Gurdaspur District is a northern district of Punjab. It falls in the Jalandhar division and is placed between Ravi River and Beas Rivet. Gurdaspur is the district headquarters. Gurdaspur District lies between north latitude 31 degree 36 minutes and 32 degree 34 minutes and east longitude 74 degrees 56 minutes and 75 degree 24 minutes. This district shares common boundaries with Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir in the north, Chamba and Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh in the north-east, Hoshiarpur district in the south-east, Kapurthala district in the south, Amritsar district in the south west and Pakistan in the north-west.
History of Gurdaspur District
Gurdaspur District was formed by Guriya Ji. Early history of Gurdaspur District is not very clear. However, it states that Gurdaspur District was ruled by Jayapal and Anandpal of Shahi dynasty. Kalanaur, a town in this district, was attacked twice in 14th and 16th centuries AD. Gurdaspur District saw the rise of Sikh power in the region. After the independence of the country, majority of the Muslim population went to Pakistan.
Geography of Gurdaspur District
The major geographical features of Gurdaspur District include vast hilly terrains, undulating plain lands and flood plains.
Geography of Gurdaspur District includes two main rives - Ravi River and Beas River. Northern region of Gurdaspur District lies in the bottom of Shivalik hills. Topography of Gurdaspur District comprises similar features as that of Ropar and Hoshiarpur districts. Geography of Gurdaspur District is characterized by two main seasons- summer and winter. In this district of Punjab, maximum rain is received in the month of July. Geography of Gurdaspur District basically includes alluvial soil and soils with a loamy texture.
Education in Gurdaspur District
Educational facilities in Gurdaspur District are quite good. There are around 119 Government Senior Secondary Schools, 125 Government High Schools and 240 Government Middle Schools. There are several degree colleges like Bearing Union Christian College, Sikh National College, M.S.D.R.S.D. College, Govt. College, Gurdaspur, Govt. College, and more.
Tourism in Gurdaspur District
Tourism in Gurdaspur District mainly includes visits to its various shrines and Gurudwaras. Gurdaspur District is known for its ancient temples and Gurudwaras and it generally offers pilgrimage tourism to its travellers. The main attractions of Gurdaspur District are Mahakaleshwar Temple at Kalanaur, Barath Sahib, Dera Baba Nanak, Achal Sahib, Achaleshwar Temple, Gurudwara Sri Kandh Sahib, Dhianpur Shrine, Mukeshwar Temple at Shahpur Kandi, Pandori Dham Temple, Shrine of Dhianpur Sri Baba Lal Dyal Ji and Gurudwara Chola Sahib Dera Baba Nanak. One of the main attractions of Gurdaspur District is Takht - I - Akbari, the coronation site of Mughal Emperor Akbar (1556 - 1605 AD). He was coroneted as the Emperor of Hindustan on 14th February 1556 AD. Akbar the great Mughal Emperor 1556 - 1605 was coronated at a place situated at a distance of 2 Kms East of Kalanaur.
Chhinjh Mela and Baisakhi fair are two of the prominent attractions of Gurdaspur District.
