j

Ghudda(Bathinda) becoming a Future-Hub of Malwa

Red Mark Village Ghudda{ Bathinda ]

By
By Amarjit Singh Dhillon
Ghudda(Bathinda) becoming a Future-Hub of Malwa

By
Amarjit Singh Dhillon (Dr. )

Publisher :

INDO-CANADIAN FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY

Ghudda(Bathinda) becoming a Future-Hub of MALWA
By
Amarjit Singh Dhillon (Dr.)
e-mail amarjitdhillon15@msn.com

First Edition
.. 2010

Price: Your Best Wishes for Ghudda(Bathinda)

Printer: Western Printers

Tobha Baba Dhiana Near Anardana Chawk
Patiala-147001 (Pb.) Ph: 0175-2224261
 Dedicated to:
The Posterity
 What & Where ?

Page
Preface…………………………………..

I. Introduction ………………………………………………
II. Regions of Punjab………………………………………….
III. Map of Malwa Region…………………………………….
IV. Malwa as Sirhind……………………………………………
V. Lakhi Jungle………………………………………………….
VI. Present Day Malwa…………………………………………..
VII. The Hub of Malwa : Bathinda………………………………..
VIII.Birth of Modern Bathinda…………………………………….
IX. Bathinda District………………………………………………
X. Places of Interest : Tourism-I…………………………… … .
XI. Places of Interest : Tourism-II…………………………………
XII. Bathinda Development Authority……………………………..
XIII.Ghudda(Bathinda) : Future-Hub of Malwa……………………
XIV. A Caution for the Government………………………………..
XV. My Dream …..”Will-O’-the-Wisp” …………………

Appendix I Persons who excelled from Ghudda………………………………

 Preface

With the sudden upsurge of my birth-place village Ghudda from a slumber of more
than 300 years, an idea came to my mind to produce a small book in English on it which
might prove beneficial to the posterity particularly having a rural background so that they
might take pride in belonging to this area..
With coming of educational and other institutions to Ghudda, there seem to be a
Social Change not only in the village but also in the entire area around. Now there is a
dire need to create awareness among the people so that there may not be a “Cultural
Lag”. It is the duty of all educated and articulate persons, whether living in the village or
outside, to make the common people conversant with the present and future benefits to
their progenies.
I have replaced Contents of the book with What & Where. Malwa, Bathinda and
Ghudda are now inseparable and have been discussed thread bear.
I am sure that the people of the villages like Badal, Bajak, Nandgarh, Kot Fatta, Kot
Bhara, Shamgarh & others, which have strings attached to Ghudda through (Nat)Wanger
or otherwise, should be proud that the village founded by one of their ancestors Baba
Ghudda, a noble man, has, at last, come to limelight in Malwa & has a great future.
This book, like my previous books, namely, “The Jat People & Dhillons in History”
& “Story of Establishment of Central University of Punjab at Ghudda”, would be seen in
print form only with the help & guidance of Dr. Nirbhai Singh of Patiala, the Former
Member of Research Project Committee (RPC) and Indian Council philosophical
Research (ICPR), HRD Ministry, New Delhi.
Amarjit Singh Dhillon ( Dr. )
Malton, ON, Canada,
March 05, 2010
 I. Introduction:

Once a Jungle Des when even during the day time it used to become as dark as
night with the dust-storm very often, Ghudda(Bathinda) is, with the grace of Almighty,
on the fast-track of over all development in the Malwa Region of Punjab. For this we
have to see & describe all the regions of Indian Punjab with particular emphasis on the
Malwa Region with a focus on Bathinda and its history.

:
The first known use of the word Punjab is in the book Tarikh-e-Sher Shah Suri
(1580), which mentions the construction of a fort by "Sher Khan of Punjab". The first
mentioning of the Sanskrit equivalent of 'Punjab', however, occurs in the great epic, the
Mahabharata (pancha-nada 'country of five rivers'). The name is mentioned again in Ain-
e-Akbari (part 1), written by Abul Fazal ( Jan. 13,1551-Aug. 1602 ) , who also mentions
that the territory of Punjab was divided into two provinces, Lahore and Multan. Similarly
in the second volume of Ain-e-Akbari, the title of a chapter includes the word Punjab in
it. The Mughal King Jahangir also mentions the word Punjab in Tuzk-i-Janhageeri.
Punjab in Persian literally means "five" (panj) "waters" (āb), i.e., the Land of Five
Rivers, referring to the five rivers which go through it. It was because of this that it was
made the granary of British India. Today, three of the rivers run exclusively in Pakistani
Panjab with the tributaries of the other two eventually draining there as well. Indian
Panjab has the headwaters of the remaining two rivers which eventually drain over into
Pakistan.

II. The Regions of Punjab

The present Punjab (India) is divided into three natural regions: Mujha, Doaba
and Malwa :-

MAJHA

Majha starts northward from the Right Bank of river Beas and stretches upto the Wagha , which marks
the boundary between India and Pakistan. Majha in Punjabi means the heartland. The region is divided into
three districts, Amritsar Gurdaspur. & Taran Taaran.

DOABA

The Doaba of Punjab is bounded by the Rivers Satluj in the south and Beas in the north. The area is
divided into four districts Jalandhar, Nawanshahar, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur named after these main
towns.

MALWA

The area South of the river Satluj is called Malwa. This is because a clan called Molois (sometimes
Malawis in ancient works) once ruled this area which have spread upto the present State of Gujrat which
was known as the Subah of Malwa as late as the Mughul times. Malwa the largest part of the Punjab is now
divided into the following 14 districts after the names of their headquarters.

The Districts are :Bathinda, Barnala, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Mansa,
Moga,Mohali, Muktsar, Nawan Shahar( Shheed Bhagat Singh Nagar), Patiala, Ropar, Sangrur .
III. Malwa Region Map shown in Red (other Regions in Brown)

IV. Malwa as Sirhind

It is interesting to note that during the Mughal Era, Malwa was known as Sirhind,
since it consisted of the city by that name. Sirhind was the headquarters or the Mughal
administration in Eastern Punjab. The city was also the headquarters of the Mujaddidiya
branch of the Naqshbandiyya Order of Sufism. The Order was named after Mujaddid Alif
Thani also known as Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi.

Malwa, like the rest of the province, was also the scene of many clashes between the
Mughals, the Sikhs, the Afghans, the Marathas and the British.
 Malwa's part in the history of the Sikhs dates back to the time of Guru Nanak, whose
peregrinations ( wanderings) also covered this ancient land. Guru Angad's birthplace,
Sarai Nanga, lies in the Malwa. Guru Hargobind, Guru Har Rai, Guru Tegh Bahadur and
Guru Gobind Singh travelled extensively through this area. Many eminent Sikhs such as
Bhai Bhagatu, Bhai Bahilo and Bhai Mani Sihgh came from Malwa.

V. Lakhi Jungle

The years following the death in 1708 of Guru Gobind Sihgh were the most
turbulent period of the history of the Sikhs when the Mughal Governors of Punjab and
later the Afghan invaders had let loose a reign of terror and religious persecution against
the Sikhs. The jungles of Malwa [ called Lakhi Jungle ], with their comparative
inaccessibility on account of shortage of water and other scarcities which impeded large-
scale military operations, provided the warring Sikh bands from across the Satluj with a
natural sanctuary. Some local Sikh Sardars, descendants of Bhai Phul blessed by Guru
Hargobind and Guru Har Rai, collectively known as the Phulkiari Misl, carved out
territories over which they ruled as independent or semi-independent chiefs.

This is how the former Sikh States of Patiala, Nabha, Jind, Faridkot, Kalsia, Kaithal
and Ladva came into existence. When Maharaja Ranjit Singh rose to power north of the
Satluj and started amalgamating other misl territories to his own dominions, the states
south of the Satuj known as Cis-Satluj (Greek for across the Satluj) States, sought
protection under the British, whose suzerainty they accepted. They became tributaries of
the British Empire while the districts of Ludhiana and Firozpur came under the latter's
direct rule. Of these Sikh States, Kaithal lapsed to the British dominions on the death,
without a male heir, of its last ruler, Bhai Udai Singh, in 1845, and Ladva was annexed as
a punishment to its ruler, Sardar Ajit Singh, for his open support to the Sikh Government
of Lahore during the first Anglo-Sikh war (1845-46). The remaining five Punjab Sikh
States and the Muslim State of Malerkotla continued to exist till after the independence of
India, 1947. In May 1948, they in combination with Kapurthala in the Doaba region and
the submountainous Hindu State of Nalagarh formed themselves into what was called the
Patiala and East Punjab States Union, PEPSU for short. In 1956 PEPSU was
amalgamated with the Punjab, which was further split into Haryana and the Punjabi
speaking state of the Punjab on 1 November 1966.

VI. Present Day Malwa

Malwa is a region of Punjab between the Satluj and Ghagar rivers. This Malwa
should not be confused with the Malwa Plateau Region of Madhya Pradesh[ Central
India].The Punjab Malwa is bounded by the River Satluj in the north, Haryana in the east
and the south, Rajasthan in the southwest corner, and by Bahawalpur State of Pakistan in
the west. Malwa comprises fourteen of the twenty one administrative districts of the
Punjab, viz., Firozpur, Faridkot, Moga, Muktsar, Bathinda,Barnala, Sangrur, Mansa,
Ludhiana, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib,Mohali and Ropar excluding its Nurpur Bedi tahsil or
sub-division which falls across the Satluj and geographically lies in the Doaba region.

. People of Malwa are known for being great fighters, and warriors The Malwa area
makes up majority of the Punjab Region consisting 14 districts, and has the most fertile
land. Cities such as Ludhiana, Gobindgarh and Mohali located in the Malwa Region are
the richest cities, and are the most expensive places to live in the Punjab State.

Ludhiana is the business centre of Punjab and is also referred as the Manchester
of Punjab. Also the city is home to Punjab Agricultural University the best in all of Asia.
Malwa is also home to many NRI residents mostly from the Ludhiana, Sangrur, Moga,
Barnala, and Bathinda districts. Ferozepur, which was the biggest district and a metro city
before the division of India and Pakistan, also comes in Malwa Region which is famous
for its Patriotism as well as Martyrdom and also for the yield of best quality of wheat and
paddy in the world. Gobindgarh, the steel city of Punjab, is also in Malwa.

Majority of the Sikh Jats and Khatri Sikhs are found in the Malwa Region
comprising 92% of the population.The Aroras are in minority in the area. The Malwa
Region has been controlling the political power in Punjab for decades and the current
Chief Minister of Punjab, also hailing from the Malwa Region, is Parkash Singh Badal
who belongs to a Dhillon Jat family.

G.A. Grierson, Linguistic Survey of India, Vol. IX, Part I, who based his demarcations
of Malwi on the spoken dialect Malwai, would exclude the present Patiala, Fatehgarh
Sahib and Ropar districts and part of Ludhiana district from Malwa because a different
dialect, called Povadhi, was spoken there. But because of demographical changes
consequent upon partition of the country (1947) and subsequent allocation of a major part
of Povadhi-speaking area to the newly created state of Haryana (1966), it is not
inappropriate to call the entire cis- Satluj tract of the present Punjab as Malwa.

Malwa is a dialectical variation of the Sanskrit word Mallava (Maloi in ancient Greek
accounts) which was the name of an ancient tribe who challenged, though unsuccessfully,
the might of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. They might have later migrated
to the south of the Satluj, giving the name Malwa, the land of the Mallavas, to their new
homeland.

Cultivation was almost entirely dependent upon rain which was erratic and usually
scanty. Introduction of canal irrigation with the renovation of Sirhind canal initiated a
change which, strengthened by later developments, especially the harnessing of water
resources and the availablity of cheap hydro-electricity, culminated in intensive
agriculture of the 1960's and the following decades, transforming the face of Malwa and
helping to make Punjab the granary of India.
 The hardy farmers of the region, including those brought here in the aftermath of the
partition of the country in 1947, have converted the former forest and sandy mounds into
neatly marked lush green farmlands. Wheat, paddy, cotton and oil seeds and sugarcane
are major crops grown in Malwa. Cultivation has picked up rapidly since the beginning
of the 1980's. This coupled with the growth of small and medium-scale industry, though
at a slower pace, has brought in prosperity which in turn is resulting in a perceptible
change for the better in the fields of education and culture. Of the seven universities in
the state, five are located in Malwa-the Punjab Agricultural University at Ludhiana,
Punjabi University at Patiala, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Farid Kot, Rajiv
Gandhi Law University Sidhuwal(Patiala) and the latest is Central University of Punjab
at Ghudda(Bathinda), besides a Deemed University ( Thapar College of E ngineering and
Technology) at Patiala. Similarly, of the seven medical colleges in the whole of Punjab
five are located in the Malwa region. In the industrial field, Malwa, with its three huge
thermal plants, one each at Bathinda, Lehra Mohabat & Ropar (three more in the
pipeline-namely Giddarbaha, Talwandi Sabo and Rajpura) , and industrial complexes at
Ludhiana, Rajpura, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) and Mandi Gobindgarh, is far
ahead of the other two regions.

VII. The Hub of Malwa : Bathinda

Out of all the districts of Malwa Region, Bathinda is at the center-stage

of Malwa and has a great development potential in every field.

Bathinda or Bhatinda (Punjabi: ਬਿਠੰਡਾ), named after the Bhati Rajput kings, is one
of the oldest cities in Punjab and the current administrative headquarters of Bathinda
District. It is situated in north-western India in the Malwa (Punjab) Region. Courtesy to
five artificial lakes in the city, Bathinda is also known as "The City of Lakes". Bathinda
is a historical city. It was associated with the imprisonment of first woman emperor of
India, Razia Sultan in 1239 in the Fort here.

According to Khalifa Muhammad Hassan, author of History of Patiala, its ancient name
was Bikramgarh.

Bathinda was known as Tabarhindh (Labb-ut-Twarikh). According to Ibn Batuta

it was known as Batrind. The earliest mention of Tabarhindh occurs in the "Jami-Ul-
Hakayat" written about 607 Hijri or 1211 AD. According to "Ainai-Barar Bans" Bathinda
was built by Bhati Rao, son of Bal Band, who became ruler of Punjab in 336 Bikrami
Sambat. He also founded Bhatner. It was also called Whatinda and Bitunda which finally
become known as Bhatinda. But its name was changed to Bathinda on the authority of
Survey of India to conform to the phonetical expression as locally pronounced. In recent
times the town was conquered by Maharaja Ala Singh (near about 1754 AD) and since
then it followed the history of erstwhile princely state of Patiala,
VIII. Birth of Modern Bathinda

As we have seen Rao Bhatti established the modern town of Bathinda in the Lakhi
jungle area in the third century, and it was captured from him by the Brars. Bala Rao
Bhatti inhabited the city in 965 AD, naming it Bhatti vinda after his surname. The city
also remained the capital of Raja Jaipal. Later the city name was changed to Bhatinda and
now a days it is known as Bathinda.

Rao Bhatti also founded Bhatner in Rajastan The two towns [ Bhatti vinda and
Bhatner ] together commanding the area between Hissar and Bikaner known as Bhatiana,
land of the Bhattis, also commanded the Delhi-Multan route used by early Muslim
invaders.

In 1004, Mahmud of Ghazni besieged the local fort, which was located on the route
from the northwest into the rich Ganges valley. In 1189, Muhammad Ghori attacked and
occupied the fort of Bathinda. Prithvi Raj Chauhan, , managed to recover possession of
the fort thirteen months later in 1191 after a fierce battle.

Razia Sultan, the first female ruler of India, was imprisoned at Bathinda in April,
1240. She was released in August of that year through the efforts of Altunia, the local
Governor. Both Altunia and Razia married but were killed by robbers near Kaithal on
October 13..

The Sidhu-Brars were thrown out of Bathinda during the Lodhi's rule, but were
restored to the area by Babur. A few years later, Roop Chand, a staunch Sikh, came onto
the scene of Punjab history. Phul, the second son of Roop Chand, started the practice of
langar (community kitchen) for the people in the Lakhi jungle area and built a fort
around 1654

IX.. Bathinda District

With the formation of the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) on May
5, 1948, Bathinda District came into existence on August 20, 1948. Its headquarters was
originally at Faridkot, but relocated to Bathinda in 1953.

After 1953, many changes were made to Bathinda District's geographical

boundaries. Muktsar and Mansa districts were separated from Bathinda District.

Bathinda District encompasses an area of 3,344 square kilometres. It is bounded by

Faridkot District on the north, Mukatsar District on the west, Barnala and Mansa Districts
on the east, and the state of Haryana on the south. Bathinda is cotton producing belt of
Punjab.
 Bathinda is surrounded by 12 small and medium towns, making the city a hub of most
industrial activities in the region.

Demography
According to 2001 Census of India, Bathinda district ranks 9 th in Punjab with a
population of 1183295 which is 4.86 % of the total population of Punjab State. The
sex ratio according to census 2001 is 865 females per thousand Male in district which
is 19 less than observed in 1991 census, which was 884. Though the rate of
population growth is meagre yet the density of population has increased which is 390
per square Kilometer as compared to 290 by 1991 census.

Amongst the States & UTs, Punjab ranks 16 th in terms of literacy. Bathinda district
have 14 th rank in the field of literacy in the state. 61.51% population is literate where as
the rate for male and female literacy is 68.31 % and 53.76% respectively.

Administrative Structure
From Administrative point of view District Bathinda is divided into three Tehsils

1. Bathinda
2. Rampurphul
3. Talwandisabo

These tehsils have been further divided into 8 blocks as under;

No. of Blocks : 8(Bathinda, Sangat, Nathana,Rampura, Phul, Maur, Bhagta Bhaika

and Talwandisabo)
No. of villages : 285
No. of inhabited : 281
No.of un-inhabited : 4
No.of Census town : 1 (Bhsiana)
No. of
M. Corporation : 1
No. of M. Councils : 7 (Sangat,Mandi, Maur, Kotfatta, Rampura, Bhucho Mandi,
Goneana)

Largest Railway Junction

Bathinda is one of the largest railway junctions of India. More lines extend from it than
any other junction on the Indian Railway network. Bathinda cantonment is also said to be
the largest in India. Bathinda has one of the biggest food-grain and cotton markets in
India. The Multinational Corporation Pepsi processes horticultural products grown in
Bathinda.

Major industries in Bathinda include, National Fertilizers Plant, two power plants:
Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant and Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant(Lehra Mohabbat),
Petrochemical Plants, Yarn & Textiles Plants, Citrus Fruit Belts and Sugar Mills. HMEL
is building a Grassroots oil refinery in Bathinda. It is one of the largest cotton producing
regions of India and an important industrial centre. As we have seen, it is home to two
modern thermal power plants, a fertilizer plant( one more is coming up ), a large oil
refinery, a Zoo, and the Qila Mubarak ( Fort ). Bathinda is one of the biggest food grain
and cotton markets in northern India, and the area around Bathinda has become a large
grape growing area.

As part of a massive development programme to make Bathinda a model city of

Punjab, the government has proposed to set up a special economic zone (SEZ) for textile,
flying school, cricket stadium and academy, domestic airport and an air-conditioned bus
stand within three years. The cricket stadium and academy is proposed to be set up by the
BCCI. Besides, private players are also building new Shopping malls and a five star hotel
in the city.

Tourism sector in the region has also grown manifold, as Bathinda has some of the
oldest monuments, some of them even dating back to 3,000 B.C. to the Harappan period.

Education

There are various government funded and private colleges in the city. Government
Rajindra College is located in the heart of the city. The college offers graduate courses in
science, commerce, and humanities.The city also has an engineering college named,
Giani Zail Singh College Of Engineering & Technology. It also has a private Medical
College named, Adesh Institute of Medical Research.Punjab Technical University,
Learning Centre at Model Town,Ph-1 for Distance education Programmes like MBA/MCA,
MSC_IT, BCA, BSC-IT, DCA-CONTACT TEL-2213594, CAL-C COMPUTER EDUCATION (A PB GOVT.
UNDERTAKING) AT G.T ROAD OPP DR.MADAN HOSPITAL, TEL-2241594

Among the schools Delhi Public School, St Joseph's Convent School, St Xavier's
Senior Secondary School, DAV and MSD Senior Secondary Public School are the
prominent senior secondary public schools located in Bathinda.

The City also has Indian Institute Of Hotel Management(IHM)

A HELP-Educational Society, an NGO that is working for skill imparting to the BPL
families, unemployed youth to create Self Employment and on women empowerment
programmes has been sponsored by various Ministries. A new
Central University of Punjab has already started its operations in its Transit-Campus..

X. Places of interest : Tourism-I

Bathinda is lucky to have a rich religious and cultural heritage. There are a number
places worth visiting in and around Bathinda. Many of them are deeply connected with
various religious beliefs.
 1. Qila Mubarak

Front View of the Fort

This is an oldest and highest small brick monument.

The old awe-inspiring retic of its past splendour is the fort at Bathinda which is
biggest than its competitors at Lahore, Phillour and Hanumangarh. It stands as a gigantic
sentinel in the heart of the town.Every year, Sri Guru Gobind Singhji also stayed in this
fort. It has long fascinating history behind it.

Side View Qila Mubarak.

 Inside View of the Fort

2. Bahia Fort
This was built in 1930 in front of the main Fort by S. Balwant Singh Sidhu belong to a
group of 22 villages, so called Bahia Sahib. It was as official residence of armed forces of
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala State . Now it has been converted into a Four Star
Hotel.

3. Lakhi Jungle
This is situated 15 km away from Bathinda and on the way to Mukatsar. A forest
having old Gurudwara enjoyed the touches of Shri Guru Nanak Dev who recited one lakh
holy Paths of Shri Japuji Sahib.Therefore it was called Lakhi Jungle. Tenth Sikh Guru ,
Guru Gobind Singh also visited this place.

4.. Zoological Garden

It is a plant nursery of the forest department located approximately 10 km away from
the Cantonment and is a popular picnic spot. This place is a small zoo in the midst of a
small forest.

5. Chetak Park
A beautiful garden built in Bathinda Cantonment is popular among children's and
others. It has a lake and boating facility

6. Mazaar of Peer Haji Rattan .

Mazaar of Peer Haji Rattan (Bhatinda)

Situated between the Civil Hospital and the grain
Market. It attracts devotees from all faiths.

Legend goes that as Ambassador of Raja Bhoj,

Baba Haji Rattan visited Mecca and on return to
India, he settled in meditation at Bhatinda.

The place is sacred by the visit of Guru nanak Dev

and Guru Gobind Singh.

7.GURDWARA SAHIB PATSHAHl 10, QILA MUBARAK, inside the Fort, a 5metre square
domed sanctum, was constructed by Maharaja Karam Singh of Patiala. Its interior is
decorated with intricate designs in stucco, paint and inset work

8.GURDWARA GOBIND NAGAR PATSHAHl 10,

Gurudwara Haji Rattan, Dist. Bhatinda

While on his way to Talwandi Sabo Guru Gobind Singh camped here for the night outside the
mausoleum of the Muslim saint Haji Rattan. The tomb keepers tried to dissuade the Guru from
sleeping here with the excuse that the place was haunted. Since the Guru neither believed in tombs
or ghosts he spent the night here to show the people that such superstitions were not followed by
Sikhs.

In the Haji Ratan locality adjacent to the Muslim shrine of Haji Ratan, was reconstructed during the
1970*s. The main building is a mosaicfloored hall, with a square marbled sanctum marked off by arches in
pipaMeaf design topped by multicoloured friezes. Above the sanctum are two storeys of square pavilions
with a lotus dome on top. Both these Gurdwaras are managed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak
Committee through a local committee. Recitation and kirtan of gurbani takes place morning and evening
and all major Sikh anniversaries are marked by special divans.

9.

A beautifull fountain park constructed by BDA at Phase-I, Model Town, Bathinda.

Constructed into approx. 3 acres

10..

Neighbourhood Park "The glory of city" constructed at Phase - I, Part - II, Model Town in
apprx. 4.73 acres.

XI. Places of Interest: Tourism II

1. Damdama Sahib

The Takht is located at village Talwandi Sabo, 28 km Southeast of

Bathinda. Literally, Damdama means breathing place. Guru Gobind Singh stayed here
after fighting battles against the Mughals. Before his arrival at Talwandi Sabo, two of the
Guru’s younger sons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, aged 9 and 7 respectively, were
bricked alive by Wazir Khan,the Nawab of Sirhind.

From the historical point of view, the important place in the district is Talwandi Sabo
(Damdama Sahib) connected with the history of Sikhs.

It is the venue of colourful Baisakhi fair. After his fierest battle with
the Mughals at Anandpur Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib and Muktsar, Guru
Gobind Singh retired to the jungle of Malwa. He relaxed and took
rest (Dam) at Talwandi Sabo and hence its name Damdama Sahib.
The Guru stayed here nine months and nine days. He made the place
a Centre for spreading his mission and hence its name Guru-ki-
Kanshi. He re-dictated Adi-Granth here and called the place as
Khalse Da Takhat. A seal was also prepared bearing the "Akal Sahai Guru Gobind Singh ji ki Jagha-Takhat
Damdama Sahib ji

This place had been visited earlier by Guru Teg Bahadur, father of Guru Gobind Singh. Damdama
Sahib is also the Headquarters of Nihangs. There are ten Gurudwaras and three tanks.

The three tanks are; Nanksar Sarover, Akalsar Saroveer and Gurusar Sarover. The first named tank is
associated with Guru Nanak Dev ji who is said to have visited this village in 1510 A.,D. during his second
Pad Yatra to Rajputana. The Akalsar Sarover is associated with Guru Gobind Singhji and a sip of water
from it is believed to be a safeguard against any disease and scourage. The Gurusar Sarover is said to have
been dug up under the orders of Guru Teg Bahadur ji.

2.Preserving 10th Guru’s relics at Bhai Roopa

Bhai Roopa—a village in

Rampura Phul sub-division of
Bathinda district — has the
rare honour of possessing a
bundle of holy relics related to
Sikh Gurus, which they
handed over to the family of
Bhai Roop Chand — after
whom the village is named — acknowledging it as their own family.

3.Maiser Khana

The Maisar Khana mandir 29 km from Bathinda on Bathinda-Mansa

Road. According to a legend, the jyoti of Mata Jawala appeared to
give darshan to a poor devotee who could not reach durga temple at
Jawala Ji.

Every year, Two Melas are held where lacs of devotees come to have
Darshan of Jawala ji.
4.Zoological Park

It is around 6 km from Bathinda. A Zoological park and Tourist

complex for riding children park, Lawns for picnic.

5.Rose Garden

The Rose Garden is a 10 acre garden, popular for the large varieties
of roses that grow here. Located close to the city, it is a frequented
picnic spot.

6.National Fetilizers Ltd.

National Fertilizer Ltd. is a Urea fertilizers productivity complex with a capacity of 1550 M.T. of Urea
per day. It contributed significantly for the development of District Bathinda catering to demands of the
people.

7.Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant & Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant.

Guru Nank Dev Thermal Plant has four units of 210 MW capacity
each for power generation . Recently another thermal plant at Lehra
Muhabat has also come up to meet the increasing demands of power.
This plant has two units of 210 MW capacity for power generation.

XII. Bathinda Development Authority [ BDA ]

Bathinda Development Authority was established on 16th July 2007 by The Governer of Punjab. The
prime objective of BDA is to carry out the sustained planned development of the area falling in and
around Bathinda city.

Mission of Bathinda Development Authority

Bathinda, new and vibrant city where the ultra modern, infrastructure is getting
ready and waiting for you. BDA, responsible for development of Bathinda welcomes
 you to witness a glorious partnership of industry with lifestyle and administration
with enterprise.

BDA has set up a goal of achieving a balanced development of the area by

preparation of perspective plans, Strengthening of infrastructure facilities and
promotion of Growth Centres. BDA intends to develop Bathinda as a world city where
the grass is greener, the roads wider, the air cleaner and where proactive and
responsive governance is the norm

XIII. Ghudda(Bathinda) becoming a Future-Hub of Malwa

Village Ghudda was founded, in later half of 17th century, by Baba Ghudda, whose
ancestors shifted from village Sur Singh(Wala) near Tarn Taaran, to Village Wanger
near Talwandi Sabo, the then Lakhi Jungle area of Punjab. Ghudda was “a sleeping
village” of the erstwhile Jungle Des throughout, but whose sons excelled in various fields
( see Appendix I ) . Ghudda is also a village of ancestors of Prakash Singh Badal, who
became Chief Minister of Punjab four times starting from March 26, 1970. ( Badal being
a village purchased by the family of Baba Ghudda from a Musalman in 1830)

Nobody in Punjab in general, and Ghudda in particular, ever imagined that the only
one Central University to be established in Punjab by the Government of India, would
have its seat in village Ghudda. ( the other University to be established by the
Government of India would be a World Class University which would be established in
Amritsar ) As per census 2001, there are 12278 inhabited villages in Punjab and out of
these Ghudda was selected for the Central University for the entire State.

Village Ghudda becoming a seat of the Central University of Punjab was not less
than a miracle. But miracles do happen, with the grace of Aimighty, in the lives of
individuals, institutions, and also in places. It had suddenly brought Ghudda on the
National Map of India and soon it will be on the International Map, it is hoped.
Metaphorically speaking “Ghudda one day slept as an unknown village, and when woke
up next morning found itself startlingly famous ”.

On Feb. 17, 2009, Prakash Singh Bada, the Chief Minister Punjab held a Sangat
Darshan programme in Ghudda , where senior officials of all departments concerned
were present. The meeting was held to assess public views before finalising the
overall development projects for the village.

The CM said that the development of Ghudda was being undertaken in view of
the Central university Project. The village would get Rs 5 crore in lieu of the chunk of
Panchayat land acquired for the University.

In the meeting, a US-based team of landscapists, PSEB Chairman, Director General,

School Education and Secretaries of various departments were present along with the
Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, and senior police officers.

With the establishment of Central University of Punjab there was a chain of

educational & other institutions coming one after the other. Now there are four Banks,
namely Cooperatve Bank, Union Bank of India, Oriental Bank of Commerce and State
Bank of Patiala. Main road is also being converted into four-lanes on which the
construction work is moving very fast. Among the other educational institutions, with the
active support of the Center, are “The Constituent College” and “The Model School”.

The Punjab Government is establishing 13 new Government Colleges in the State and
has finalized a uniform Building Layout plan for all these Colleges with the UGC Team
comprised of.Prof. (Dr.) James Thomas, Vice Chancellor of Dr. D.Y. Patil University,
Navi Mumbai, Prof. Rajesh Anand, Joint Secretary UGC, Dr. Shalini Malhotra, Associate
Prof. Physical Education, Motilal Nehru College, Delhi University South Campus, Dr.
Mani Kumar, Director Distance Education, M.S. Univaristy, Tirunalveli, Dr. RR Azad,
Principal J.V. Jain College, Saharanpur and Dr. Ramesh Verma of UGC

These Colleges are being established with the financial assistance of the Central
Government in the educationally backward districts of Punjab, Out of these five Colleges
are in Malwa Region, namely, Bathinda ( in Ghudda ), Mansa ( in Sardulgarh ), Frozepur
( in Guru Harshai ),, Fatehgarh Sahib ( in Chunni Kalan Barnala ( in Dhilwan ) ),
Mukatsar ( in Sikhwala ), Moga ( Nihalsinghwala )m Farid Kot ( in Jaito ), and Patiala
( in Ghanaur ); two in Doaba Region, namely, Nawanshahar ( in Balachaur ) and
Kapurthala ( in Mithra ); and two in Majha Region, namely, Gurdaspur ( in Narot
Jaimalsingh ) and Tarn Taaran ( in Choong )

Foundation Stone of University

College

At Ghudda on Feb. 21, 2010

The CM laid the foundation stone of a

recently approved college that would be
established jointly by the Centre and the state
government at Ghudda, his ancestral village.It
would be constructed at the cost of 8.50 Crore.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal lays the
foundation stone of a college at his native
Ghudda village near Bathinda.

When asked about the fate of a large number of foundation stones of prestigious
projects, the CM said, “We are committed to complete all projects.”

Harsimrat Kaur Badal, MP, Vice-Chancellor of the central university of Punjab, Dr

Jairup Singh, senior SAD leaders Balwinder Singh Bhunder and Sikander Singh Maluka
were among others who addressed the gathering.

Central University Vice Chancellor Dr Jai Rup Singh said four courses had al-
ready been started at the temporary campus in Bathinda, and 13 more would be st-
arted from July.

Central Model School in Ghudda

 To develop Ghudda (Bathinda) as an educational hub, Human Resources
Minister Kapil Sibal on Jan.23, 2010, gave approval to open a Central School at Ghudda
in Bathinda District. A decision to this effect was taken by Mr Sibal in a meeting with
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who called on him at his residence in Delhi
today.

During the meeting with Mr Sibal, the Chief Minister urged him to accord approval
for opening a Central School at Ghudda as the University Grants Commission had
already allotted a degree college there. Mr Badal informed the Human Resources
Minister that this Central School would act as a feeder for intake of quality students to
the already sanctioned degree college as well as the Central University.

Future- Hub of Malwa

The development in Ghudda is on the fast speed and many new projects are being
launched that it is certainly going to be the Future-Hub of Malwa Region of Punjab All
the roads of development seem to run towards Ghudda. It will be a boon to the residents
of the village and in turn they need to change their attitudes be above the small matters,
jealousies, prejudices and rivalries & contribute positively.

XIV. Alarming Situation for the Government

All is not well and we need to do a lot because many villages in Malwa Region
today are battling environment-related health problems including a noticeable rise in
cancer cases, kidney ailments and infertility as a result of large-scale use of pesticides
andfertiliser. ( fortunately so far Ghudda is free from these ailments )

The green revolution of the 1970s that brought a windfall to the farmers in terms of
prosperity is now revealing its side-effects -- large-scale environmental degradation
with the strong chemical pesticides having led to contamination of water bodies, food and
air.. This is an alarming situation for the Government to be tackled on emergency basis.
One report says that “the water is not fit to be given even to animals. The high
toxicity in the environment has affected the cattle too. Their milk yields have gone down,
and like the humans there they have developed bone problems. They do not walk
properly and the cows are not conceiving properly."
These problems are being faced by the residents of Ferozepur, Faridkot, Muktsar and
Bathinda Districts in particular. The situation is very disturbing and terrifying. The dance
of death by cancer is everywhere. Every village has faced cruelty of deaths -- young, old,
married, single, men, women, rich, poor, farmers, and labourers. Each village,
including the smaller ones, have more than 5-10 cancer cases, and cancer deaths are
taking place every year. The disease takes an economic toll on the families as they are
forced to sell their land to get the victims treated..
There are several cases of childhood arthritis, reproductive health diseases and an
alarmingly high number of childless couples. There are many kidney patients, mentally
challenged children, diabetic patients and young men with fertility problems.
The government should take necessary remedial steps on priority and also educate the
people of the effected areas. The newly established Central University should do research
in this regard which has already initiated the task by establishing “School of Environment and
Earth Studies”.
XV. My Dream I have a dream to be fulfilled… “Will-O’-the-Wisp”,,,,,,…
…………….a long way to go.

Ghudda of My Dream
( At Night )
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 Appendix I

List of those who excelled in various fields from Ghudda

1. S. Pritam Singh ‘Ghudda’[ First Police Officer from Ghudda ]

2. S. Atma Singh Dhillon [ Manager Diary Farm, Patiala State ]
3. S. Balwant Singh Dhillon [ First B.A.B.Com & Forest Supervisor Patiala State ]
4. S. Harchand Singh Dhillon [ First Capt. In Army ]
5. S. Bhag Singh Dhillon [ Capt. In Army ]
6. S. Kuldip Singh Dhillon [ First Col. In Army ]
7. S. Harnek Singh Bhullar [ Lt. Col. In Army ]
8. S. Ajaib Singh Dhillon [ Capt. In Army ]
9. S. Jagjit Singh Bhullar [ Capt. In Army ]
10. Sh. Tirath Ram Sharma [ S.D.O. ]
11. S. Gurmel Singh [ Naib Tehsildar ]
12. S. Jagir Singh [ Manager ]
13. S. Ranjit Singh Sidhu [ A.S.I. ]
14. Sh. Vijya Kumar Goyal [ Executive Officer ]
15. S. Jagtar Singh Dhillon [ Panchayt Officer ]
16. S. Pal Singh S/O Kheta S. [ B.E.O. ]
17. S. Gurmel S. S/O Kheta S. [ B.E.O. ]
18. S. Harpal Singh Dhillon [ Head Master ]
19. Dr. Daljit Kaur Dhillon/Gill [ Medical Doctor ]
20. Dr. Kasturi Lal [ S.M.O. Barnala ]
21. Dr. Puneet Pal [ in service at Delhi ]
22. Dr. Gagan Jot [ in service at Delhi ]
23. Dr. Harmohinder S. Dhillon [ in U.S.A. ]
24. Dr. Gagandip S. Dhillon [ in U.S.A. ]
25. Kritpal Singh Dhillon [ Doing MBBS in AIIMS Delhi ]
26. Sh. R. Goyal [ Eng. Poona ]
27. Sh. G.L. Sharma [ Eng. Poona ]
28. Sh. Rasham Singh [ N.F.L. Bathinda ]
29. Ramandip S. Dhillon [ M. Tech. U.S.A. ]
30. Rajveer S. Dhillon [ B. Tech. U.S.A. ]
31. Amarjit Singh Dhillon [ 1st Ph.D. from Ghudda]
 Amarjit Singh Dhillon (Dr.)
Brief-Biodata
Place of Birth : Village Ghudda, Dist. Bathinda(Pb.)
(Now a seat of Central University of Punjab)
Recorded Date of Birth : 15 December, 1935
(A) Education
1. Education upto B.A. Balbir High School &
Birjindra College, Farid Kot
2. M.A. (Pol.Sc.) Mohindra College, Patiala (1958)
3. M.A. (History) Mohindra College, Patiala (1960)
4. M.A. (Pub.Admn.) Private(Pb.Univ.Chandigarh (1964)
5. Gyani(Hons.in Punjabi) Private(Pb.Univ.Chandigarh (1953)
6. Ph.D. (Pub.Admn.) Pbi.Univ. Patiala (1987)
(B) Academic Work
1. Lecturer Guru Nanak College,
Guru Tegbahadur Garh (1960-61)
2. Lecturer Khalsa College, Patiala (1961-71)
3. Principal Khalsa College,Patiala (1971-74)
4. Director Pbi.Development Punjabi University, Patiala( 1974-93)
5. Dean of Colleges Punjabi University,Patiala (1993-97)