The Punjabi spirit of enterprise and business savvy is best exemplified by the city of Ludhiana which is renowned the world over for its hosiery goods. It is no exaggeration to say that in Ludhiana every household is a mini hosiery unit and everybody seems to be involved in some way or the other in this lucrative business. From Moscow to Montreal, shopping malls retail both cotton and woollen products from Ludhiana. However, Ludhiana's claim to fame is not its commercial enterprises alone. It is an important pilgrimage center as there are many historic Gurdwaras.
| Fast Facts |
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| Area: |
134.67 sq km |
| Languages Spoken: |
Punjabi, Hindi, English |
| STD Code: |
0161 |
| State Capital: |
No |
Ludhiana also boasts of many prestigious educational institutions. There are two medical colleges and the famous Punjab Agricultural University modeled on the Land Grant of America.
Ludhiana is a part of the Ludhiana-Moga-Ferozepur-Bhatinda-Malout-Muktsar-Faridkot tourist circuit in Punjab. Ludhiana does not have too many scenic spots to boast of. It can be visited either for bulk hosiery shopping or making it a base for the Rural Olympics held in Killa Raipur nearby. One can also visit the Rural Museum at the Punjab Agricultural University. The War Memorial organizes frequent Sound and Light shows, where one can listen to stories of valour of brave, Indian and Punjabi soldiers.
History:
Ludhiana gets its name from the Lodhi Dynasty, which is believed to have founded the city in the year 1480.
During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Ludhiana became an important British cantonment. Initially, in 1805, Maharaja Ranjit Singh had occupied Ludhiana. However, in 1809, the British decided to curb his advance eastwards and sent troops to confront him. Ranjit Singh was forced to sign the treaty of 'perpetual friendship' with the British, which confined his activities to the right bank of the Sutlej. British troops were permanently stationed in Ludhiana and the Cis-Sutlej states came under British protection.
Many leaders of the Indian freedom movement came from Ludhiana. Prominent among them were Lala Lajpat Rai, Sardar Kartar Singh Saraba, Baba Santa Singh and Maulana Habibur Rehman.
Best Season, Climate, and Clothing:
Ludhiana has very hot summers and very cold winters. The monsoon visits this city around July and extends up to the beginning of September. Winters generally set in around November, when it becomes very cold during the night. But the city produces and exports hosiery and woolen products. If you can stand neither extreme heat nor cold, the best time to visit Ludhiana is from February to mid April. Thus, cotton clothing is apt for summers and woolens are required for winters.
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