Malerkotla

2021-08-23T18:53:35Z

223.185.10.138:

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2016}}


{{Infobox settlement
| name = Malerkotla
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = German
| other_name =
| settlement_type =
| translit_lang1 =
| image_skyline =
| image_caption =
| nickname =
| pushpin_map = India Punjab#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Punjab, India
| coordinates = {{coord|30.5167|N|75.8833|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Malerkotla district|Malerkotla]]
| established_title = 
| established_date = 1657
| founder = Dera Ismail Khan
| named_for = Maula Khan
| government_type = [[Municipal Council]]
| governing_body = [[Municipal Council]] Malerkotla
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes = 788
| area_total_km2 = 122
| area_urban_km2 = 457
| area_metro_km2 = 456
| area_rank = 12th
| population_total = 135,424
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_urban = 374,000
| population_metro = 236,000
| population_rank = 31st
| population_demonym = 433,000
| demographics_type1 =
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 148023
| registration_plate = PB-28
| website = {{URL|www.malerkotla.co.in}}
| demographics1_info1 = [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]
}}
[[File:Sangrur.gif|275px|thumb|Malerkotla in the district map of [[Sangrur]], Punjab]]

'''Malerkotla''' is the district headquarters of [[Malerkotla district]]<ref name="Hindu">{{Cite news|others=Special Correspondent|date=2021-05-14|title=Malerkotla is Punjab’s 23rd district|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/malerkotla-is-punjabs-23rd-district/article34557600.ece|access-date=2021-05-14|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]. It was the seat of the eponymous [[princely state]] during the [[British Raj]]. The state acceded to the [[Dominion of India|union of India]] in 1947 and was merged with other nearby princely states to create the [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union]] (PEPSU).

When that political entity was reorganised in 1956, the territories of the erstwhile state of Malerkotla became part of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].<ref>[http://www.india9.com/i9show/Malerkotla-76700.htm Malerkotla] Punjab at www.india9.com.</ref>
It is located on the Sangrur-Ludhiana State Highway (no. 11) and lies on the secondary Ludhiana-Delhi railway line. It is about {{convert|50|km}} from [[Ludhiana]] and {{convert|35|km}} from [[Sangrur]] in Sangrur district.

In 2021, the city along with some adjoining areas were carved out of [[Sangrur district]] to form the Malerkotla district.<ref name="Hindu"/>

== History ==
{{main|Malerkotla State}}
Malerkotla, a [[Muslim]] majority state was established in 1454 A.D. by [[Sheikh]] Sadruddin-i-Jahan from [[Afghanistan]],<ref name=Tribune2006>{{cite news | first = Sushil | last = Goyal | title = ‘Malerkotla has Guru’s blessings’ | date = August 19, 2006 | url = http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060819/saturday/main1.htm | work = [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] | access-date = 2013-03-24}}</ref> and was ruled by his Sherwani descendants. The State of Malerkotla was established in 1600 A.D. During the [[Partition of India|1947 riots]] when Punjab was in flames, the State of Malerkotla did not witness a single incident of violence; through it all, it remained a lone island of peace.<ref name=Tribune2006/><ref>[http://www.sikhspectrum.com/112003/gratitude.htm A people's gratitude] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514114047/http://www.sikhspectrum.com/112003/gratitude.htm |date=14 May 2008 }} ''The Sikh Review'', Issue No. 14, November 2003</ref>

The roots of communal harmony date back to 1705, when [[Sahibzada Zorawar Singh]] and [[Sahibzada Fateh Singh]] 9 and 7 year old sons of 10th Sikh Guru, [[Guru Gobind Singh]], were ordered to be bricked alive by the governor of [[Sirhind]] Wazir Khan. While his close relative, Sher Mohammed Khan, Nawab of Malerkotla, who was present in the court, lodged vehement protest against this inhuman act and said it was against the tenets of the [[Quran]] and Islam. Wazir Khan nevertheless had the Sahibzadas tortured and bricked into a section of wall while still alive. At this the Nawab of Malerkotla walked out of the court in protest. Guru Gobind Singh on learning of this kind and humanitarian approach had blessed the Nawab and the people of Malerkotla that the city will live in the peace and happiness . In recognition of this act, the State of Malerkotla did not witness a single incident of violence during partition.<ref name=Tribune2006/>

Under British colonial rule, a [[Namdhari]] uprising was suppressed, and the colonial government ordered execution of 65 captured rebels and those thought to be involved with the rebellion. Mr. Cowan (the Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana) and Mr. Forsyth (the Commissioner of Ambala) ordered the Namdharis to be executed with cannons, without any trial, on 17 and 18 January 1872.<ref>''Rebels Against the British Rule (1995)''. Bhai Nahar Singh & Bhai Kirpal Singh. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors; Page XXI</ref>

During the [[partition of India]], there were no riots or bloodshed in any part of Maler Kotla State. The last Nawab Iftkhar Ali Khan maintained calm and harmony during the turbulent period. He remained in India and died in the year 1982. His tomb is located in Shahi grave yard situated at Sirhandi gate, Maler Kotla. Many also attribute this peace to the presence of the shrine of [[Baba Haidar Sheikh]], the Sufi saint, who founded the town of Malerkotla more than 500 years ago.<ref>[https://www.nationalfilmnetwork.com/Store/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=644&Title=The%20Legend%20of%20Malerkotla:%20A%20Tale%20from%20the%20Punjab&RefPage=ProductsList.aspx&CategoryID=79 The Legend of Malerkotla: A Tale from the Punjab (2004)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019094523/https://www.nationalfilmnetwork.com/store/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=644&Title=The%20Legend%20of%20Malerkotla:%20A%20Tale%20from%20the%20Punjab&RefPage=ProductsList.aspx&CategoryID=79 |date=19 October 2007 }} 48 min, DVD, {{ISBN|978-0-8026-0761-4}}.</ref><ref>{{cite news | first = Anna B | last = Bigelow | title = Malerkotla: A heritage going to seed | date = December 2, 2000 | url = http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001202/windows/main1.htm | work = [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] | access-date = 2013-03-24}}</ref>

A part of the ruling family of Sheikh Sadr-ud-Din Sherwani migrated to Pakistan and lived mostly in Model Town, Lahore, Muzzafargarh, Khangarh.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19970814/22650213.html Malerkotla Muslims..] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902142829/http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19970814/22650213.html |date=2 September 2009 }} The India Express, August 14, 1997.</ref>

Malerkotla is famous for its vegetables and badge-making industry,<ref>{{cite news | first = Maneesh | last = Chhibber | title = Where peace reigns supreme | date = August 19, 2006 | url = http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060819/saturday/main1.htm | work = [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] | access-date = 2013-03-24}}</ref> besides its poets and monuments.<ref>{{cite news | first = Anna B | last = Bigelow | title = Tales lost to time | date = April 21, 2001 | url = http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010421/windows/main1.htm | work = [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] | access-date = 2013-03-24}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{See also|List of cities in Punjab and Chandigarh}}
As per provisional data of 2011 census Malerkotla urban agglomeration had a population of 135,424, out of which males were 71,376 and females were 64,048 . The literacy rate was 70.25 per cent.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |access-date = 2012-07-07 }}</ref>

{{bar box|width = 300px
|barwidth = 250px |cellpadding="0"
|title=Religion in Malerkotla<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/20-malerkotla.html|title=Malerkotla City Population Census 2011 - Punjab}}</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|#009000|68.50}}
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|#FF6600|20.71}}
{{bar percent|[[Sikhism]]|#FFFF00|9.50}}
{{bar percent|[[Jainism]]|#9955BB|1.11}}
{{bar percent|Others|#9955BB|0.19}}}}

== Education ==
[[File:NsmkInstMlk.jpg|thumb|Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan Institute of Advanced Studies, Malerkotla]]
[[File:GovtCollege.jpg|thumb|Govt. College, Malerkotla]]
[[Urdu]] is taught alongside [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] in Malerkotla schools due to the local Punjabi Muslim majority .{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
The Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan Institute of Advanced Studies in Urdu, Persian and Arabic is part of [[Punjabi University]], Patiala, and is named after one of the founders of Malerkotla State.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19990120/02051585.html |title=Urdu academy for Malerkotla |publisher=The Indian Express |date=20 January 1999 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> It provides facilities for higher research in the languages and literature of Urdu and Persian up to [[PhD]] level and additionally runs classes for M.A. (Persian), Certificate courses (Urdu, Persian and Arabic), MSc (IT) 2 years, MSc (IT) Lateral entry, PGDCA (1 year), CCA (6 months) and M.A (psychology).There are other schools like Sohrab Public Senior Secondary School , Al Falah Public senior secondary School, The town school, Sahibzada Fateh Singh senior secondary public school, Sita grammar school, Sarvhitkari Vidya Mandir, Modern Secular school, DAV public school and many more.

==Transportation==
===Rail===
Malerkotla is situated on Delhi-Jakhal-Dhuri-Ludhiana Railway line. The nearest railway junctions are Dhuri 18 Kilometers, Ludhiana 45 Kilometers.

===Air===
The nearest airports to Malerkotla are:
*[[Chandigarh International Airport]], Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Mohali (about {{convert|120|km}} away)
*[[Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport]], Amritsar (about {{convert|250|km}} away)
*'''Sahnewal Airport''' ([[IATA airport code|IATA]]: '''LUH''', [[ICAO airport code|ICAO]]: '''VILD'''), also known as '''Ludhiana Airport (about 49.8 km (66min) away)'''

== Notable residents ==

*[[Iftikhar Ali Khan of Malerkotla]] (Last Nawab of Malerkotla)
*[[Anas Rashid]] (Indian television actor)
*[[Irshad Kamil]] (Indian lyricist and poet)
*[[Mohammad Nazim]] (Indian television actor)
*[[Razia Sultana (politician)]] (Indian Politician)
*[[Saeed Jaffrey]] (Indian actor)
*[[Ahmad Ali Khan of Malerkotla]] (Malerkotla Nawab)
*[[Channi Singh]] (Indian musician)
*[[Zeenat Begum]] (Indian and Pakistani singer)
*[[Bobby Jindal]] (American politician)('''55th''' [[List of governors of Louisiana|Governor of Louisiana]])
*[[Mohammad Sajid Dhot]] (Indian footballer)
*[[Mohammad Owais]] (Social Worker) provide employment thousands of families & committ a target of educate 50 thousand student

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Kinship and the Political Order: The Afghan Sherwani Chiefs of Malerkotla (1454–1947), Contributions to Indian Sociology, Vol. 28, No. 2, 203–241 (1994).

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

{{Sangrur district}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Sangrur district]]
[[Category:Nawabs of Malerkotla]]

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Malerkotla