The state of Punjab, in its present form, was established on November 1, 1966. It is a region with a rich and ancient history, being part of the larger historical Punjab region.
Geography and Demographics
Borders
The state of Punjab, India, shares its international border with Pakistan to the west. Domestically, it borders:
* Jammu and Kashmir (Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh) to the north.
* Himachal Pradesh to the east.
* Haryana to the south and southeast.
* Rajasthan to the southwest.
The city of Chandigarh serves as the joint capital for both Punjab and Haryana.
Population (as per Census 2011)
* Actual Population: 27,743,338 (approx. 2.77 Crore)
Languages Spoken
* Official Language: Punjabi (written in the Gurmukhi script).
* Major Languages Spoken: Punjabi (approx. 89.82% of the population), followed by Hindi (approx. 7.85%).
Religion (Present Day - as per Census 2011)
Punjab is the only Sikh-majority state in India. The major religious communities are:
| Religion | Percentage |
| :--- | :--- |
| Sikhism | 57.69% |
| Hinduism | 38.49% |
| Islam | 1.93% |
| Christianity | 1.26% |
| Jainism | 0.16% |
| Buddhism | 0.12% |
Political History
President's Rule
President's Rule has been imposed on Punjab eight times. It was first imposed on June 20, 1951, making it the first state where this constitutional provision was used. The longest period of President's Rule in Punjab was for five consecutive years (1987–1992).
Chief Ministers List (Post-1966 State Reorganisation)
Here is a list of Chief Ministers of the reorganised state of Punjab (starting from November 1, 1966), excluding periods of President's Rule:
| S. No. | Chief Minister | Party | Joined | Left |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir | INC | 01 Nov 1966 | 08 Mar 1967 |
| 2 | Gurnam Singh | Akali Dal | 08 Mar 1967 | 25 Nov 1967 |
| 3 | Lachhman Singh Gill | Punjab Janta Party | 25 Nov 1967 | 23 Aug 1968 |
| 4 | Gurnam Singh | SAD | 17 Feb 1969 | 27 Mar 1970 |
| 5 | Parkash Singh Badal | SAD | 27 Mar 1970 | 14 Jun 1971 |
| 6 | Zail Singh | INC | 17 Mar 1972 | 30 Apr 1977 |
| 7 | Parkash Singh Badal | SAD | 20 Jun 1977 | 17 Feb 1980 |
| 8 | Darbara Singh | INC | 06 Jun 1980 | 06 Oct 1983 |
| 9 | Surjit Singh Barnala | SAD | 29 Sep 1985 | 11 Jun 1987 |
| 10 | Beant Singh | INC | 25 Feb 1992 | 31 Aug 1995 |
| 11 | Harcharan Singh Brar | INC | 31 Aug 1995 | 21 Nov 1996 |
| 12 | Rajinder Kaur Bhattal | INC | 21 Nov 1996 | 11 Feb 1997 |
| 13 | Parkash Singh Badal | SAD | 12 Feb 1997 | 26 Feb 2002 |
| 14 | Amarinder Singh | INC | 26 Feb 2002 | 01 Mar 2007 |
| 15 | Parkash Singh Badal | SAD | 01 Mar 2007 | 14 Mar 2017 |
| 16 | Amarinder Singh | INC | 16 Mar 2017 | 18 Sep 2021 |
| 17 | Charanjit Singh Channi | INC | 20 Sep 2021 | 16 Mar 2022 |
| 18 | Bhagwant Mann (Current) | Aam Aadmi Party | 16 Mar 2022 | Present |
Note: INC = Indian National Congress; SAD = Shiromani Akali Dal.
Famous Places and Products
Famous Places
Punjab is renowned worldwide and across India for its spiritual and historical sites:
* Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), Amritsar: The holiest shrine of Sikhism, famous globally for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance.
* Wagah Border, Amritsar: Known for the daily "Beating Retreat" ceremony, a popular tourist attraction for its patriotic fervour.
* Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar: A public garden and national memorial of historical importance, commemorating the 1919 massacre.
* Anandpur Sahib: A major pilgrimage site in Sikhism, home to Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, one of the five Takhts (seats of authority).
* Rock Garden, Chandigarh: A unique sculpture garden created entirely from industrial and urban waste.
Famous Products
Punjab is known as the "Granary of India" and its products reflect its agrarian and cultural heritage:
* Agricultural Products (Worldwide/India):
* Wheat and Rice (major contributors to India's food security).
* Basmati Rice, particularly from regions like Bathinda, is exported globally.
* Textiles and Handicrafts (Worldwide/India):
* Phulkari: A traditional, vibrant embroidery technique used on shawls, dupattas, and garments, famous across India.
* Patiala Salwar: A type of pleated, baggy trousers that originated in Patiala, a fashionable ethnic garment.
* Hosiery and Sports Goods: Ludhiana is a major hub for hosiery goods, and Jalandhar is famous for manufacturing sports equipment (cricket bats, hockey sticks, etc.).
* Cuisine (Worldwide/India):
* Butter Chicken and Tandoori Chicken: Dishes that originated in the larger Punjab region and are now staples in Indian restaurants globally.
* Makki di Roti and Sarson da Saag: A traditional winter delicacy of maize flour flatbread and spiced mustard greens.
* Amritsari Kulcha: A stuffed flatbread popular across India.
* Lassi: A popular traditional yogurt-based drink.
