Location
The District Ferozepur is situated at India Pakistan baorder, at the east side Faridkot district, Moga district and at the south side Muktsar District is situated. On the north east the River Sutlej generally separates it from the FIROZPUR and Kapurthala districts and on the south west side the Ganganagar district of state Rajasthan touches the boundaries of Ferozepur. The united stream of the Sutlej and Beas generally separates it from the Amritsar district in the north-west, and farther down from the Pakistan with the exception of some areas on each side of the river
Area and Physiography
The total geographical area of the district is 5303 sq. km out of which 3258.78 sq. km fall under Bet area and 196.63 sq. km fall under Border area.
The topography of the district is even. It is a plane of alluvial formation sloping gently @ 2ft. per mile form the North East to the South West. The district is divided into three main belts running somewhat parallel to the course of river Sutlej. On South West side, the bet area called "Hittar" having land alluvial dark and gray clay intermixed with straits of sand. On the South East side, the Rohi and Mukhi Plains have light and sandy soil and brackish water in wells. The district has two types of soil namely chestnut brown (Alluvial)-69% and desert soil (31%)
History
Ferozepore is an ancient city situated close to the present day Indo-Pakistan border. It is believed to have been founded by Ferozeshah Tughluq in the 14th century. Another version claims that it was founded by a Bhatti chief called Feroze Khan. However, the first version is more widely accepted as Ferozeshah Tughluq had a passion for building new cities and renaming old ones especially after his own name. He claimed, "Among the many gifts which God bestowed upon me, His humble servant, was a desire to erect public buildings. So I built many mosques, colleges and monasteries, that the learned and the elders, the devout and the holy, might worship God in these edifices and aid the kind builder with their prayers."
Ferozepore's strategic position in the northwest of the country has resulted in its being part of many military expenditions in the area. During the first Anglo-Sikh war in 1845, it due to the negligence of the British commander at Ferozepore that the Khalsa was able to cross the Sutlej unopposed. When Lord Hardinge declared war on the Sikhs, the first battle was fought at Mudki, 20 miles south-east of Ferozepore. In 1838, Ferozepore was the centre from where British troops advanced to Kabul during the rist Anglo-Afghan war.
Three heroic martyrs of India's freedom struggle Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his associates Shaheed Rajguru and Shaheed Sukhdev have their final resting place on the banks of the river Sutlej in Ferozepur. On March 23, 1931, despite popular protest, these three heros were executed in Lahore and were stealthily cremated in the dead of night near Ferozepore. They were killed for raising the flag of revolutionary terrorism against the British, displaying their deep patriotism and defiance for the foreign rulers till the very end.
Today, a Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial marks the spot and every year on March 23, thousands of people gather to pay homage of these noble heroes. Ferozepore has another historical memorial, the Saragarhi Gurudwara, commemorating the sacrifice of 21 Sikh soldiers who perished at Saragarhi in Baluchistan. On 12 September, every year, people gather here to pay tribute to the heroic soldiers and celebrate Saragarhi Day. The memorial service also provides an occasion for exservicemen to have a reunion.
Into the sands of time and beyond
FEROZEPUR, one may assume, is the most unlikely place for a tourist to visit but it has many pleasant surprise to throw at you. You have vast tracts of land with historical, religious and ecological significance to explore. Ferozepur is located centrally on the western fringes of the present day Punjab. Resting on the banks of river Sutlej, the town shares 200 km long border with Pakistan. Once a rich, flourishing and populous town it now wears an agrarian look and is devoid of any major industry. Ferozepur was one of the richest districts of undivided Punjab. The two world wars and the partition in 1947 broke the social and economic fabric of the region. The people of Ferozepur are known for their heroic deeds and unflinching support to the cause of the nation and also for their traditional hospitality. The physiographic of the area is marked by the large alluvium deposited by river Sutlej which used to be very furious during rainy season. Ferozepur witnessed many devastating floods till the mighty river Sutlej was tamed with the diversion of waters into canals of Nangal, Ropar, Harike and Hussainiwala making the stream a semi-dry bed today. The area is sparsely wooded, thanks to the continuous increase in the area of cultivation. Ferozepur can boast of little wild life but rich avi-fauna. The wandering visitor and a relaxing tourist need not wonder if encountered by a variety of avian species such as black partridge, grey partridge, imperial or black bellied sand goose, bad headed goose, gadwall, red-crested pochard and blue pigeon, which are very common, and whopper swan, great Indian bustard, quail, whistling teal, marbled duk and green pigeon, which can be spotted occasionally.
Owing to its strategic location between north – western frontier and the main land, Ferozepur witnessed many battles and the frequenting invaders entering Indian Sub-Continent through Baluchistan or Khyber/Bolan Passes traversing through the plains of Punjab and finally culminating at Delhi. The general route followed by the marauding invaders was Lahore, Kasur, Ferozepur, Bathinda, Panipat and Delhi.
The land of martyrs, now struggling to progress, holds many colourful melas and big fairs on different occasions. The fairs and melas are the occasions to celebrate, sing and dance. Bhangra and Giddha are the two most popular fold dances which the people are ready to break into at every opportunity. Malwai Giddha of Fazilka performed by a group consisting of young and the old has its own charm.
Feozepur is believed to have been founded in fourteenth century by Feroz Shah Tuglaq, who was a passionate city founder. According to some, Ferozepur was founded in the middle of sixteenth century by Feroze Khan, a Manj Rajput. However, the first version is widely accepted. Little is known about the ancient history of Ferozepur as it finds no mention in the early records. The origin of the present villages and towns can be traced from the region of Akbar only. The relics of antiquity, that might have existed, have been washed away as the area was submerged several times by the river Sutlej. The large mounds of earth and the debris of bricks or pottery, called ‘thehs’ , often along the upper bank of the river bank was inhabited in the ancient time. Probably this region was occupied by Malavas and Kshudrakas in the early period of history. Accorind to Greek sources, Alexander the great had a bitter struggle was Malavas. After the departure of Greeks, this place became a part of Mauryan empire. Later on, the Kang tribe occupied this region which remained under them till it was conquered by the Bhatti Rajputs. ‘Ain-e-Akbari’ mentions Ferozepur as the centre of the large paragana attached to the Suba of Lahore.
The ascendancy of Sikhs dated from 1758 when they defeated Adina Beg, the mughal governor of Lahore. The prominent among the Sikhs who controlled Ferozepur region were Hari Singh Bhangi, Gujjar Singh, Gurbaksh Singh, Dhanna Singh and Lachhman Kaur. The last of the Sikhs – Sardarni Lachhman Kaur died issueless in 135 and the entire estate lapsed to the British government.
The dream of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the most powerful of all those who ruled Punjab, to control Ferozepur, remained unfulfilled and his treaty of Amritsar with the British signed in the year 1809 restrained him from crossing the river Sutlej which was fixed as his eastern boundary.
Ferozepur was the acme of prosperity before Independence but the partition however sounded a death knell to all its hopes. Ferozepur can not all claim to be industrially advanced nor it cant boast of any well established old time industry. The Pre eminence of this town lies in agriculture. The genius of people did not go towards industries before Independence and after Independence; it became a border district, with the usual handicaps. There have, however, existed, some cottage and village industries such as pottery, leather tanning, handloom weaving, phulkari work, and enameling and saltpeter preparation in the district which are common in other Punjab villages also. Trades like sirki moora making, wood work, shoe making, pawa making, carpentry and blacksmithy are still carried in Ferozepur. In the name of industrial development, only few Rice Mills and Sheller industry have mushroomed over the years. Fazilka Tehsil was once known for ban making. Desi Juthis of Fazilka prepared in artistic design with Zari and tilla, are still in great demand.
Ferozepur is dotted with a number of holy shrines, historical places and memorials in and around it. The Ferozepur town was on surrounded by a circular wall with many gates like Delhi Gate, Mjori Gate, Baghdadi Gate, Zira Gate, Makhu Gate, Bansanwala Gate, Amritsari Gate, Kasuri Gate, Multani Gate and Magazine Gate. Out of these Baghdadi and Multani Gates still exist. The old town is divided into two parts by the Main Bazar, which runs from the Delhi Gate in the South to the Bansawala Bazar in the North. A circular road girdles the main town, which is surrounded on all sides by suburbs.
You can hardly find any traces of the old fort of the city. The fort was probable built in the time of Feroze Shah Tughlaq but nothing except a mound with a Mahammedan tomb on it remains now. The Tomb of Noor Shah Wali, a Mohammedan Saint, situated opposite the old tehsil office, where an old age home for the blind is run now, marks the site.
Rani-ka-Talaab (the tank of queen) named after Lachhman Kaur and was getting water right from river Sutlej through a tunnel is lying dry today and is used as a play ground by the school children. A NRI, Mr. Bhagwant Rai Nandragog has built a beautiful garden, “Gian Devi Vatika” in memory of his wife at this site. The ‘Sanadgus’ of Lachhman Kaur and her husband Sardar Dhanna Singh are located near the tank.
Ferozepur Cantonment, one of the oldest cantonments, was established in 1838 by Sir Henry Lawrence, who was posted here as the Assistant Political Agent. Today it is proud to be one of the oldest Cantonments of the country with an invaluable and enviable heritage of buildings, both of historical and architectural importance like Saragarhi Memorial, Barki Square, Mamdot Fort, Anglo Sikh war memorial to name a few.
The Fort in the Cantonment was constructed in 1810 in a area of 65 acres. The British occupied this fort treacherously and converted it into a garrison in 1839. Surrounded by a huge stone wall, a big bund made of mud and a deep trench the fort now houses some army units including the ordnance unit. Most of the massive building and the magazine constructed by the British inside the fort are still intact.
The Ferozepur Club, whose foundation stone was laid by Major S M Routh on the June 26, 1925 was shifted to its present building in 1971. This club affiliated to the best clubs in the country is an evening rendezvous for the elites of the town.
Saragarhi Gurdwara was built to commemorate the heroic martyrdom of 21 soldiers who died one by one without surrendering to the enemy in defence of Saragarhi post of Baluchistan on 12th September, 1897. The gurdwara, circular in shape and located in a well laid out park, is unique for its marvelous style of architecture. Every year on September 12, the Saragarhi Day is celebrated and thousands of people flock here to pay tribute to the heroic soldier.
Near Saragarhi gurdwara and located on the GT Road is the Dargah of Hazrat Sher Shah Wali, also known as Pir Baba. Thousands of devotees drawn from all religious throng this place, especially on every Thursday. It is believed that continuous prayers at this Dargah leads to the fulfillment of one’s desires.
Barki Memoral, Sehjra Memorial, and the world war memorials near the palatial Flag Staff House on the Mall are others memorials built in the memory of soldiers who laid down their lives in different wars.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, the cantonment is a heaven for peace loving people. The Mall, a straight and long road flanked by full of greenery and old heritage buildings with spic and span lawns inside their sprawling compounds, is a walker’s delight. The neat and clean roads, beautiful gardens, cool and calm walks in the mornings and evenings the visiting exotic birds and the peaceful and pollution free atmosphere makes the life in the cantonment really a privileged one.
On the banks of river Sutlej is the memorial of the three national martyrs – Bhagat Singh, Rajgurr and Sukhdev, who smilingly embraced martyrdom for their motherland on 23re March 1931 when they were executed at Lahore for revolting against the oppressive British government. The dead bodies of the martyrs were cremated in the dark hours at this place. The memorial was built to immortalize the irrepressible revolutionary spirit of three martyrs. On 23rd March every year a fair is held at this place and thousands of people gather here to pay their homage to the great martyrs who made supreme sacrifice for the sake of the country’s freedom.
The Indo – Pak war memorial, built by the Punjab Government in 1976, is located at Ferozeshah, 16 kilometer from Ferozepur at Moga Road. The memorial was built in memory of the Sikh warriors who laid down their lives in the First Anglo – Sigh war which saw action at Mudki on 18th December, 1845 at Ferozeshah on 21st December, 1845 and at Sabrao on 10th February 1846. The Sikhs lost the war because of treachery of their Generals (Dhian Singh, Gulab Singh, Lal Singh and Teja Singh). The treaty of Lahore, signed after the first Anglo Sikh War, made the Britishers the real masters of Punjab. The memorial a three storeyed imposing building resting on the banks of Rajasthan Canal, houses of the musem which displays the portraits of important historical personalities, the battle scenes and the weapons used in those days.
You can visit the historical Gurdwara Gurusar, built in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh at Bazidpur, situated seven Kilometers from Ferozepur cantonment. It is said that the Guru rested at this place on his way after the battle of Muktsar. The Jand tree on which the Guru tied his horse still exists. The gurdwara and the tank were built by the erstwhile rules of Faridkot. A big fair is held here on Basant Panchami.
The majestic Shwestamber Jain Temple at Zira, 36 kilometer fro Ferozepur, is worth visiting. Built on 1980, the temple is dedicated to Parsavanath, the twenty third Tirthankara. It is a three storeyed structure with a height of the temple. The life of Jain Tirthankarais depicted through paintings on the walls of the temple. The brass idols in the temple are older than twelve hundred years and the main idol, which was brought from Palitana in Gujrat, is believed to be very old and sacred.
The highlight of Ferozepur tour is surely a visit to Harike wet land located about 55 kilometers from Ferozepur. One of the six wet lands of international repute in India. Harike is a paradise for as many as 360 species of birds and offers a visual treat to the bird lovers during November to March when thousands of migratory birds from Central Asia and Siberia visit this lake.
The tourism potential of the area remained sub merged due to non – publicity and lack of tourist infra – structure facilities like accommodation and transport. Virtually there is no good place to stay for tourist who has to manage with several Rest Houses like PWD Rest House, Panchayat Bhawan, Sainik Rest House, Canal Rest House. Few budget hotels have come up recently where one can have a comfortable stay during his visit to this historic town.
This information has been taken from http://ferozepur.nic.in