|
v
|
|
|
v
|
|
|
v
|
|
|
v
|
|
|
v
|
|
|
v
|
|
|
v
|
(i) Origin of the name of the district- The district is named after Ludhiana city which forms its headquarters. Ludhiana or Lodiana, is called after the Lodis, which dynasty ruled at Delhi from A.D. 1451 to1526. The Two Lodi Chief, Yusaf khan and Nihang Khan, deputed by Sikandar Lodi (A.D.1489-1517) to restore order in the region, fixed head-quarters on the present location of Ludhiana city, which was at the time on more than a village called Mir Hota. Legend has it that Yusaf crossed the Satluj to check the Khokhars, who were then plundering the Jullundur Doab, and settled at Sultanpur; Nihang Khan remained at Mir Hota as the Emperor’s lieutenant and called the place Ludhiana.
(ii) Location, general boundary, total area and
population of the district.- Ludhiana is the
most south-easternly of the seven districts of the Jullundur Division. It lies
between 300 –33’, 310-1’ north latitudes and 750-25’
and 760-27’ east longitudes. It is bounded on the north by the river Satluj,
which separates it from Jullundhur District. The river also forms the boundary
between Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur Districts. To the east, the district adjoins
Ropar District and Chandigarh Union
Territory and to the west Ferozepore District
while to the south and south east it is bounded by Sangrur and Patiala Districts respectively. The
district is almost a rectangle having ah along the Satluj of nearly 96 kms,
while its breadth ,north and south, is about 39 kms.
The district is divided in to three tahsils-Samrala
to the east ,Jagraon to the west and Ludhiana in the middle. Half way along the
northern border of the district and 11kms.south
of the Satluj is the city of Ludhiana ,the headquarter of the district , Besides lying on the Grand Trunk
Road 307 kilometres from Ferozepore,
Ludhiana is an important junction on the Northern Railway, from which the
Ludhiana-Dhuri-Jakhal and Ludhiana
Ferozepore railway Ludhiana take off. All important places in the
district are interlinked by rail or road.
The total area of the district is about 3,614,44
square kilometres comprising tahsil Samrala 873 square kilometres, tahsil
Jagraon 1,064.60 square kilometres, and tahsil Ludhiana 1,676.84 square
kilometres (including sub tahsil
Payal, 227.84 square kilometres)
The total population of the district ,according to
1961 Census, is, 1,022,519 comprising 555,304 males and 471215 females.
(iii) History of the district as an administrative unit and the change in its component parts:
Political Agency1.- After the conclusion of the
treaty of Amritsar in 1809 with Maharaja Ranjit Singh where by the Satluj was recognised as the boundary between the
two governments , the East India
Company established a political
agency at Ludhiana and the same
continued there up to 1815 under
Col. David Ochterlony. In October, 1914, Col. Ochterlony was ordered
against the Gurkhans and returned to Ludhiana on the conclusion of the campaign
in June, 1815. On resumption of duties at Ludhiana, he was vested with control
over the territories conquered from the Gurkhans under the designation of
superintendent of Political Affairs and Agent to the Governor-general in the
territories of the protected Sikh and hill chief between the Yamuna and the
Satluj with Cap. G. Birch, Assistant at Nahan and R. Ross, Assistant at
Sabathu. In October, 1815, the headquarters of the Superintendent and Agent to
Governor-General were transferred from Ludhiana to Karnal.
Lt. W. Murray was posted as Assistant Agent to
Governor-Genera in November, 1816, to look after the Treasury, Abkari Mahal and
the police at Ludhiana. He was succeeded by Lt. Col. C.M. Wade at Ludhiana on
March 6, 1823.
In October, 1827, the Political Agent was Relieved
of the charge of the Lahore Dependencies and this work was to be Conducted by
Political Assistant, Ludhiana, in subordination to the Resident at Delhi. In
1840, Capt. Wade was succeeded by Mr. G. R.Clerk as Political Agent,
Ludhiana2.
1.The
setting up of the Resident at Delhi in 1803 and Agencies at Ludhiana and other
Places in Cis-Satluj territory may be illustrated by the following chart:-
|
Resudency
at Delhi |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
Karnal
Agency |
Ludhiana Agency |
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
Ambala
Agency |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
Sabathu
Sub-Agency |
Nahan
Sub-Agency |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
N.W.
Agency |
|
|
|
|
||||||
2.
‘British Residency and Agency System in N. Western India’ ; Suri, V. S. “Punjab
Post And Present”, Vol. II, Part, April, 1968, Punjabi University, Patiala
Protected Cis-Satluj States3.- The
Cis-Satluj States brought under British protection comprised a tract of country
which intervened between the British North- West of Yamuna Frontier and the
Satluj. The Sikh possessions of states south of the Satluj were no more than a
congeries of petty chief ships and signatories, with discordant political
interests united by no tie except that of a vague theocratic nationality. The
sub-divisions were about sixty thousand in number; in size and importance, they
varied from the Sovereignty of Patiala, worth twenty-five lakhs a year, to the
pettiest lordship or barony, consisting of the tenth or twentieth share in a
single village.
The natural consequence of the position which the
British Government had assumed at the request of the chiefs was the rendering
of feudal service, if an emergency should arise; and the lapse or escheat of
heirless fiefs to the paramount sovereign. The feudal contingents were not till
long afterwards, recorded and were rarely called out. But in the course of
years, several chief-ships lapsed , and then the British Government acquired
strips of territory around Ludhiana, Ferozepore, and Ambala; these lapsed
estates were administered on the same principals as other non-regulation
districts, the political agent being Commissioner, and his Assistant as district
officers.
When the Sikh army crossed the Satluj in 1845, the
possessions of the Lahore Durbar, South of the river, were confiscated by the
British Government, and the protected chiefs having, as a body, failed in their
duty to their paramount during the war, were, at its close, with certain
exceptions, deprived of their right to collect revenue, remained untouched
Foundation
of the Civil Administration in the Cis-Satluj region.- The Briish territory ,
Cis-Satluj, having now reached a considerable magnitude, and the deprivation of
the chiefs, having rendered the Government responsible for the direct control
in many states hitherto independent, a Commissioner, Colonel Mackesons, with
proportionate staff a Assistants, was appointed and placed under the other of
the Agent, Governor-General, whose headquarters had since the Campaign (1846)
been moved from Ambala to Lahore. A Sessions Judge, Mr. Erskine, was also
appointed. A summary settlement was effected in the new British possessions and
with in the same year a revenue survey, and a regular settlement were
commenced; and in all other points the same system of administration was
carried out as was subsequently introduced in the annexed Punjab. Thus, the
foundations was laid for civil administration in the territories of the
deprived chiefs.
3. “The
opening years of the 19th century witnessed a new phase of British
expansion in N.W. India. Even through the policy of aggressive conquests which
had already reached a high watermark, appeared to have replaced by a policy of
willful restraint and non-interference, the paramount power was anxious to
evolve a new technique of peaceful penetration for the extension of its sphere
of influence. How far the new policy was successful in bringing new territory under
the control of the East India Company through the exercise of its purposeful
protection is amply illustrated in the organisation of the system of Political
Residency and Agencies in North Western India. The expedient proved to be
admirably effective for the expansion and consolidation of British rule in the
region”
When
after the second treaty with the Lahore Durbar concluded at Bhyrowal, the
Agent, Governor-General, became Resident at Lahore, the Commissioners of the
Cis and Tans-Satluj State were authorised to correspond directly with the
Government: but in 1848 they were again made subordinate to the Resident in his
capacity as Chief Commissioner. After the annexation of the Punjab in 1849, the
Cis-Satluj States were placed on the same footing as the other
Commissionerships, under the Board of Administration. The officers of Sessions
Judge and Commissioner were united in the person of Mr. Edmonstone. The territory was divided into five districts,
namely, Ferozepure, Ludhiana, Ambala, Thanesar and Simla.
Civil
Administration.- To aid the ciil authorised in
the presevation of order, one regiment of Sikh infantry was stationed at
Ludhiana and another at Ambala. The principals of administration, civil,
criminal and police, did not differ from those applicable to the proper. The
revenue survey for the entire territory had been completed. The regular
settlement had been conducted in a very elaborate manner in the districts of
Ambala and Thanesar. It was somewhat advanced in Ludhiana, and had been commenced
at ferozepore.
Ludhiana
and surrounding areas had been bestowed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh on Raja Bhag
Singh of Jind on account of the relationship of the family with his mother. On
the death of Raja Sangat Singh of Jind in 1835 and the Failure of the direct
line of heirs, it was decided by the British that Sarup Singh, a collateral of
the late ruler of the state, should succeed to only such of the possessions of
Raja Sangat Singh as had been originally inherited from Raja Gajpat Singh and
all subsequent acquisitions should be escheated to the British. Thus more than
80 villages round Ludhiana and British (Jagraon tahsil) were acquired and
formed the nucleus of the present district. The administration of the area was
carried on by the Assistant Political Agents at Ludhiana till the close of
first Anglo-Sikh War in 1846.
Consequent
upon the assumption of direct administration of considerable area around
Ludhiana, the district thus formed received greater attention and rapidly
developed into a flourishing centre of trade and commerce. The political
importance and the strategic situation of Ludhiana were further responsible for
its rapid growth until it was made a part of the Punjab after the annexation of
the kingdom of Lahore in 1849.
The
district practically assumed it present dimension in 1850. The initial portion
consisted of the estates belonging to Jind State, which lapsed in 1835 on the
death of Raja Sangat Singh. These estates includes Ludhiana itself and 84
villages, yielding a revenue of Rs. 98,229.
The
district continued to be governed like
the rest of the territories which were added to British India under a Board of
Administration. Te Board exercised executive authorised through the Deputy Commissioner,
who was incharge of the district. Thus Deputy Commissioner could, however, be
entrusted with special powers to deal with financial and criminal work. Under
the new administrative set-up, the Deputy Commissioner as the principal
District Officer was called upon to organise effective police control, take
possession of forts and public buildings and arrange for prompt collection of
land revenue. On the completion of these preliminary arrangements, regular
administration was set up and, on the abolition of the Board in 1853, a Chief
Commissioner was appointed as the head of the local civil administration.
The
period of administration under the Chief Commissioner was mainly devoted to
consolidation of the administrative system and the completion of measures
started in the earlier years. The arrangements continued till the Great
Uprising of 1857, which called for radical changes in the administration. In
the beginning of 1859, the Punjab, including Delhi territory, was placed under
a Lt. Governor. The country east of Satluj, formerly known as Cis-Satluj
States, became an integral part of the Punjab proper and was placed under a
uniform system of administration. The pattern of district administration thus
evolved has continued in the district even since.
From
the time of the constitution of the district in 1850 up to 1866, it was divided
into four tahsils : Samrala (called at one time Sarai Lashkari Khan), Ludhiana,
Pakhowal and Jagraon. These tahsils comprised the following pargana:-
|
Tahsil |
|
Pargana |
|
Ludhiana |
.. |
Umedpur |
|
|
|
Bhartgarh |
|
|
|
Dakha |
|
|
|
Sahnewal |
|
|
|
Ludhiana |
|
|
|
Nurpur |
|
Pakhowal |
.. |
Akalgarh |
|
|
|
Bassian |
|
|
|
Gurgrana |
|
|
|
Malaudh |
|
Samrala |
.. |
Utalan |
|
|
|
Bahlolpur |
|
|
|
Khanna |
|
Jagraon |
.. |
Bhundri |
|
|
|
Jagraon |
|
|
|
Sidhwan |
|
|
|
Siwaddi |
|
|
|
Hatur |
|
|
|
|
In
1866, Pakhowal tahsil was broken up on administrative grounds; the
parganas of Pakhowal, Gurgrana and
Malaudh were added to Ludhiana, and those of Akalgarh and Bassian to Jagraon.
Those are now three tahsils, with headquarters at Ludhiana, Samrala and
Jagraon.
Under
the Absorption of enclaves Order, 1950, 63 villages of tahsil Sirhind of the
Sirhind District [since abolished on the merger of Patiala and East Punjab
States Union (Pepsu) with the Punjab in 1956] were merged with Samrala tahsil
of Ludhiana District, and 39 villages of the district were transferred to
Barnala tahsil District (abolished in 956 and renamed as Sangrur District).
In
1959 village Bahadrgarh, with an area of one square mile (1.6km) in Ludhiana
tahsil, was transferred to Malerkotla tahsil of Snagrur District.
On
November 12, 1963, Payal sub-tahsil was transferred from Sirhind tahsil of
Patiala District mainly to Samrala tahsil of Ludhiana and partly to Malerkotla
tahsil of Sangrur District. Thus its ten villages, viz., Neelo Khurd, Lal
Kalan, Baoo Pur, Kubba, Khera, Sultanpur, Batala, Mahdoodan, Tam Kandi and
Lapon were included in Samrala tahisl of Ludhiana District, and four Villages,
viz., Moranwali, Lassoi, Bhurthala Mander and Sirthala, were included in
Malerkotla tahsil of Sangrur District. With the exception of the above
mentioned 14 villages, Payal sub-tahsil was included in Ludhiana tahsil of
Ludhiana District.
On
December 21, 1963, Sirthala village was transferred from Malerkotla tahsil of
Sangrur District to Payal sub-tahsil (in Ludhiana tahsil) of Ludhiana District,
while village hazurgarh of Payal Sub-tahsil (in Ludhiana tahsil) of Ludhiana
District was Transferred to Malerkotla of Sangrur District.
As
a result of the above mentioned additions and alterations in the boundaries of
the district, the present area of Samrala tahsil in 873 square kilometres and
that of Payal sub-tahsil is 227 square kilometres.
(iv)
Sub-Divisions, Tahsils and Thanas.- The
district is divided into three tahsil, viz., Samrala, Jagraon and Ludhiana and
a sub-tahsil, Payal, which is under Ludhiana tahsil for administrative
purposes. All the three tahsils have been formed into Sub-Division – Samarla
and Jagraon in 1961 and Ludhiana in 1965- and are under the administrative
control of the respective Sub-Divisional Officers.
The
Tahsil wise list of police stations and police posts is given on pages467-68 of
Chapter XII, ‘Law and Order and Justice’.
Ludhiana district is centrally located in the Punjab plain region. The Punjab plain is the product of the depositional work of the rivers Satluj, Beas and Ravi. This plain is marked for its flatness and featurelessness. However, a microscopic study reveals considerable intra-regional physiographic diversity to which the district is no exception.
The topography of the district is a typical representative of an alluvial plain and it owes its origin to the aggravational work of the Satluj. The alluvium deposited by this river has been worked over by the wind, giving rise to a number of small sand dunes and sand mounds in this otherwise level area. The summer monsoons with their south-westerly direction have played an important role in determining the direction of these sand dunes which mostly run in south – west north – east direction.
In the Ludhiana plain, the elevation ranges from about 268 metres in the east to about 216 metres in the west. Thus the lies of the land is from east to west at a gentle gradient of about 2 feet in a mile. Some notable heights in the district are Machhiwara (264 metres), Samrala (265 metres), Khanna (263 metres), Ludhiana (246 metres), Satluj Bridge (242 metres) and Jagraon (233 metres).
For a broad understanding of its relief, the district can be divided into:-
(i)
The Floodplain of the Satluj and
(ii)
The upland plain.
(i) The Floodplain of the Satluj - The Satluj makes an extensive floodplain along its 96 kilometres course in the north of the district. This floodplain covers an area of about 300 square kilometres, which accounts for about 16 per cent of the total area of the district. It is locally known as the Bet. Most of this tract is between the Satluj and its tributary, the Budha Nala, and runs parallel to that master stream for almost the whole of the length of the district. Of course, the Satluj floodplain does hav its extension even south of the Budha Nala.
The floodplain is a lowlying area, has swampy condition in parts and possesses somewhat undulating topography. It is the widest in its eastern half (about 11 kms) and gradually narrows down towards the west (about 5 kms). The breadth of the floodplain is primarily determined by the distance of the Badha Nala from the Satluj and this distance is more in the east than in the west.
Prior to the construction of the Bhakra Das over the Satluj (in 1952) and the opening of the Nangal Hydel Channel and the network of Canals in 1954, the whole of the plain was flooded by the river during the rainy season. It rendered much land uncultivable and much uninhabitable. However. It gave rise to many interesting physiographic features. Swamps are quite common and pools of stagnant water are found here and there .There are many sinuous abandoned channels and the confluence of Butha Nala with the Satluj is marked by intense braiding. Another feature of interest is the prevalence of a number of sand bars, particularly to the north and northwest of Ludhiana city. Though out this tract ,linear and ox –bow lakes are commonly found in places where the river has abandoned its original course. The damming of the Satluj at Bhakra had a profound effect on its alluviation and erosive power. The floodplain is now practically free from floods, except for a narrow belt of land along the river which is locally known as Mand area. The recent years have witnessed an extensive reclamation of cultivable land in the floodplain . Agricultural families have been settled here in large numbers. Groundnut and vegetable cultivation has acquired special significance in view of the fertile sandy loams of this area.
Thus, the floodplain area of the Satluj is further divisible into two parts (i) the Mand area, which is inundated by the river in its high water and which has little habitation ,and (ii) the flood free floodplain which is being reclaimed for agricultural purposes.
(ii) The Upland Plain,- The upland plain is locally known as Dhaiya. It accounts for about 84 per cent of the total area of the district . It lies at a general elevation of about 243 metres above the mean sea level and has a gentle slope from the east to the west.
The upland plain is separated from the floodplain by a district, though low, scrap which varies in its elevation from 1.5 to 6 metres. In its orientation this scrap parallels the Budha Nala.
The most distinguishing feature of this upland is its characteristic flatness. However, there is number of small sand dunes and sand mounds, varying in elevation from 1.5 to 9.6 meters and in length from a anew metres to about 200 metres, scattered over the area. These sand features provide a variety to the otherwise monotonous flatness of the tract. The sand dunes and sand mounds have mostly alluvial origin and have been later worked over the wind action. These are primarily the deposited material of the Satluj in its original course which has since been shifted. Their distributional pattern has a correspondence with the former courses of this river. Moreover, these sand dunes have mostly southwest-to-northeast orientation obviously, in association with the direction of the monsoon winds. The sand dunes find a relatively high concentration along the scrap between the floodplain and upland plain in Jagraon tahsil near Samrala, Machhiwara, Halwara, and Sidhwan.
Thus, the physiogarphic personality of the district has been fashioned by water and wind. Despite its apparent homogeneity, it is marked by local variations in topography. But one has to work at the micro-regional scale to identity these variation.
(C) RIVER SYSTEM
AND WATER RECOURSES
The Satluj and its minor tributary, the Budha Nala, constitute of chief hydrographic features of the district. Besides there are some stagnant pools of water in the floodplain of the Satluj and a large number of small spread over the whole district. These ponds are found invariably near the settlement.
The river Satluj:- Since the drawn of history, the Satluj is called the river of density. There is concrete archaeological evidence to establish that this river has accumulated on its banks layer after layer of civilization, and played and outstanding role in India’s cultural and political history. Some historians and archaeologists hold that it was on its banks that Indian civilization took rots and flourished.
The Satluj is the same as the ancient Vedic river Sutudri which referred to in the Rig Veda at two places.4 In the epic period, this river was known as Satadru, i.e., “one flowing in a hundred channels”. The legend of Vashishtha and Viswamitra is stated in the Adiparva of the Mahabharata which incidentally explains the derivation of the word Satadru. In the classical literature, the Satluj is more commonly known as Satadru. Yaska’s Nirukta and Bhagavata also refer to the Satadru. Amarakosha says that Sutudri is the same as Satadru.
The
Satluj takes its origin from the Mansarover Lake in the trans-Himalayan region. It is an antecedent stream and is older;
than the mighty Himalayan ranges. In
its course across the high mountain ranges, the river has carved out deep
gorges which have only a few parallels in the world. It debouches from the Siwaliks just above Ropar, some 32
kilometres east of the boundary of Samrala tahsil, flows due west along the top
of the district for some 96 kilometers and turns as it leaves Jagraon tahsil,
slightly to the north towards its junction with Beas at Harike.
During its traverse along the district, the Satluj
maintains an east-west directions. Its
channel is considerably braided and there are a number of sand islands. The volume of water in the river and the
width of the channel fluctuate widely from dry to rainy season. It has been devastating river during its
flooding fury.
The Satluj has experienced a westward drift during
recent times. This phenomenon is true of many other rivers constituting the
drainage system of North India. It is
learnt from local tradition that the Satluj used to flow about two centuries
back through a channel near the present scrap between the flood-plain and the
upland plain. The old town and villages
of Bahlopur, Machhiwars, Kum, etc., were built on its banks. The westward drift of the Satluj can be
explained through the well-known Ferrel’s law according to which things in
motion like rivers and winds, tend to drift towards their right in the Northern
Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere.
4. In
Rig Veda, 10-75-5, which is a hymn in
praise of rivers, it is stated : “O Ganga, Yamuna, Sarawati, Sutudri (Satluj),
Parushni, river, Marubhumi along with Asikni and river Arjikiya along with
Vitasta and Sushoma ; Please accept our hymn and hear it”.
In Rig. Veda, 3-33-1, it is stated “Rivers
Vipas (modern Beas) and Sutudri (modern Satluj) issue forth from the plateau of
mountains and are desirous of meetings the ocean. They are forcefully flowing like two mares running away from the
stable and competing with each other. They are as white as two cows eager to
lick the calf with their tongues ; they are full of waters and with great speed
they move forward to meet the oceans”.
As event of far reaching importance has been the
damming of the Satluj at Bhakra which has checked its flooding menace.
The Budha Nala. – Immediately under the high bank along the old
course of the Satluj runs a perennial stream called the Budha Nala which takes
its rise near Chamkaur, in Ropar district, and enters the district near
Bahlolpur. It runs parallel to the
Satluj on its south for a fairly large section of its course in the district
and ultimately joins the Satluj at Gorsian Kadar Baksh, in the north-western
corner of the district.
The
Budha Nala has a sinuous course and the width of the channel varies from place
to place. It is a flooding stream
during the rainy season but in the dry season it can be crossed on foot at
certain points. Its water is quite
clear and is used for a number of purposes. Machhiwara and Ludhiana are
situated to the south of the Budha Nala.
Lakes
and Ponds. – A large number of pools of water
are found in the intervening tract of the Satluj and the Budha Nala. Some of these have a linear shape and have a
length of about 2-3 kilometres in each case. These water bodies are the remnants
of the abandoned channels of the major stream.
Also, a number of ox-bow lakes are found in the abandoned courses of the
Satluj.
The
ponds which are sporadically distributed over the whole of the upland plain are
local depressions filled with rainwater ; they are used for bathing the cattle,
and for providing drinking-water to them.
Underground
water resources. – The irrigation in the district is through wells. In the Bet, the depth of water below the
surface in the wells diminishes from north-east to south-west in Samrala and
part of the Ludhiana tahsil. The depth
of water in the wells varies a good deal according to locality and season. It is generally 3.65 to 4.57 metres, but in
a dry year will fall much lower.
There
is nothing of geological interest in the district, as it is situated entirely
on the alluvium. The district forms a
part of the widespread Indo-Gangetic alluvial plain. The area is entirely covered by alluvial deposits which consist
of clay and sand with Kankar. Locally
beds of gravel and cemented sands are occasionally present with the
unconsolidated sands. The soils are
alkaline in nature. The soils are
deficient in nitrogen and organic matter.
Within the alluvial tract occur the saline and alkaline soils. In the immediate vicinity of the river is a
strip of land liable to annual inundation and called Mand or Kachcha. The
soil of Mand is generally a stiff, moist loam of dark colour. Saline efflore-scence appears here and there
all over the Bet. In the neighbourhood
of the high bank the surface is uneven and the upper soil is a poor light sand,
shifting under every wind, and blown into hillocks/ in the half of the district,
east of the Malerkotla road, the prevailing soil is a stiff loam of darkish
colour, with a good deal of clay in it, while to the west of this road a much
larger portion of the area is a light loam or sand.
Economic
Minerals. – The only mineral product of the district is Kankar, which is
quarried in many places, and is to be found in sufficient quantity and at so
convenient sites that there is no difficulty in obtaining a supply for all the
metalled roads and for lime. Saltpetre
used to be made in a few villages, but the manufacture has been stopped under
new regulations.
The
district being mainly an agricultural one, vast tracts of land are under
cultivation with the result that very little of the natural vegetation is
left. Forested land is scarce and only
towards Phillaur on the Grand Trunk Road, about 7 kilometres from Ludhiana
city, is located the Ludhiana Reserve Forest.
The dominant trees in this Reserve Forest are Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham)
and Morus alba (Tut) with one or the other predominating in the
different parts of the forest. The
Willow, Salix tetrasperma (Baishi) is found in the lowlying
areas. Other trees met with in the
forest are Prosopis spicigera (Chhonkar or Jand) (Mesquite),
Acacia niloitica (Kikar), Parkinsonia aculeate (Valaiti
Kikar), Leucaena and leucocephala (Valaiti banal) and Ehria
laevis. The Phloxdatylifera
(Datepalm) (Pindkhajur) has been seen to invade parts of certain
compartments in the parts of the forest and in some places has ousted the tree
species altogether. The blanks in the
forest are covered by Desmostachya bipinnata (dab grass). This grass sometimes chokes the seedling of
the forest trees and thus interferes with their regeneration. Similarly Acacia farnesiana and the Phlox
dactylifera often interfere with growth of more useful species in the
Reserve Forest.
Among
the other woody plants met with in the district outside the Reserve Forest may
be mentioned, Butea monosperma (dhak) which may be seen in hard
soil in areas with heavier rainfall, Capparis deciduas (karir), Acacia
nilotica (kikar) and Zizyphus mauritiana (ber) which
are seen on waste ground and in the fields around villages and along roadside. Ficus
religiosa (pipal) and Ficus benghalensis (ber or bargad) are
also commonly seen near villages. Tamarix articulata (farash) is
a useful tree often planted along cultivated fields. Dalbergi sissoo (shisham), Albiaia lebbek (siris)
and Ficus spp. are met with forming fine avenues along trunk roads. Azadirachta indica (nim) and Melia
azedarach (bakain) are useful as shade giving trees and are commonly
seen in many places in the district.
The
district is not particularly known for any of its fruit trees though the common
fruit trees like Citrus spp. (orange, etc.), Eriobotrya japonic (Loquat) and
others seem to do well in the area.
Calotropis
procera (ak) and Zizyphus nummularia (kokanber) are
generally found in the wasteland around most villages. The former is cut for firewood and the
latter is used for hedges and also its leaves as fodder.
Among
the grasses, Desmostachya bipinnata (dab grass) is abundant and
is useful for making mats. Saccharum
spontaneum (kahi) finds use as fodder and is also considered a good
sand binder. Saccharum bengalense
(sarkanda, sarwar) is used in many ways. This grass is particularly found to be
useful for cultivation in inferior sandy soils. It is used for thatching purposes and for providing raw material
to the ban making industry in the district. Cynodon dactylon Pers. (khabbal) is relished by cattle
throughout the tract.
Among
other useful plants of the district may be mentioned Typha elephantina
Roxb. (dibh). Its popular name is
‘Elephant Grass’. It is used for
thatching and mat-making industry. This
monocotyledonous plant is found in the water-logged areas, along the canals and
railway strips.
The
district, being a predominantly agricultural and heavily populated area, can
boast of very little natural vegetation and forested land. As a result of increasing emphasis on
intensive cultivation of available land and bringing more and more areas under
the plough, even such pockets as may be described the habitat or sanctuary for
wild life have been eliminated during recent years. Even such birds and animals as were found in abundance in the
district some 40-50 years ago may, therefore, be said to have greatly
diminished during the last few decades.
Sport or small game in a very restricted form is available along the
river bank or in certain areas which have not been cultivated on account of the
seasonal overflow of water from the river.
Such stretches of land are covered with thick growth of reeds and
bushes. Only such wild life is possible
in these areas, which may be considered comparatively safe for birds and
animals, as can subsist there.
In
the cold weather, wild fowl (Kulan) are plentiful along the river and
the Budha Nala. Good snipe shooting is possible in the watershed around
Machhiwara, where flocks of water-fowls collect for roosting. In the uplands,
good many hares and small game, such as partridges, black and grey, are found
in sugarcane fields and small patches of jungle. Quails are plentiful in their seasons. Various types of sandgrouse may be met with in cold weather amongst
fields of Moth, etc. wild pigeon is
found all over the country side.
Peacocks are a common sight in all parts of the district and may be seen
both in the fields and on house-tops.
Their number has generally remained steady because the bird is not
killed for game by overwhelming numbers of the people. In some of the detached villages, which
still have some growth of jungle left, it is possible to get good bag of small
game. The Birs or forest plantations
which served as game preserves have also shrunk in size.
The
wild boars, which were a menace to the villages, have also gone down in numbers
as a result of the rapid increase in population and very limited areas left
uncultivated. The antelope and ravine deer which were quite common a few years
ago are fast disappearing. Even
otherwise shooting wild game in the open country, when very large number of
people are always working in the fields, is not free from risk. Hunting as such has been limited to very
small number of professional Shikaris or sportsmen.
Fauna
is believed to be a gift of nature. The
beasts and birds which were once looked upon as no more than a source of food
are desired to be preserved as a part
of the fauna. Every species in nature
has its own role to play even though the average man may not be able to
understand it. Wild life, both animals and birds, are friends of the
cultivator. More often than not they
protect the crops by preying upon worms and insects which might destroy them. Special steps have been taken to preserve
and protect wild life through the games Warden.5
Detailed lists of zoological types still extant in
the district birds, fishes, amphibious snakes, lizards and mammals, etc., are
given in the appendices (A-E) at the end of the chapter at pages 24 to 57.
(i) Climatic divisions and seasons and their
duration.- The climate of district is characterised by dryness except in the
brief monsoon season, a very hot summer and a bracing winter. The cold season is from about the middle of
November to the early part of March.
The succeeding period up to about the end of the June is the hot
season. July, August and first half of
September constitute the south-west monsoon.
The period from mid-September to about the middle of November may be
termed the post-monsoon or transitional period.
(iii) Temperature and humidity
Temperature. – There is a meteorological observatory in the
district at Ludhiana and the records of this station may be taken as
representative of the meteorological conditions in the district in
general. Temperatures increase rapidly
after February. June is generally the
hottest month with the mean daily maximum temperature at 40.6oC
(105.1oF) and the mean daily minimum at 27.2oC (81.0oF). Hot scorching dust-laden winds blow during the
summer season and on individual days the day temperature may reach above 45oC
(1130oF). Afternoon
thundershowers and occasional dust-storms bring welcome relief from the heat
though only temporarily. With the onset
of the monsoon in the district early in July, there is appreciable drop in the
day temperatures. But the night
temperature in the monsoon season are nearly as high as in the latter part of
summer. On account of the increased
moisture in the monsoon air, the weather is quite sultry and uncomfortable even
in the monsoon season in between the rains.
After about mid-September when the monsoon with-draws, the night
temperatures decrease rapidly. But the
drop in the day temperature is not so rapid.
From about November , however, both the day and night temperatures
decrease rapidly till January, which is the coldest month. The mean daily maximum in January is 19.5oC
(67.1oF) and the mean daily minimum 6.4oC (43.5oF). during the winter season, in association
with passing western disturbances, cold waves affect the district and the
minimum temperature drops down below freezing point.
5. Action regarding protection and preservation
of wild life is taken under “The Punjab Wild Life Preservation Act, 1959” and the
rules framed the reunder in pursuance of section 22 of the said Act, vide
Punjab Government Notification No. 5331-Ft-VI-61/5008, dated 14th September,
1961.
The
highest maximum temperature recorded at Ludhiana was 48.3oC (118.9oF)
on May 29,1944. The lowest minimum temperature was 1.7oC (28.9oF)
on January 16,1935).
Humidity :- Relative humidity is generally high during the monsoon season. In the rest of the year humidity is low, the
driest part of the year being the summer sea-son.
The
following table I gives normals of temperature and relative humidity during
different months of year in Ludhiana district :-
(LUDHIANA)
|
Month |
Mean
Daily Maximum Temperature |
Mean Daily
Minimum Temperature |
Highest
Maximum Ever Recorded |
Lowest
Minimum over Recorded |
Relative
Humidity Hours (Indian
Standard Time) |
|||||||||
|
|
|
0C |
0C |
0C |
|
Date |
|
0C |
|
Date |
0830/
percent |
1730/percent |
||
|
January |
.. |
19.5 |
6.4 |
28.9 |
1910 |
January |
15 |
-1.7 |
1935 |
January |
16 |
80 |
52 |
|
|
February |
.. |
22.0 |
8.6 |
33.3 |
1956 |
February |
27 |
-3.9 |
1905 |
February |
1 |
77 |
48 |
|
|
March |
.. |
28.6 |
13.6 |
41.1 |
1945 |
March |
31 |
3.9 |
1945 |
March |
5 |
62 |
38 |
|
|
April |
.. |
35.6 |
19.2 |
46.1 |
1941 |
April |
29 |
8.9 |
1905 |
April |
4 |
46 |
28 |
|
|
May |
.. |
40.3 |
24.3 |
48.3 |
1944 |
May |
29 |
15.6 |
1924 |
May |
5 |
38 |
22 |
|
|
June |
.. |
40.6 |
27.2 |
47.9 |
1958 |
June |
17 |
18.3 |
1952 |
June |
7 |
50 |
36 |
|
|
July |
.. |
36.2 |
26.8 |
47.8 |
1881 |
July |
7 |
18.6 |
1958 |
July |
21 |
73 |
60 |
|
|
August |
.. |
34.9 |
26.2 |
44.4 |
1884 |
August |
6 |
20.0 |
1961 |
August |
21 |
76 |
64 |
|
|
September |
.. |
34.9 |
23.8 |
41.7 |
1905 |
September |
5 |
15.6 |
1940 |
September |
29 |
73 |
52 |
|
|
October |
.. |
33.6 |
17.4 |
40.0 |
1941 |
October |
6 |
9.4 |
1932 |
October |
31 |
62 |
34 |
|
|
November |
.. |
27.7 |
10.5 |
35.0 |
1909 |
November |
4 |
2.2 |
1937 |
November |
30 |
64 |
34 |
|
|
December |
.. |
21.7 |
6.7 |
29.4 |
1944 |
December |
4 |
-1.1 |
1930 |
December |
24 |
76 |
47 |
|
|
Annual |
.. |
31.3 |
17.5 |
.. |
|
.. |
|
|
|
|
|
65 |
43 |
|
(iii)
Rainfall. – Records of
the rainfall in the district are available for 3 stations only for 95
years. The details of the rainfall at these
stations and for the district as a whole are given in tables 2 and 3. The average annual rainfall in the district
is 649.9 mm (25.59”). The rainfall in the district increases from the
south-west towards the north-east.
About 70 per cent of the annual rainfall is received during period from
July to September. The rainfall during
the period December to March accounts for about 16 per cent of the
rainfall. The variation in the annual
rainfall in the district from year to year is large. During the 50 year period, 1901 to 1950, the highest annual
rainfall in the district amounting to about 198 per cent of the normal,
occurred in 1917 while the very next year was the year with the lowest annual
rainfall amounting to only 57 per cent of the normal. In the same 50-year period, the rainfall in the district was less
than 80 per cent of the normal in 12 years, two consecutive years of such low
rainfall occurring thrice. Considering
the rainfall at the individual stations.
3 consecutive years of low rainfall occurred once or twice at all the
Samrala. It will be seen from table 3
that the annual rainfall in the district was between 500 mm and 800 mm (19.69”
and 31.50”) in 31 years out of 50.
On an average, there are 35 rainy days (days
with rainfall of 2.5 mm, i.e., 10 cent, or more) in a year in the
district. This number varies from 31 at
Jagraon to 37 at Samrala.
The heaviest rainfall in 24 hours
recoded at any station in the district was 456.4 mm (17.97”) at Jagraon on
September 18, 1950.
The following tables II and III give the
normals and extremes of rainfall and frequency of annual rainfall in the
district :-
Normal
and Extremes of Rainfall
|
Station |
No of
Years of data |
|
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
|
1 |
2 |
|
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
|
Samrala |
50 |
a |
30.7 |
30.5 |
27.2 |
14.5 |
12.9 |
50.5 |
205.0 |
171.2 |
|
|
|
b |
2.6 |
2.7 |
2.0 |
1.2 |
1.3 |
3.4 |
9.2 |
7.5 |
|
Ludhiana |
50 |
a |
33.3 |
36.6 |
25.9 |
15.7 |
12.9 |
49.3 |
195.8 |
162.6 |
|
|
|
b |
2.4 |
2.7 |
1.9 |
1.3 |
1.5 |
3.3 |
8.7 |
7.3 |
|
Jagraon |
50 |
a |
25.7 |
23.9 |
23.4 |
16.0 |
12.5 |
42.4 |
149.6 |
138.7 |
|
|
|
b |
2.0 |
2.3 |
2.0 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
3.1 |
7.2 |
6.3 |
|
Ludhiana (District) |
|
a |
29.9 |
30.3 |
25.5 |
15.4 |
12.8 |
47.4 |
183.5 |
157.5 |
|
|
|
b |
2.3 |
26 |
2.0 |
1.3 |
1.4 |
3.3 |
8.4 |
7.0 |
(a)
Normal rainfall in
millimeter.
(b)
Average number of
rainy days (days with rain of 2.5 mm.or more).
*Years given in brackets.
** Based on all available up to 1961.
Frequency of Annual Rainfall in the District
(Data 1901-1950)
|
Range |
|
No
of Years |
Range
in mm. |
No.
of years |
|
1 |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
301-400 |
.. |
5 |
801-900 |
3 |
|
401-500 |
.. |
6 |
901-1000 |
1 |
|
501-600 |
.. |
13 |
1001-1100 |
3 |
|
601-700 |
.. |
8 |
1101-1200 |
0 |
|
701-800 |
.. |
10 |
1201-1300 |
1 |
(iv) Atmospheric pressure and winds.
Cloudiness.-
During the monsoon season and for spells of a day or two in association
with passing western disturbances, the skies are moderately to heavily clouded
and overcast occasionally. During the rest of the year, skies are mostly clear
or lightly clouded.
Winds.- Winds are
generally light in the district. In the south-west monsoon season winds from
directions between north-east and south-east are common but on many days,
particularly in the afternoon, westerly or north-westerly winds also blow. In
the rest of the year westerly to north-westerly winds predominate expect in the
latter half of the summer season when
easterlies and south- easterlies blow on some days.
Special
weather phenomena.- During the cold season, western disturbances affect the
weather over the district. Thunder-storms occur in association with these.
Thunder-storms also occur during the summer and to a lesser extent in the
monsoon season. Dust-storms affects the district during the summer season.
The following table IV and V give mean wind speed and
special weather phenomena, respectively for the district;-
Mean Wind Speed in km./hr.
(LUDHIANA)
|
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
September |
October |
November |
December |
Annual |
|
2.3 |
2.7 |
3.2 |
3.4 |
3.7 |
4.0 |
3.4 |
2.6 |
2.1 |
1.6 |
1.4 |
1.6 |
2.7 |
Special Weather Pheomena
(LUDHIANA)
|
Mean No
of Days With |
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
September |
October |
Novem-ber |
Decem-ber |
Annual |
|
Thunder |
0.1 |
0.2 |
0.4 |
1.1 |
1.6 |
1.0 |
1.6 |
0.4 |
0.9 |
0.2 |
0.1 |
0.2 |
7.8 |
|
Hail |
0.0 |
0.2 |
0.0 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.3 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
.7 |
|
Dust-storm |
0.0 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.8 |
1.6 |
1.4 |
0.7 |
0.1 |
0.0 |
0.4 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
5.2 |
|
Squall |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.1 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.1 |
|
Fog |
1.4 |
0.4 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.4 |
2.2 |