CHAPTER I
GENERAL
(a) Introductory
(i) Origin of the Name of the
District.- Fatehgarh Sahib District was constituted on 13
April 19921 by carving out portions of Patiala, Ludhiana and
Rupnagar districts. The district has derived
its name from its headquarters’ place, Fatehgarh Sahib, named after the name of
historic Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib. This Gurudwara is said to have derived its name from Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the youngest of the
two martyred sons of Guru Gobind Singh, who were bricked alive at this place (a
fort at that time) in 1704 by Wazir Khan, the then Fauzdar (Army
commander) of Sirhind. According to another version the name is also on the
account of Fateh (means victory)
of garh (means fort) of Sirhind by
Sikhs under the command of Banda Bairagi, so called as Fatehgarh by depicting
the victory of fort. This fort was built by Ferozeshah Tuglaq. A memorial with
the name of Fatehgarh Sahib was raised in 1710 during the days of Banda Bairagi
over the remains of the fort. Fatehgarh Sahib was given the status of a town on
23 December 1996 by forming a Nagar Panchayat
there but later on it was merged with the Sirhind Municipal Council on 8
April 19982. Now this town is known as Sirhind-Fatehgarh Sahib in
official records and is the headquarters of the district.
(ii) Location, General Boundaries, Total Area and Population of the
District.- Fatehgarh Sahib District falls in the Patiala
Division. The district lies between 30o 27' and 30o 46' north latitude and 76o 04' and 76o 38' east
longitude. It lies in south-eastern, of the State and is surrounded by Patiala, Rupnagar, Ludhiana and
Sangrur Districts.
Fatehgarh
Sahib, the headquarters of the district administration, lies on the
Sirhind-Nangal railway line and the Delhi-Ludhiana railway line is also passing
through the Sirhind town part and parcel of the place. All the municipal towns
except Amloh and Khamano have railway stations. It is directly linked by road
with Chandigarh (51km), Ludhiana (67 km approximately), Patiala (35 km) and
Rupnagar (47 km).
According to
Director of Land Records, Punjab, Jalandhar, the area of the
Fatehgarh Sahib district during 2000-2001 was 1,147.79 sq.
km. which accounts for 2.34 per cent
approximately, area of the state. In terms of area, Fatehgarh Sahib district is
the smallest district in the state. The
tahsil-wise area of the Fatehgarh
Sahib district is given below :
|
Serial No
|
Tahsil
|
Area (Sq.km.)
|
|
1
|
Fatehgarh
Sahib
|
484.09
|
|
|
2
|
Bassi
Pathana
|
206.57
|
|
|
3
|
Amloh
|
261.20
|
|
|
4
|
Khamano
|
195.93
|
|
|
|
District
Fatehgarh Sahib
|
1,147.79
|
|
(Source: Director
Land Records, Punjab, Jalandhar)
|
|
|
|
|
|
According
to the 2001 Census, the population of the district was 5,38,041 persons (3,86,950
Rural and 1,51,091 urban) comprising
2,90,137 males and 2,47,904 females. In terms of population the district
ranked 17th in the State having only 2.20 per cent population of the
State as a whole.
(iii)
History of the District as an Administrative Unit and the Changes in its
Component Parts.- Prior to the Independence, the main area of
the present Fatehgarh Sahib District was administered by the erstwhile Princely
States of Patiala and Nabha except few
villages which were part of British territory. At that time Bassi (now Bassi
Pathana the tahsil headquarters of present Fatehgarh Sahib District) was the
headquarters of Amargarh Nizamat (District) of Patiala State. Amloh
(presently tahsil headquarters of the District) was Nizamat (District)
of Nabha State. After Independence with the formation of PEPSU, in 1948
Fatehgarh Sahib was made a district of the new State. In 1953 the Fatehgarh
Sahib District was merged with Patiala District and Fatehgarh Sahib was made a
tahsil/subdivision with its headquarters at Bassi Pathana which was later
shifted to Fatehgarh Sahib.
The Fatehgarh Sahib with its headquarters at
Fatehgarh Sahib was again made a
separate district on 13 April 1992. The district was created by including the
Fatehgarh Sahib/Sirhind Tahsil and Amloh Sub-Tahsil (of Nabha Tahsil) of
Patiala District, 58 villages of Samrala Tahsil, 6 villages of Khanna Tahsil of
Ludhiana District 7 Villages of Kharar Tahsil and 22 villages of Tahsil
Rupnagar of District Rupnagar. Fatehgarh Sahib, Amloh and Khamano were made
tahsils/subdivisions of Fatehgarh Sahib district on 13 April 1992 and another
tahsil/subdivision namely Bassi Pathana came into existance on 13 August
1992. Now the
district
comprises of four tahsils with subdivisional headquarters at Sirhind-Fatehgarh
Sahib, Amloh, Khamano and Bassi Pathana. Besides there was one sub-tahsil viz.
Mandi Gobindgarh which was formed on 14 August 1992. Since the district came
into existance there were several territorial changes in the district. During
1993 four village3 viz. Sangatpura, Doomcheri, Chalaki and Tajpura
of Tahsil Bassi Pathana District Fatehgarh Sahib were transferred to
Sub-Tahsil Morinda of Tahsil and
District Rupnagar. During 19954 three villages viz. Balsuan, Chandu
Majra and Sarai Banjara of Tahsil Rajpura District Patiala were included into
Tahsil Fatehgarh Sahib, District Fatehgarh Sahib, one village Bugga Khurd of
Tahsil Nabha, District Patiala was included into Tahsil Amloh District
Fatehgarh Sahib, seven villages viz. Sihri, Akar, Bathli, Tehalpura, Akari,
Dittupur Fakiran and Jago Chanarthal of Tahsil and District Patiala were
included into Tahsil and District of Fatehgarh Sahib, and Seven villages viz.
Barwali Kalan, Barwali Khurd, Jatana Ucha, Jatana Nicha, Kakrala Kalan, Kakrala
Khurd and Bir Kakrala of Tahsil Samrala District Ludhiana were included into
Tahsil Khamano of District Fatehgarh Sahib. On 4 March 19965 three
villages viz. Kakarala Kalan, Kakrala Khurd and Bir Kakrala of Tahsil Khamano
District Fatehgarh Sahib were transferred back to Tahsil Samrala, District
Ludhiana. During 19986 ten villages of Tahsil and District Fatehgarh
Sahib viz. Sihra, Sihri, Akar, Akari, Bathli, Tehalpura, Sarai Banjara, Bajigar
Basti Sarai Banjara, Balsuan and Chandu Majra were transferred to tahsil
Rajpura, District Patiala
(iv)
Subdivisions, Tahsils and Thanas.- The Fatehgarh Sahib District comprised of 457
villages (452 inhabited and 5 uninhabited)
Surface of the earth is the stage
over which drama of human activity is being played. Viewed in this perspective the knowledge of the topography
is indispensable for
understanding character of
any
* Material supplied by S,
Avtar Singh Matharoo, Lecturer, Department of Geology, Punjabi University,
Patiala
region. Topographically district forms part of Punjab
plain or Indo Gangetic plain and is characterized by flat featureless surface
with deposition of alluvial soils in recent geological past brought by rivers
originating in Himalayas. Macroscopically it is a flat featureless plain but
microscopic investigation may yield spatial variation in surface configuration.
It is a gently sloping plain with
elevations ranging from 273 metres in north to 259 metres in south, thus having
a range of 14 metres only indicating gentle slope . The elevations are higher
in the east than west. It suggests that like whole of Punjab plain the slope of
the district is from northeast to southwest. Minor undulations in the form of
ridges or depressions break monotony of landscape, and according to one
viewpoint these undulations are testimony of old course of the river Satluj,
which used to flow through this area during 13th century, but now it
has changed its course. Otherwise, the district forms part of upland plains of
Punjab, whose further subdivisions are not possible and whole of the district
constitutes one landform unit.
(c)
River System and Water Resources
At
present no major river crosses through this district, but there are evidences
that Satluj used to flow through this area; which has changed its course. It is
generally thought that Satluj and Yamuna river at one stage were tributaries of
Ghaggar River. With a slight uplift of Yamuna-Satluj divide, the two rivers
shifted to west and east respectively leaving Ghaggar as misfit river. Thus,
this event led to shifting of river course of Satluj and at one time it crossed
through area covered by present Fatehgarh Sahib district. There are some
seasonal streams crossing through district territory.
Patialawali Nadi.- It is also called
Patiali Rao Choe and runs through
southeastern part of the district. This stream originates in Shiwalik Hills.
After traversing through Kharar tahsil of Rupnagar District and part of Patiala
District enters the district from southeast and drains the southwest part of
district. It ultimately joins Ghaggar River after flowing for some distance in
Patiala District.
Sirhind Choe.- This is
another major seasonal stream originating near Sirhind town from rain waters of
the area. A seasonal stream Jainti Devi Ki Rao, which terminates in this area
may be one of the factors behind its origin. The Sirhind Choe flows through
northwestern part of the district and then crossing through Nabha tahsil of
Patiala District enters the Sangrur District near Chhintawala. Henceforth its name is Sunamwala Choe. In Fatehgarh
Sahib district its name is Sirhind Choe.
Canals.- Bhakra Main Line
which is pucca canal crosses through the district and is the source of
irrigation. It first flows in southeast & northwest direction and
bifurcates into two branches i.e. the other branch, runs parallel to the G.T.
Road. Many distributaries of the Bhakra Canal have been constructed in the
district. The canal irrigation has played a catalytic role for development of
agriculture in a fertile alluvial plain. In addition to Bhakra Main Line,
Sirhind Canal also serves part of the district.
The traditional well irrigation has been replaced by tubewell
irrigation run by either diesel engines or electricity.
Water
bearing formations in the area mainly include fine to medium grained sand or
sand with little admixture of clay. At shallow depth the ground water occurs
under unconfined water table conditions and in deeper aquifers occur under
confined conditions. The depth to ground water table in the area ranges from
4.05 m below ground level (mbgl) in the central to 18.10 mbgl in the north
eastern parts. The quality of ground water in shallow aquifers confirm to
maximum permissible limits for drinking water standards except along western
part where high values of fluoride (1.5 to 2.10 ppm) have been noticed and in
central Fatehgarh Sahib showing high values of sodium, zinc, iron,
sulphate, nitrate and chloride. The
deeper waters in general are found to
be suitable
for irrigation and domestic purposes.
(e) Flora (Botany)*
The
general vegetation of Fatehgarh Sahib has a floristic composition of Semi arid
region in a major part as a whole intermixing with the scattered elements
of tropical dry
deciduous forest as
the area approaches the district
boundaries of Rupnagar, in the region of Shiwalik hills.
1 Semi
Arid Region .- The area is characterized by the
loose and stabilized sand dunes. The flora comprises Capparis decidua, Calatropis
procera, Ziziphus nummularia, Leptadenia pyrotechnica
and Tecomella acmella are common. Apart from these other
characteristic trees are Prosopis cineraria, Balanites aegyptica,
Acacia nilotica, Maytenus emarginatus are observed
in thorn scrub vegetation. The herbacaeous plant species occurring in moist
conditions are Achyranthes aspera, Phyllanths sp., Indigofera
sp., Solanum nigrum, Justicia sp., Cenchrus sp.,
and Tribulus sp., Cocculus hirsutus, C. pendulus, Coccinea
grandis, Asparagus racemousus, Barleria cristata,
Boerhavia diffusa and Momordica balsamina are some
perennial climbers and bushes.
2
Tropical Dry Deciduous.- It has been observed that
some several plant species are known to occur in scattered distribution belonging to dry deciduous vegeatation. Some
of these are Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia
nilotica ssp. indica, Ficus benghalensis, Ficusreligiosa, Euphorbia
nivulia, Ziziphus nummularia, Salvadora oleoides, Tecomella undulata, Abrus
precatorius, Butea monosperma, Caesalpinia bonduc, Jatropa curcas, Murraya
koenigii, Adhatoda sylvatica and Phoenix sylvestris.
Weeds.- A large numbers of plants species growing as weeds are observed in
the wasteland and they are commonly associated with agricultural crops in the
vicinity of Fatehgarh Sahib. Cassia tora, Cleome viscosa,
Crotolaria sp., Euphorbia hirta, Croton bonplandianum,
Leucas sp., Spergularia sp., Vicia sp., besides Lantana
camara, Parthenium hysterophorus, Argemone mexicana,
Ageratum conyzoides, Desmostachya bipinnate, etc.
are frequent weeds,
Plants
Growing in Ponds and Marshy Area.- During monsoon
the riverine tracts
and low lying areas are
subjected to inundation.
* Material
supplied by Botanical Survey of India, Dehradun
Number of
aquatic plants appear in submerged and free floating condition. Hydrilla verticellata, Potamogeton indicus,
Marsilea minuta, Lemna sp., Nymphaea nouschalli and Eicchornia
crassipes are some common hydrophytes. The plants growing in marshy and
fringe areas are Centella asiatica, Paspalum flavidum,
Polygonum barbatum, Eclipta prostrata, Fimbristyls
dichotona, Cyperus umbellatus, Phylla nodiflora
and Alternanthera sessilis. Besides, Typha angustata,
Vetiveria zizanoides and Saccharum species are also
observed.
Ruderal
Plants.- A characteristic ruderal vegetation also
appears in some places subjected to change from time to time in waste places,
around village vicinity, roadsides and along railway tracks. These are Xanthium strumarium, Solanum surattense,
Cannabis sativa, Cassia occidentalis, C.tora,Amaranthus spinosus and
Boehravia diffusa. Few escapes of cultivation like Ricinus communis,
Sessamum indicum and Datura species are found growing in rubbish
heaps.
Economic
Plants.- The area also harbous several plants which
are of medicinal and economic value. The use of their medicinal value by the
local people are exploited for many home remedies and also in preparation of ayurvedic
formulation. The common ones are Aegle marmelos, Acacia catechu, Solanum
surattense, Adhatoda zeylanica, Butea monosperma, Calatropis procera, Linum
usitatissimum, Grevia oppositifolia. Helicteris isora, Centella asiatica,
Bacopa monnieri, Zingiber officinale, Ocimum basilicum, Carissa carandas, etc.
Grass
Species.- Most of the land is being utilized for
agricultural purpose. The area harbours grasslands comprising some common
species of grasses which are Cenchrus ciliaris, C. biflorus, Lasiurus indicus,
Heteropogon contortus, Bothrichloa intermedia, Arundinella bengalensis, Aptida
mutica, Chloris dolichostachya, Digitaria abludens, Eragrostis sp., Imperata
cylindrica, Ischaemum rugosum, Oplismenus burmannii, Paspalum dilatatum, Poa
annua and Setaria glauca.
(f) Fauna (Zoology) *
Fauna is a gift of nature,
and the different beasts and birds, forming part of wild life, need to be
preserved. The wild animals and birds help in protecting crops, by preying upon
worms, insects, etc. which might destroy
them. The Punjab Wild
Life Preservation Act,
* Material supplied by Department of Zoology,
Panjab University Chandigarh
1959 , and
the rules framed there under aim at the protection and preservation of wild
life. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, has been enforced in the State of
Punjab with effect from 1 April 1975, which affords protection to the
wild animals and
birds. For this purpose, the
strict vigilance is maintained by the wild life staff.
The
different zoological types formed in the Fatehgarh Sahib District are given
below:
(1)
Mammals (Mammalia).- Sambhar, Nilgai, Wild boar, Jungle cat,
Jackal, Mongoose, Palm squirrel, Hares, Rats, Mice, Rhesus macaque, Bat (small
& Large), Porcupine, Hedge hog, (Cow, Buffalo, Goat, Sheep, Pigs, Donkey,
Horse, Dog, Cat-Domesticated mammals).
(2)
Birds (Aves).- Gray Babbler, Golden Oriole, Common Paraquet, Rose-ring
paraquet, Pariah kite, Koel, Magpie Robin, Wren-warbler, Blue jay,
Wagtail, White- breasted Kingfisher, Pied king fisher, Pond heron, Owl, Owlet,
Red wattled lapwing, Purple sun bird, Red vented bulbul, Whiskered bulbul,
Skylark , Indian robin, Spotted dove, Blue rocked pigeon, Large egret, Hawk,
Bush quail, Black patridge, Peacock, Baya, Coot, Rivertern, Grayhornbill, Munia,
Crow, Woodpecker, Flycatcher, Coppersmith, Brahmini duck, Cormorant
(large & small), Coucal, Jungle crow, Shrike, Dabchick, Drongo, Dove,
Hoopoe, Purple Moorhen, Myna. Pharaoh’s chicken, Redstart, Swift,
Swallows, Vulture, Water hen.
(3) Reptilea
(Lizard, Snakes, Turtles, etc.).- Tortoise, Wall lizard, Calotes, Varanus,
Cobra, Rat snake, Krait, Python.
(4) Pises
(Fishes).- Labeo rohia (Rohu), Cirrhinus mrigala (Mugal),
Catla Catla (Katla), Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Silver carp),
Ctenopharyngodon idella (Grass carp), Cyprinus carpio (Common carp), Wallago
attu (Mullee), Aorichthys seenghala (Singhara), Puntius sarana (Puthi),
Puntius stigma (Chidhu), Mystus teengara (Tinger), Osteobrama cotio (Seesha
Machi), Channa marulius (Sol), Mastacembelus armatus (Bam).
(g) Climate*
(i) Climatic Divisions and Seasons and Their Duration
The
district is generally
dry except during the
brief monsoon
* Material supplied by Additional Director
General of Meteorology (Research), Pune
season. The
year may be divided into four seasons. The cold season from November to
February is followed by the hot season from March to the end of June. The
period from July to the middle of September constitutes the southwest monsoon
season. The latter half of September and October may be termed as the post
monsoon or transition period.
(ii) Temperature and Humidity
Temperature.- There
is no meteorological observatory in the district. Therefore records of the
Patiala observatory in the neighbouring Patiala District may be taken as
representative of the climatic conditions in the district in general. After
February, both the day and night temperatures increase rapidly till
June which is generally the hottest month. The mean daily maximum temperature
is at about 39 oC and the
mean daily minimum temperature is at about 26 oC. The summer is
intensely hot and on individual days the maximum temperature goes upto 47
oC. The scorching dust laden winds which often blow during the summer
make the weather very trying. Afternoon thunderstorms which
occur on some
days bring some relief, although
only temporarily. With the onset of the
monsoon by about the beginning of July, there is an appreciable drop in the day
temperatures. Due to increase in moisture in the monsoon air, the weather is
uncomfortable in between the rains. The nights during the monsoon season are as
warm as during the latter part of the summer. After the withdrawal of the
monsoon by about the mid-September, there is a drop in the temperatures, the
drop in night temperatures being more rapid. After October, both the day and
night temperatures decrease rapidly and the sharp fall in temperatures after
nightfall is particularly trying. January is usually the coldest month with the
mean daily maximum temperature at about 20oC and the mean daily
minimum is at about 6 oC to 7 oC. In winter cold waves
affect the district in the wake of passing western disturbances and the minimum
temperature drops occasionally to about the freezing point.
Humidity.- Mornings are comparatively
more humid than the afternoons. The humidity is high during the monsoon season.
Humidities decrease thereafter and by summer which is the driest part of the
year, the relative humidities in the afternoons become less than 40%.
(iii)
Rainfall
The monthly average rainfall in the
Fatehgarh Sahib District during 1993 and 1996 to 2001 is given in Table I.
Records of rainfall in the district are
available for 2 stations for 37 years. The details of the rainfall at these
stations and for the district as a whole are given in Tables II and III. The
average annual rainfall in the district is 688.7 mm. The rainfall in the
district in general increases from southwest onwards the southeast and
northeast. About 73% of the annual
rainfall in the district is received
during the southwest monsoon period, July to September, July being the rainiest
month. Some rainfall is also received during the cold season. The variation in
the rainfall from year to year is large. During the period 1954 to 1990, the
highest annual rainfall amounting to 246% of the normal occurred in 1988. The
lowest annual rainfall which was 27% of the normal occurred in 1987. In the
same period the rainfall less than 80% of the normal occurred in 9 years, out
of which occasion of each two and three consecutive years of rainfall less than
80% of the normal occurred once. It will be seen from table 2 that the annual
rainfall in the district was between 501 mm and 900 mm in 20 years out of 30.
On an average there are about 31
rainy days (i.e. days with rainfall of 2.5 mm or more) in a year in the
district.
The heaviest rainfall in 24 hours
recorded at any stations in the district was 250.8 mm at Sirhind on 24
September 1988.
(iv) Atmospheric Pressure and Winds
Cloudiness.- The skies are generally moderately to heavily
clouded during the monsoon season and for brief spells of a day or two in
association with passing western disturbances during the cold season. During
the rest of the year the skies are mainly clear or lightly clouded.
Winds.- Winds are generally light to moderate with some strengthening in
force during the period from February to June. During the southwest monsoon
season, south easterlies prevail and from September onwards northwesterlies
appear and from November to May it is predominant, both in the mornings and in
the afternoons.
Special Weather Phenomena.- In the cold season western disturbances
affect the district causing heavy rain sometimes associated with the thunder.
Thunderstorms occur from May to September in the district. Dust storms occur
occasionally in the hot season. Fog occurs some times during the winter season.
TABLE I
Monthly Average
Rainfall in Fatehgarh Sahib District during the year 1993 and 1996 to 2001
(in millimetres)
|
|
Year
|
January
|
February
|
March
|
April
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
August
|
September
|
October
|
November
|
December
|
Total
|
|
1993
|
-
|
35.7
|
91.1
|
2.5
|
42.1
|
56.2
|
612.7
|
-
|
203.2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1043.5
|
|
1996
|
27.0
|
43.5
|
8.5
|
-
|
-
|
93.1
|
126.5
|
211.0
|
196.0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
705.6
|
|
1997
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2.5
|
50.3
|
179.0
|
4.8
|
2.5
|
14.0
|
0.1
|
253.2
|
|
1998
|
-
|
14.0
|
5.0
|
-
|
-
|
23.0
|
116.5
|
65.0
|
4.8
|
2.5
|
14.0
|
0.1
|
244.9
|
|
1999
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
158.0
|
106.5
|
20.5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
285.0
|
|
2000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4.0
|
101.5
|
36.5
|
13.0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
155.0
|
|
2001
|
-
|
-
|
27.0
|
4.0
|
-
|
63.5
|
108.3
|
129.0
|
30.5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
362.3
|
|
(Statistical Abstract
of Punjab1994 and 1997 to 2002)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
