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Majha (romanized: Mājhā; Punjabi pronunciation: [mäˑ˩˥.dʒˑäː]; from "mañjhlā" lit. 'middle')[note 1][1] is a region located in the central parts of the historical Punjab region, presently split between the republics of Pakistan and India.[2] It extends north from the right banks[note 2] of the river Beas, and reaches as far north as left bank of the river Ravi, constituting upper half of the Bari Doab.[2]

The Majha region was partitioned between India and Pakistan in 1947. It includes four districts of Indian state of Punjab — Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot. In the Pakistani province of Punjab, the Majha region proper includes Lahore and Kasur districts. However, it is not uncommon to include the districts of Gujranwala (including Hafizabad and Wazirabad), Sialkot (including Narowal) and Sheikhupura (including Nankana Sahib) — located in the Upper Rachna Doab — in the Majha area as well.[1][3]

A map of the Punjab region c. 1947 showing the different doabs.

People of the Majha region are given the demonym "Mājhī" or "Majhail". Most inhabitants of the region speak the Majhi dialect, which is the basis of the standard register of the Punjabi language in Indian Punjab.[4] The most populous city in the area is Lahore on the Pakistani side, and Amritsar on the Indian side of the border. Majha is also the birthplace of Sikhism.[1]

History

Map of the Lahore Division in 1850–55, comprising the Districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Lahore, Sialkot, and Gujranwala, usually included in the Majha region.[1]

The Majha region is called the "Sword Arm of the Country", due to it contributing disproportionately to the Officer as well as Orderly ranks of the Armies of both India and Pakistan.[5] The Sikh Empire was founded in the Majha region, and so the region is also sometimes referred to as "the cradle of the brave Sikhs".[6]

Districts of Majha

The following districts are classified as Majha.

Majha districts of Punjab, Pakistan Majha districts of Punjab, India
Lahore Amritsar
Kasur Gurdaspur
Sialkot Tarn Taran
Gujranwala Pathankot
Narowal
Sheikhupura
Nankana Sahib
Hafizabad
Wazirabad

Tourist attractions

India

The Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar

Pakistan

Badshahi Masjid, Lahore

Notable residents Of Majha

  • Ranjit Sagar Dam, Shahpur Kandi
    Ranjit Sagar Dam, Shahpur Kandi
  • Ravi River
    Ravi River
  • Emperor Akbar crowning platform, Kalanaur-Gurdaspur, India
    Emperor Akbar crowning platform, Kalanaur-Gurdaspur, India
  • Golden Temple and the Akal Takht, Amritsar
    Golden Temple and the Akal Takht, Amritsar
  • Badshahi Mosque, Lahore
    Badshahi Mosque, Lahore
  • Lahore Fort, Lahore
    Lahore Fort, Lahore
  • Lahore Museum, Lahore
    Lahore Museum, Lahore
  • Shalimar Gardens
    Shalimar Gardens
  • Jahangir's Tomb, Lahore
    Jahangir's Tomb, Lahore

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Punjabi: ਮਾਝਾ (Gurmukhi), ماجھا (Shahmukhi)
  2. ^ The left/right bank of a river is determined by looking in the direction of flow of the river (facing downstream).

References

  1. ^ a b c d Singh, Harbans, ed. (2011). "MĀJHĀ". The Encyclopedia Of Sikhism. Vol. III M–R (Third ed.). Punjabi University Patiala. pp. 23–24. ISBN 978-8-1-7380-349-9.
  2. ^ a b Arora, Mohit; Gujarati, Ashwin; Chandel, Sumita; Pateriya, Brijendra (12 July 2023). "Assessment of River Water Dynamics and Optically Active Water Quality Parameters Over Punjab, Based on Cloud Computing Approach". In Rai, Praveen Kumar (ed.). Advances in Water Resource Planning and Sustainability. Springer Nature. p. 43. ISBN 978-981-99-3660-1. Majha is the region located in the central parts of the historical Punjab and is split between India and Pakistan. It is situated between the right bank of the river Beas and left bank of the river Ravi. Majha Region in Indian Punjab has four districts, viz., Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, and Pathankot.
  3. ^ Sharamā, Rādhā (2000). Peasantry and the State: Early Nineteenth Century Punjab. K.K. Publishers and Distributors. p. 10. ISBN 978-81-86912-03-4.
  4. ^ Advanced Centre for Technical Development of Punjabi Language, Literature and Culture, Punjabi University, Patiala Punjabi University, Patiala.
  5. ^ Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley (1996). Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants (Contemporary Ethnography), p. 153. Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania.
  6. ^ Sandhu, Gulzar Singh (2004). Gods on Trial and Other Stories, p. 132. Diamond Pocket Books. ISBN 8128808087
  7. ^ Singh, Raj Pal (1998). Banda Bahadur and His Times p. 22. Harman Pub. House, 1 Aug 1998.
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