Author Topic: History of Ferozepur (Read 13257 times)

Kudi Nepal Di · « **on:** June 30, 2010, 06:47:16 AM »

The old town of Ferozepore, known more for its cantonment, was once an important trade centre. The town, which occupied pride of place in the British Empire, is today sidelined as it has lost all its commercial value with the closing of the border at Hussainiwala after Independence. Moga, Muktsar and Faridkot were earlier part of Ferozepore district that is believed to have got its name from Feroz Shah Tughlaq or a Bhatti chief, named Feroze Khan.

The Manj Rajputs say the town was named after their chief Feroze Khan, who lived in the middle of the 16th century. The principal traders were Bhabras. When the place was struck by a pestilence in 1543, traders moved to Kot Isa Khan.

The influence of the Sikhs on the region started from 1758, when they defeated Adina Beg, Mughal Governor of Lahore. Three years later, when Hari Singh, chief of Bhangi misl, captured Kasur and nearby areas, one of his sardars, Gurja (Gujar) Singh, along with his brother Nushaha Singh and his two nephews - Gurbakhsh Singh and Mastan Singh - took possession of Ferozepore. Later, Gurja (Gujar) Singh gave Ferozepore to his nephew, Gurbakhsh Singh. The Ferozepore territory then contained 37 villages.

In 1792, Gurbakhsh Singh, while dividing his possessions among his four sons, gave the fort and territory of Ferozepore to his second son Dhanna Singh. In 1819, Dhanna Singh died, leaving his widow Lachman Kaur. In 1820, Lachman Kaur went for a pilgrimage to the shrines of Haridwar, Gaya and Jagannath after having placed her father-in-law, Gurbakhsh Singh, in charge of the territory. During Lachman Kaur's pilgrimage, her husband's nephew, Baghel Singh, gained admittance to the fort under the pretext of visiting his grandfather, and occupied it.

After about three years in 1823, on her return from the pilgrimage, Lachman Kaur made an appeal to the British authorities against the occupation by Baghel Singh. Capt Ross, the Deputy Superintendent of Sikh Affairs, represented her case to the Lahore agent. Maharaja Ranjit Singh recalled Baghel Singh, and allowed Lachman Kaur to rule Ferozepore. When Lachman Kaur, who was issueless, died in December 1835, the estate came under the possession of the British Government. In July 1838, Chanda Singh and Jhanda Singh, the two brothers of Baghel Singh (he died in 1826), made a claim to inherit the estate. But the case was decided against them.

The economy of the town was on the decline at the time of the British annexation. In 1838, the population of Ferozepore town was 2,732. In 1841, it rose to 4,841, mainly due to efforts of Sir H. Lawrence, who built a market place towards the east of the old fort, which is now no more. The main market was also completed under his supervision.

There was a time when the town was used surrounded by a wall, which had 10 gates, namely Delhi Gate, Mori Gate, Baghdadi Gate, Zira Gate, Makhu Gate, Bansanwala Gate, Amritsari Gate, Kasuri Gate, Multani Gate and Magzini Gate, providing protection to people living inside. Five of the gates are now no more, while the existing ones - Kasuri Gate, Multani Gate, Baghdadi Gate, Makhu Gate and Amritsari Gate - are in a state of utter neglect.

Rani-ka-Taalab, named after Lachman Kaur, is now a dry tank. Situated on a campus of an educational institute, it has the samadhis of Lachman Kaur and her husband Sardar Dhanna Singh on its side.

The temple of Radha-Krishan and Lord Shiva are also situated near the samadhis.

Old records state that Moti Bazar and Hira Mandi in the town were once big markets selling pearls and diamonds, respectively. Before Partition, Hira Mandi was the abode of singing girls. Most of the town's markets and lanes do not bear any number. They are named after eminent local personalities and philanthropists. For instance, some of them are called Gali Dugglan, Mohalla Sodhian, Mohalla Baurianwala, Basti Shekhan, Basti Balochan, Hata Khuda Bakhsh, Kuchha Harnam Das and Gali Kumrianwali.

Once the town was surrounded by gardens, including Tulsi Ram Bagh, Gole Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Ram Sukh Das Bagh and Kanshi Ram Bagh. Gole Bagh was the only garden, which was under the supervision of the municipality. The remaining gardens were either the property of individuals or trusts. Around 1960, these individuals and trusts started disposing of the garden land as it became difficult for them to maintain it.

Punjabi Janta Forums - Janta Di Pasand · « **on:** June 30, 2010, 06:47:16 AM »

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2010, 06:50:46 AM »

Ferozepur is called 'Shaheedon ki dharti' (the land of martyrs). Even today one can see the building in Toori Bazaar, which was used, as the secret headquarters by the revolutionary trio - Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.

On the first floor of the building, the three revolutionaries manufactured bombs, while on the ground floor, one of their associates, Gaya Pershad, practiced medicine. Just a day after moving in, Bhagat Singh, who was a Sikh, got his long hair cut by Gajjanand, a barber, across the road. This was done to escape the police.

When the news of the murder of Saunders, Assistant Superintendent of Police, reached Ferozepore, Dr Gaya Pershad disappeared from the scene. Saunders was shot dead by Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev in Lahore on December 17, 1928.

The two-storey house is now owned by a trust. The ground floor is used for commercial purpose and the first floor for residential purposes. In the past, there was a persistent public demand that the historic building be taken over by the government. The public wanted a library on the ground floor and a museum on the first floor, housing the photographs of the revolutionaries who fought and died for the freedom of the country. But, the government did not pay heed to these demands.

Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were sentenced to death in the Lahore conspiracy case and ordered to be hanged on March 24, 1931.

But, in view of great upsurge in the country, the Britishers hanged them on March 23, 1931, at 7.30 p.m. The bodies of the three martyrs were cremated under cover of darkness on the banks of Sutlej, about 10 km from Ferozepore.

After Partition, the cremation spot went to Pakistan but on January 17, 1961, when India and Pakistan exchanged enclaves, the site came back to India. A Shaheedi conference is held there every year on March 23 to pay homage to the martyrs.

National Martyrs Memorial Hussainiwala
National Martyrs Memorial Hussainiwala depicts an irrepressible revolutionary spirit of three National Martyrs namely S Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev who lit eternal flame of liberty by smilingly embracing martyrdom for the motherland. S Bhagat Singh and BK Dutt threw a Bomb in the Central Assembly hall New Delhi on April 8 1929 to record their protest against the British rule in India. He and his two brave comrades Rajguru and Sukhdev were tried for shooting a British Police Officer Mr Saundras on the 17th December 1928. These three revolutionaries were awarded death sentence. Following a hasty trial of the Lahore conspiracy case they were executed a day earlier than the hanging scheduled in the Central Jail Lahore at 7.15 PM on March 23,1931 The entire of Lahore was in the grip of National fervor and there were apprehensions of revolt. The Jail authorities broke the back wall of the Jail and secretly brought the dead bodies of S Bhaghat Singh and comrades here, on this spot at the bank of the river Sutlej for an unceremonial cremation. Mr B K Dutt died in Delhi on 19th July 1965 and as per his last will he was also cremated here.

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2010, 06:53:14 AM »

Retreat Ceremony at Hussianiwala (Indo-Pak Border)

Sun starts setting, the weird silence on the Hussainiwala border, 11 km away from Ferozepur, is ruptured by the clattering and thunderclap of heavy boots of the well-dressed in Kahki uniform, Indian BSF Jawans who equalize their counter part, the sound of Peshawari Chapples of salwar-kurta dressed Pakistani Rangers and both of them match their every movement, motion and step with each other, under the loud commands of their picket commanders for the 40-minute retreat ceremony done for the de-hoisting of the national flags of both countries with full honour and respect on every evening.

The visit of any dignity, tourist, relative or a friend to this border district remained futile without paying their visit to joint check post at Hussianiwala, and those who visit here feel get a feeling of being present in the different world. The sound of patriot songs flying in the air, intensify the feeling of Patriotism among the audience and every action of these BSF heroes is applauded by the numberless claps by them, which also provide these nation- guards a feeling of honour. People from far away visit here to watch the robust BSF Jawans competing their counterpart to prove an edge over them.

Even the tiding hatred amongst hearts of the people of the two countries, this retreat ceremony has remained to be a routine for years and years even though, there has been no legal compulsion on both the sides for the same. On Indian side this check post is about 100 feet from the Zero line and from Pak it is 600 feet away.

The Check post on the Pakistan side is named as Ganda Singh Wala post. On both sides of the line at a distance of 15 feet Indo-Pak national flags hoist during the daytime.

Just one km on the Indian side there are memorials of Shaihd Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. Till 1962, this area remained with Pakistan and they cared little to raise any monuments in the memory of these great martyrs of India, who sacrificed their lives for the freedom for both the countries. It was in 1962, when India gave 12 villages near head Sulemanki (Fazilka) to Pakistan and in exchange got this martyr?s land. But the irony of the fate is that during 1971 Indo-Pak war, the statues of these very martyrs were removed and taken away by Pakistan army and have not been returned till today.

It is worth mentioning that till 1970 there was no joint parade and retreat ceremony at this check post but one evening, Inspector General BSF, Ashwani Kumar Sharma, called upon both authorities to have joint retreat ceremony and since than it has become a tradition, which is every unique in itself.

Shane-E-Hind

This 42 feet long, 91 feet wide and 56 feet high Shan-e-Hind designed by chief Architect, Punjab is a fine reply to 30 feet high Fakhr-E-Pak constructed on the Pakistan side about 30 years ago.

The Barki Memorial

The Barki Memorial was constructed in 1969 to perpetuate the memory of the soldiers of the 7 Infantry Division who made the Supreme sacrifice on the battle field in 1965 and paved the way for the fall of Barki a town situated at a distance of 15 miles South East of Lahore. The foundation stone of this memorial was laid by Lt Gen Harbakhsh Singh VC on September 11,1969 and unveiling ceremony was performed by Lt Gen HK Sibal MVC. The memorial which now forms a part of Saragarhi Complex has a pillar in the centre, a Patten tank and a Barki mile stone on the south and a water fountain on the North The pillar is 27 feet high and is built of red and white sand stone and gneise. The mouldings and relief carvings are in the classical Indian architectural style. The fountain denotes symbolically that the memory of those who laid down their lives will for ever remain green and lush by an abundant spray of water.

Saragarhi Memorial

Saragarhi Memorial Gurudwara has been built in the memory of 21 Sikh soldiers of the 36 Sikh Regiment who fell in heroic defence of Fort Saragarhi in Wazirstan on September, 12 1897 while defending the fort against an attack of ten thousand Pathans. The 36 Sikh Regiment was raised at FIROZPUR on April 1887 under the command of Colonel Cook in January 1897 the Regiment was sent to Fort Lock Hard of which Saragarhi and Gulistan were important posts On the morning of September, 12 about ten thousand pathans surrounding Saragarhi and taking positions within one thousand yards of the fort opened fire. There were only 21 Sikh soldiers in the fort who returned fire as outside help was out of question. Sepoy Gurmukh Singh Hallo-graphed to his commander Colonel Naughten that the enemy had attacked their fort. On order from the commander these soldiers continued to return fire. The battle continued for seven hours and then the Sikhs fell one by one. At about 2 PM the Garrison began to run out of ammunition and a request was made to the colonel for more supplies. NO supplies came but the soldiers were told to stick to their guns. In the meantime the Pathans asked the Sikh soldiers to surrender but they preferred to die fighting. In the end the leader of the brave band Havildar Ishar Singh was left alone. With consummate coolness regardless of the bullets whistling around his head Havildar Ishar Singhhad kept up heliographic communication with Fort Lockhart.

According to a contemporary Army Authority Havildar Ishar Singh the only man alive and unwounded out of the little band taking his rifle placed himself in the front of a doorway leading from the room into which the enemy had forced their way, prepared to sustain the fight along calmly and steadily. He loaded his rifle and delivered the fire. Unconquered even in death the Sikh War cry rang from his dying lips in defiance of the foe. Then followed silence broken only by the crackling of flames. The memorial Gurdwara at Ferozepur was built at a cost of Rs, 27,118 by the Army Authorities to honour these brave soldiers. Sir Charles Pevz declared the gurudwara open in 1904, the then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab. Every year on September 12 a religious congregation is held in the morning while reunion of Ex-servicemen in the evening.

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2010, 06:55:49 AM »

Harike Wetland
Harike is one of the most important Wild Life Sanctuaries of not Only Punjab but also of India being recognized throughout the world. Situated on the confluence of the river Beas and Sutlez at the Ferozepur and Amritsar border the sanctuary encompass an area of approximately 86 sq km. The area was declared as a Wild Life Sanctuary in 1999 and because of its importance as a wetland of international stature, the International Body of Wetlands under the UNDP declared it a Ramsar site in 1990.

The sanctuary is a bird watchers paradise and attracts thousands of migratory birds during winter, some from as far off as Siberia and the Arctic. It is a refuge for a large number of resident and migratory birds. Some 45,000 ducks have been recorded here during the peak migratory season. The wigeon, common teal, pintail, shoveller and brahminy ducks are commonly seen during the winter. The lake is particularly famous for diving ducks, such as the crested pochard, common pochard and tufted ducks, which occur in very large numbers. Around 375 bird species have been recorded; 40 species were long distance migrants, which pass through or winter at Harike Lake. Apart from avifauna, some 7 species of turtle and 26 species of fish have been recorded. The mammals found at Harike include the smooth Indian otter, the jungle cat, jackal, Indian wild boar and the common mongoose.

The major problems facing the Sanctuary are encroachments on the wetland habitat, widespread infestation of water hyacinth weed which is slowly chocking the system and reducing the available surface area, siltation and the resultant fall in the volume of water, drainage of untreated and toxic industrial effluents into the system from big cities like Ludhiana, Jallandhar and Kapurthala, illegal fishing and poaching of birds etc.

Chak Sarkar Forest, Mamdot

Situated in the Southwestern corner of Punjab and bordering Pakistan in the west, the Forest Division of Ferozepur has the same boundary as that of the Revenue district of Ferozepur.

The total forest area of the district is 7064.50 ha, which comes to about 2.35% of the total geographical area. The type of forest found in the district can be broadly classified as Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest?. Basically, there is little natural forest and in fact before the Forest Department took over management of these forests, they were in the shape of scattered patches and consist of scrub vegetation. There is also very little compact forest area and most of the so called forest area is in fact strips of land adjoining roads, canal (including distributaries, minors, escapes etc), drains, bundhs and railway lines which were declared as Protected Forest by the Punjab Government in 1953. However, ever since the declaration of certain areas as forests and their management was handed over to the Forest Department, there has been a lot of improvement in the overall scenario. Almost all the major roads, canals drains have been covered with plantations. Even the link roads have now been selected for plantation purposes. There is a block forest area near the village of Mumdot, called Chak Sarkar, which has been declared, as a Reserved Forest by the Government of Punjab. This is a compact area supporting some natural forest with the rest of the area being rehabilitated with artificial regeneration.
Abohar

Situated at a distance of 32 km from Fazilka and 56 km from Muktsar, Abohar is linked by road with Fazlika, Muktsar, Bathinda, Ganganagar (Rajasthan), Hanumangarh (Rajasthan) and Dabwali (Haryana). It lied on the Hindumalkote Bathinda section of the Northern Railway and is 28 km from Hindu-malkote and 73 km from Bathinda.

The town of Abohar is said to have been founded by one Abheraj Bhatti during the twelfth century and was called Abhegarh after his name Abohar is an ancient town mentioned by Ibn Batuta, a traveler from Egypt about A.D. 1341 as the first town in Hindustan, on the way from Multan to Delhi. These exists remains of a large fort which must have been at one time of considerable strength, and the villagers have a tradition that many centuries ago it was held by a Rajput Raja, Abram Chand. They tell that his horses were on day carried off in a raid (dhaar) made by the Saiyads of Uchan towards Multan, and as he had no son, his daughter, dressed as a man, went after the raiders, armed with a sword, a gun and a bow and arrows, and after exploits with the raiders brought back the spoil of uchan which consisted chiefly of horses. The Saiyads of Uchan, being holy men, endeavored to get back their property by threatening to curse the spoilders, and, forming a mela or cursing committee, they came and sat dharna, as it were, on the sand-ridge eat of Abohar. But the Raja held out so long that women of the Saiyads at Uchan got tired of waiting for the return of their husbands, and came in a body to look for them. When the Saiyads on the ridge saw their wives approching, they called down curses on all around, and they themselves and their wives and the inhabitants of the town all died on the spot. The pakka tomb of the women in the cemetery, and that of the holy men (pit) on the sand-ridge exist unto this day 'to witness if I lie'. This place is known as Panj Pir. A fair lasting for two days is held here in July-August every year and a large number of people visit this place. People also visit it on every Thursday to pay their homage.

In the beginning of the nineteenth century, Abohar was uninhabited, and the whole country around was a desert prairie. About 1828, a body of Musalman herdsmen, headed by Amra Sukhera from Bigar near Fatehabad, came and settled here. At that time, the only established villages in the neighbourhood were Bhatner, Gudda, Malaut, Salem Shah and Gaurdyana to the west, and to the southwest for several hundred miles there was not a village. Soon after the Sikhs began to extend their authority southwards, and the Sukheras had a lease granted them in 1828 by the Sikh Bhai of Kaithal authorizing them to settle at Abohar. At first, the three Sikh Chief of Arnauli, Jhumba and Kaithal had each a third share in this territory, and each had a separate fort and force at Abohar, where they were constantly quarrelling about their respective rights. Jhumba's share came into the hands of Patiala, under whom the large pakka well was made. In 1838, the tract came under the British rule, and Captain Thoresby granted leases to Amra and other Musalman residents of the village of all the unoccupied land in the neighbourhood, which then amounted to over 300 squared miles (777 sq km). According to tradition, which probably exaggerates, there were then 1,400 houses in Abohar, and a lakh and quarter of cattle grazed in the prairie land attached to it, and produced daily 60 maunds (22.38 quintals) of ghee, which was then the chief article of trade. But when the prairie waste was gradually brought under the plough and new colonies were established in the country around, many of the Abohar traders left it for smaller village or migrated to the new Fazilka town which was much more advantageously situated for the rising grain trade, and soon eclipsed Abohar.

Abohar is the biggest market for cotton in India and is also important for other agricultural produce. It has also been styled as the California of India, with large areas of land around the town put under circus plantations. The Regional Fruit Research Station at Abohar is carrying on research on citrus, dates and grapes, and distributes young plants of tried varieties.

Wild Life Area at Abohar

Situated in the southern tip of the Division, the wild Life Sanctuary in Abohar is unique in the sense that it is an open Sanctuary comprising of 13 revenue villages. The Bishnoi community whose love for animals is legendary inhabits these villages. The total area of the Sanctuary is 46513 acres. It was declared as a Wild Life Sanctuary under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2000. The main species found in the Sanctuary is the black buck, which can be seen loitering around in the fields and sometimes even in homesteads like cattle. Besides, nilgai, wild boar, porcupine, jackal, hare etc can also be seen.

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2010, 07:00:00 AM »

Bazidpur

The village of Bazidpur is situated 7 km from the Firozpur Cantonment on the Firozpur-Moga road. There is a historical gurudwara, known as Gurudawar Gurusar, built in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh. It is said that the Guru rested at this place on his way to the village of Rupana after the battle of Muktsar. The Jand-tree, to which the Guru tied his horse, still exists. The building of the Gurdwara and the sarowar (tank) were built by the erstwhile rulers of the Faridkot State. A big fair is held here on Basant Panchmi (9-8 February) ever year when a large number of people from far and wide visit the place. A mela is also held here on every Amavas. Langar is served to the visitors.

Fazlika

Headquarters of the tehsil/subdivisions of Fazlika are connected both by rail and road. It is a junction and terminus railway station of the Rewari-Bathinda-Fazlika Section of the metre-gauge line of the Northern Railway. The Fazilka-Firozpur Cantonment section of the broad-gauge line of the Northern Railway also connects it. By rail, Fazlika is 80 km from Kot Kapura, 428 km from Rewari and 99 km from Firozpur cantonment. By road, it is 87 km from Firozpur. 56 km from Malaut, 34 km from Abohar and 15 km from the international Sulemanki border with Pakistan.

When in 1844, the tract of country on the Satluj was ceded by Bahawalpur, there was no village where Fazilka now stands, but Vans Agnew, the first officer stationed there, built himself a bungalow, in which the office of the Sub divisional Officer (Civil), Fazilka, is now located. From that bungalow, the place became known as Bangla, a name still given to the town and tehsil by the people. Two years later, Oliver established a few shops there, and gave the place the name of Fazilka from Fazil, one of early Wattu settlers. Its favrouable position near the Satluj enabled it to engross almost the whole of the export trade from the great desert tract towards Sind (now in Pakistan), and made it very soon a flourishing market. A most destructive flood visited Fazlika in 1908 and practically the whole of the town collapsed and had to be rebuilt.
Anglo Sikh War Memorial at Ferozeshah

About 16 km from Ferozpur on the Moga-Ferozpur road lies the village of Ferozeshah, the scene of the memorable battle fought on 21 December 1845 during the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46).

The battle of Ferozeshah was fought on 21 and 27 December 1845 under Sir Henary and Sir Hugh Cough. The Sikh Camp was most formidably entrenched, and it was only captured after two days hard fighting. The British triumph was complete, but the loss of the victors was heavy 2,000 killed and wounded. Thirty-seven officers were slain, and double that number were injured. The loss of the Sikhs was computed at 8,000; seventy-three guns were captured. This battle occurred only three days after Mudki, an engagement so furiously contested, and so exhausting to the British troops engaged that the Commander-in-Chief had grave doubts whether to fight so soon. The Sikh Army was estimated at 50,000 men and 100 guns, whereas the British force numbered only 5,000. The Governor-General, before the battle, handed his watch and star to his son's care, showing that he was determined to be victorious, or die in the struggle. Prince Waldemar of Prussia and his staff, Counts Grueben and Orioli, and Dr. Hoffmeister, were present at the battle. The latter was unfortunate killed by grapeshot. Prince Waldemar left the field at the urgent request of the Governor-General, who was unwilling that a foreign prince should be further exposed to the risks of warfare.

To commemorate the event, a memorial was erected in 1869. It is in the nature of a cenotaph, a triangular pillar of masonry, some 80 feet high. In 1976, the Punjab Government set up the Anglo-Sikh War Memorial at Ferozeshah in the memory of the Sikh warriors who laid down their lives in the Anglo-Sikh Wars. It is situated near the Village of Ghall Khurd on the Moga-Firozpur road near the bridge of Rajasthan Feeder at a distance of 20 km from Firozpur. The memorial has a majestic building and is spread over 2.5 canals (1,042 square meters). It contains a museum, in which the paintings made by great artists, and war weapons, such as janzails, matchlock guns, flintlock guns, barrel guns, jamuras, swords, daggers and shields along with zaraie-baktar are displayed.

The Saragarhi Memorial
Built in the shape of gurudwara in a beautifully laid-out park, on the Firozpur-Lahore road, this monument was erected in the memory of the 21 men of the 36th Sikh Regiment of the Punjab Infantry who fell in the heroic defence of the Fort of Saragarhi on 12 September 1897 and in the gallant sortie from Fort Gulistan on 13 September 1797 in Baluchistan. Every year on 12 September thousands of people gather at this place for paying tributes to the heroes. This memorial service on the day serves as reunion of ex-servicemen.
Guru Har Sahai

Situated on the Firozpur-Fazlika section of the Northern Railway, Guru Har Sahai is 39 km from Firozpur (the tehsil headquarters) and 50 km from Fazlilka. It is also connected by road with both of these places.

The original two temples, dedicated to two virgins, known as Mata Jajol and Mata Hanswali, fairs are held twice a year. The original village of Guru Har Sahai is contiguous to the town where, in the Pathi Mala Temple, pothi (book) and mala (rosary) of Guru Nanak Dev, and a stone in which the image of Guru Nanak Dev is stated to be visible, used to be shown to the public by the family of the local descendants of the Gurus. Out of these objects, the pothi is said to have been lost in 1970.

Jalalabad
It is connected both by rail and road. By, it is connected with Firozpur and Fazlika the tehsil headquarters from which places it is 53 km and 33 km respectively. By road, it is connected with Firozpur, Fazlika and Muktsar, from which places it is 54 km, 33 km and 28 km respectively.

Kot Ise Khan
Situated on the crossing of the Moga-Zira road and the Dharamkot-Zira road, Kot Ise Khan is 16 km from Moga, 14 km from Zira (the tehsil headquarters) and 8 km from Dharmkot. A separate road, 13 km in length, links it with Fatehgarh Panjtor.

The place is named after Nawab Isa Khan of this ilaka, a descendant of Net Ahmad Khan, a Panwar Rajput, who got the title of Nawab from Emperor Akbar in appreciation of a feat of strength shown by him at the imperial court.

Mudki

Thirty-two km southeast of the tehsil headquarters at Firozpur, the village of Mudki is also connected by road with Faridkot, Bagha Puranan and Zira. The village of Mudki is chiefly remarkable on account of the famous battle in its vicinity on 18 December 1845, during the First-Anglo-Sikh War of 1845-46. The battle of Mudki was the first action that took place between the Sikhs and the British. The Sikh army numbered 30,000, with forty guns and the British force about 10,000 under the Governor General, Sir Henary Hardins, and the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Hugh Gough; but the Sikhs were repulsed and driven from position to position, with the loss of seventeen pieces of artillery. The victory cost the British 50 officers and 850 rank and files killed and wounded, 500 of who were Europeans. Many are buried in the Firozpur Cemetery.

Among the slain was Sir Robert Sale, the gallant defender of Jalalabad in Afghanistan in the First Afghan War, Sir John Mc Caskill, the victor of Istalif, was also shot dead while gallantly leading his division. Almost all officers attached to the Governor-General as aides-de-camp were either killed of wounded.

In commemoration of this hard-won victory, the British erected a pillar in 1870. Situated at a few kilometers from the village of Mudki this pillar is in a better state of preservation than the pillars at the Ferozeshah and Sobraon battlefields. Originally, the pillar was surrounded by a wall, which now does not exist.

Kudi Nepal Di · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2010, 07:00:41 AM »

Zira
Headquarters of the tehsil, subdivision of the same name, Zira is connected by road with Talwandi Bhi (15km), Firozpur (36 km), Makhu (15 km), Dharamkot (22 km), and Moga (24 km).

The Jain Temple at Zira is worth mentioning. Built in 1890, this temple is 105 feet high, with three storeys. Its second part was constructed later in 1913-14. The paintings on the wall depict the life of Jain tirthankras. The temple is named after the 23rd tirthankra, Shri Parsavnath I. The main idol is believed to be one of the most sacred and ancient ones and was brought from Palitana Sidhgri in Gurjrat. Some of the brass murtis (statues) are more than twelve hundred years old.

8558 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2012, 02:32:52 PM »

kafi lambi history aa

Author Topic: History of Ferozepur (Read 13257 times)

Kudi Nepal Di

History of Ferozepur

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