Malerkotla Information & Malerkotla Links at HealthHaven.com

**Malerkotla**
	Malerkotla
	Malerkotla Location of Malerkotla; in Punjab and India
Coordinates	30°31′00″N 75°53′00″E / 30.5167°N 75.8833°E
Country	India
State	Punjab
District(s)	Chandigarh
Population	106,802 (2001)
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area; • Elevation	; • 242 m (794 ft)
• Pincode	• 148023
Website	[http://[2] [3]]

Malerkotla (Punjabi: ਮਲੇਰਕੋਟਲਾ, مالیرکوٹلہ; Hindi: मलेरकोटला) is a city and a municipal council in Sangrur district in the Indian state of Punjab. It was the seat of the eponymous princely state during the British Raj. The state acceded unto the union of India in 1947 and was merged with other nearby princely states to create the Patiala and East Punjab States' Union (PEPSU).

When that political entity was reorganised in 1956, the territories of the erstwhile state of Malerkotla became part of Punjab.^[1]

[edit] History

Malerkotla, a Muslim state, ruled by Sherwanis of Turk origin. Maler Kotla state was founded in 1600. It is a historic fact that during the 1947 riots when Punjab was in flames, the State of Malerkotla did not witness a single incident of violence; through it all, it remained a lone island of peace.^[2]

Malerkotla in the district map of Sangrur, Punjab

The origin of this rare occurrence dates back to 1705, when the younger sons of 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, were ordered to be bricked alive by the governor of Sirhind, Wazir Khan, his close relative, Sher Mohammed Khan, Nawab of Malerkotla, who was present in the court, lodged vehement protest against this inhuman act and said it is against the glorious tenets of Quran and Islam ^[3]. Wazir Khan nevertheless had the Sahibzadas tortured and bricked into a section of wall while still alive. At this the noble Nawab of Malerkotla walked out of the court in protest.

Guru Gobind Singh on learning this kind and humanitarian approach profusely thanked the Nawab of Malerkotla and blessed him with his Hukamnama, Kirpan etc. In recognition of this act, the State of Malerkotla did not witness a single incident of violence during partition.

During the partition of India, the Ruling Family of Sheikh Sadr-ud-Din Sherwani migrated to Pakistan and living mostly in Model Town, Lahore, Muzzafargarh, Khangarh.^[4] Though many also contribute this peace to the presence of the shrine of 'Baba Haidar Sheikh', the Sufi saint, who founded the town of Malerkotla more than 500 years ago.

Baba Haider Sheikh.jpg

^[5]

[edit] Education

To facilitate the oriental scholars, Punjabi University, Patiala, decided to establish an Institute of higher learning in this field in the 'Urdu Town of Punjab' i.e. Malerkotla named after one of the founders of Malerkotla Estate, Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan. The Nawab Sher Mohd. Khan Institute of Advanced Studies in Urdu, Persian and Arabic,^[6] provides the facilities of higher research in the area of Urdu/Persian Languages and Literature up to the level of PhD. Besides regular classes of M.A. (Persian), Certificate courses (Urdu, Persian and Arabic), PGDCA (1 year) and CCA (6 months) certificate in computer application, Computer Courses are also being run.

Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan Institute of Advanced Studies, Malerkotla

Govt. College, Malerkotla

Today Malerkotla is the only place in Indian Punjab that has a Muslim population. 55% percent of the residents of Malerkotla are Muslims with sufficient Sikh and Hindu population. Due to the Muslim majority in Malerkotla in schools across Malerkotla Urdu is taught alongside Punjabi and Hindi.

[edit] Important places

Some of the important places in Malerkotla include the Shrine of 'Baba Haidar Sheikh'. A fair is held every Thursday which is largely attended by people who come from villages around Malerkotla and some even come from distant places in Punjab. The major fair however is held once a year and it is generally a 4 day event. Sheesh Mahal, a palace used as a residence of the Nawab(the ruler) in the past is another historical monument worth seeing in Malerkotla. Its name come from the extensive usage of glass in the construction and interior decoration of the palace. Mubarak Palace and Moti Bazar are the other two places worth visiting that are of historical importance. Besides these historical monuments, The Eid Gah is one of the modern pieces of architecture that represents the Muslim culture and also gives a glimpse of the impact of Mughal art and tradition.

[edit] Villages

Binjoki Khurd village of City Malerkotla Binjoki khurd is the village of 19th century. It is located in the tehsil Malerkotla in the state of Punjab (India). It is located 5 km away from Malerkotla city in the north side. This village is popular for its growth toward eduction in every field. The village is linked to Khanna and Patiala highways via four link roads. Total population of Binjoki Khurd is 1995 according to census of 2005. The total voting population is 1337 as per voter lists of 2007.

[edit] Famous people from Malerkotla

Bobby Jindal, son of former Malerkotla residents Amar and Raj Jindal is the Governor of Louisiana. Jindal was elected with over 53% of the vote on 20 October, 2007. He assumed the Governor's mansion in January 2008.
Begum Aizaz Rasul, was born into the princely house of Malerkotla and was a leader of the opposition in India's first parliament, and the only Muslim woman to be member of the Constituent Assembly of India.
Presently Razia Sultana, is a MLA (Member Legislative Assembly) of this constituency seat from Indian National Congress Party, She is the only MLA from this constituency who won the election for second term in row after the independence, people believe the reason for her success is because of her dedicated work for the massive development of Malerkotla.

Saeed Jaffrey, actor
Irshad Kamil: There is another popular personality from Maler Kotla, Irshad Kamil', he is famous poet and lyrics writer in hindi films. He is the youngest son of Mrs. Iqbal Bano Qureshi & Mohd. Siddique Qureshi, born in famous Sheikhan wala mohalla of Maler Kotla. He grew up here and studied in SDPP High school Maler Kotla till 10th standard. Then he joined Government College Maler Kotla for his graduation. He started writing during his college days. After completing his graduation in Hindi literaure, he joined Punjab University, Chandigarh for his masters’ degree. Then he started his Ph.d. and earned doctorate in 1995. He matured as writer during his years at Punjab University. Then he shifted to Mumbai and started writing for Television (serials like Chhoti Maa, Dhadkan, Kahan se Kahan Tak, Sanjeevani etc.) and got married to Kazima Khan & they have 3 years old son named Kamraan Kamil. Irshad got his first chance as lyricist in the film “Socha Na Tha” released in 2004. His career started shaping with hit songs from films like Chameli, Karam, Neal n Nicky, Dhol, Shabd, Ahista Ahista. Then came the big hit of the year 2007 ‘Jab We Met’. The songs of JWM became a rage throughout India & all over world. With every film he climbed another rung of popularity. His recent hit film is Love Aaj Kal (LAK)(2009). His forth coming films are Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani, Hook Ya Crook, De Dhana Dhan, Do Paise Ki Dhoop Chaar Aane Ki Barish, Tum Milo To Sahi, Kuchh Love Jaisa, Action Replay, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge, Khatta Meetha and Love U Mom of Dharma production.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[7] Malerkotla had a population of 106,802. In the Indian Punjabi city of Malerkotla, sixty-five percent of the total population is Muslim and out of this population, twenty percent are Punjabi Pathan and the rest are predominantly Sikh.^[8] Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Malerkotla has an average literacy rate of 55%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 61%, and female literacy is 49%. In Malerkotla, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Transport

Malerkotla lies on Ludhiana–Dhuri railway line, while the nearest airport is Ludhiana Airport.

[edit] References

^ Malerkotla Punjab at www.india9.com.
^ A people's gratitude The Sikh Review, Issue No. 14, November 2003.
^ [1]
^ Malerkotla Muslims.. The India Express, August 14 1997.
^ The Legend of Malerkotla: A Tale from the Punjab (2004) 48 min, DVD, ISBN 978-0-8026-0761-4.
^ Urdu academy for Malerkotla The Indian Express, January 20, 1999.
^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
^ "Study of the Pathan Communities in four States of India". Khyber. http://www.khyber.org/articles/2007/StudyofthePathanCommunitiesinF.shtml. Retrieved 2007-06-07.

Razia’s Sultanate http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070228/ldh1.htm

[edit] Further reading

Kinship and the Political Order: The Afghan Sherwani Chiefs of Malerkotla (1454-1947), Contributions to Indian Sociology, Vol. 28, No. 2, 203–241 (1994).[4]

[edit] External links

jaggu 9815472220

[0] Malerkotla Punjab at www.india9.com.

[1] A people's gratitude The Sikh Review, Issue No. 14, November 2003.

[2] [1]

[3] Malerkotla Muslims.. The India Express, August 14 1997.

[4] The Legend of Malerkotla: A Tale from the Punjab (2004) 48 min, DVD, ISBN 978-0-8026-0761-4.

[5] Urdu academy for Malerkotla The Indian Express, January 20, 1999.

[6] "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.

[Khyber-_Pathan_Communities_in_India-7] "Study of the Pathan Communities in four States of India". Khyber. http://www.khyber.org/articles/2007/StudyofthePathanCommunitiesinF.shtml. Retrieved 2007-06-07.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

Contents