(d) Volantary Social Service Organizations
The humanitarian urge to organize voluntary associations to meet the needs of social and cultural upliftment of the people is innate. This urge has found greater scope of expression after independence as a result of popular awakening among the masses and State encouragement in various fields of public activity. The voluntary institutions/organizations not only complement and supplement governmental efforts in many fields, but also cover fields of ameliorative service which Government cannot render. These organizations play an important role in the educational, social and cultural development of the community. These also provide welfare activities for children, women, aged and infirms, handicapped and other deserving sections of the society.
There are a number of voluntary social service
organizations in the district serving the social needs of the people in a
variety of ways. A brief account of the important organizations is
given below :
The main functions of the Zila Sainik Board, Hoshiarpur are to form district record of war services ; to keep record of land awards to discharged soldiers ; to help in the after-care of wounded and incapacitated soldiers ; to promote and maintain goodwill between the civilians and military personnel ; to help in the presentation of cases of active and ex-military personnel to the civil authorities ; to look to the well-being of the serving and ex-soldiers and their families ; to help the retired defence personnel in their adjustment in suitable civilian jobs ; and to help in obtaining educational concessions for the children of retired and deceased armed personnel.
Bharat Sevak Samaj, Hoshiarpur. – Formed in 1955-56, Barart Sevak Samaj,
Hoshiarpur is a non-political wing of Congress. It has its headquarters at Hoshiarpur and branches in all the tahsils
of the district. The membership of the
Samaj is about 500.
This
organizations is affiliated to the Punjab State Bharat Sevak Samaj, Chandigarh
and subscribes to the ideals, functions and activities of the parent body. It also helps in the implementation of
Government programmes and educated the masses regarding the latest policies of
Government.
The
Samaj organizes social service camps in rural areas and works for securing
co-operation in various fields of rural development family planning and setting
up of balwadies, etc.
Bhartiya
Grameen Mahila Samiti, Hoshiarpur. – The
Bhartiya Grameen Mahila Samiti, Hoshiarpur, was established in 1961. It runs five centres, 3 sub-centres and 2
dai canters in different villages of the district. It provides free services for the villagers like nursery schools
for the kids, primary education, adult education, tailoring school, maternity,
sanitation, etc. The annual expenditure
incurred by the samiti on these centres comes to Rs 55,000/-, 75 per cent of
which is met by the Social Welfare Department.
Organizations
of National or International Repute
There are a number of other organizations of national or international repute which are established elsewhere but have their branches in the district.
The Indian Red Cross Society was established in 1920 under Act XV of the Government of India. The District Red Cross Branch Hoshiarpur, was started in 1948.
The Society
maintains a maternity hospital at Hoshiarpur, 3 maternity and child welfare
centres one each at Hoshiarpur, Hariana and Mukerian to look after expectant
and nursing mothers and infant children.
It also maintains 7 trained dai centres in the rural areas, where
delivery cases are conducted, besides providing medical aid. The Society also runs 7 rural dispensaries,
which are under the charge of trained dispensers.
The
District St. John Ambulance, Hoshiarpur, imparts training in ambulance,
first-aid, home-nursing, mother craft and child welfare, etc. An ambulance car
is maintained by the district branch for carrying the sick and injured persons
to the hospital and attending to such other emergency calls. During 1974, it
trained 9,623 persons in the district in first-aid and home nursing. The Society contributed Rs 20,000 to the
Assam Relief Fund and Rs 35,000 to sister institutions and poor and needy
patients. In 1975, the membership of
the Society was 2,26,983 and it was running 67 First-Aid posts.
The
main sources of income of the Society are collection from Lucky Bag Funds,
District Relief Fund, membership subscriptions, contributions and donations,
etc. The income and expenditure of
society during the year 1975 were Rs 15,69,451 and Rs 12,27,702 respectively.
Rotary Club, Hoshiarpur. – With its headquarters in the U. S. A., the Rotary Club is a world-wide organization whose motto is “Service Above Self”. It is a type of brotherhood to serve the humanity, nation, country and the world on the whole.
The
Rotary Club, Hoshiarpur, was
established in 1971. Its motto is “He
profits most who serves the best”. It
is essentially a service club possessed of a spirit of dedication for
humanitarian service. The membership of
the club is restricted and based on one member from one vocation, thus giving
representation to the cross section of the society. The membership of the club is 42 with due representation from
every walk of life. The club serves
through four avenues of service, such
as club service, Community service, vocational service and international
service.
The Rotary Club Hoshiarpur, organises two free eye operation camps every year and provides free medicines and diet to the patients. Besides, two beds for the ophthalmic patients are reserved by the club in Dr. Blkrishan Hospital, Hoshiarpur. It supplements the diet of the inmates of the local T. B. Hospital by providing them eggs, sugar, injections, etc. It also provides free polio drops to the needy children. Scholarships are also provided by the club to the needy and bright students.
The
submountane district of Hoshiarpur in the north-east of Punjab bordering
Himachal Pradesh on the east, the river Beas on the north-western separating it
from Himachal Pradesh in the north and the Gurdaspur District in the west. The river Satluj in the south separates it
from Rupnagar District. Its population
was 10,52,153 in 1971, as against 871130 in 1961.
The
district of Hoshiarpur abounds in a large number of temples, located at the
Shivalik hills, in commemoration of goddess (devis). Besides, there are a number of places of historical and religious
importance in the district, which are described below in alphabetical order :
Bajwara.- Bajwara a suburb of Hoshiarpur is situated at a
distance of about 3 km to the south-east of Hoshiarpur. It is located on Una-Nangal Road and is also
connected with Hoshiarpur-Garhshankar Road through an approach road. Its population was 4943 in 1971, as against
3,843 in 1961.
Bajwara
was once thriving habitation. It
occupied a very much more extended area than it does now, and tradition says
that it was about 27 km in circumference.
It was well known for its cloth weavers and pious Brahmins. Bajwara is said to have been founded by
three immigrants from Ghazni, one of whom, Baju Baora, renowned as a Singer,
gave him name to the town. It is
mentioned in the Ain-I-Akbari as a mahal out of 36 mahals belonging to the
Hoshiarpur District. Todar Mal, Akbar’s
Revenue Minister, is said to have broken up the town into small divisions as a
punishment to the inhabitants for not showing him due to respect.
Bajwara
was well known during the Afghan period.
It was the base of the Afghan against the hill chiefs. Around the town, there are many ‘bassis’,
the headquarters of the Petty Pathan leaders, who assisted the Afghan at
Bajwara against the hill chiefs.
In
later times, Bajwara was held by Sardar Bhup Singh Faizullapuria, who was
ousted in 1801 by Raja Sansar Chand. The
latter built a fort here, which was taken by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in
1825. Since then the town has declined
and its debris has been used for road construction. The fort was utilized as a military Prison in the earlier year of
the British rule but was afterwards dismantled. At present, only two of its ruined bastions are to be seen.
There are two Government primary schools, a private high school, a post & telegraph office with public call office. C\besides, there is Lala Chuni Lal Free Hospital at Bajwara.
A fair held here once a year, at Sain Sahib temple, also known as Sarwang Sahib Temple, on Basant day. Fairs are also held at Ravidas temple in the month of January and at the Sadhu Ashram in the month of April.
Balachur.- Headquarters of the tahsil of the same name, Balachur is concerned wit Hoshiarpur, Nawanshar and Nurpur Bedi by road. Its population was 5,384 in 1971 as against 4,422 in 1961.
The
town is said to have been originally held by Mahton Rajputs. There is a smadh named after Baba
Balraj, a local saints, and it is held in great esteem by the people of the
area. A fair is held here annually on
the following day of Diwali when wrestling bouts are arranged. Besides, a large number of people visit the
samadh every Thursday and pay their homage.
A school was started in the memory of Baba Balraj in 1922, which is
known as Balraj Anglo Vedic Higher Secondary School. There is a temple in the town which dates back to about 400 years
and is known as ‘Biranwala Temple’.
There
are a private higher secondary school for boys, a Government high school for
boys and a Government primary school, a primary health centre, a rural family
clinic, a veterinary hospital, a police station, a post and telegraph office
and a civil rest house.
Bham.- Situated
at a distance of 13 km from Chabewal ,which falls on Hoshiarpur –Garhshankar
Road, Bham is connected by a link road. Its population was 2,751 in 1971, as
against 2,566 in 1961
Bham
is said to be the place where the Pandavas
passed their exile, a fact commemorated
by a temple (shiwala) known as “Shivan da Mandir”. The temple is unique in construction and one
has to step downstairs to pay homage to the deity. A fair is held here annually on Shivaratri Day. There is another imposing temple known as
Sri Durga Mandir which has been got constructed by a living devi (goddess) who
resides there. the devi is held in high
esteem by the people. a fair lasting
for four days is also held here annually during July-August (Sawan 15–18), when
a large number of people from far and near visit the place. There is an arrangement for free board and
lodging in Sri Durga Mandir for the visitors.
There are a Government high school, a Government primary school, a post office and a veterinary dispensary in the village.
Dasuya.- Headquarters of the tahsil/subdivision of the same name, Dasuya falls on the Jullundur-Mukerian-Pathankot-Jammu Tawi line of the Northern Railway. By road, it is linked with Tanda Urmar (15 km). Mukerian (16 km). Talwara (43 km). Hoshiarpur (41 km), Jullundhaur (56 km) and Pathankot (56 km). Its population was 10,363 in 1971, as against 8,721 in 1961. It is a Class II municipality.
Dasuya is said to be very old places. Tradition says that this place was the capital of Raja Virata mentioned in the Mahabharata. In older times, Dasuya was known as “Virat Ki Nagri”. The uneven streets and locations of a part of the town on a mound bear testimony to its antiquity. There is an old fort to the north town, it was in great part demolished in 1848. It is mentioned in the Ain-i-Akbari and was afterwards one of the strongholds of the Ramgarhias. In 1818, it was annexed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh who kept it for 14 years and then bestowed it, with the surrounding villages, on Prince Tara Singh. One of the towers of the fort still remains, where the Government Girls High School is Situated. There is also an old well here. Besides, there is an old tank near the Bus stand. It is said to have been dug by the Pandavas during their exile. Presently, the tank is in disuse.
There are a Government girls high school, two private higher secondary school, two colleges, a civil hospital, a police station, a post & telegraph office, a telephone exchange a cinema house and a civil rest house.
Datarpur. – Situated at a distance of
about 2 km from “Jhir di khuhi”, on Mukerian-Talwara road, Datarpur falls in
Dasuya Tahsil. It is the biggest
village in the Kandi area. Its population
was 3,695 in 1971, as against 3,029 in 1961.
There
are a higher secondary school, a high school, a Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, an
ayurvedic hospital and a sub-post office.
In the village, there is a Thakardwara Baba Lal Dayal, which was founded
about the year 1809 by Tapa Das, one of the disciples of Baba Lal Dayal. Lateron Raja Gobind Chand of Datarpur built
a temple here and granted a jagir to the thakardwara. Uptil now, there have been ten mahants and the present one in the
eleventh occupying the gaddi. This
institution is running four high schools at Datarpur, Rampur haler, Lamin and
Amroh, and a Sanatan Dharam Sanskrit Mahavidyalya at Datarpur. Free board and lodging facilities are
available to the visitors at the thankardwara.
Dharampur. – Situated at a distance of 5 km from village Amroh, which fall on
Talwara-Mubarakpur road, Dharampur is 14 km from Talwara. One has to pass through a cho bed from Amroh
which leads to village Dharampur situated at a distance of 5 km. Its population was 719 in 1971, as against
585 in 1961.
The
village was formerly known as Gharta and with the incornation of goddess, its
name was changed to Dharampur. There is
a celebrated shrine of Devi in the village.
The temple is situated in the Shivalik hills and is said to be three centuries
old. Besides the temple, there is a
tank which is in disuse. Two fairs are
held here annually, during the months of Chet and Asuj. A large number of people from far off places
come to pay their homage and also perform mundane ceremony.
There are a high school and a Government ayurvedic dispensary in the village.
Dera Santgarh (Horkhowal). – Dera Santgarh is situated at a distance of about
13 km from Hoshiarpur on Hoshairpur-Phagwara road, and is linked by an approach
road (3 km). the dera has no connection
with any of the Sikh Gurus. It was
founded by one jawala Singh, a saint, who never wanted it to be built with
pucca bricks. The construction of the
dera was started in 1930 and completed during 1932.
A fair is held here annually for two days in the month of Kartik (27th and 28th October-November) to commemorate the death anniversary of Baba Jwala singh when a large number of people visit the dera. The dera is housed in a spacious building and has about 40 rooms for the stay of visitors. Free langer (food) is served to the people.
Dholbaha. – Situated in a picturesque valley at the foot of the Shiwaliks,
Dholbaha is 30 kilometres to the north-west of Hoshiarpur. it is approachable by a metalled road from
Hariana (14 km) of which it forms the terminus. It population in 1971 was 1,508, as against 1,379 in 1961.
Local
tradition associated the place with the legendary king Dhol. Archaeology has pushed back its antiquity to
the Pleistocene period when the Stone Age man roamed up and down the terraces
and hillocks of the valley for food, water and shelter. Another tradition is that the name
‘Dholbaha’ is derived from ‘Dharvalavaha’ (white rivulet), which symbolizes the
crystalline water of a gently murmuring stream winding its way along the
silvery bed of glittering sand.
Dholbaha
is known as an ancient-temple-town. The
place remained increasingly flourishing throughout the early medival period
(700-1200 A. D.) and it saw, like the rest of India, the most brilliant
efflorescence of temple-building and sculptural art. A large number of amalakas (crowing members of temple spries)
buried walls, plinths, and other architectural pieces establish the presence of
several temples here at various places.
Perhaps, the oldest sculpture is a head of Vishnu rougly datable to the
7th-8th century A. D. and the most beautiful is, again, a
Vidhnu head of the 10th century, the other important ones being a
reclining Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati seated on Nandi Mahishasuramardini, female
figures or couples on architraves members and statue depicting four Juna images
seated back to back. Most of the
sculptures are of sandstone granite is also made use of. These are exhibited in the museum maintained
by the Archaeology Department, Punjab, in the premises of the Vishveshvaranand
Institute, Sadhu Ashram at Hoshiarpur.
Besides, there is a museum at Dholbaha, where some of the findings
excavated from here are displayed any shown to the visitors. There is also Mahisharsuramardini temple,
which is stated to be more than 500 years old.
Besides, there is another temple, in the name of goddess Mansa Devi.
There
is also a temple of Shiva said to have been constructed by Maharaja Ranjit
Singh. A story goes that once the
Maharaja was on his way to expedition of Kangra, he passed through this place
and it was here that he was checked and his troops were detained by Maharaja
Shital giri with his spiritual power.
Out of reverence for the saint, Maharaja Ranjit Singh built a Shiva
temple. By the side of the temple, there
is a samadh of Shital Giri.
There
is a high school and a forest rest house at Dholbaha.
Garhdiwala. – Situated at a distance of 28km from Hoshiarpur, the district
headquarters, Garhdiwala falls on the Hoshiarpur-Dasuya road. It is a Class III municipality. Its population was 3,753 in 1971, as against
3,153 in 1961.
Tradition
goes that the town was built in 1443 A. D> by one Garhia, a Jat, and was
named after his and that the addition of Diwala was made in 1812 on ccount of
the incarnation of the goddess (devi) having appeared in the town. In honour of this event, one Jodh Singh,
Ramgarhia, built a temple here. The
work diwala is said to be wither a contraction for deviwala or the word diowala
a temple. The said Sardar also built a
fort in 1829 A. D., the traces of which are hardly visible. Around the town, there are some groves of
mangoes. Starting from here, a belt of
mango gardens can be seen up to Mahalpur.
There
are a college a higher secondary school, two high schools one each for boys and
girls, a civil dispensary, a veterinary hospital, a police pose and a post
office.
Garhshankar. – Headquarters of the tahsil/Subdivision of the same name, Garshankar
is situated at a distance of 40 km from Hoshiarpur, the district headquarters,
on the Hoshiarpur-Rupnagar road. It
falls on the Jullundur City-Jaijon doaba line of the Northern Railway. It is a Class III municipality. It population was 6,882 in 1971 as against
5,976 in 1961.
If
tradition is to be belived, the town has a very ancient history. Before the first Muhammadan invasion, Raja
Shankar Das is aid to have built a fort on the site of the present town. This fort was taken by Mahmud Ghaznavi and
subsequently given by Emperor Shahab-ud-Din Ghauri to the sons of Raja Man
Singh of Jaipur State. The Mahtons, who
appear to have been the original inhabitants of the place were over powered and
driven out by the Rajputs in 1175 A. D.
Among
the architectural remains of the town are the kali mosque and the adjacent
well. The fort built by Raja Shankar
Das is in ruins, but a littrle portion of the outer wall still stands.
There
are two higher secondary schools, a primary health centre, a veterinary
hospital, a police station, a post and telegraph office and a P. W. D. rest
house.
A fair is held every year at the shrine of a Muhammadan saint, known as ‘Bara Rauza’. A large number of people from the neighbouring villages attends the fair and seek blessings of the saint.
Gurdwara Akalgarh. – Constructed in the memory of Guru Hargobind, the
sixth sikh Guru, Gurdwara Akalgarh is situated at a distance of about 5 km from
Garhshanakar and is connected by a link road.
It is believed that Guru Hargobind stayed here while on his way to
Kiratpur. At a distance of about 1 km
from this gurdwara, there is another gurdwara, also constructed in the memory
of Guru Hargobind in village Moela Wahidpur.
The forces of the Guru had stayed by the side of the present
gurdwara. A fair is held here every
year in the month of June.
Gurdwara Garna Sahib (Bodal). – Situated at a distance of about 1 ½ km from the
railway station, Garna Sahib, and about 1km from village Bodal, tahsil Dasuya,
Gurdwara Garna Sahib is also built in the sacred memory of Guru Hargobind. The Guru is said to have plantyed a dried
branch of garna tree here which grew up as a tree and hence the name ‘Garna
Sahib’. Fairs are held here on every
Maghi, Sankrant, Amavas and Baisakhi.
Besides, a fair is held on the birthday of Guru hargobind in the month
of June. A large number of people visit
the place and free langar is served.
There is a museum on the upper storey of the Gurdwara, where paintings
of Sikh Gurus are displayed.
Gurdwara
Tahsil Sahib (Monak Kalan). – Situated at a
distance of 5 km from Tanda Urmar on Jullundur-Pathankot road, Gurdwara Tahsil
Sahib is connected by an approach road.
It is about 1.5 km to the north of village Monak Kalan, tahsil
Dasuya. It is also constructed in the
memory of Guru Hargobind. On his way to
Garna Sahib from village Gilzian (birth place of Pandey Khan), Guru Hargobind
is believed to have rested at this place.
He is said to have buried a twing of tahli which grew into a tree. The old tree still exists and is worshiped
by the people. Nearby the tree, there
is a gurdwara and a fair is held on every Amavas.
Hariana.
– Hariana is 15 km north of Hoshiarpur on the Hoshiarpur-Dasuya road. It remained the headquarters of a tahsil
from 1846 to 1860 which was abolished in 1861.
It is a Class III municipality.
Its population was 5,0002 in 1971, against 4,468 in 1961.
Hariana
is known for fine mango groves. A small
perennial stream runs to the south of the town and the surrounding landscape is
very picturesque. There are two old
mosques in the town. The mosque of
Mufti situated to the west was built by Haji Sambal Khan in the reign of Akbar
in 1597-98 A. D. The Qazi’s mosque is a
little larger of somewhat later date and is without inscription.
There are a college, 3 high schools, a middle school, a civil dispensary, a veterinary hospital, a police station, a post and telegraph office and a rest house.
Hoshiarpur. – Headquarters of the district and tahsil of the same name,
Hoshiarpur is situated at the foot of the Shiwaliks. By road it is connected with Dasuya (41 km), Mukerian (57 km),
Talwara (84 km) Rupnagar (93 km), Gagret and Una (Himachal Pradesh). It is a railterminus on the Jullundur
City-Hoshiarpur line ofo the Northern Railway.
It is situated at a distance of 34 km from Jullundur with which it is
connected by road as well as rail. Its
population in 1971 was 57,691, as against 50,739 in 1961. It is Class I
municipality.
Tradition
ascribes the foundation of the town to two versions ; first to hargobind and
Ram Chand, Diwans of the Emperor Muhammad Bin Tughlak (1325-1351 A. D.) ;
second to Hoshiar Khan, a resident of Bajwara, who lived about the same period,
and after whom the town was named.
During the Sikh period, it fell into the hands of the Sardars of the
Faizullapuria Misl, of whom Bhup Singh had encounters with Raja Sansar Chand of
Kangra. In 18o9, Maharaja Ranjit Singh
seized the town, and Missar Rup Lal, when Governor of the Doab, made it his
residence. A considerable cantonment
was maintained near the town throughout the reign of Ranjit Singh and his
successors, and for some years by the British Government after the
annexation. The town is not mentioned
in “Ain-I-Akabri”, and was probably included in the mahal of Bajwara.
Hoshiarpur
has been a perpetual victim of floods in the chos. It is estimated that nearly 30 per cent of
the area of the district is affected by chos. Precisely for this reason it is known as a land of chos.
Hoshiarpur
is a semi-urban town. Mostly, the
residents of the town are of rural background or an partly dependent on
agriculture. Una tahsil of Hoshiarpur
once supplied most of the cooks to the rest of the State. But with the increasing avenues of
employment and the growth of literacy, the cooks are adopting profitable and
gainful employment and hence are in short supply.
For
centuries, Hoshiarpur dominated trade with the hills. Some families had business dealings with Samarkand and Tibet, and
many traders of Ladakh originally belonged to Hoshiarpur. The town is a market for shoes, brasswares,
ivory-inlay goods, doll making, wood furniture, etc. White plastic sheet is replacing ivory. Ivory-inlay work has brough recognition in cottage industry to
the town of Hoshiarpur. Besides, there
are a number of rosin and turpentine factories in the town.
There
are two colleges, 4 high/higher secondary schools for boys, 3 high/higher
secondary schools for girls, a civil hospital, a maternity hospital, a police
hospital, a municipal dispensary, a T. B. clinic and a veterinary hospital.
Besides, there are 2 police stations, a sub-jail, a telegraph officer, a
telephone exchange, 4 cinema houses, a P. W. D. rest house, a civil rest house,
a zila parishad rest house and a sainik rest house.
Within
the vicinity of Hoshiarpur, Sadhu Asharam houses the Vishveshvaranand Institute
of Sanskrit and Indological Studies which has earned world-wide fame.
Situated
in the heart of the city, Shish Mahal is a source of attraction for the
visitors. It is known as Shish Mahal
since its interior walls and roods are well decorated with glass work. It was got constructed by late LalaHans Raj
Jain in 1911. On the first floor, it
depicts the coronation ceremony of George V and on the ground floor, there are
status of religious deities. It
contains life-size status of George V, Queen Victoria, courtiers and visitors.
The
entire work is based on the imagination of an artist, Jan Mohammad, who was
present at the time of the coronation ceremony at Delhi. It is looked after by the local Jain Sabha.
The
dera of baba Charan Shah in theBahadurpur locality is an important religious
place in the town. It was founded about
three centuries back and upto now there have been 12 Gurus. The 12th and the present Guru
sites on the gaddi on every Baisakhi Day.
Sadhus are allowed to stav in the dera as long as they like. About 300 acres of agricultural land is
attached to the dera. Thedera is
running a college, a higher secondary school and a high school at Garhdiwala.
Jaijon. – Situated at a distance of 16 km to the north of
Garhshankar Jaijon is a rail-terninus on the Hoshiarpur City-Jaijon doaba line
of the Northern Railway. Its population
was 1,032 in 1971, as against 1,206 in 1961.
Tradition
goes that Jaijon was founded by one Jaiju Sahah after whom the town was
named. There are five shrines including
that of Jaiju Shah, which are held in esteem by the people. An annual fair is held here in the month of
June in the memory of Baba Jaiju Shah.
In olden days, Jaijon was the seat of the Jaswal Rajas. Raja Ram Singh first took up his residence here, and the fort which commanded the pass in the hills was said to have been built in 1701 A. D. and to have been taken by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1815. It was dismantled at the annexation by the British Government. The palaces of the Jaswal Rajas are in ruins.
Jaijon
was an emporium of trade, second only to Hoshiarpur and a good deal of cloth,
both country and English make, passed through towards the hills. It was, thus, the gateway to Himachal
Pradesh for all types of trade from Punjab.
It remained so till the partition (1947) when thereafter it lost trade
significance with the migration of Muslim traders to Pakistan.
The town of jaijon was called ‘Phallewali’ or ‘Pathranwali’, which had a number of gates, the remains of which are visible on its outskirts. There are 2 higher secondary schools, 2 primary schools and a post and telegraph office.
Kamahi Devi (Beh Nangal). – KamahiDevi temple is situated at a distance of 11
km from ‘Jhir di Khuhi’, on Mukerian-Talwara road, in village Beh Nangal, tahsil
Dasuya. It is said to have been built
by Pandavas who named it ‘Kamakshi Devi’.
Later, it was renamed as Kamahi Devi.
Nearby the temple, there are an old tank and a well.
There
are a high school, a middle school, and ayurvedic dispensary and a veterinary
hospital in the village. Its population
was 653 in 1971, as against 559 in 1961.
Malot.
– The village of Malot is situated at a distance of 4 km from Mahangarwal,
which is 10 km from Hariana. Its
population was 244 in 1971, as against 172 in 1961. At a distance of about 2 km from the village, there is an
historical fort, known as fort of Malot, situated at the top of the hill. Since one has to wade through a narrow hilly
choe as well as to climb the hill surrounded by shrubs, the approach to the
fort is very difficult.
The
fort was built in the times of Bahlol Lodhi (1451-89), which is now in
dilapidated condition. It was here that
Babar took prisoner the fugitives, named Daulat Khan Lodhi and Ghazi Khan. After a tough fight, babar personally
searched the fort and examined Ghazi Khan’s library. It was also here that Ali Khan, Ismail Khan and some other
leading men were taken prisoners.
Mukerian. – Situated on the Jullundur City-Mukerian-Pathankot-Jammu Tawi line of
the Northern Railway, Mukerian is sub-tahsil of Dasuya Tahsil. It is 40 km from Pathankot and 15 km from
Dasuya. By road, it is connected with
Talwara (27 km), Hoshiarpur (57 km) and Jullundur (72 km). It is a Class III municipality. Its population was 10,937 in 1971, as
against 8,676 in 1961.
Local
tradition goes that Mukerian was founded by Chaudhry Dara Khan of Awan Caste in
1754 A. D. Another tradition relates
that the town was named after one Mukeria Kalal and with the passage of time it
was corrupted to Mukerian.
The
town was enlarged and improved about 1768 by Sardar Jai Singh Kanhaya, who held
possession of it. his daughter-in-law was Mai Sada Kaur whose
daughter, Mehtab Kaur was married to maharaja Ranjit Singh. This union gave Ranjit Singh the
co-operation of the Kanhaya misl, ans enabled him to consolidate his
power. Maharaja Ranjit Singh is said to
have acquired the neighbouring fort of Atalgarh in 1819, now in ruins. A gurdwara has been erected on the ruins of
the fort. In between the gurdwara and
railway line, there is a baradari, which is in dilapidated condition. Maharani Mehtab Kaur gave birth to Ranjit
Singh’s son, Sher Singh here, who afterwards became Maharaja.
There
are a college, a higher secondary school, 3 high schools, two for girls and one
for boys, a civil hospital, a veterinary hospital, a police station, a post and
telegraph office, a cinema house, a canal rest house and a civil rest house.
With
the starting of Beas Dam and coming up of Talwara as a township, Mukerian has
assumed greater importance. Goods are
transported to Hajipur, Talwara and then to the areas comprising parts of
Himachal Pradesh, from this place.
Rajni Devi. – Situated at a distance of abot 3 km fro Chabewl, Hoshiarpur-Garhshankar road, an approach road (2.78 km) leads to Rajni Devi temple. A story goes that Rajni was the daughter of a Brahmin of village Rajni Devi, tahsil Hoshairpur. She was maltreated by the Muslims. Consequently, she cursed them an the village was deserted. The temple in the memory of Rajni Devi was built by Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra. People from far off places visit the temple, especially to perform mundane ceremony during navratta days in the months if Chet and Asuj.
The population of the village was 241 in 1971 as
against 270 in 1961.
Sham
Chaurasi. – Situated at a distance of 17 km
from Hoshiarpur, the district headquarters, Sham Chaurasi is connected with the
Hoshiarpur-Jullundur road by a link road.
It is also a railway station on the Jullundur City-Hoshiarpur line of
the Northern Railway. It is a Class III
municipality. Its population in 1971
was 2,468, as against 2,470 in 1961.
According to revenue records, ShamChaurasi has been
mentioned as ‘Chaurasi’ and Ain-I-Akabri.
It was occupied by Naru Rajputs of Bajwara who had embraced Islam. They defeated Brahmin occupants and usurped
the area. Revenue records fail to throw
any light as to how the prefix ‘Sham’ was added to Chaurasi. There is a khankah of Hazrat Shami
Sahib. May be, that the prefix ‘Sham’
started after him, naming it as Sham Chaurasi.
Sham Chaurasi is a mono-functional town. There is no industry whatsoever. It is a small trading centre for the
adjoining villages. It was a
flourishing mandi of gur and jaggery but its trade suffered much after a
partition (1947).
There are 2 higher secondary schools, 1 middle
school and a civil dispensary. There is
khankah of Hazrat Shami Sahib, situated on the outskirts of the town. A fair lasting for three days is held here
annually in the month of Asuj. A large
number of people from the neighbouring villages visit the place. There is an old tank, viz. Lanchhi Ram
Talab, which is in dilapidated condition.
The smadh of Lachhi Ram, however, exists.
Talwara. – Situated
at a distance of 27 km from Mukerian, Talwara is a sub-tahsil of Dasuya
Tahsil. By road it is linked with
Dasuya, Mukerian, Gagret andDera Gopipur (Himachal Pradesh). There is a rail link at Talwara and
Mukerian, but it is not open to public.
The Government material required for the construction of Beas Dam is
transport. Talwara was notified as a
town for the first time during the 1971 Census. Its population in 1971 was 17,865.
According to revenue records, one Talu of Awan Caste
owned the land and after his name the village was known as Talwara or
Talwara. He died issueless and the
village was deserted. Subsequently, a
Raja brought certain persons from villages Namoli of Namol got. One Rajput of Jaryal got came and settled in
village Budhawar tahsil Dasuya. He
married away his daughter to Raja Kamand Chand of Datarpur. The area around Talwara was given by Raja as
a jagir to his Rani. She carved out
certain areas from the adjoining villages.
On account of this, talwara was also known as ‘Barapind’. It was also cynically called as
‘Chandarpind’ as it was the place for which the adjoining chiefs constantly
fought.
There are two higher secondary schools, one each for
boys and girls a high school and two primary schools, a canal hospital, a
veterinary hospital, a police station, a post and telegraph office, a guest
house, a forest rest house, Shah Nahar Canal rest house and a samiti rest
house.
Talwara is a modern township in the Hoshiarpur
District. It is divided into two
portions, viz. old Talwara and Talwara Township. The old one is stereo-type semi-hill town and the modern one is
well-planned and is divided into four sectores with underground drainage. Talwara is a mono-functional town without
any industry. Goods are imported
usually from other places to meet the daily needs of the residents-mostly
employed in Beas Dam or other hydel projects.
There is an old Shiv temple in village Sri Pandain
near Talwara Township. It is said to
have been constructed by the Pandavas.
There is also a typical well, near the temple said to be constructed by
the Pandavas. One has to go 50 steps
down to fetch water from this well. The
well is still in use. A mela is held at
the temple annually on Shivratri Day and is visited by a large number of
people.
At a distance of about 10 km from Talwara Pong Dam
has been constructed across river Beas.
It lies opposite the village Ghamrur in the Kangra District of Himachal
Pradesh. The construction work of Pong Dam
was started in 1963 and was completed in 1947.
This earth cum rockfill dam is the highest of its kind in the
country. It comprises five tunnels and
a power house with an installed capacity of 240 MW (4 units each of 60 M W) in
the first instance and 2 more units each of 60 MW at a later state. At present it is under the control of the
Beas Project Power Wing. The
construction of the dam has considerably minimized the incidence of floods
downstream which is turn would help reclaim large tracts of land on both sides
of the river.
Tanda
Urmar. – Situated at a distance of 16 km from
Dasuya the tahsil headquarters, Tanda Urmar falls on the Jullundur
City-Mukerian-Pathankot-Jammu Tawi line of the Northern Railway. By road, it is linked with Hoshiarpur,
Jullundur, Kapurthala and Amritsar.
Tanda Urmar consists of two localities about 1.5 km apart. Urmar and Tanda. The municipality of Tanda Urmar also includes Ahyapur and
Darapur. Its population was 12,262 in
1971, as against 10,383 in 1961.
There are a college, a higher secondary school, 2
high schools, a hospital, a police station, a post & telegraph office, a
telephone sub-exchange, a Cinema house and a rest house.
There is a famous Muhammadan shrine of th saint
Sakhi Sarwar at Ahyapur at which an annual fair is held. Besides there are four darghas (tombs_ of
Muhammadan saints and a Dera Mastgarh at Tanda. There is also Buta Bhagat Ashram at Darapur and a fair lasting
for three days is held here annually in the month of June. Musical gathering are held every year in the monthsof March-April at the smadh of
Baba Hargobing (Urmar) which is stated to be about a century old.
At a distance of 5 km from Tanda Urmar on the Tanda
Urmar-Kapurthala road there is a gurdwara built in the memory of Guru Hargobind
at village Pukhta. The Guru is said to
have stayed here on his way to Garna Sahib.
A fair is held here annually on Baisakhi Day.
Tomb
of Shah Nur Jamal (Saleran). – There is a tomb
of Shah Nur Jamal situated at a distance of about 15 km from Hoshiarpur on
Hoshiarpur-Dharamshal road which dates back to Hijri 1334. Before the partition it was a place of great
religious importance where a large number of Muslims gathered to pay their
homage. But after the partition with
the migration of Muslim population to Pakistan the popularity of the place
considerably declined.
A fair is held here in the month of March for two
days. People from the neighbouring
villages visit the place on the occasion.
There are three graves inside the tomb ; in the centre lies the grave of
Shah Nur Jamal a Muslim saint and on the right and left of it there are graves
of his parents.
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NEWSPAPERS
The Tribune, Lahore : April 8, 1919 ;
July 31, November 21, and December 12, 1920 ; March 19 and 31, 1921 ; February
1, March 29, July 9, and 19, September 9 and 10 1922 ; February 4, 1928 ; March
21, April 1, 19, 25, 30, May 6, June 8, and July 23, 1930 ; January 2, 19, and February
4, 1941 ; August 21, and September 13, 1942.
The Tribune, Chandigarh August 10, 1970