Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday announced historically significant Malerkotla, a Muslim-dominated area, as the state’s 23rd district.
The Chief Minister, who made the announcement while greeting the Muslims on the auspicious occasion of Eid, said that he has “ordered to immediately locate a suitable site for the district administrative complex”.
“Happy to share that on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, my Govt has announced Malerkotla as the newest district in the state. The 23rd district holds huge historical significance. Have ordered to immediately locate a suitable site for the district administrative complex,” he tweeted.
Malerkotla is about 43 km south of Ludhiana and 30 km north of Sangrur. It lies on the Ludhiana-Sangrur road.
Malerkotla, a Muslim majority state, was established in 1454 AD by Sheikh Sadruddin-i-Jahan from Afghanistan and was ruled by his Sherwani descendants.
The state of Malerkotla was established in 1600 AD. During the 1947 riots when Punjab was in flames, Malerkotla did not witness a single incident of violence; through it all, it remained a lone island of peace.
Malerkotla, which was merged with Punjab in 1956, is famous in the field of agriculture and the vegetables produced here are marketed throughout the state.
Besides, a large number of small-scale industrial units, including the manufacturing units of cycle parts and agricultural implements, are functioning Malerkotla.
Malerkotla is situated on Delhi-Jakhal-Dhuri-Ludhiana Railway line. The nearest railway junctions are Dhuri - 18 kilometers and Ludhiana - 45 kilometers. The nearest airport is Ludhiana Airport.