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Introductionto Punjab Pakistan:
Country Pakistan
Established 1st
July 1972
Legislature Unicameral
Total area 205,344 km2
Total population (2012) 91,379,615
Time zone PST (UTC+05:00)
Official language Punjabi-Urdu
coordinates 20o
N 77o
E / 20o
N 77o
E
Geographically, the northwestern edge of the
geologic India plate in south Asia is known as
0Punjab.
The world PUNJAB was formally introduces by
the Mughals in early 17th century CE. It is
combination of the 2 Persian worlds Punj (five)
ab (water).
Punjab means the land of five rivers/ the five
rivers are the tributaries of Indus River namely
Chenab, Ravi, Jhelum, Beas and Sutlej.
Punjabi culture is one of the oldest in world
history, dating from ancient antiquity to the
modern era. The scope, history, complexity and
density of the culture are vast. Some of the main
areas of the Punjabi culture include: Punjabi
cuisine, philosophy, poetry, artistry, music,
architecture, traditions, values and history.
Some cities of Punjab have more importance for
Sikh community from India. The founder of
Sikh religion was born in Nankana Sahib a
district of Punjab Pakistan. So Sikh from
different parts of world come and visits Punjab. Jahangir tomb and Badshahi Masjid in Lahore are the
important places of Pakistan. Data Sahib is very scared place in Punjab and most of the people come and
visit Data Sahib every year.
Provincial symbols of Punjab
(unofficial)
Seal of
Punjab
Flag of
Punjab
Provincial
Animal
Punjab
Urial
Provincial
Bird
Peacock
Provincial
Tree
Athel
Pine
Provincial
flower
Datura
Metel
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Independence and formation of Punjab:
The western Punjab was assimilated into new country of Pakistan while the eastern Punjab joined India.
This led to massive rioting as both sides committed atrocities against fleeing refugees. The undivided
Punjab of which Punjab (Pakistan) forms a major region today, but it was home to a large minority
population of Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus unto 1947 apart from the Muslim majority.
At the time of independence in 1947 and due to the ensuing horrendous exchange of population the
Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus migrated to India, Punjabi Muslims were uprooted similarly from their home
in east Punjab which now forms a part of India. Approximately 7 million plus who moved to Pakistan
over 6 million settled in Punjab. In 1947 Punjab province of British India was divided along religious
lines into West Punjab and East Punjab.
Map of Punjab:
Arrival of Islam:
The Punjabis followed a diverse plethora of faiths, mainly comprising Hindus, when the Muslim
Umayyad army led by Muhammad bin Qasim conquered Sindh and Southern Punjab in 712, by
defeating Raja Dahir. The Umayyad Caliphate was the second Islamic caliphate established after the
death of Muhammad. It was ruled by the Umayyad dynasty, whose name derives from Umayya ibn Abd
Shams, the great-grandfather of the first Umayyad caliph. Although the Umayyad family originally
came from the city of Mecca, their capital was Damascus. Muhammad bin Qasim was the first to bring
message of Islam to the population of Punjab. Over the next millennium Punjab was part of Muslim
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Empires consisting of Afghans, Pashtoon, and Turkic in cooperation with local Punjabi tribes and
others, which facilitated a millennium long Islamic dominance across South Asia and with its peak
during large parts of the Mughal Empire. During the reign of Mahmud of Ghazni, the province became
an important center with Lahore as its second capital of the Ghaznavid Empire based out of Afghanistan.
The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the
landscape of Punjab region.
Recent history:
Since the 1950s, Punjab industrialized rapidly. New factories were established in Lahore, Multan,
Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Wah. In the 1960s the new city of Islamabad north of Rawalpindi.
Agriculture continues to be the largest sector of Punjab's economy. The province is the breadbasket of
the country as well as home to the largest ethnic group in Pakistan, the Punjabis. Unlike neighboring
India, there was no large-scale redistribution of agricultural land. As a result most rural areas are
dominated by a small set of feudalistic land-owning families.
In the 1950s there was tension between the eastern and western halves of Pakistan. In order to address
the situation, a new formula resulted in the abolition of the province status for Punjab in 1955. It was
merged into a single province West Pakistan. In 1972, after East Pakistan seceded and became
Bangladesh, Punjab again became a province.
Punjab witnessed major battles between the armies of India and Pakistan in the wars of 1965 and 1971.
Since the 1990s Punjab hosted several key sites of Pakistan's nuclear program such as Kahuta. It also
hosts major military bases such as at Sargodha and Rawalpindi. The peace process between India and
Pakistan, which began in earnest in 2004, has helped pacify the situation. Trade and people-to-people
contacts through the Wagah border are now starting to become common. Indian Sikh pilgrims visit holy
sites such as Nankana Sahib.
Starting in the 1980s, large numbers of Punjabis migrated to the Middle East, Britain, Spain, Canada and
the United States for economic opportunities, forming the large Punjabi Diasporas. Business and cultural
ties between the United States and Punjab are growing.
Historical populations
Census Population Urban Rural
1951 20,540,762 3,568,076 16,972,686
1961 25,463,974 5,475,922 19,988,052
1972 37,607,423 9,182,695 28,424,728
1981 47,292,441 13,051646 34,240,795
1998 73,621,290 23,019,025 50,602,265
2012 91,379,615 45,978,451 45,401,164
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2) Cities:
Ahmadpur East, Ahmed Nager Chatha, Ali Khan Abad, Alipur, Arifwala, Attock, Bhera,
Bhalwal, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Bhakkar, Burewala, Chillianwala, Chakwal, Chack
Jhumra, Chichawatni, Chiniot, Chishtian, Daska, Davispur, Darya Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan,
Dhaular, Dina, Dinga, Dipalpur, Faisalabad, Fateh Jang, Ghakhar Mandi, Gojra, Gujranwala,
Gujrat, Gujar Khan, Harappa city, Hafizabad, Haroonabad, Hasilpur, Haveli Lakha, Jalalpur
Jattan, Jampur, Jaranwala, Jhang, Jhelum, Kalabagh, Karor Lal Esan, Kasur, Kamalia, Nankana
Sahib, Okara, Renala Khurd, Pakpattan, Pattoki, Pind Daden Khan, Pir Mahal, Qaimpur, Qila
Didar Singh, Rabwah, Raiwind, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Rawalpindi, Sadiqabad,
Safdarabad, Sahiwal, Sambrial, samundri, Sangla Hill, Sarai Alamgir, Sargodha, Shakargarh,
Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Sohawa, Soianwala, Siranwali, Tandlianwala, Talagang, Taxila, Toba Tek
Singh, Vehari, Wah Cantonment, Wazirabad, Yazman and Zafarwal.
List of major cities in Pakistan
Rank City District Population
1 Lahore Lahore 10,500,000
2 Faisalabad Faisalabad 5,280,000
3 Rawalpindi Rawalpindi 3,391,656
4 Multan Multan 2,606,481
5 Gujranwala Gujranwala 2,569,090
6 D.G.Khan D.G.Khan 630,645
7 Sargodha Sargodha 600,501
8 Bahawalpur Bahawalpur 543,929
9 Gujrat Gujrat 530,645
10 Sialkot Sialkot 510,863
11 Sheikhupura Sheikhupura 426,980
12 Jhang Jhang 372,645
Cultural heritage of Punjab:
1) Punjab has been the cradle of civilization since times immemorial. The ruins of Harappa show an
advanced urban culture that flourished over 8000 years ago.
2) Taxila another historic landmark also stands out as a proof of the achievements of the area in
learning arts and crafts in bygone ages.
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Religion:
The population of Punjab Pakistan is estimated to be 97.21% Muslim with a Sunni Hanafi majority and
Shia Ithna minority. The largest non-Muslim minority is Christians and make up 2.31% of the
population the other minorities including Ahmedi, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis and Bahai.
Languages spoken in Punjab:
Punjabi is the professional language of Punjab. It is spoken as the first language by majority people in
Punjab, even spoken and understood in areas beyond the confines of Punjab. Facts and figures show that
Punjabi language is spoken as first language by 44% of Pakistanis. Urdu language is also commonly
spoken in this region. Key Punjabi language/dialects are:
1) Pothowari
2) Hindko
3) Jhangvi
4) Shahpuri
5) Pahari
6) Majhi
7) Saraiki
Climate of Punjab:
Most areas in Punjab experience extreme weather with foggy winters, often accompanied by rain. By
mid-February the temperature begins to rise, springtime weather continues until mid-April, when the
summer heat sets in.
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Others
Christianity
Islam
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The onset of the southwest monsoon is anticipated to reach Punjab by May, but since the early 1970s the
weather pattern has been irregular. The spring monsoon has either skipped over the area or has caused it
to rain so hard that floods have resulted. June and July are oppressively hot. Although official estimates
rarely place the temperature above 46 °C, newspaper sources claim that it reaches 51 °C and regularly
carry reports about people who have succumbed to the heat. Heat records were broken in Multan in June
1993, when the mercury was reported to have risen to 54 °C. In August the oppressive heat is
punctuated by the rainy season, referred to as barsat, which brings relief in its wake. The hardest part of
the summer is then over, but cooler weather does not come until late October.
Recently the province experienced one of the coldest winters in the last 70 years.
Punjab's region temperature ranges from −2° to 45 °C, but can reach 50 °C (122 °F) in summer and can
touch down to −10 °C in winter.
Climatically, Punjab has three major seasons:
1) Hot weather (April to June) when temperature rises as high as 110 °F.
2) Rainy season (July to September). Average rainfall annual ranges between 96 cm sub-
mountain region and 46 cm in the plains.
3) Cooler / Mild weather (October to March). Temperature goes down as low as 40 °F.
Peoples of Punjab:
Punjabi people are very warm hearted and fun loving. Punjabis are heterogeneous group comprising of
different tributes, clans, community and are known to celebrate each and every tradition of their culture.
Punjabi people have strong beliefs on Pir-Faqeer, taweez, manat-ka-dagha, black magic and other
superstitious. But recently due to increase of literacy, people have become somewhat rational. Punjabis
also believe in cast system but now people are getting educated, the differences are getting blurred.
Some popular casts of Punjabi’s are: Jutts, Gujjars, Mughals, Rajputs, Kokhars, Sheikhs, Dogars,
Qureshis, Syeds, Maliks, Arains, Awans and Mirzas.
In village’s peoples usually live in small communities (Biradaris), however they live in peace and
harmony with each other. They take active part in the happiness/grieve of each other and give a great
deal of respect to their culture, norms and run their lives according to their set traditions. Punjabi people
are famous for their hospitable and loving nature.
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Customs and rituals:
Some of the customs followed in Punjab have no such foundations in Islam. However the Punjabi
culture has adopted those ceremonies are traditions from Hindu culture.
1) Birth rituals:
Punjabis celebrate birth of their child with great enthusiasm. Grandfather or grandmother or
some respected elder member from the family puts honey with their index finger in Childs
mouth called Ghurti. Sweets are distrusted among friends and relatives and people bring gifts
for the child and mother. Generally on the 7th day Childs head is shaven and Aqiqa ceremony
is held and goat/sheep is slaughtered.
2) Wedding rituals:
Punjabi weddings are based on traditions and are conducted with strong reflection of the
Punjabi culture followed by several pre-wedding customs and rituals (dholki, mayun, ubtan
etc). Punjabi weddings are very loud, energetic full of music, colors, fancy-dresses, food and
dancing. Punjabi weddings have many customs and ceremonies that have evolved since
traditional times. In cities the wedding are celebrated following a blend of modern and
traditional customs and the ceremony generally lasts for 3days, Mehandi, Barat
(Nikkah+Ruksati) and walima followed by Chauti (bring the bride back to her parents home
the next day.
3) Funeral rituals:
At funerals after Nimaz-e-Janaza it is customary to offer lunch to people who came for
condolence. On 3rd day of funeral AUL is held ad every following Thursday the Quran is
recited (Jumah-e-Raat) followed by prayers for deceased and after 40days the
CHILISWAAN is held. After which the funeral is over. Some families observe anniversaries
yearly (Barsi). There I no formal dress code for Punjabi funerals however people normally
wear shalwar kameez and casual clothing is observed. Funerals of shia families are more
intense both man and women wear black shalwar kameez and rigorous crying and screaming
is a common occurrence at such funerals.
Education in Punjab:
The literacy rate has increased greatly over the last 40 years. Punjab has the highest Human
Development Index out of all Pakistan’s provinces at 0.670.
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Sr.no Year Literacy Rate
1 1972 20.7 %
2 1981 27.4 %
3 1998 46.56 %
4 2009 59.6 %
5 2014 74.6 % (Citationneeded)
This is a chart of the education market of Punjab estimated by the government in 1998.
Qualification Urban Rural Total Enrollment ratio (%)
-- 23,019,025 50,602,265 73,621,290 --
Below Primary 3,356,173 11,598,039 14,954,212 100.00
Primary 6,205,929 18,039,707 24,245,636 79.68
Middle 5,140,148 10,818,764 15,958,912 46.75
Matriculation 4,624,522 7,119,738 11,744,260 25.07
Intermediate 1,862,239 1,821,681 3,683,920 9.12
BA, BSC…degrees 110,491 96,144 206,635 4.12
MA, MSC…degrees 1,226,914 764,094 1,991,008 3.84
Diploma, certificate… 418,946 222,649 641,595 1.13
Other Qualifications 73,663 121,449 195,112 0.26
Literature of Punjab:
Punjabi is very rich with literature and Sufis adds more in its literature. Punjabi poetry is renowned for
its extremely deep meaning, beautiful, exciting ad hopeful use of words. The large numbers of Punjabi
poetry works are being translated throughout the world into many languages.
Some of our famous poets are:
1) Waris shah’s contribution to Punjabi literature is best-known for his seminal work Heer Ranjha.
2) Bulleh shah was a Punjabi Sufi poet, a humanist and philosopher.
3) Mian Mohammad Baksh
4) Baba Farid
5) Anwar Masood
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Noble Prizes in Punjabi Literature:
Sr.no. Names Year
1 Baba fariduddin Ganjshakar 12th-13th Century
2 Shah Hussain 16th Century
3 Sultan Bahu 16th-17th Century
4 Bulleh Shah 17th-18th Century
5 Waris Shah 18th Century
6 Khawaja Gulam Farid 18th-19th Century
7 Mian Muhammad Bakhsh 19th Century
8 Anwar Masood 20th Century
9 Sharif Kunjahi 20th Century
10 Faiz Ahmad Faiz 20th Century
11 Mir Tanha Yousafi 20th Century
Media in Punjab:
1) Television:
1st PTV station was built in Islamabad.
2) Radio:
1st radio station was built in 1947 at Lahore.
2nd radio station was built in 1948 at Rawalpindi.
3rd radio station was built in 1960 at Rawalpindi.
3) Cinema:
Lollywood is based in Lahore.
Lahore is also headquarter of Pakistani film industry.
Number of Urdu films decreased with the same rate of rise in Punjabi language.
Folklore of Punjab:
Heer Ranjha is one of the four popular tragic romances of the Punjab. There are several poetic narrations
of the story the most famous being ‘Heer’ by Waris Shah written in 1766. It tells the story of the love of
Heer and her lover Ranjha. The other three are:
1) Mirza Sahiba (Tragic romance)
2) Sassi Punnun
3) Sohni Mahiwal
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These stories are one of the most prominent examples of medieval poetic legends in the Punjab.
Dresses in Punjab:
Costumes of Punjab are an indication of the bright is vibrant culture and lifestyle of the people. The
costumes are a mix of colors, comfort and beauty and Punjab is well known for the use of Phulkari
(embroidery) in its costumes. In most of the villages Punjabi men wear Pagri (turban), dothi/lacha, kurta,
khusa. Women wear gharara or choridar pajama or colorful shalwar kameez, paranda, choli/duppata,
khusa, kola puri chappal or tillay wali jutti. Whereas in urban areas of Punjab men and women follow
latest trends and fashion generally they wear different styles of shalwar kameez.
Cuisine of Punjab:
The extensive cuisine of Punjab can be vegetarian and non-vegetarian. One commonality between all
Punjabi dishes is the liberal usage of ghee or clarified butter spices and Punjabis are fond of sweet-meats
also. Most Punjabi food is eaten with either rice or roti. There are some dishes that are exclusive to
Punjab such as Mah-di-Dal, Paratha, Makai-ki-Roti, and Sarson-ka-Saag while in cities Choley, Haleem,
Baryani and other spicy dishes are popular. In beverages tea is consumed in all seasons and as a custom
most of Punjabis serve tea to their guests. Punjabis are also fond of Zarda, Gulab-Jamuns, Kheer, Jalaibi,
Samosy, Pokara etc. during summer people drink Lassi, Doodh, Soda, Aloo bokhary ka sharbat,
lemonade etc. these cuisines have become world wide delicacies with large scale representation.
Sports in Punjab:
Punjabi peoples have fanatical interest in sports. Punjabis are fond of Kabadi and wrestling which is also
popular in other parts of Pakistan and its also played on national level. Other games being played in
Punjab region include: Gilli-danda, Yassu-Panju, Pitho-Garam, Ludo, Chuppan-chupai, Baraf-Pani and
some major sports include cricket, boxing, horse racing, hockey and football. National Horse and Cattle
show at Lahore is the biggest festival where sports, exhibitions and livestock competitions are held.
Festivals of Punjab:
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Devotional fairs, religious and seasonal festivals, industrial and commercial fairs and other festivals.
1) Devotional fairs (Urs)
Punjab is famous for various shrines of Sufi saints and Data durbar in particular
The fairs held at the shrines of Sufi saints are called urs. They generally mark the death
anniversary of the saint. On these occasions devotees assemble in large numbers and pay homage
to the memory of the saint. Soul inspiring music is played and devotees dance in ecstasy. The
music on these occasions is essentially folk and appealing. It forms a part of the folk music
through mystic messages. The most important urs are: urs of Data Ganj Buksh at Lahore, urs of
Hazrat Sultan Bahu at Jhang, urs of Hazrat Shah Jewna at Jhang, urs of Hazrat Mian Mir at
Lahore, urs of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar at Pakpattan, urs of Hazrat Bahaudin Zakria at Multan,
urs of Sakhi Sarwar Sultan at Dera Ghazi Khan, urs of Shah Hussain at Lahore, urs of Hazrat
Bulleh Shah at Kasur, urs of Hazrat Imam Bari (Bari Shah Latif) at Rawalpindi-Islamabad and
urs of Shah Inayar Qadri (the murrshad of Bulleh Shah) in Lahore.
A big fair/mela is organized at Jandiala Sher Khan in district Sheikhupura on the Mausoleum of
Syed Waris Shah who is the most loved Sufi poet of Punjab due to his claasic work known as
Heer Ranjha. The shrine of Heer Ranjha in Jhang has been one of the most visited shrines in
Punjab.
2) Religious and seasional fairs and fastivals:
Religious fairs are held on special days of Islamic significance like Eid-ul-Adha, id-ul-Fitr, Eid-
e-Milad-un-Nabi, Ashura, Laylat-al-Qadar and Jumuah-tul-wida. The main activities on these
special occasions are confined to congregational prayers and rituals. Melas are also held to mark
these occasions,
3) Industrial and commercial fairs:
Exhibitions and Annual Horse Shows in all Districts and National Horse and Cattle Show at
Lahore are held with the official patronage. National Horse and Cattle Show at Lahore is the
biggest festival where sports, exhibitions, and livestock competitions are held. It not only
encourages and patronizes agricultural products and livestock through the exhibitions of
agricultural products and cattle but is also a colorful documentary on the rich cultural heritage of
the Province with its strong rural roots.
4) Other festivals:
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In addition to the religious festivals, Sikh and Hindu Punjabis may celebrate seasonal and harvest
festivals, which include Lohri, baisakhi, Basant festival (kite flying) in spring season, Basant and
Teej.
Attractions in Punjab:
The province is home to several historical sites, including the Shalimar Gardens, the Lahore Fort, the
Badshahi Mosque, the Rohtas Fort and the ruins of the ancient city of Harappa. The Anarkali Market
and Jahangir's Tomb are prominent in the city of Lahore as is the Lahore Museum, while the ancient city
of Taxila in the northwest was once a major centre of Buddhist and Hindu influence. Several important
Sikh shrines are in the province, including the birthplace of the first Guru, Guru Nanak (Born at
Nankana Sahib).
The Khewra Salt Mine is a tourist attraction. Tours are accompanied by guides as the mine itself is very
large and the complex interconnected passages are like a maze. There is a small but beautiful Mosque
inside the mine made from salt stone. A clinical ward with 20 beds was established in 2007 for the
treatment of asthma and other respiratory diseases using salt therapy.
Arts and Crafts of Punjab:
Punjab is the major manufacturing industry in Pakistan’s economy and here each art enjoys a place of its
own. The crafts in the Punjab are of two type:
a) The crafts produced in the rural areas.
b) The royal crafts that flourished in the urban center particularly in Lahore.
The former includes cotton, textiles, basketry, embroidery etc. While skill, ivory, silver and
wood work, naqqashi and architectural crafts.
Lahore is the center of hand made carpets.
The hand-woven cotton cloths like khaddar of kamalia are popular.
The cloth woven on handlooms is either block printed or beautifully embroidered.
Multan is famous for beautiful hand-woven bed covers.
Women woven Pidhis (low, four, legged woven stools) which are both functional and artistic, leather
jootis crafted from different shades. Women weave durries (a pile less cotton spread which can be used
on a bed or on the floor).
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Phulkaris are major craft generally in red or maroon color and the thread employed in the close
embroidery is made of silk in gold, yellow, crimson red, blue and green colors.
Mud works, weaving, embroidery, wood works, folk toy making, parandis and miscellaneous crafts are
also included.
Music in Punjab:
Classical music forms are an important part of the cultural wealth of the Punjab. The Muslim musicians
have contributed a large number of ragas to the repository of classical music. The most common
instruments used are:
Table
Sitar
Bansuri
Harmonium
Dhol (Dhol is the major musical instrument of Punjab).
For the popular taste however light music particularly gazals and folk songs, which have an appeal of
their own, the names of some famous musications are:
Mehdi Hassan
Ghulam Ali
Noor Jahan
Roshen Ara Begum
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Dances of Punjab:
Due to the long history of the Punjabi culture and of the Punjabi people there are a large number of
dances. These dances are normally performed at time of celebration the most prominent are being at
Punjabi weddings where the elation is usually particularly intense. The overall style can range from very
high energy to more reserved, however the common elements make it particularly attractive to the
viewers Punjabi dances are designed for either men or women.
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1) Common Female Punjabi dances are:
Sammi
Giddha
Jaago
Kikli
Luddi
2) Common Male Punjabi dances are:
Bhangra
Malwai
Giddha
Jhumar
Luddi
Julli
Dankara
Dhamal
Social issues:
One social/educational issue is the status of Punjabi language. According to Dr. Mansur Ijaz, "In Central
Punjab, Punjabi is neither an official language of the province nor it is used as medium of education at
any level. There are only two daily newspapers published in Punjabi in the Central areas of Punjab. Only
a few monthly literary magazines constitute Punjabi press in Pakistan".
References:
http:www.wikipedia.com
http:www.yahoo.answers.com
http:www.wikianswers.com