Bathinda City: A Study of Glorious History

Bathinda City: A Study of Glorious History

Author Name : Dr Sukhjit Kaur

ABSTRACT

The city of Bathinda has a unique history. It has been known by  different names at different times such as Bikramgarh, Gobindgarh, Bhattiwind (village of Bhattis),and with the passage of time, was ultimately referred to as Bathinda. The place where the city of Bathinda is situated was completely a forest track before the Bhattis became master of this area. The popular and the old fort of Bathinda is said to be built by Raja Dab, ancestor of king Bineypal. Bathinda was renamed the capital of kings; and several chiefs took shelter in the fort of Bathinda, namely Mahmud, Mohammad Ghori, Qutub-Din-Abiak, Nasiruddin Qabacha,  Razia Sultan, Altania, Baba, Ala Singh(the founder of Patiala city). Bathinda city as a district came into existence in 1948 with the formation PEPSU. This city has affinity with different  nations and invaders. To get the clarity of these things, it is to urgent to write the history of this significant place. Earlier, this city was counted in backward places but since independence, many changes have taken place which certify that this town has developed or got a special position in different fields such as education ,science, trade and industry. It is surprising, how this city got the name ‘city of lakes’ by erasing its name from the queue of regressive places.  Bathinda has become an educational hub and also caters to the medical requirements of the people. Today, this city has become an attractive tourist place. All the tourists who visit Punjab mostly visit Bathinda. Yet there are many obstacles in the development of this place.The government officials have tried launching many projects to try out and examine those assignments which are under process, mean the ones which are expected to emerge and transform this city in all aspects, especially all those modifications which occurred from 1948 to 2011 . So, this study tends to cover the major changes that have happened during 1948 to 2011.

Methodology : The study of this plan of action is mainly based on the available main material content.The main content was found in the Archaeological department of Punjab , Chandigarh, Archaeological Survey of India,Visit of historical places in Bathinda,Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha Library , Punjabi University,patiala. From these places many of these scholars, writers ,art, old fils ,newspapers etc. have been presented.

Conclusion : The findins of the study reveal,the city of Bathinda has a vast history. It was established in the 9^th or 10^th century by Raja Dhab who was the ancestor of Benipal during the time of Kanishk. Various rulers ruled over this and there is also a reference given to the city's population, castes, tribes, the area covered, the trends in development, the historical buildings which were the sources of attraction for general public, and transportation facilities. We will now discuss about the historical buildings and the social, economic, political and religious situations of this city in detail which will help us to gain insight in further depth about the history of this city.

Keywords :unique, ultimately, independence, Bathinda ,historical places ,attractive ,modifications