Phagwara

Phagwara (Punjabi: [pʰɐgɐʋaːɽaː]; ISO: Phagawāṛā) is a city and a municipal corporation in the Kapurthala district of Punjab, India. It is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the district headquarters of Kapurthala, and 124 kilometres (77 mi) from the state capital, Chandigarh. Phagwara is known for its production of sugar, glucose, starch, fine fabric textiles, and auto parts. It is locally known for the Shri Hanuman Garhi Temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu deity, Hanuman.

Phagwara
City
Phagwara Location in Punjab, India Show map of Punjab Phagwara Phagwara (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 31.22°N 75.77°E / 31.22; 75.77
Country	India
State	Punjab
District	Kapurthala
Founded by	Chaudhary Phaggu Mal Basra
Named after	Phagu Da Wara
Government
• Type	Democracy
• Body	Government of Punjab, India
Area
• Total	20 km2 (8 sq mi)
Elevation	234 m (768 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	117,954
• Rank	288
• Density	6,117/km2 (15,840/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	144401 144402
Telephone code	01824
Vehicle registration	PB-36
Post office	Phagwara H.O Satnampura S.O

History

Phagwara was initially a market town in the region of Punjab, founded by Chaudhary Phaggu Mal Basra, a Hindu Jats landlord of the area. In 1635, the Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib, visited the city.

Bhai Phaggu, a Gurmukh, Masand, and Sri Guru Amardas Ji devotee, played a pivotal role in the development of Phagwara. Guru Amardas sent Bhai Phaggu to preach Sikhism to the city of Sasaram in Bihar, where Phaggu spent the rest of his life. Guru Teg Bahadur once visited Bhai Phaggu in Bihar and called him Chacha ji, leading to Bhai Phaggu Ji, also known as Chacha Phaggu.^[1]

When Guru Hargobind Sahib (the sixth Sikh Guru) visited Phagwara in 1635 to see Bhai Phaggu's home, he was not respected by the townspeople, who opposed Bhai Phaggu. According to local legend, Guru Hargobind Ji exclaimed, “Phagu Da Warra, Bahron Mitha Andra Khara!” Over time, the term “Phagu Da Warra” evolved into “Phagwara,” becoming an enduring part of the region’s identity.^[2][3]

Notably, from the early Mughal era until 1803, Bhai Phaggu's family was the most powerful family of the Punjabi region of Doaba, controlling approximately 240 villages in Phagwara and Banga Tehsils. His descendant, Chaudhary Trilok Chand Basra, was married to Princess Rajinder Kanwar, daughter of Maharaja Ala Singh of Patiala.^[4][5] He was later succeeded by Chaudhary Chuhar Mal Basra, the last chief of the family. Mal Basra was defeated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1803.^[6][7][5]

Here is an example of a local historical Vaar for Phaggu Mal:

"ਬੋਲੇ ਤੀਜੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ

ਕਹਿੰਦੇ ਫੱਗੂ ਮੱਲ ਜੀ ਕਰ ਲਵੋ ਤਿਆਰੀ

ਸੇਵਾ ਲੈਣੀ ਤੁਸੀ ਤੋਂ ਦਿੱਲ ਅਸਾਂ ਨੇ ਧਾਰੀ

ਜਾਵੋ ਸਾਸਾ ਰਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਜ਼ਿੰਮੇਵਾਰੀ

ਸਿੱਖੀ ਦਾ ਧੰਨ ਤੁਸਾਂ ਕੋਲ ਹੈ ਬਰਕਤ ਭਾਰੀ

ਸਫਲ ਕਰੇਗਾ ਗਰੇਵਾਲ਼ ਸੇਵਾ ਬਨਵਾਰੀ"

Gurudwara Bhai/Chacha Phaggu Ji at Sasaram, Bihar

Geography

Shri Hanuman Garhi Temple

Shiv Mandir Pakka Bagh

Gurdwara Sukhchain Sahib

Phagwara is located in Kapurthala district, in the state of Punjab. The city lies in the Doaba region, situated between the Beas and Satluj rivers.^[8] It has an average elevation of 767 feet (234 m).

View of Lovely Professional University at night

Demographics

According to provisional data from the 2011 census, the Phagwara urban agglomeration had a population of 117,954 (62,171 males and 55,783 females) with a literacy rate of 87.43%.^[9]

The city of Phagwara had a population of 97,864 (51,386 males and 46,478 females). Phagwara has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the regional average of 75%. Male literacy is at 89%, while female literacy is at 83%. Up to 10% of Phagwara's population is under 6 years of age.^[10]

The table below shows the population of different religious groups in Phagwara, as of the 2011 Indian census.

Population by religious groups in Phagwara city, 2011 Indian census^[11]

Religion	Total	Female	Male
Hindu	73,845	34,877	38,968
Sikh	20,635	9,988	10,647
Muslim	1,434	663	771
Buddhist	730	347	383
Christian	280	134	146
Jain	233	123	110
Other religions	64	27	37
Not stated	643	319	324
Total	97,864	46,478	51,386

Politics

The city is part of the Hoshiarpur (Lok Sabha constituency).

Constituency number	Constituency name	Reserved for (SC/None)
29	Phagwara Assembly Constituency	SC

Transport

Air

Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport

The nearest airport is Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar, located 113 kilometres (70 mi) away, and offers domestic and direct international flights. As of 2011, it is the 12th busiest airport in India by international traffic. Another international airport, Chandigarh Airport, is located in the state capital, about 134 kilometres (83 mi) away.

Rail

Phagwara Junction railway station is the main station serving the city. It is a major railway station in the Indian state of Punjab and in North India. The station provides rail connections to many Indian cities. Additionally, Jalandhar Cantonment railway station is located 17 kilometres (11 mi) away, while Ludhiana Junction railway station (the largest in Punjab) is 36 kilometres (22 mi) away.

Road

Phagwara is located on the historic Grand Trunk Road (GT Road), formerly NH 1 and now renumbered as National Highway 44. National Highway 44 is the longest highway in India, connecting Srinagar to Kanyakumari.

Education

Universities

• Lovely Professional University
• GNA University

Colleges

• Guru Nanak College
• Pyramid college of business and technology
• Kamla Nehru college for women.
• Ramgarhia Institute of Engineering & Technology
• Ramgarhia Polytechnic College
• Ramgarhia College of Education
• Ramgarhia College

Schools

• Sant Sarwan Dass Model School Hadiabad, Phagwara
• G.D.R convent senior secondary school
• Government Senior Secondary School (Boys)
• Government Senior Secondary School (Girls)
• Shri Guru Ram Rai Public School, Hoshiarpur Road, Phagwara
• Aman Public School
• Arya model senior secondary school
• St. Joseph's Convent School
• Kamla Nehru Public School
• Swami Sant Dass Public School
• Mele Singh Missionary School
• Cambridge International School
• Saffron Public School
• Tagore Public High School
• Jain Model Senior Secondary School
• Lord Mahavira Jain Public School
• St. Sai Ram Sunrise High School
• New Sunflower High School
• Guru Harkrishan National Model Senior Secondary School
• S.D. Model senior secondary School
• MAA Ambay girls Senior secondary School
• T.W.E.I. Senior Secondary School
• Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School
• Dehradoon international public school, Bhabiana
• Ramgarhia ITI, Rampur Khalyan
• Kanya Maha Vidaylaya School
• Apple Orchard School

Villages/Estates in Phagwara tehsil

• Bhabiana
• Nangal Majja
• Kotli Khakhian
• Madhopur
• Indna Kalaske
• Manawali
• Kheri
• Kheri
• Bhullarai
• Chachoki
• Brahampur, Phagwara
• Lakhpur
• Maheru
• Jagpalpur
• Ranipur
• Palahi
• Mayopatti
• Narur
• Panchhat, (A Parmar Rajput Estate)
• Gandhwan
• Athouli
• Nihalgarh (Nawa Pind)
• Jagat Pur Jattan
• Thakarki
• Pandwa
• Sangatpur
• Chak Prema
• Dhadday
• Dhadoli
• Bir Dhadoli
• Rawalpindi
• Khatti
• Rampur Sunra
• Malikhpur
• Domeli
• Babeli
• Prem Pura
• Khera, Nangal
• Bhanoki
• Bir Puadh
• Rehana Jattan
• Khangura
• Chak Hakim
• Virk
• Mouli
• Chaheru
• Ucha Pind
• Hadiabad
• Kotrani
• Khalwara
• Dhak Pandori
• Balaloan Pind
• Chak Hakim
• Drawesh Pind
• Balaloan Pind
• Thakarki
• Sahni
• Rampur Sunran
• Sadarpur
• Bazindowal
• Bir Khurampur ^[12]