Mansa District was formed on 13th of April, 1992 from the erstwhile district of Bathinda. Mansa is the district administrative headquarters. Mansa District is spread over 2,174 sq kms, having a total population of 6, 88,630 as per 2001 census accounting for 2.9 percent of the total population of Punjab. Mansa District is surrounded by Bathinda District in the northwest, by Sangrur District in the east and by Sirsa District of Haryana in the south. Administration of Mansa District has three sub-divisions namely Mansa, Budhlada and Sardulgarh. It has five development blocks - Mansa, Bhikhi, Budhlada, Sardulgarh and Jhunir.
History of Mansa District
Mansa is said to have been founded by Bhai Gurdas who hailed from Dhingar. Legend says that he is said to have been married at this place. Once he came to his in-laws to take his wife along with him but they refused to send her. At this, Bhai Gurdas started meditation in front of their house. After some time, parents of the girl agreed to send their daughter with Bhai Gurdas. But he refused to take her along with him, stating that he had now renounced the worldly way of life. In his memory, his Samadhi was constructed where a fair is held every year in March-April.
Geography of Mansa District
Ghaggar River flows through the entire district of Mansa. The climate of Mansa District is more or less typical like that of Punjab plains. It is extremely hot and dry in summer. Summer begins in March and temperature goes up to 45 degree Celsius in June. Hot winds and dust storms are prevalent during summer season. Monsoon sets in the 1st week of July and continues till mid September. It is extremely cold in winter. Mainly sandy soil is found in Mansa District. The land is predominately plain except few land dunes.
Economy of Mansa District
Agriculture forms the backbone of the economy. During the months of November and December one can witness the pristine, milky white bloom of cotton throughout the region. Industrially, Mansa District is very deficient, yet some trade and industry is being carried out in urban areas
Education in Mansa District
Mansa town has two degree Colleges, namely Government Nehru Memorial Post Graduate College and S.D. Kanya Mahavidyala College. Further, it has three Senior Secondary Schools, around 90 High Schools, one Middle School and one Primary School. There is a District Library too.
Mansa District has proper healthcare facilities like for instance it has civil hospital and several dispensaries.