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Ludhiana Tourism

Manchester of India
State : Punjab
District: Ludhiana
Type of Tourism : City Tourism
Area : 310 square kilometers
Population : 1,740,249 (As per Indian census- 2010)
Altitude : 262 meters
Best Tourist Season : November to March
Languages spoken : Punjabi, Hariyani, Rajasthani, Himachali, Hindi, English
Telephone Code : India (0161), International (+91)
Pin Code : 141001
Clothing recommended : Light cotton in summer, heavy woolen in winter
Popular Shopping Places in Ludhiana : Ansal Plaza, Spirit Global Mall, MBD Neopolis Mall, Vishal Mega Mart, DLF The Galleria, Omaxe Plaza, Silver Arc {Ferozpur Road}
The Boulevard, Elite Arcade {Mall Road}
Spirit Grand Mall, Gold Chownk, Festival City, Fountain Chownk Ludhiana Rap {G.T.Road}
Caliber Plaza {A.C.Market}
Bharat Nagar {Model Town Market}
Basati Bazaar Cosmetics {Flea Market}
First Mall, Surya Tower, Kunal Tower
What to buy : Phulkari, Jootis, Parandis, Woolen Kurtis, Dress Materials, Women Cardigans, T-Shirts, Bawa Suits, Leggings, Other Hosiery, Jewelries, Traditional Punjabi Handicrafts, Pottery Items, etc.
Food Specialties : Makke Di Roti, Sarson Ka Saag, Lassi, Naans, Parathas, Stuffed Parathas, Rumali Roti, Laccha Parathas, Mah Ki Dal, , Shahi Paneer, Rajma, Matarwale Chawal, Dahi Raita, Aloo Tikki, Palak Paneer, Dal Makhani, Mulligatawny, Baingan Bartha, Chana Masala, Choley, Dahi Bhalle, Kadhai Paneer, Kadhi Pakora, Malai Kofta, , Samosa, Murg Makhani, Tandoori Chicken, Roghan Josh, Bhunna Gosht, Keema Naan, Amritsari Fish, Chicken Biryani, Chicken Tikka, Fish Tikka, Fish Pakora, Lamb Pickle, Murgh Makhani, Rongi, Saag Gosht, Tandoori Chicken, Zeera Murg, Imarti, Malpua, Motichoor Ladoo, Pinni, Sheer Korma, Kurmura Ladoo, Sooji Halwa, Rao Ki Kheer
Local transportation : City Buses, Auto Rickshaws.


About Ludhiana

The largest, most populated and the richest city of Punjab; Ludhiana is widely reckoned by the nickname the ‘Manchester of India’. Placed nearly 100 km to the west of the state capital Chandigarh, Ludhiana is located right in the heart of the Punjab State. Stationed on the banks of the river Satluj, Ludhiana is based halfway on the National Highway no 1 that annexes New Delhi with Amritsar. Despite of being a part of the Malwa region of the state, Ludhiana comes under the hegemony of Patiala Division.
This municipal corporation, functioning as the district headquarters of the Ludhiana District, also happens to be the most flourishing industrial hub and the preeminent focal point of international trade in North India. Hosiery goods, sewing machines, machine tools, cycle parts, motor parts, mopeds, dyes and many other manufactures are exported to all the international markets of the east and the west, including superpowers like Russia and America from here. Enjoying its prime time in agricultural industry as well, Ludhiana is the shepherd of the Indian ‘Green Revolution’ and also a home to India's leading Agriculture University; Punjab Agricultural University.
Sprouting economy and tourism industry of Ludhiana draws myriads of tourists from all quarters of country and globe. Brimming with multitudinous pilgrim places, shopping centers, museums, historic monuments, and numerous recreational sectors, Ludhiana is one of the most burgeoning tourist destinations of the country today. Treasuring its grandiloquent cultural heritage and acclaimed for its genial hospitality, Ludhiana cordially receives its guests with warm and congenial approach. The most exceptional feature of the city is the nationwide program of ‘Atithi Devo Bhavah’ (Guest is God) undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism with the objective of promoting tourism in Ludhiana.

History Of Ludhiana

Ludhiana, a tiny little hamlet named ‘Mir Hota’ was originally ruled by the kings of Yodha Empire from 1st to 4th century AD. This small village later changed hands from Yodha Kings to Maharaja Samudragupta and from him to Rajput Monarchs. The actual ancestors of present Ludhianavis settled in this region quite late in 9th century AD. Mir Hota was reined by a number of Punjabi clans such as Sidhus, Gills, Sandhus and Grewals respectively. During 15th century AD, the second ruler of the Afghan Lodi Dynasty; Sikandar Lodi ascended to the throne of Delhi Sultanate. During his dominance, the citizens of Mir Hota were oppressed and plundered by the Baluchi invasions. Distressed civilians appealed to the Badshah Sikandar Lodi in the year 1481 and begged for the protection.
Reciprocating their petition, the Badshah immediately sent a mighty force commanded by two of his lieutenants Yusaf Khan and Nihang Khan to the village Mir Hota. Nihang Khan established a town on the banks of the river Satluj and settled down there. This newly founded town was initially called ‘Lodi Ana’ which meant, ‘the town of Lodis’. Gradually the word Lodi Ana got converted into ‘Ludhiana’. Jalal Khan, one of the heirs of Nihang Khan established the Fort of Ludhiana which assisted in protecting the town from enemy assaults. Babar or Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire in India overwhelmed the Lodi Empire in the year 1526. He constituted a strong jurisdiction at Sirhind; a province of Delhi Sultanate and adjoined Ludhiana as a Parganah to the mighty Mughal Empire.
The heydays of Mughal Sovereignty saw its extinction with the demise of Badshah Akbar in the year 1705. As a result, many local powers started demanding their independence. Rais of Raikot was the first one amongst them. The chief adversaries for the throne of Ludhiana were Raja Ala Singh of Patiala and Rai Kalha II of Raikot. Rai Kalha III was defeated by Ala Singh in 1741, but restored his governance quite soon. Nadir Shah and Ahmed Shah, taking the advantage of the power struggle at Ludhiana invaded this territory one after another. The Satluj River changed its course in the year 1785 so Ludhiana had to shift its location.
18th century Ludhiana enjoyed speedy growth, all round development and prosperity. A Sikh chief named Bedi Sahib Singh of Una attacked Ludhiana in 1798 and overthrew the Rais. Rais plead to British East India Co. for protection that assisted Rais to control the advances of Bedi Sahib Singh. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the first Maharaja of Sikh Empire assaulted Ludhiana in the year 1809 and held the reigns for some years. British East India Co. occupied the Cis-Sutlej states at that time and by the end of the year 1809 they also signed a Treaty with the Rajah of Lahore. According to the treaty, the Rajah was supposed to remain to the north & the west of the Satluj for which they were paid compensation and British troops permanently settled in Ludhiana and established a cantonment. This treaty rendered Raja of Jind merely a technical ruler of Ludhiana.
When he was left heirless, British East India Co. grabbed the opportunity and officially took the control of Ludhiana. Ludhiana also contributed a lot in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and also in the Independence Struggle of India. Sukhdev, one of the trios Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru who were hanged in the Lahore conspiracy case, was born in Ludhiana.