhi Memorial Gurdwara was built in the memory of those 21 Sikh soldiers of the 36 Sikh Regiment who sacrificed their lives while defending the Fort of Saragarhi in Waziristan on September 12, 1897, which was attacked by nearly 10,000 Pathans. The memorial (gurdwara) was declared open in 1904 by Sir Charles Revz, the then Lt-Governor of Punjab.
Under British rule, two historic churches came into existence in the cantonment area. These churches were: Saint Andrew’s Church and Roman Catholic Church. The former is located on the Jhoke Road and the latter on the Church Road. The third church, situated on the NBI Road, was raised by Missionaries of Methodist Denomination during 1925-30.
Hussainiwala
- Apart from a lake, it is also the location of Bhagat Singh and his revolutionary colleagues' Samādhi
. The Indo-Pakistani border crossing at Hussainiwala and the change of guards ceremony every morning & evening.
Harike waterworks and barrage and its adjoining wetlands.
Ferozeshah, a village some 22 km from Ferozepur, has a museum as well as a memorial raised by the British to commemorate the dead of the Battle of Ferozeshah
in the Anglo-Sikh Wars
.
Gandhi Garden, a very beautiful rather peaceful place to pass time in the evening, some fun for kids too it has a small amusement park.
Shitala Mata Mandir, a very religious place and a worth seeing statues or sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses.
Firozpur Cantonment, is a cantonment town in Firozpur district in the state of Punjab, India. It is located adjacent to and south of the city of Firozpur.
Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium, a stadium with good facilities and a swimming pool, place to do sport.
The notable places of interest near Firozpur are:
Firozpur District
Ferozepur district is one of the twenty two th districts in the state of Punjab in North-West Republic of India.It comprises an area of 11,142 km². The surface is level, with the exception of a few sand-hills in the south and south-east...
, Punjab, India, founded by Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Firuz Shah Tughluq
-External links:*...
(1309–88), a Muslim ruler of the Tughlaq Dynasty
Tughlaq dynasty
The Tughlaq dynasty of north India started in 1321 in Delhi when Ghazi Malik assumed the throne under the title of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq. The Tughluqs were a Muslim family of Turkic origin...
who reigned over the Sultanate of Delhi from 1351 to 1388.
The Manj Rajputs say the town was named after their chief, a Rajput of the Bhatti clan called Feroze Khan, in the middle of the 16th century. Firozpur is called ‘Shaheedon ki dharti’ (the land of martyrs).
Ferozpur today is a transportation and administration center and an ancient city. It is a border town on the Indo-Pakistan border with memorials of India's freedom fighters.
Three martyrs in India's struggle for freedom, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev
Sukhdev
Sukhdev Thapar was born in Ludhiana, Punjab. He was an Indian freedom fighter who lived from 15 May 1907 to March 23, 1931) who was involved with Shaheed Bhagat Singh andShivaram Rajguru in the killing of a British police officer J.P...
, were hanged in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
for their revolutionary activities against the British Government on March 23, 1931. They were cremated and their Samādhi
Samadhi
Samadhi in Hinduism, Buddhism,Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools is a higher level of concentrated meditation, or dhyāna. In the yoga tradition, it is the eighth and final limb identified in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali....
is located in Hussainiwala
Hussainiwala
Hussainiwala is a village in Ferozepur district in Punjab state, India. It lies near the banks of the Sutlej river. The village is on the border with Pakistan, opposite the Pakistani village of Ganda Singh Wala...
on the Sutlej
Sutlej
The Sutlej River is the longest of the five rivers that flow through the historic crossroad region of Punjab in northern India and Pakistan. It is located north of the Vindhya Range, south of the Hindu Kush segment of the Himalayas, and east of the Central Sulaiman Range in Pakistan.The Sutlej...
river bank.
Ferozepur also holds a historic place in Indian history as it was there that British Raj
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
established control over much of North-West India as well as what is now Pakistan through the Anglo-Sikh Wars
Anglo-Sikh wars
There have been two Anglo-Sikh wars:*The First Anglo-Sikh War *The Second Anglo-Sikh War...
that were fought in this region. Today it is the headquarters of a brigade of the Northern Corps of the Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
. Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Engineering and Technology is located at Moga
Moga District
Moga district is one of the Twenty districts in the state of Punjab in North-West Republic of India. It became the 17th district of Punjab State on 24 November 1995. It is also known as NRI district. Most Punjabi Non-resident Indians belong to rural areas of Moga District, who immigrated to the...
road in Ferozepur. It is a government Engg. College and has an excellent reputation.
Firozpur Cantonment is adjacent to and south of the city; during British times it was one of the largest cantonments in the country.
Ferozepur has easy access by road and rail to other places such as Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
, Ludhiana, Jalandhar
Jalandhar
Jalandhar is a city in Jalandhar District in the state of Punjab, India. It is located 144 km northwest of the state capital, Chandigarh...
, Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, and Chandigarh
Chandigarh
Chandigarh is a union territory of India that serves as the capital of two states, Haryana and Punjab. The name Chandigarh translates as "The Fort of Chandi". The name is from an ancient temple called Chandi Mandir, devoted to the Hindu goddess Chandi, in the city...
; the city is a center of numerous holy shrines and historic places. At the nearby city of Zira
Zira (India)
Zira is a city and a municipal council in Firozepur district in the Indian state of Punjab.- History :The neighbourhood of Zira , in which there are many deserted sites, had been for many years a waste, when in 1508 Sayad Ahmad Shah came from Gugera and founded Zira Khas...
, a Jain Swetambar Temple with ancient brass icons and wall murals is located.
In addition to cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
and grain
GRAIN
GRAIN is a small international non-profit organisation that works to support small farmers and social movements in their struggles for community-controlled and biodiversity-based food systems. Our support takes the form of independent research and analysis, networking at local, regional and...
cultivation and agriculture-related services, Firozpur has some light manufacturing. Commercial progress has been restricted by its vicinity to the border
Indo-Pakistani relations
Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained by a number of historical and political issues, and are defined by the violent partition of British India in 1947, the Kashmir dispute and the numerous military conflicts fought between the two nations...
with Pakistan. Normalizing relations between the two nuclear nations promises to raise the city's profile as a potential trade hub. Ferozepur is the oldest British district of the Punjab
Punjab (British India)
Punjab was a province of British India, it was one of the last areas of the Indian subcontinent to fall under British rule. With the end of British rule in 1947 the province was split between West Punjab, which went to Pakistan, and East Punjab, which went to India...
, established in 1833 as district headquarters even well before Ludhiana and Amritsar became districts. Ferozepur district even after partition included many areas which were later reorganised to be a part of the Faridkot
Faridkot District
Faridkot district is one of the twenty districts in the state of Punjab in North-West Republic of India. According to Punjab's Geo-Area, Faridkot is a Malwa District. It is one of the biggest cotton markets in South-East Asia. The name 'Faridkot' is derived from Baba Farid, a god-lover who wanted...
, Moga
Moga District
Moga district is one of the Twenty districts in the state of Punjab in North-West Republic of India. It became the 17th district of Punjab State on 24 November 1995. It is also known as NRI district. Most Punjabi Non-resident Indians belong to rural areas of Moga District, who immigrated to the...
, Muktsar
Muktsar
Sri Muktsar Sahib is a city and a municipal council in Sri Muktsar Sahib district in the Indian state of Punjab. Sri Muktsar Sahib's historical name was Khidrane dee dhab .-Demographics: India census, Sri Muktsar Sahib has a population of 3,96,030...
and Bathinda Districts. The per hectare wheat yields of this district are comparable to the best in the world and they matched wheat yields per hectare of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
Province in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
History
Ferozepur is believed to have been founded by Ferozeshah Tughluq in the 14th century. Another version claims that it was founded by a Bhatti chief called Feroze Khan. However, the first version is more widely accepted as Ferozeshah Tughluq had a passion for building new cities and renaming old ones especially after his own name. He claimed, "Among the many gifts which God bestowed upon me, His humble servant, was a desire to erect public buildings. So I built many mosques, colleges and monasteries, that the learned and the elders, the devout and the holy, might worship God in these edifices and aid the kind builder with their prayers."The influence of the Sikhs in the region started from 1758, when they defeated Adina Beg, the Afgan Mughal Governor of Lahore. Three years later, when Hari Singh, chief of Bhangi misl, captured Kasur
Kasur
Kasur , the capital of Kasur District in Pakistan. Kasur is located adjacent to the border of Ganda Singh Wala between Pakistan and India, and is a tourist attraction because of the daily occurring Flags lowering ceremony...
and nearby areas, one of his sardars, Gurja (Gujar) Singh, along with his brother Nushaha Singh and his two nephews — Gurbakhsh Singh and Mastan Singh — took possession of Ferozepore. Later, Gurja (Gujar) Singh gave Ferozepore to his nephew, Gurbakhsh Singh. The Ferozepore territory then contained 37 villages.
In 1792, Gurbakhsh Singh, while dividing his possessions among his four sons, gave the fort and territory of Ferozepore to his second son Dhanna Singh. In 1819, Dhanna Singh died, leaving his widow Lachman Kaur. In 1820, Lachman Kaur went for a pilgrimage to the shrines of Haridwar, Gaya and Jagannath after having placed her father-in-law, Gurbakhsh Singh, in charge of the territory.
During Lachman Kaur’s pilgrimage, her husband’s nephew, Baghel Singh, gained admittance to the fort under the pretext of visiting his grandfather, and occupied it. After about three years in 1823, on her return from the pilgrimage, Lachman Kaur made an appeal to the British authorities against the occupation by Baghel Singh. Capt Ross, the Deputy Superintendent of Sikh Affairs, represented her case to the Lahore agent. Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Ranjit Singh
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire.-Early life:...
recalled Baghel Singh, and allowed Lachman Kaur to rule Ferozepore. When Lachman Kaur, who was issueless, died in December, 1835, the estate came under the possession of the British Government. In July, 1838, Chanda Singh and Jhanda Singh, the two brothers of Baghel Singh (he died in 1826), made a claim to inherit the estate. But the case was decided against them.
The economy of the town was on the decline at the time of the British annexation. In 1838, the population of Ferozepore town was 2,732. In 1841, it rose to 4,841, mainly due to efforts of Sir H. Lawrence, who built a market place towards the east of the old fort, which is now no more. The main market was also completed under his supervision.
There was a time when the town was used surrounded by a wall, which had 10 gates, namely Delhi Gate, Mori Gate, Baghdadi Gate, Zira Gate, Makhu Gate, Bansanwala Gate, Amritsari Gate, Kasuri Gate, Multani Gate and Magzini Gate, providing protection to people living inside. Five of the gates are now no more, while the existing ones — Kasuri Gate, Multani Gate, Baghdadi Gate, Makhu Gate and Amritsari Gate — are in a state of utter neglect.
Rani-ka-Taalab, named after Lachman Kaur, is now a dry tank. Situated on a campus of an educational institute, it has the samadhis of Lachman Kaur and her husband Sardar Dhanna Singh on its side. The temple of Radha-Krishan and Lord Shiva are also situated near the samadhis.
Old records state that Moti Bazar and Hira Mandi in the town were once big markets selling pearls and diamonds, respectively. Before Partition, Hira Mandi was the abode of singing girls. Most of the town’s markets and lanes do not bear any number. They are named after eminent local personalities and philanthropists. For instance, some of them are called Gali Dugglan, Mohalla Sodhian, Mohalla Baurianwala, Basti Shekhan, Basti Balochan, Hata Khuda Bakhsh, Kuchha Harnam Das and Gali Kumrianwali.
Once the town was surrounded by gardens, including Tulsi Ram Bagh, Gole Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Ram Sukh Das Bagh and Kanshi Ram Bagh. Gole Bagh was the only garden which was under the supervision of the municipality. The remaining gardens were either the property of individuals or trusts. Around 1960, these individuals and trusts started disposing of the garden land as it became difficult for them to maintain it. Gole Bagh, which was once full of fruit trees, is now used to dump garbage.
Location
Ferozepore is an ancient city situated close to the present day Indo-Pakistan border. Ferozepore's strategic position in the northwest of the country has resulted in its being part of many military expeditions in the area. During the first Anglo-Sikh war in 1845, it was due to the negligence of the British commander at Ferozepore that the Khalsa was able to cross the Sutlej unopposed. When Lord Hardinge declared war on the Sikhs, the first battle was fought at Mudki, 20 miles south-east of Ferozepore. In 1838, Ferozepore was the centre from where British troops advanced to Kabul during the first Anglo-Afghan war. Legendary olympian Sanyam Kataria was also born here.Three martyrs of India's freedom struggle Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his associates Shaheed Rajguru and Shaheed Sukhdev have their final resting place on the banks of the river Sutlej in Ferozepur. On March 23, 1931, despite popular protest, the three men were executed in Lahore and were quietly cremated in the dead of night near Ferozepore. They were executed for terrorism against the British.
Today, a Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial marks the spot and every year on March 23, thousands of people gather to pay homage of these freedom fighters. Ferozepore has another historical memorial, the Saragarhi Gurudwara, commemorating the sacrifice of 21 Sikh soldiers who perished at Saragarhi in Baluchistan. On 12 September, every year, people gather here to pay tribute to the heroic soldiers and celebrate Saragarhi Day. The memorial service also provides an occasion for ex-servicemen to have a reunion.
Ferozepur city is to the South-West of Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
city and located some 109 km from Amritsar. Another nearby city to the North of Ferozepur is Tarn Taran
Tarn Taran
Tarn Taran may refer to:*Tarn Taran Sahib, a city in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, India*Tarn Taran district, a district in Punjab, India*Tarn Taran...
. To the East is Ludhiana about 120 km away. In the West it has Kasur
Kasur
Kasur , the capital of Kasur District in Pakistan. Kasur is located adjacent to the border of Ganda Singh Wala between Pakistan and India, and is a tourist attraction because of the daily occurring Flags lowering ceremony...
and Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
in Pakistan across the International Border at Husainiwala/Ganda Singh Wala
Ganda Singh Wala
thumb|alt=Full-length It is the snapshot of Ganda sing border kasur where the flag lowering ceremony is underway in feb 2010|Ganda Singh Wala Border, Flag Lowering CeremonyAbout=...
. Other nearby cities include Fazilka
Fazilka
Fazilka is a city and a municipal council and 22nd newest district in the state of Punjab, India and recently declared as District on July 27, 2011 consisting three subdivisions Fazilka, Jalalabad and Abohar besides three sub-tehsils Arniwala Sheikh Suban, Sito Guno and Khuian Sarwar.- History...
, Abohar
Abohar
Abohar is a city and a municipal committee in Fazilka district in the state of Punjab, India,) located on the Ganganagar–Delhi railway route, about north of Ganganagar and about south of Fazilka. This city is also known as the "California of Punjab" for its rich soil, good irrigation sources,...
, (located to the South-West of Ferozepur) to the North-East of Ferozepur are Nakodar
Nakodar
Nakodar is a city and a municipal council in Jalandhar district in the Indian state of Punjab.The city is almost 424 km from Delhi, 24 km from Jalandhar, 45 km from Ludhiana, and about 114 km from Amritsar. Surrounding villages include[Mehatpur]Nawan Pind Jattan, Heran, Bir...
, Kapurthala
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, a princely state in British India. The secular and aesthetic mix of the city with its prominent buildings based on French and Indo-Saracenic...
and Jalandhar
Jalandhar
Jalandhar is a city in Jalandhar District in the state of Punjab, India. It is located 144 km northwest of the state capital, Chandigarh...
, (located North-East of Ferozepur). Jalandhar is 120 km away from Ferozepur. The cities of Muktsar
Muktsar
Sri Muktsar Sahib is a city and a municipal council in Sri Muktsar Sahib district in the Indian state of Punjab. Sri Muktsar Sahib's historical name was Khidrane dee dhab .-Demographics: India census, Sri Muktsar Sahib has a population of 3,96,030...
and Faridkot are South of Ferozpur.
Important distances from the city of Ferozepur
1) Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
- 109 km
2) Ludhiana - 120 km
3) Jalandhar
Jalandhar
Jalandhar is a city in Jalandhar District in the state of Punjab, India. It is located 144 km northwest of the state capital, Chandigarh...
- 120 km
4) Bathinda - 85 km
5) Abohar
Abohar
Abohar is a city and a municipal committee in Fazilka district in the state of Punjab, India,) located on the Ganganagar–Delhi railway route, about north of Ganganagar and about south of Fazilka. This city is also known as the "California of Punjab" for its rich soil, good irrigation sources,...
- 120 km
6) Chandigarh
Chandigarh
Chandigarh is a union territory of India that serves as the capital of two states, Haryana and Punjab. The name Chandigarh translates as "The Fort of Chandi". The name is from an ancient temple called Chandi Mandir, devoted to the Hindu goddess Chandi, in the city...
- 220 km
7) Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
- 389 km (via Bathinda)
Demographics
As of 2001 India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Ferozpur had a population of 95,451, which increased from 78,738 in 1991. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Ferozpur has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 68%. In Ferozpur, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Education
The town has a number of institutes of importance. The Arya Orphanage was set up here with the blessings of Swami Dayanand, the founder of Arya Samaj, on October 26, 1877. The Swami was invited here by Rai Sahib Mathra Das, an engineer. The institute, which has given shelter to thousands of orphans and destitute, is spread over 21 acres.Lala Lajpat Rai, who visited the orphanage, called it "the pride of the nation". Lord C.R Attlee, a member of the Simon Commission, who visited the institute on August 17, 1928, observed: "I was most favourably impressed by the excellent work by this orphanage which is an honour to society".
Another important institute here, the Home for the Blind, was established in 1956. The institute has two buildings. The aim of the home is to educate and rehabilitate the inmates. Since its inception, hundreds of blind youth have been rehabilitated. To overcome a financial crisis, some portion of the blind home has been rented out now.
This town has a municipal library and a district library as well. The Army has opened a library, named after Dronacharya, in the cantonment area for Army personnel as well as civilians. It has over 20,000 books on every conceivable subject. Around 50,000 books are expected to be acquired within the next three years. The library also has video games, computer games, and Internet facilities.
There are three educational institutions, namely DAV College for Women, Dev Samaj College for Women and Dev Samaj College of Education for Women, exclusively for women. Two other educational institutes — RSD College and Guru Nanak College — are co-educational.
Besides, there are a number of schools, including two government schools, one each for boys and girls. Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Engineering and Technology has been set up on the Ferozepore-Moga road. Besides, there are two industrial training institutes, one each for boys and girls, and a government polytechnic.
The key schools in the city and the adjoining Cantonment are :-
- D.P.D. Model Sr. Sec. School, Palla Megha
- B.M Jain Sr. Sec. School-Cantt
- Guru Ram Das Sr. Sec. Public School, Shahdeen Wala
- Shanti Vidya Mandir School
- R.S.D. Raj Rattan public school-City
- Dasmesh Sr Sec Public School, City
- D.C. Model Senior Secondary School - Cantt
- Manavta Public Sr.Sec School Firozpur City
- D.C. Model International School- City
- Dev Samaj Model School - City
- Army Public School - Cantt
- Kendriya Vidyalaya - Cantt.
- B.S.M. Sr. Secondary School - City,
- S D Senior Secondary School - City
- Arya Girls Higher Secondary School - City
- D.A.V. Public School - City
- H. M. Senior Secondary School - City
- St Joseph's Convent School
- St. Joseph's High School
- C.K Sr. Sec. School - City
- Hans Raj Vidya Mandir - City
- Sai Public School - City
- Manav mandir senior sec.school
- M.L.M Senior Secondary School-Cantt
- Gobind Convent School -city
- G.Sen.Sec. School(Boys)-City
- G.Sen.Sec. School(Girls)-City
- Sikh Kanya Maha vidialya-City
- Govt. Elementary School, Narang ke Syal
- St. Jesus high school
- D.C.M. Jain Sen,Sec School- Cantt
Colleges in area :-
- RSD College - City
- Dev Samaj College for Women - City
- Guru Nanak Dev College - Cantt
- DAV College for Girls - Cantt
Professional College:-
- Ferozepur College of Engineering & Technology
- Ferozepur Institute Of Management
- Shahid Bhagat Singh College of Engineering & Technology
- Genesis Institute of Dental Sciences & Research
- Government Polytechnic College
- Government Industrial Training Institute
- Shahid Bhagat Singh Nursing College
- Devraj college of engineering and technology
- Dev Samaj College of Education for Women - City
- Surjeet Memorial College of Education
Places of interest
Ferozepur is called ‘Shaheedon ki dharti’ (the land of martyrs). Even today one can see the building in Toori Bazaar which was used as the secret headquarters by the revolutionary trio — Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and SukhdevSukhdev
Sukhdev Thapar was born in Ludhiana, Punjab. He was an Indian freedom fighter who lived from 15 May 1907 to March 23, 1931) who was involved with Shaheed Bhagat Singh andShivaram Rajguru in the killing of a British police officer J.P...
. On the first floor of the building, the three revolutionaries manufactured bombs, while on the ground floor, one of their associates, Gaya Pershad, practised medicine. When the news of the murder of Saunders, Assistant Superintendent of Police, reached Ferozepore, Dr Gaya Pershad disappeared from the scene. Saunders was shot dead by Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev in Lahore on December 17, 1928. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were sentenced to death in the Lahore conspiracy case and ordered to be hanged on March 24, 1931. But, in view of great upsurge in the country, the Britishers hanged them on March 23, 1931, at 7.30 p.m. The bodies of the three martyrs were cremated under cover of darkness on the banks of Sutlej, about 10 km from Ferozepore. After Partition, the cremation spot went to Pakistan but on January 17, 1961, when India and Pakistan exchanged enclaves, the site came back to India. A Shaheedi conference is held there every year on March 23 to pay homage to the martyrs. The foundation stone of the memorial at Hussainiwala
Hussainiwala
Hussainiwala is a village in Ferozepur district in Punjab state, India. It lies near the banks of the Sutlej river. The village is on the border with Pakistan, opposite the Pakistani village of Ganda Singh Wala...
was laid on March 23, 1965, by the then Union Defence Minister. Y.B. Chavan, but its construction could not be undertaken as war had broken out that very year between India and Pakistan. In 1968 the then Chief Minister of Punjab, Lachman Singh Gill, got the memorial completed within a short span of 37 days at a cost of Rs 1.84 lakh.
This memorial was damaged by the withdrawing Pakistani troops in 1972. They also removed the busts of the three national heroes during 1971 war when the area was captured by Pakistani troops. The memorial came up once again in 1973 due to the efforts of the thenPunjab Chief Minister, Giani Zail Singh.
Another monument at Ferozepore — the Barki Memorial — was set up in 1969 in memory of those soldiers of the 7 Infantry Division who laid down their lives on the battlefield in 1965, and paved the way for the fall of Barki, a town situated at a distance of 15 miles south-east of Lahore. The foundation stone of the Barki Memorial was laid on September 11, 1969. It has a pillar in the centre, a Patton tank and a Barki milestone in the south and a water fountain in the north. The pillar is 27 feet high, and is built of red and white sandstone.
Then there is the Saragarhi Memorial at Ferozepore. The Saragarhi Memorial Gurdwara was built in the memory of those 21 Sikh soldiers of the 36 Sikh Regiment who sacrificed their lives while defending the Fort of Saragarhi in Waziristan on September 12, 1897, which was attacked by nearly 10,000 Pathans. The memorial (gurdwara) was declared open in 1904 by Sir Charles Revz, the then Lt-Governor of Punjab.
Under British rule, two historic churches came into existence in the cantonment area. These churches were: Saint Andrew’s Church and Roman Catholic Church. The former is located on the Jhoke Road and the latter on the Church Road. The third church, situated on the NBI Road, was raised by Missionaries of Methodist Denomination during 1925-30.
Hussainiwala
Hussainiwala
Hussainiwala is a village in Ferozepur district in Punjab state, India. It lies near the banks of the Sutlej river. The village is on the border with Pakistan, opposite the Pakistani village of Ganda Singh Wala...
- Apart from a lake, it is also the location of Bhagat Singh and his revolutionary colleagues' Samādhi
Samadhi
Samadhi in Hinduism, Buddhism,Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools is a higher level of concentrated meditation, or dhyāna. In the yoga tradition, it is the eighth and final limb identified in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali....
. The Indo-Pakistani border crossing at Hussainiwala and the change of guards ceremony every morning & evening.
Harike waterworks and barrage and its adjoining wetlands.
Ferozeshah, a village some 22 km from Ferozepur, has a museum as well as a memorial raised by the British to commemorate the dead of the Battle of Ferozeshah
Battle of Ferozeshah
The Battle of Ferozeshah was fought on 21 December and 22 December 1845 between the British and the Sikhs, at the village of Ferozeshah in Punjab. The British were led by Sir Hugh Gough and Governor-General Sir Henry Hardinge, while the Sikhs were led by Lal Singh.The British emerged victorious,...
in the Anglo-Sikh Wars
Anglo-Sikh wars
There have been two Anglo-Sikh wars:*The First Anglo-Sikh War *The Second Anglo-Sikh War...
.
Gandhi Garden, a very beautiful rather peaceful place to pass time in the evening, some fun for kids too it has a small amusement park.
Shitala Mata Mandir, a very religious place and a worth seeing statues or sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses.
Firozpur Cantonment, is a cantonment town in Firozpur district in the state of Punjab, India. It is located adjacent to and south of the city of Firozpur.
Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium, a stadium with good facilities and a swimming pool, place to do sport.
The notable places of interest near Firozpur are:
| S. No. | Attraction | Distance from Firozpur |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Retreat Ceremony and National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala Hussainiwala Hussainiwala is a village in Ferozepur district in Punjab state, India. It lies near the banks of the Sutlej river. The village is on the border with Pakistan, opposite the Pakistani village of Ganda Singh Wala... |
10 km |
| 2. | Saragarhi Memorial | 2 km |
| 3. | Barki Memorial | 2 km |
| 4. | Gurudawara Zamini Sahib Bajidpur | 5 km |
| 5. | Anglo Sikh War Memorial at Ferozeshah | 21 km |
| 6. | Jain Mandir Zira | 36 km |
| 7. | Pothi Mala at Guruharsahai | 40 km |
| 8. | Harike Bird Sanctuary | 55 km |
| 9. | Asafwala War Memorial Fazilka | 90 km |