Punjab was the first place in the Indian subcontinent where the Aryans actually decided to settle after a long period of nomad-life and fighting with the indigenous communities. This was the place where later parts of the Rigveda and other Vedas were written.
Punjab always had a strategic importance due to its position on the famous Grand Trunk Road that connected the eastern parts of India to the extreme northwest point of Taxila (now in Pakistan). This road was first constructed by Ashoka for a better administration of the north-western frontier. After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, the Indo Greeks, Guptas, and Vardhans ruled this region in succession. After the invasion of the Muslims in the 9th-10th century AD the region became an integral part of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. It was also under the Maratha rule for some time.
After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the most prominent ruler in this land was Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century. After the death of the Maharaja the Sikhs could not hold on to their territory for long and the British controlled most of the region. The Partition of India in 1947 was a turning point for this state. Most of the Muslim dominated areas went to Pakistan; while the Sikh and Hindu dominated areas remained with India. Thousands of people were killed in the wake of the Partition in crossing over from one country to the other. After independence, a new state of Punjab was created with modern day Haryana and Himachal Pradesh being a part of this state.
The main language spoken is Panjabi. Some of the population speak Hindi. The main occupation is agriculture. Industries also thrive

Guru Nanak Dev is the founder of Sikhism which was propounded over 500 years ago. Sikhism preaches devotion and remembrance of God at all times and truthful living. Guru Ji (1469-1539 AD), left an important message to the sikh community. He believed that all religions can work together as one. The Sri-Guru Granth Sahib, (The holy book), is used for practice of Akhand Path

Sight Seeing

• Ambala : Sikh pilgrim centre.
• Badkhal Lake: Picnic spot - good for boating and fishing.
• Chandigarh - Golden Temple.
• Sultanpur: Bird sanctuary for migratory birds.
• Kalesar : Wildlife sanctuary.
• Hissar : Palaces, Mosques, Fort. Is also a Livestock centre.
• Hansi : Historic town with fort and temples.
• Jhajjar : Ancient town with palace and museum
• Chakravarti Lake: Picnic spot with boating and fishing facilities
• Kurushetra: Legendary town, pilgrim centre with temples and holy tank
• Morni : Hill station and a wildlife sanctuary.
• Panipat : Historic town with Babar's mosque and Tank and Tombs
• Pehowa : Hindu pilgrim centre with Temples.
• Pinjaur: Asia's best 17th Century Gardens, Boating.
• Rohtak: Boating, Wrestling centre, Excavations.
• Sohna: Sulphur springs.
• Surajkund : Temple ruins, Forts

For further information contact:
The Tourism development corporation
Chandigarh, Punjab.