Jalandhar History, India

Jalandhar happened to be the capital of the state of Punjab, India in olden days. Jalandhar was called as Jullundur before it was renamed to Jalandhar. This city happens to be one of those rare cities of India that have maintained their historical culture even when they are modernizing themselves due to the changing world.

Mentions of Jalandhar are documented to the times of Kanishka who hailed from the Kushan tribe. It is said that a group of some followers of Buddha were found near the city of Jalandhar somewhere around 100 AD. This mention has given Jalandhar and the neighboring city of Multan (now in Pakistan) the tag of the oldest city found in the history of Punjab.

Even Alexander the great was said to have created its territory in Doab of Jalandhar (which happens to be the region that surrounds Sutlej and Beas River). Alexander is said to have founded the city named Alexandria nearby the region and also created huge pillars to mark his presence. He left many migrants from Macedonia in this region.

Famous Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang is said to have visited Jalandhar somewhere in the 7th century. Harsha Vardhana was the ruler of the India in those days and Raja Utito was the ruler of Trigartta (the Kingdom of Jalandhar).

Another Chinese traveler Fa Hien visited India somewhere between the years of 399 to 411 C.E. He mentions that he found many Buddhism Viharas during those days in India. Around 50 Buddhism Viharas were located in Jalandhar Doab. It is said that there were 6 Buddhist councils in India and out of these 6 the fourth Buddhist Council was held in the city of Jalandhar. This occurred during the rule of King Kanishka somewhere in 1st century A.D.

Until 1019 AD, the district of Jalandhar was part of the Kingdom of Punjab and during those times Jalandhar was a very famous city of that region. Durranis made Maharaja Ghamand Chandra (who belonged to the Dynasty of Katoch) the first Nizam of Jalandhar (or the first Rajput of Jalandhar). Before the partition, in 1947 there were many inhabitants of the Rajput dynasty living in and around the city of Jalandhar. During the partition, many migrant Rajputs either traveled to some other safer country or settled in Pakistan.