State Studies · Punjab
Punjab, India
State in northwestern India
Overview
Punjab is a state in northwestern India. Forming part of the larger Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, the state is bordered by the Indian states and union territories of Himachal Pradesh to the north and northeast, Haryana to the south and southeast, Rajasthan to the southwest, Jammu and Kashmir to the north. To the west, it shares an international border with the identically named Pakistani province of Punjab. Chandigarh serves as a shared capital for Punjab as well as Haryana. The state covers an area of 50,362 square kilometres, which is 1.53% of India's total geographical area, making it the 19th-largest Indian state by area out of 28 Indian states. With over 27 million inhabitants, Punjab is the 16th-largest Indian state by population, comprising 23 districts. Punjabi, written in the Gurmukhi script, is the most widely spoken and the official language of the state. The main ethnic group are the Punjabis, with Sikhs (57.7%) and Hindus (38.5%) forming the dominant religious groups. Three of the five traditional Punjab rivers — the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — flow through the state.
Source: Wikipedia — Punjab, India (CC BY-SA)
Key concepts
How Punjab, India connects to the ideas, people and events around it.
Amritsar
has major cityAmritsar is the largest city in Punjab and a major spiritual centre for Sikhs. It is home to the Golden Temple, which attracts millions of visitors each year.
Sikhism
is birthplace ofSikhism is a monotheistic religion that originated in the Punjab region in the 15th century. Its founder, Guru Nanak, was born in present‑day Pakistan but taught in the area that is now Punjab, India.
Green Revolution
experiencedThe Green Revolution in the 1960s introduced high‑yielding wheat and rice varieties to Punjab, dramatically increasing agricultural output. Punjab became known as India’s "breadbasket" by producing over 30 % of the nation’s wheat.
Punjabi language
official languagePunjabi is an Indo‑Aryan language spoken by about 30 million people in India, primarily in Punjab. It uses the Gurmukhi script for official purposes in the state.
Indian National Congress
governed byThe Indian National Congress is a major political party that governed Punjab for several terms after independence. Leaders such as Partap Singh Kairon served as chief minister under its banner.
Partition of India
was affected byThe Partition of India in 1947 divided British India into India and Pakistan, causing massive population movements. Punjab was split into Indian Punjab and Pakistani Punjab, leading to widespread communal violence.
Harappa
containsHarappa is an archaeological site of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization located in modern Punjab, India. Excavations have uncovered sophisticated urban planning dating back to 2600 BC.
Chandigarh
has capitalChandigarh is a union territory that serves as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana. Designed by architect Le Corbusier, it is renowned for its modernist architecture.
Revise Punjab, India
Flashcards and a quick quiz, built from this map.
Questions about Punjab, India
What is Punjab, India?
Punjab is a state in northwestern India. Forming part of the larger Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, the state is bordered by the Indian states and union territories of Himachal Pradesh to the north and northeast, Haryana to the south and southeast, Rajasthan to the southwest, Jammu and Kashmir to the north.
What are the key concepts related to Punjab, India?
The main concepts connected to Punjab, India include Amritsar, Sikhism, Green Revolution, Punjabi language, Indian National Congress, Partition of India, Harappa, Chandigarh. Each is linked on the map above with its own summary.
Which exams cover Punjab, India?
Punjab, India is part of State Studies, which appears in the syllabus of PPSC, PSSSB.