name	Punjab
official name
native name	پنجاب
native name lang	ur
type	Province
map caption	Location of Punjab in Pakistan
coordinates display	inline,title
subdivision type	Country
subdivision name
parts style	para
parts type	Largest city
p1	Lahore
established title	Established
established date	1 July 1970
seat type	Capital
seat	Lahore
blank name sec1	Main Language(s)
blank info sec1	Non-official languages: Punjabi, Saraiki, Mewati, Pothowari, Hindko, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi
blank name sec2	Assembly seats
blank info sec2	371
blank1 name sec2	Districts
blank1 info sec2	36
blank3 name sec2	Tehsils/Towns
blank3 info sec2	127
government type	Province
governing body	Provincial Assembly
leader title	Governor
leader name	Latif Khosa (PPP)
leader title1	Chief Minister
leader name1	Shahbaz Sharif (PML (N))
unit pref	Metric
area total km2	205,344
population total	81,330,531
population as of	2010
population density km2	auto
timezone1	PKT
utc offset1	+5
website	punjab.gov.pk
footnotes	}}

Punjab (Punjabi: : ) is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 56% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir (Azad Kashmir, Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir, India) to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the south, the province of Balochistan to the southwest, the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the west, and the Islamabad Capital Territory to the north. The Punjab is home to the Punjabis and various other groups. The main languages are Punjabi and Saraiki and the dialects of Mewati and Potowari. The name Punjab derives from the Persian words ''Panj'' () (''Five''), and ''Āb'' () (''Water''), i.e. ''(the) Five Waters'' - referring to five tributaries of the Indus River from which is also the origin of the name of "India" - these being Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, that flow through the larger Punjab.

Punjab is the most developed, most populous, and most prosperous province of Pakistan. Lahore has traditionally been the capital of Punjab for a thousand years; it is Punjab's main cultural, historical, administrative and economic center. Historically, the Punjab region has been the gateway to the Indian subcontinent for invaders who came from Greece, Central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan. Due to its stategic location, it has been part of various empires and dynasties throughout history, including the Indus Valley Civilization, Aryans, Kushans, Scythians, Greeks, Persians, Arabs, Turks, Ghaznavids, Timurids, Mughals, Afghans, Sikhs and the British.

The Greeks referred to Punjab as ''Pentapotamia'', an inland delta of five converging rivers. In Avesta, the sacred text of Zoroastrians, the Punjab region is associated with the ancient ''hapta həndu'' or Sapta Sindhu, the Land of Seven Rivers. The British used to call Punjab ''"Our Prussia."''

Etymology

The word ''Punjab'' is a combination of the Indo-Iranian words ''panj'' (''five'') and ''āb'' (''water''), thus the (land of) ''five rivers''. The five rivers are the tributaries of the Indus River namely Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. Sometimes, in English, there can be a definite article before the name i.e. ''the Punjab''. The name is also sometimes spelt as ''Panjab'' or ''Panjaab'' or ''Punjaab''. From the Himalayas they all end up in the down-stream of Panjnad, eventually to the Arabian Sea.

History

Ancient history

Punjab during Mahabharata times was known as Panchanada. Punjab was the cradle of the Indus Valley Civilization, more than 4000 years old. The main site of the Indus Valley Civilization in Punjab was the city of Harrapa. The Indus Valley Civilization spanned much of what is today Pakistan and eventually evolved into the Indo-Aryan civilization. The arrival of the Indo-Aryans led to the flourishing of the Vedic civilization along the length of the Indus River. This civilization shaped subsequent cultures in South Asia and Afghanistan. Although the archaeological site at Harappa was partially damaged in 1857 when engineers constructing the Lahore-Multan railroad used brick from the Harappa ruins for track ballast, an abundance of artifacts have nevertheless been found. Punjab was part of the great ancient empires including the Gandhara Mahajanapadas, Mauryas, Kushans and Hindu Shahi. Agriculture flourished and trading cities (such as Multan and Lahore) grew in wealth. The Aryans invaded Punjab between 1500 B.C. and 500 B.C.; they called Punjab ''Arya-Varta'', or the land of Arya. The Rig Vedas are also supposed to have been written in Punjab.

Due to its location, the Punjab region came under constant attack and influence from the west. Invaded by the Persians, Greeks, Kushans, Scythians, Turks, and Afghans, Punjab witnessed centuries of bitter bloodshed. Its legacy is a unique culture that combines Zorastrian, Hindu, Buddhist, Persian, Central Asian, Islamic, Afghan, Sikh, and British elements. The city of Taxila, founded by son of Taksh the son Bharat who was the brother of Ram. It was reputed to house the oldest university in the world, Takshashila University, one of the teachers was the great Vedic thinker and politician Chanakya. Taxila was a great centre of learning and intellectual discussion during the Maurya Empire. It is a UN World Heritage site, valued for its archaeological and religious history.

Greeks, Central Asians, and Persians

Unique to Pakistani Punjab was that this area was repeatedly conquered into various Persian, Central Asian, and Greek empires, such as those of Tamerlane, Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan. Having conquered Drangiana, Arachosia, Gedrosia and Seistan in ten days, Alexander crossed the Hindu Kush and was thus fully informed of the magnificence of the country and its riches in gold, gems and pearls. However, Alexander had to encounter and reduce the tribes on the border of Punjab before entering the luxuriant plains. Having taken a northeasterly direction, he marched against the Aspii, mountaineers, who offered vigorous resistance but were subdued. Alexander then marched through Ghazni, blockaded Magassa, and then marched to Ora and Bazira. Turning to the northeast, Alexander marched to Pucela, the capital of the district now known as Pakhli. He entered Western Punjab, where the ancient city of Nysa was situated. A coalition was formed against Alexander by the Cathians, the people of Multan, who were very skillful in war. Alexander invested heavy troops; eventually seventeen thousand Cathians fell in this battle, and the city of Sagala (present-day Sialkot) was razed to the ground. Alexander left Punjab in 326 B.C. and took his army to Persia and Susa.

Of particular importance were the periods of contact between Punjab and various Persian Empires when the region either became a part of the empire itself, or was an autonomous region which paid taxes to the Persian king. In later centuries, when Persian was the language of the Mughal government, Persian architecture, poetry, art and music were an integral part of the region's culture. The official language of Punjab remained Persian until the arrival of the British in the mid-19th century, when the administrative language was changed to English. After 1947, Urdu, which has Persian and Sanskrit roots, became Pakistan's national language (''Qaumi Zubaan'').

Arrival of Islam

The Punjabis followed a diverse plethora of faiths, mainly comprising Hindus but with large minorities of Buddhists and Zoroastrians when the Umayyad Muslim Arab army led by Muhammad bin Qasim conquered the Punjab and Sindh in 712. During the reign of Mahmud of Ghazni, the province became an important centre and Lahore was made into a second capital of the Ghaznavid Empire based out of Afghanistan.

Mughals

The Mughals controlled the region from 1524 until 1739 and would also lavish the province with building projects such as the Shalimar Gardens and the Badshahi Mosque, both situated in Lahore. Muslim soldiers, traders, architects, theologians and Sufis flocked from the rest of the Muslim world to the Islamic Sultanate in South Asia and some may have settled in the Punjab. Following the decline of the Mughals, the Shah of Iran and founder of the Afsharid dynasty in Persia, Nader Shah crossed the Indus and sacked the province in 1739. Later, the Afghan conqueror Ahmad Shah Durrani, incidentally born in Panjab, in the city of Multan made the Punjab a part of his Durrani Empire lasting until 1762.

Afghans/Pashtuns/Pathans

The founder of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Durrani, an ethnic Pashtun (''Afghan''), was born on the outskirts of Multan, souther Panjab where many of his descendants live to this day. After cementing his authority over various Afghan tribes, he went about to establish the first united Afghan Kingdom (''Greater Afghanistan'') that during its greatest extent included modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan and northeastern Iran. The Punjab was a cultural reservoir for the Afghans, and many where attracted to its lush fertile lands, a process that continues to this very day. It has been said that with the loss of the breadbasket regions of the Punjab and Sindh, Afghanistan has never been able to achieve a stable state ever since. Many ethnic Afghan or Pashtun tribes have made Pakistan's Punjab their home over the centuries. These tribes include the Khugyanis known as Khakwanis, Alizais, Tareens, Durranis, Mullazais, Niazis, Khattaks, yousafzais, sadozais, tahirkheli, utmanzais, bangash, mashwani, Lodhis, Kakars, Kakazais, and Barakzais, to name a few.

Sikhs

At the beginning of the sixteenth century, the religion of Sikhism was born, and during the Mughal period gradually transformed into a formidable military force until assimilated into the later rising and expanding Sikh Empire. After fighting Ahmad Shah Durrani in later eighteenth century, the Sikhs wrested control of the Punjab from his descendants and ruled in a confederacy, which at the end of the eighteenth century became the Sikh Empire of the Punjab under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. A denizen of the city of Gujranwala, the capital of Ranjit Singh's empire was Lahore.

British

The Sikhs were the first people of the Punjab to rule their own land since Prithviraj Chauhan's defeat, nearly 8 centuries earlier. The Maharaja's death in the summer of 1839 brought political chaos and the subsequent battles of succession and the bloody infighting between the factions at court weakened the state. Relationships with neighbouring British territories then broke down, starting the First Anglo-Sikh War; this led to a British official being resident in Lahore and the annexation in 1849 of territory south of the Satluj to British India. After the Second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849, the Sikh Empire became the last territory to be merged into British India. Some parts of Pakistani Punjab also served as the centre of resistance in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

Independence and its aftermath

In 1947 the Punjab province of British India was divided along religious lines into West Punjab and East Punjab. Western Punjab was assimilated into the new country of Pakistan while East Punjab stayed in India. This led to massive rioting as both sides committed atrocities against fleeing refugees.

The undivided Punjab, of which Punjab (Pakistan) forms a major region today, was home to a large minority population of Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus unto 1947 apart from the Muslim majority.

At the time of independence in 1947 and due to the ensuing horrendous exchange of populations, the Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus migrated to India. Punjabi Muslims were uprooted similarly from their homes in East Punjab which now forms part of India. Approximately 7 million plus moved to Pakistan, of whom over 6 million settled in Punjab.

Recent history

Since the 1950s, Punjab industrialized rapidly. New factories came up in Lahore, Multan, Sialkot and Wah. In the 1960s the new city of Islamabad was built near Rawalpindi.

Agriculture continues to be the largest sector of Punjab's economy. The province is the breadbasket of the country as well as home to the largest ethnic group in Pakistan, the Punjabis. Unlike neighbouring India, there was no large-scale redistribution of agricultural land. As a result most rural areas are dominated by a small set of feudalistic land-owning families.

In the 1950s there was tension between the eastern and western halves of Pakistan. In order to address the situation, a new formula resulted in the abolition of the province status for Punjab in 1955. It was merged into a single province West Pakistan. In 1972, after East Pakistan seceded and became Bangladesh, Punjab again became a province.

Punjab witnessed major battles between the armies of India and Pakistan in the wars of 1965 and 1971. Since the 1990s Punjab hosted several key sites of Pakistan's nuclear program such as Kahuta. It also hosts major military bases such as at Sargodha and Rawalpindi. The peace process between India and Pakistan, which began in earnest in 2004, has helped pacify the situation. Trade and people-to-people contacts through the Wagah border are now starting to become common. Indian Sikh pilgrims visit holy sites such as Nankana Sahib.

Starting in the 1980s, large numbers of Punjabis migrated to the Middle East, Britain, Spain, Canada and the United States for economic opportunities, forming the large Punjabi diaspora. Business and cultural ties between the United States and Punjab are growing.

Geography

Punjab is Pakistan's second largest province at after Balochistan and is located at the northwestern edge of the geologic Indian plate in South Asia. The capital and largest city is Lahore which was the historical capital of the wider Punjab region. Other important cities include Multan, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Jhelum and Rawalpindi. Undivided punjab is home to six rivers, of which five flow through Pakistani Punjab. From west to east, these are: the Indus, Jhelum, Beas, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej. Nearly 60% of Pakistan's population lives in the Punjab. It is the nation's only province that touches every other province; it also surrounds the federal enclave of the national capital city at Islamabad.This geographical position and a large multi-ethnic population strongly influence Punjab's outlook on National affairs and induces in Punjab a keen awareness of the problems of the Pakistan's other important provinces and territories. In the acronym ''P-A-K-I-S-T-A-N'', the P is for ''PUNJAB''.

The province is a mainly a fertile region along the river valleys, while sparse deserts can be found near the border with Rajasthan and the Sulaiman Range. The region contains the Thar and Cholistan deserts. The Indus River and its many tributaries traverse the Punjab from north to south.

The landscape is amongst the most heavily irrigated on earth and canals can be found throughout the province. Weather extremes are notable from the hot and barren south to the cool hills of the north. The foothills of the Himalayas are found in the extreme north as well.

Climate

Most areas in Punjab experience warm winters, often accompanied by rain. By mid-February the temperature begins to rise; springtime weather continues until mid-April, when the summer heat sets in.

The onset of the southwest monsoon is anticipated to reach Punjab by May, but since the early 1970s the weather pattern has been irregular. The spring monsoon has either skipped over the area or has caused it to rain so hard that floods have resulted. June and July are oppressively hot. Although official estimates rarely place the temperature above 46°C, newspaper sources claim that it reaches 51°C and regularly carry reports about people who have succumbed to the heat. Heat records were broken in Multan in June 1993, when the mercury was reported to have risen to 54°C. In August the oppressive heat is punctuated by the rainy season, referred to as ''barsat'', which brings relief in its wake. The hardest part of the summer is then over, but cooler weather does not come until late October.

Recently the province experienced one of the coldest winters in the last 70 years. Experts are suggesting that this is due to global climate change.

Punjab's region temperature ranges from -2° to 40°C, but can reach 47°C (117°F) in summer and can touch down to -5°C in winter.

Climatically, Punjab has three major seasons:

Hot weather (April to June) when temperature rises as high as 110°F.

Rainy season (July to September). Average rainfall annual ranges between 96 cm sub-mountain region and 46 cm in the plains.

Mild weather (October to March). Temperature goes down as low as 40°F.

Demographics and society

The population of the province is estimated to be 81,330,531 in 2010 and is home to over half the population of Pakistan. The major language spoken in the Punjab is Punjabi (which is written in a Shahmukhi script in Pakistan) and Punjabis comprise the largest ethnic group in country. Punjabi is the provincial language of Punjab. The language is not given any official recognition in the Constitution of Pakistan at National level. Punjabis themselves are a heterogeneous group comprising different tribes, clans (Qaum ()) and communities. In Pakistani Punjab these Qaums have more to do with traditional occupations such as blacksmiths or artisans as opposed to rigid social stratifications.

The biradari, which literally means brotherhood is an important unit of Punjabi society, and includes people claiming descent from a common ancestor. The biradaris collectively form larger units known as quoms or tribes. Historically, these quoms were endogamous, but latterly, especially in the large cities, there is considerable intermarriage between members of different quoms, and differences are getting blurred. Important quoms within the Punjab include Aheers, Arains, Awans, Dogars, Gakhars, Gujjars, Jats, Kambohs, Khokhars, Mughals, Rajputs, Sheikhs and Syeds. Other smaller tribes are the Rawns, Maliks, Khetran, and Rehmanis (Muslim Labana)

In addition to the Punjabis, the province is also home to other smaller ethnic groups in the province include the Siraiki, Hindkowan, Kashmiris, Sindhis, Pashtuns, Balochs and Muhajirs. The Muhajirs are Urdu speaking Muslim migrants from India and settled in Pakistan after independence in 1947. Three decades of bloodshed in neighbouring Afghanistan have also brought a large number of Afghan refugees (Tajik, Hazara and Turkmen) to the province.

As per the census of Pakistan 1998, linguistic distribution of the Punjab province is: Punjabi (75.23%), Saraiki (17.36%), Urdu (4.51%), Pashto (1.16%), Balochi (0.66%), Sindhi (0.13%) others (0.95%). The population of Punjab (Pakistan) is estimated to be between 97.21% Muslim with a Sunni Hanafi majority and Shia Ithna 'ashariyah minority. The largest non-Muslim minority is Christians and make up 2.31% of the poulation. The Other minorites include Ahmedi, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis and Bahá'í.

The dialects spoken in different regions of the land have a common vocabulary and a shared heritage. The people of Punjab have also a shared spiritual experience, which has been disseminated by ''Tasawwaf'' and can be witnessed on the occasion of the remembrance-fairs held on the Urs of Sufi Saints.

Provincial government

Districts

There are 36 districts in Punjab, Pakistan.

Major cities

align=left align=left align=left align=left align=left align=left align=left align=left align=left align=left

align=center colspan=5 style="background:YellowGreen;"	List of major cities in Punjab
Rank	City	District	Population				1	[[Lahore">File:Aerialshotlahore.jpg	[[File:Gumti.jpg	[[File:Rwp train1.jpg
align=center style="background:YellowGreen;">1	[[Lahore	Lahore District	Lahore |>7,129,609
align=center style="background:YellowGreen;"	2	Faisalabad	|align=left >Faisalabad || 2,880,675
align=center style="background:YellowGreen;"	3	Rawalpindi	|align=left >Rawalpindi || 1,991,656
align=center style="background:YellowGreen;"	4	Multan	|align=left >Multan || 1,606,481
align=center style="background:YellowGreen;"	5	Gujranwala	|align=left >Gujranwala || 1,569,090
align=center style="background:YellowGreen;"	6	Sargodha	|align=left >Sargodha || 600,501
align=center style="background:YellowGreen;"	7	Bahawalpur	|align=left >Bahawalpur || 543,929
align=center style="background:YellowGreen;"	8	Sialkot	|align=left >Sialkot || 510,863
align=center style="background:YellowGreen;"	9	Sheikhupura	|align=left >Sheikhupura || 426,980
align=center style="background:YellowGreen;"	10	Jhang	|align=left >Jhang || 372,645

Economy

Punjab has always contributed the most to the national economy of Pakistan. Punjab's economy has quadrupled since 1972. Its share of Pakistan's GDP was 54.7% in 2000 and 59% as of 2010. It is especially dominant in the Service & Agriculture sectors of the Pakistan Economy. With its contribution ranging from 52.1% to 64.5% in the Service Sector and 56.1% to 61.5% in the Agriculture Sector. It is also major manpower contributor because it has largest pool of professionals and highly skilled (Technically trained) manpower in Pakistan. It is also dominant in the Manufacturing sector, though the dominance is not as huge, with historical contributions raging from a low of 44% to a high of 52.6%. In 2007, Punjab achieved a growth rate of 7.8% and during the period 2002-03 to 2007-08, its economy grew at a rate of between 7% to 8% per year. and during 2008-09 grew at 6% against the total GDP growth of Pakistan at 4%.

Despite lack of a coastline, Punjab is the most industrialized province of Pakistan; its manufacturing industries produce textiles, sports goods, Heavy machinery, electrical appliances, surgical instruments, Cement, Vehicles, Auto Parts, I.T, metals, Sugar mill plants, Cement Plants, Agriculture Machinery, bicycles and rickshaws, floor coverings, and processed foods. In 2003, the province manufactured 90% of the paper and paper boards, 71% of the fertilizers, 69% of the sugar and 40% of the cement of Pakistan.

Despite its a tropical wet and dry climate, extensive irrigation makes it a rich agricultural region. Its canal-irrigation system established by the British is the largest in the world. Wheat and cotton are the largest crops. Other crops include rice, sugarcane, millet, corn, oilseeds, pulses, vegetables, and fruits such as kinoo. Livestock and poultry production are also important. Despite past animosities, the rural masses in Punjab's farms continue to use the Hindu calendar for planting and harvesting.

Punjab contributes about 76% to annual food grain production in the country. Cotton and rice are important crops. They are the cash crops that contribute substantially to the national exchequer. Attaining self-sufficiency in agriculture has shifted the focus of the strategies towards small and medium farming, stress on barani areas, farms-to-market roads, electrification for tube-wells and control of water logging and salinity.

Punjab has also more than 68 thousand industrial units. The small and cottage industries are in abundance. There are 39,033 small and cottage industrial units. The number of textile units is 14,820. The ginning industries are 6,778. There are 7,355 units for processing of agricultural raw materials including food and feed industries.

Lahore and Gujranwala Divisions have the largest concentration of small light engineering units. The district of Sialkot excels in sports goods, surgical instruments and cutlery goods.

Punjab is also a mineral rich province with extensive mineral deposits of Coal, Gas, Petrol, Rock salt (with the second largest salt mine in the world), Dolomite, gypsum, and silica-sand. The Punjab Mineral Development Corporation is running over a hundreds economically viable projects. Manufacturing includes machine products, cement, plastics, and various other goods.

Education

The literacy rate has increased greatly since independence. Punjab has the highest Human Development Index out of all of Pakistan's provinces at 0.670.

Year	Literacy Rate
1972	20.7%
1981	27.4%
1998	46.56%
2009	59.6%

Sources:

This is a chart of the education market of Punjab estimated by the government in 1998.

Urban 23,019,025 3,356,173 6,205,929 5,140,148 4,624,522 1,862,239 110,491 1,226,914 418,946 73,663

Qualification	|	Rural	Total	Enrolment Ratio(%)
—	|	50,602,265	73,621,290	—
Below Primary	|	11,598,039	14,954,212	100.00
Primary	|	18,039,707	24,245,636	79.68
Middle	|	10,818,764	15,958,912	46.75
Matriculation	|	7,119,738	11,744,260	25.07
Intermediate	|	1,821,681	3,683,920	9.12
BA, BSc... degrees	|	96,144	206,635	4.12
MA, MSc... degrees	|	764,094	1,991,008	3.84
Diploma, Certificate...	|	222,649	641,595	1.13
Other qualifications	|	121,449	195,112	0.26

Public universities

COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Lahore

Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan

Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi

Government College University, Lahore

Government College University, Faisalabad

The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur

Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore

King Edward Medical College, Lahore

Lahore College for Women University, Lahore

Lahore College for Women University, Jhang campus

Cadet College Hassanabdal, Pakistan

National College of Arts, Lahore

National Textile University, Faisalabad

University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi

University of Education, Lahore

University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Faisalabad

University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila

University of Health Sciences, Lahore

University of Gujrat, Gujrat

University of the Punjab, Lahore, Gujranwala

University of Sargodha, Sargodha

University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore

Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore

Private universities

Hajvery University, Lahore

Beaconhouse National University, Lahore

Forman Christian College, Lahore

GIFT University, Gujranwala

Imperial College of Business Studies, Lahore

Institute of Management Sciences, Lahore, Pak-AIMS, Lahore

Lahore School of Economics, Lahore

Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore

Minhaj International University, Lahore

Munawwar-ul-Islam Institute of Research, Gujrat

National College of Business Administration and Economics, Lahore

University of Management and Technology, Lahore

University of Central Punjab, Lahore

University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad

University of Lahore, Lahore

University of South Asia, Lahore

Superior University, Lahore

University of Munawwar-Ul-Islam, Gujrat

International Islamic University, Bahawalpur

University College Lahore, Lahore

National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences, Lahore

CMH Lahore Medical College, Lahore

University of Health Sciences, Lahore

Culture

Punjab has been the cradle of civilization since times immemorial. The ruins of Harappa show an advanced urban culture that flourished over 8000 years ago. Taxila, another historic landmark also stands out as a proof of the achievements of the area in learning, arts and crafts. The ancient Hindu Katasraj temple and the Salt Range temples are regaining attention and much-needed repair.

The structure of a mosque is simple and it expresses openness. Calligraphic inscriptions from the Koran decorate mosques and mausoleums in Punjab. The inscriptions on bricks and tiles of the mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam (1320 AD) at Multan are outstanding specimens of architectural calligraphy. The earliest existing building in South Asia with enamelled tile-work is the tomb of Shah Yusuf Gardezi (1150 AD) at Multan. A specimen of the sixteenth century tile-work at Lahore is the tomb of Sheikh Musa Ahangar, with its brilliant blue dome. The tile-work of Emperor Shah Jahan is of a richer and more elaborate nature. The pictured wall of Lahore Fort is the last line in the tile-work in the entire world.

Fairs and festivals

The culture of Punjab derives its basis from the institution of Sufi saints. The Sufi saints spread Islam and preached and lived the Muslim way of life. People have festivities to commemorate these traditions. The fairs and festivals of Punjab reflect the entire gamut of its folk life and cultural traditions. These mainly fall in following categories:

Religious and seasonal fairs/festivals

Religious fairs are held on special days of Islamic significance like Eid ul-Adha, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, Ashura, Laylat al-Qadr and Jumu'ah-tul-Wida. The main activities on these special occasions are confined to congregational prayers and rituals. Melas are also held to mark these occasions.

Devotional fairs or Urs

The fairs held at the shrines of Sufi saints are called urs. They generally mark the death anniversary of the saint. On these occasions devotees assemble in large numbers and pay homage to the memory of the saint. Soul inspiring music is played and devotees dance in ecstasy. The music on these occasions is essentially folk and appealing. It forms a part of the folk music through mystic messages. The most important urs are: urs of Data Ganj Buksh at Lahore, urs of Hazrat Sultan Bahu at Jhang, urs of Hazrat Shah Jewna at Jhang ,urs of Hazrat Mian Mir at Lahore, urs of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar at Pakpattan, urs of Hazrat Bahaudin Zakria at Multan, urs of Sakhi Sarwar Sultan at Dera Ghazi Khan, urs of Shah Hussain at Lahore, urs of Hazrat Bulleh Shah at Kasur, urs of Hazrat Imam Bari (Bari Shah Latif) at Rawalpindi-Islamabad and urs of Shah Inayar Qadri (the murrshad of Bulleh Shah) in Lahore.

A big fair/mela is organized at Jandiala Sher Khan in district Sheikhupura on the Mausoleum of Syed Waris Shah who is the most loved Sufi poet of Punjab due to his claasic work known as Heer Ranjha. The shrine of Heer Ranjha in Jhang has been one of the most visited shrines in Punjab.

Industrial and commercial fairs

Exhibitions and Annual Horse Shows in all Districts and National Horse and Cattle Show at Lahore are held with the official patronage. National Horse and Cattle Show at Lahore is the biggest festival where sports, exhibitions, and livestock competitions are held. It not only encourages and patronizes agricultural products and livestock through the exhibitions of agricultural products and cattle but is also a colourful documentary on the rich cultural heritage of the Province with its strong rural roots.

Other Festivals

In addition to the religious festivals, Punjabis celebrate seasonal and harvest festivals which include Lohri, Basant, Baisakhi and Teej.

Arts and crafts

The crafts in the Punjab are of two types: the crafts produced in the rural areas and the royal crafts that flourished in the urban centres particularly in Lahore. The former include cotton textiles, basketry, embroidery etc. while the latter are tile and woodwork skills, ivory, silver and gold work, naqqashi and architectural crafts.

Hand knotted carpets of fine quality are made in Punjab since the Mughal period. Emperor Akbar in the 15th century established the first factory in Lahore. While carpets were made for the wealthy, rough rugs (known as namdas) were made by the common people for their own use. Lahore is the centre of hand-made carpets.

Since ancient times the weavers of the region have produced colourful fabrics of silk and cotton. The hand-woven cotton cloth like khaddar of Kamalia, are popular. The cloth woven on handlooms is either block printed or beautifully embroidered. Multan is famous for beautiful hand-woven bed covers.

Major attractions

The province is home to many well known historical sites including the Shalimar Gardens, Lahore Fort, the Badshahi Mosque, Rohtas Fort and the ruins of the ancient city of Harrapa. The Anarkali Market and Jahangir's Tomb are prominent in the city of Lahore as is the Lahore Museum, while the ancient city of Taxila in the northwest was once a major centre of Buddhist and Hellenic influence. Many important Sikh shrines are in the Pakistani portion of Punjab, including the birthplace of the first Guru: Guru Nanak (born at Nankana Sahib). There is also the largest salt mine in Asia situated the Khewra Salt Mines.Khewra salt mines is an attraction for visitors accompanied by guides due to the fact that the mines itself is very large and complex interconnected pass ways are like a maze.There is a small but beautiful Mosque inside the mines made from salt stone.The mines have a good reputation with the patients of Asthma as breathing inside the mines help to permanently cure the Asthma and some other diseases related to respiratory system.

Music and dance

Classical music forms, such as Hindustani classical music, are an important part of the cultural wealth of the Punjab. The Muslim musicians have contributed a large number of ragas to the repository of classical music. The most common instruments used are the Tabla and Harmonium.

Among the Punjabi poets, the names of Sultan Bahu, Bulleh Shah, Mian Muhammad Baksh, and Waris Shah and folk singers like Inayat Hussain Bhatti and Tufail Niazi, Alam Lohar, Sain Marna, Mansoor Malangi, Allah Ditta Lona wala, Talib Hussain Dard, Attaullah Khan Essa Khailwi, Gamoo Tahliwala, Mamzoo Gha-lla, Akbar Jat, Arif Lohar, Ahmad Nawaz Cheena and Hamid Ali Bela are well-known. In the composition of classical ragas, there are such masters as ''Malika-i-Mauseequi'' (Queen of Music) Roshan Ara Begum, Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, Salamat Ali Khan and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan. Alam Lohar has made significant contributions to folklore and Punjabi literature, by being a very influential Punjabi folk singer from 1930 until 1979.

For the popular taste however, light music, particularly Ghazals and folk songs, which have an appeal of their own, the names of Mehdi Hasan, Ghulam Ali, Nur Jehan, Malika Pukhraj, Farida Khanum, Roshen Ara Begum, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan are well-known. Folk songs and dances of the Punjab reflect a wide range of moods: the rains, sowing and harvesting seasons. Luddi, Bhangra and Sammi depict the joy of living. Love legends of Heer Ranjha, Mirza Sahiban, Sohni Mahenwal and Saiful Mulk are sung in different styles.

For the most popular music from the region, bhangra, the names of Abrar-Ul-Haq, Arif Lohar, Attaullah Khan Essa Khailwi, Jawad Ahmed, Legacy, and Malkoo are renowned.

Folklore

The folk heritage of the Punjab is the traditional urge of thousands of years of its history. While Urdu is the official language of the province, there are a number of local dialects through which the people communicate. These include Majhi, Jhangochi, Pothohari, Saraiki, Jatki, Hindko, Chhachhi, Doabi, and Derewali. The songs, ballads, epics and romances are generally written and sung in these dialects.

There are a number of folk tales that are popular in different parts of the Punjab. These are the folk tales of Mirza Sahiban, Sayful Muluk, Yusuf Zulekha, Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal, Dulla Bhatti, and Sassi Punnun. The mystic folk songs include the ''Kafees'' of Khwaja Farid in Saraiki, Punjabi and the ''Shalooks'' by Baba Farid. They also include ''Baits'', ''Dohas'', ''Lohris'', ''Sehra'', and ''Jugni''.

The most famous of the romantic love songs are ''Mayhiah'', ''Dhola'' and ''Boliyan''. Punjabi romantic dances include Dharees, Dhamaal, Bhangra, Giddha, Dhola, and Sammi.

Social issues

One social/educational issue is the status of Punjabi language. According to Dr. Manzur Ejaz, "In Central Punjab, Punjabi is neither an official language of the province nor it is used as medium of education at any level. There are only two daily newspapers published in Punjabi in the Central areas of Punjab. Only a few monthly literary magazines constitute Punjabi press in Pakistan". Many have called for the Punjabi language to be given recognition as it has in India.

Punjabis are prominent in business, agriculture, industry, government, and the military to the point that there is resentment from other ethnic groups. The smaller provinces often voice concern at Punjabi domination of key institutions such as the Army. A newer generation of upper class Panjabis is re-affirming their maternal language and have begun requesting the government for official patronage not just of their languages (Punjabi,Potohari and Seraiki) but those of other major ethnic groups in Pakistan such as the Pashtuns and Balochi .

Notable people

Hina Rabbani Khar, First female foreign minister of Pakistan

Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal, lawyer, National poet of Pakistan, philosopher

Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khan (1893 - 1985), politician, diplomat, international jurist

Ibn-e-Insha, poet, writer (travelogues, humor)

Prithviraj Kapoor, Legendary Thespian, Actor and owner of Theatre Company Prithvi Theatres

Malik Allahyar Khan (1927–2007), former member of parliament

Malik Amir Muhammad Khan,(died 1967), Nawab of Kalabagh, Governer East Pakistan

Colonel Muhammad Khan, writer, columnist, military education specialist

Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry, former President of Pakistan

Qudrat Ullah Shahab, writer, bureaucrat

Jamshed Dasti, currently a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan

Shah Hussain, Sufi saint (1538–1599)

Ajaz Akhtar, cricketer

Shoaib Akhtar, cricketer

Abdul Razzaq, cricketer

Wasim Akram, cricketer and sports presenter

Waris Shah, Sufi poet, mystic philosopher

Chaudhry Niaz Ali Khan, landowner, agriculturalist, philanthropist, civil engineer

Nisar Ali Khan, politician of PML(N)

Faiz Ahmed Faiz, poet

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, politician PML(Q)

Air Marshal Nur Khan

Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed NH (1910–July 27, 1948), 6/8 Punjab

Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed NH (1928–September 10, 1965), 17 Punjab

Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed NH (1938–1971), 4 FF

Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed NH (1943–December 6, 1971), 6 FF

Sawar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed NH (1949–December 10, 1971), 20 Lancers

Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz Shaheed NH (1944–December 17, 1971)

A. R. Hye, architect

Alam Lohar, (Late)folk singer (legendary singer of punjab)

Arif Lohar, folk singer (Son of Alam Lohar)

Abdul Kardar, cricketer

Dr, Abdus Salam, physicist and Nobel Prize winner

Inzamam-ul-Haq, cricketer

Imran Khan, cricketer, politician and philanthropist

Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, politician

Zulfiqar Ali Khosa, President of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Punjab

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, World renowned & Iconic singer of Pakistan, musician,Qawal.

Mian Mir, saint revered by Sikhs and Muslims

Sultan Rahi,(late) actor

Rangeela, actor, comedian

Nawaz Sharif, ex Prime Minister, major opposition leader

Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab province

Waqar Younis, cricketer and sports presenter

Javed Hashmi, politician PML(N)

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, politician PPP

Mirza Aziz Akbar Baig, former Vice Chairman of Pakistan Bar Council

Ishaq Khan Khakwani, politician

Salman Butt, cricketer

Ahsan Iqbal, politician PML(N)

Khawaja Muhammad Asif, politician PML(N)

Atif Aslam, Young and talented singer famous in Pakistan also in India

Rae Ahmed Nawaz Khan Kharal

Yousaf Raza Gillani, currently Prime Minister of Pakistan

Shahnaz Sheikh, hockey player

Samiullah, hockey player

Muhammad Rafiq Tarar, former President of Pakistan

Shaheed Bhagat Singh, revolutionary (1907–1931)

General Zia-ul-Haq, former Army Chief of Staff and former military dictator (1977–1988)

Manmohan Singh, current Prime Minister of India

Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar Khan, former Chairman Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir

AllamaTahir-ul-Qadri, scholar, politician, orator

Shoaib Malik, cricketer * * Noor Jehan,(late) World renowned singer, Affectionately called (Malika-i-Tarranum) means "queen of music",actress

Gallery

See also

Saraikistan

Saraiki people

Saraiki culture

Butter village

Punjab Bar Council

Malik Allahyar Khan

Bharot Sharif

Anjuman Muzareen Punjab

Balochistan

Rajputs

Aheer

Hindu and Buddhist heritage of Pakistan

History of the Punjab

Punjab region

Punjab, India

Punjabi people

Punjabi culture

Kotli Loharan West

Jhelum, Pakistan

Notes

External links

Government of the Punjab, Pakistan

Maps of Pakistan

Category:Provinces of Pakistan Category:States and territories established in 1970

als:Punjab (Pakistan) az:Pəncab bn:পাঞ্জাব (পাকিস্তান) bg:Пенджаб (Пакистан) ca:Panjab (Pakistan) cs:Paňdžáb (pákistánská provincie) cy:Punjab (Pakistan) da:Punjab (Pakistan) de:Punjab (Pakistan) dv:ޕަންޖާބު (ޕާކިސްތާން) et:Pandžab (Pakistan) es:Punyab (Pakistán) eo:Panĝabo (Pakistano) eu:Punjab (Pakistan) fa:پنجاب (پاکستان) hif:Punjab (Pakistan) fr:Penjab (Pakistan) gu:પંજાબ (પાકિસ્તાન) ko:펀자브 주 (파키스탄) hi:पंजाब (पाकिस्तान) id:Punjab, Pakistan it:Punjab (Pakistan) ka:პენჯაბი (პაკისტანი) mr:पंजाब, पाकिस्तान ms:Punjab (Pakistan) nl:Punjab (Pakistan) ja:パンジャーブ州 (パキスタン) no:Punjab (Pakistan) nn:Panjab i Pakistan pa:ਪੰਜਾਬ (ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ) pnb:پنجاب (پاکستان) ps:پنجاب (پاکستان) pl:Pendżab (prowincja w Pakistanie) pt:Punjab (Paquistão) ro:Punjab (Pakistan) ru:Пенджаб (Пакистан) simple:Punjab (Pakistan) sr:Панџаб (Пакистан) sh:Punjab (Pakistan) fi:Punjab (Pakistan) sv:Punjab (Pakistan) ta:பஞ்சாப் (பாகிஸ்தான்) tr:Pencap Eyaleti uk:Пенджаб (Пакистан) ur:پنجاب (پاکستان) vi:Punjab (Pakistan) zh:旁遮普省

name	Gippy Grewal
background	solo_singer
birth name	Rupinder Singh Grewal
born	January 02, 1982 ''Koom Kallan'' Punjab
origin	Punjab
genre	Bhangra & Pop
occupation	Singer, Actor
years active	2005-Present
label	Planet Recordz (North America) Speed Records (India) Movie Box (UK) T-Series India
spouse	Ravneet Grewal
url	GippyGrewal.com
official facebook
notable instruments	}}

Gippy Grewal a.k.a. Rupinder Grewal is a Punjabi singer and actor. He was born in village Koom Kallan, Ludhiana, Punjab on January 2, 1982.

Biography

Gippy Grewal is one of the best recent Punjabi singers. The real name of Gippy Grewal is Rupinder Singh Grewal. He was born in village Koom Kallan, Ludhiana, Punjab on January 2, 1982.

Gippy Grewal has carefully developed a diver and successful musical career since his induction to the world of Bhangra by his first album called “Chakk Lai”. Gippy has proven his extraordinary talents to be musical. Gippy Grewal pushes every beat in his own unique style. Gippy Grewal has released many solo albums like “Chakk Lai”, “Nasha”, “Phulkari” and “Phulkari 2 Just Hits” Countdowns @ Top Place. And the “Phulkari” song become favorite to every bhangra lover and Punjabi DJ’s across the globe. The “Phulkari” Track becomes one of the biggest hit of 2004-05. The highly acclaimed track got played in every car, every club, every party, every wedding, across everywhere. So the Punjabi Bhangra fans, critics, composers use to call “Phulkari” track the Monster Track. This time Gippy Grewal is the favorite artist of young generation of Punjab. His big helping hands his brother “Sippy Grewal”. The upcoming efforts of Gippy Grewal have been set to repeat the history. He has also made an entry into Punjabi cinema. He debuted in the superhit film Mel Karade Rabba opposite Jimmy Shergill and Indo-Canadian actress Neeru Bajwa.

Discography

! Year	! Album	! Record Label	! Notes
	''Chakk Ley''	Anand	Debut Album
	''Nasha''	Nupur Audio	Music : Atul Sharma
2004	''Mele Mittaran De''	Finetone	Music : Kiss'n'Tell
2005	''Phulkari 2''	Speed Records	Music : Kiss'n'Tell
2006	''Akh Larh Gaya''	Speed Records	Music : Sukhpal Sukh
2007	''Chandi De Challe''	Speed Records	Music : Bhinda Aujla
2008	''My Time To Shine''	Speed Records	Music : Bhinda Aujla
2010	''Desi Rockstar''	Speed Records / Music Waves / Moviebox (U.K)	Music: Aman Hayer
2011	TBA	N/A	Religious cum Social Album.

Filmography

!Name	!Year	!Role	!Notes
Mel Karade Rabba	2010	Nihaal	Debut Film
Jihne Mera Dil Luteya	2011	Yuvraaj	Releasing Worldwide On 29th July 2011

References

"Gippy's Act 'Mel Karade Rabba",

Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:Indian singers

name	Manmohan Waris
background	solo_singer
birth name	Manmohan Singh Heer
born	August 03, 1970Halluwal, Punjab
origin	Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
instrument	Vocals and Tumbi
genre	Punjabi, Pop, Sad, Bhangra and Folk
occupation	Singer
years active	1993–present
label	Plasma Records (India)Kiss Records (UK)
associated acts	Sangtar, Kamal Heer
website	manmohanwaris.com
community link	}}

Manmohan Waris (, ) (born 3 August 1970) is an award-winning Indian Punjabi folk/pop singer. Manmohan Waris was born in Halluwal, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. He is the elder brother of Sangtar (a renowned Punjabi record producer, musician & poet) & Kamal Heer (a renowned Punjabi Folk/Pop singer). Waris is considered one of the best in Punjabi music and is known as ''The King Of Bhangra''

Waris is married to Pritpal Kaur Heer and father to two children.

Career

Manmohan Waris was born in the Village of Halluwal, Punjab, India on 3 August 1970. He started to learn music at a very younge age from Ustaad Jaswant Bhanwra. Soon, his family moved to Canada in 1990 where in 1993 he released his debut album, ''Gaairan Naal Penghan Jhotdiye''. It became a colossal hit and Waris became a huge star with more huge hit albums after his debut. These included ''Sohniya De Laare'', ''Hasdi De Phul Kirde'', ''Sajjre Challe Muklave'' and ''Gali Gali Vich Hokay''. In 1998 Manmohan Waris released the song ''Kite Kalli Beh Ke Sochi'' which is considered one of the biggest hits in the history of Punjabi music. Waris soon signed with Tips Music and released the album ''Husn Da Jadu'' on it in 2000. After the success of this album Tips released Manmohan Waris's ''Gajray Gori De'' and ''Dil Vatte Dil''. Manmohan Waris then started his own record label, Plasma Records with Kamal Heer and Sangtar. He has released the majority of his music on the label since then. In 2004 Waris released "''Nachiye Majajne''" on Plasma Records. The album furthered his success and in the same year he toured in the ''"Punjabi Virsa 2004"''tour. The tours success lead to "Punjabi Virsa" tours to happen every year. Some of the tours have had a concert recorded live and released. Following his studio album ''"Dil Nachda"'' in 2007, Waris's latest album, ''"Dil Te Na Laeen"'' released in Canada, USA and UK on 16 January 2010 and released in India on 23 January 2010. Waris is currently touring around the world with Punjabi virsa 2010.

Discography

Compilations

Punjabi virsa 2011 recorded at kilaraipur,punjab, India

Religious Albums

Music videos

! Year	! Song	! Album
align="center" rowspan="5"	''Hayee Mere Billo''	align="center" rowspan="5"| Hayee Mere Billo

Videography

! Release	! DVD	! Record Label	! Notes
January 2002	''Best Of Manmohan Waris''	T-Series	Music Videos of the best songs by Manmohan Waris
August 2003	''Shounki Mela 2003''	Plasma Records	Recorded Live in Surrey. Special Tribute Concert to ''Dhadi Amar Singh Shaunki'' .Along with Kamal Heer, Sangtar and Gurpreet Ghuggi
July 2004	''Plasma Framed Vol. 1''	Plasma Records	Videos Along with Kamal Heer
October 2004	''Punjabi Virsa 2004''	Plasma Records/Kiss Records	Recorded Live In Toronto Along with Kamal Heer and Sangtar
November 2005		Plasma Records/Kiss Records	Recorded Live In London Along with Kamal Heer and Sangtar
2006	''Tasveer-Live''	Plasma Records/kiss records	Recorded Live in Raja Sahib,Jingra,Shahed Bhagat Singh Nagar
2006	''Punjabi Virsa Behind The Scenes''	Plasma Records	Making Of Whole Punjabi Virsa Tour, Along with Kamal Heer and Sangtar
December 2006	''Punjabi Virsa 2006''	Plasma Records/Kiss Records	Recorded Live In Toronto Along with Kamal Heer and Sangtar
February 2009		Plasma Records	Recorded Live in Vancouver Along with Kamal Heer and Sangtar

Guest appearances

! Year	! Song	! Label	! Notes
2002	''Rang De Basanti Chola''	Tips	Along With Sonu Nigam from Bollywood Movie, Legend Of Bhagat Singh
December 2002	''Lok Boliyan''	Venus	Along with Jazzy B with ''Parmjeet Parmaar'', from ''Get Back Jazzy B''

Unofficial

''Mahiya'' (Unofficial studio album, released in 1992)

''Kalli Beh Ke Sochi Ni (Remix)'' (Single)

Live performances

Concerts/Tours

! Date	! Concert/Tour	! Notes
August 2003	''Shaunki Mela 2003''	Special Tribute Concert to ''Dhadi Amar Singh Shaunki'' Along with Kamal Heer, Sangtar and Gurpreet Ghuggi
October 2004	''Punjabi Virsa 2004''	Toured Canada and the USA Along with Kamal Heer and Sangtar
May–July 2005	''Punjabi Virsa 2005''	Toured Europe Along with Kamal Heer and Sangtar
April–October 2006	''Punjabi Virsa 2006''
August/September 2007	''Punjabi Virsa 2007''	Toured Europe Along with Kamal Heer and Sangtar
August/September 2008	''Punjabi Virsa 2008''	Toured Canada and the USA Along with Kamal Heer and Sangtar
August 2009	''Punjabi Virsa 2009''	Toured Australia and New Zealand Along with Kamal Heer and Sangtar
June–September 2010	''Punjabi Virsa 2010''	Is going to tour the UK in June and July 2010, USA in July & August 2010, Canada in September 2010. Along with Kamal Heer and Sangtar

Other

! Date	! Performance	! Notes
2008	''Parbat Ali Vijay Diwas''	Special Concert for the Indian Armed Forces Along with Kamal Heer
21 March 2009	''2009 Punjabi Music Awards''	Performed During the Awards

Awards, Honours and nominations

! Year	! Category	! For
2001	"Awaaz-e-Buland"
2006	Album of the Year	''Punjabi Virsa 2006''
2006	Singer of the Year	''Punjabi Virsa 2006''
2009	Best Music Video	''Larre Giniye''
2009	Best Non Resident Punjabi Vocalist	''Laare Giniye''
2010	Best Non Resident Punjabi Vocalist
2010	Best Folk Oriented Album
2010	Best Duel Vocalists
2010	Best Folk Oriented Vocalist
2010	Best Non Resident Punjabi Album

External links

Manmohan Waris & Kamal Heer on Facebook

References

Manmohan Waris Blog

Category:1970 births Category:Bhangra Category:Indian pop singers Category:Indian Sikhs Category:Living people Category:Punjabi people Category:Punjabi-language singers Category:Punjabi Virsa Category:Waris Brothers

pnb:منموہن وارث

Name	Gurdas Maan
Background	solo_singer
Born	January 04, 1957 Giddarbaha, Muktsar, Punjab, India
Genre	Punjabi BhangraHindustani
Occupation	Singer-songwriterActorMusician
Years active	1980 – present
Website	http://www.gurdasmaan.com }}

Gurdas Maan (, '''') is an Indian singer, songwriter, choreographer, and actor. He is considered one of the most notable figures in the world of Punjabi music. He was born on 4 January 1957 in Giddarbaha, Muktsar, Punjab, India. He gained national attention in India in 1980 with the song "Dil Da Mamla Hai." Since then, he has gone on to record over 27 albums and has written over 200 songs.

Early life

Gurdas Maan was born on 4 January 1957 in a Jatt Sikh family in Giddarbaha Muktsar, Punjab (India). His parents are Tej Kaur and Sardar Gurdev Singh Maan. Maan was formally educated in Malout. After completing his education there, his parents enrolled him in a further education institute in Patiala. As a keen sports enthusiast Maan was fascinated by the National Institute of Sports in the city; this prompted him to join the N.I.S. and gain a Masters degree in physical education.

He took part in youth festivals organized by universities and won several awards for his singing and acting, always supported by his friends. He competed in many athletic events and won medals including a bronze at the National Championship as well as achieving a black belt in judo.

Career

1980s

In one of his stage plays, he performed a song he had written called "Dil Da Mamla Hai." The play was seen by a producer for Doordarshan Kendra Jalandhar, the producer who thought the song to have potential approached Maan with a proposition for a TV performance of the song to which Maan agreed. When the song was aired on 31 December 1980 it gained national attention and Gurdas Maan became a national figure. The success of the song attracted the attention of HMV who wanted to record and release it. With HMV Maan eventually released his debut album a year later in 1981. When Maan began his career as a solo performer in India, the music industry was dominated by duet artists and he reportedly declined many offers to become part of a duet as he wished to perform and become a successful solo artist.

During his early career he also wrote and directed TV programs such as POP Time for the Doordarshan Network in Delhi.

1990s and 2000s

Gurdas Maan is often credited with raising Punjabi folk music from a regional level mostly in the Punjab to gain international recognition. His album ''Apna Punjab'' won Best Album at the 1998 Asian Pop and Media Awards held in Birmingham. Maan won Best Song for the title track and Best International Artist the same year. In addition to these awards, Maan more recently won three music awards of Best Lyrics ("Kudiye"), Best Song ("Heer"), as well as Best Singer of the Year at the ETC Channel Punjabi Music Awards on 6 March 2005.

Awards and honours

Gurdas Maan received an honorary degree of Doctor of Music from the University of Wolverhampton on 7 Sept 2010. Maan performed at the Royal Albert Hall for two nights in April 2011 as part of his UK tour. This was the first time Maan performed at the Royal Albert Hall, an opportunity that very few artists come across.

On other fronts, Maan has starred in blockbuster Bollywood films and has received numerous awards, including the Jury’s Award, presented to him by the president of India in 2005.

In 2009 he won "Best International Album" at the UK Asian Music Awards for ''Boot Polishan''.

In 2007 he won the National Award for Best Male playback singer for his songs titled "Couplets of Heer" for the movie ''Waris Shah - Ishq da Waris''.

Film

Gurdas Maan is best known as an actor for his performances in two films: ''Waris Shah-Ishq Da Waaris'' (2006), which was nominated as India's selection for the Academy Awards, and ''Shaheed-E-Mohabbat'' (1999), the film which tells the real-life story of Boota Singh.

Gurdas appeared in the hit film ''Shaheed Udham Singh'' (2000), in which he played the role of Bhagat Singh, a revolutionary, with no prejudices based on religion, caste or creed. As a singer Maan has worked with music directors such as Laxmikant Pyarelal, Bappi Lahiri, Anu Malik, Nadeem Sharvan, Amar Haidipur, Charanjeet Ahuja, and Jaswant Bhanyra.

He starred alongside Juhi Chawla in the epic ''Des Hoyaa Pardes'' (2004), an emotional film illustrating the tragedies faced by the people of Punjab in the 1980s. He adopted the role of a son of a well-respected Jatt (bilingual separatist) Gurdev Singh Somal. He falls in love with a high-ranking police officer’s daughter. Before the wedding, the father is murdered by separatists. This tale soon twists in to the inevitable demise of Gurshaan (Gurdas Maan). This movie was based on actual events.

Aside from singing in Punjabi, he is fluent in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Haryanvi and Rajasthani. As an actor he has performed in Punjabi, Hindi and Tamil movies, but he is best known for his starring role in ''Waris Shah-Ishq Da Waaris'', a depiction of the Punjabi poet Waris Shah during the creation of his epic poem Heer Ranjha, again co-starring Juhi Chawla and Divya Dutta. He made a special appearance in ''Veer-Zaara'' with Shahrukh Khan and Preity Zinta.

He has appeared in ''Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da'' (1982), ''Mamla Garbar Hai'' (1984), ''Long Da Lishkara'' (1986), ''Qurbani Jatt Di'' (1990), ''Pratigya'' (1990), ''Roohani Taaqat'' (1991), ''Saali Adhi Ghar Waali'' (1992), ''Wanted: Gurdas Maan Dead or Alive'' (1994), ''Kachehri'' (1994), and ''Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai'' (2002).

Personal life

Maan is married to Manjit and has one son Gurikk who has done his schooling at Yadavindra Public School and Mayo College. He also studied at Eton College.

In Karnal, Haryana, India on 20 January 2007 Maan was involved in a car accident in which his Range Rover was hit and severely damaged by a truck near the town of Madhuban. Maan escaped with minor injuries on his face, hands and chest. His driver Ganesh was injured seriously but recovered soon after.

This was the second car accident of two that Gurdas Maan was involved in. The first accident was a head-on collision between Maan's vehicle and a truck on 9 January 2001 at a village near Rupnagar, Punjab. In this accident Maan's driver Tejpal was killed. Maan later admitted that his driver asked him to wear his seat belt minutes before the accident. Maan believes that if it had not been for his driver's advice, he would have been dead as well. Later he wrote and performed a song "Baithi sade naal savari utter gayi" dedicated to his driver, who was also his good friend.

**There was a third road accident where Mann was seriously injured. Please get details of that and add it as well.***

During a radio interview Maan revealed to the host, Gagan Grewal, that he is an avid supporter of Manchester United football club.

Controversy and accusations of plagiarism

In 2011, Gurdas Mann released an album called ''Jogiya''. The song "ਸਾਡੀ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਲੱਗੀ ਹੈ ਤੇ ਲੱਗੀ ਰਹਿਣ ਦੇ" spurred controversy among Sikhs as it was promoting derawad. Harmandar Kang has written a detailed article about Mann's controversial songs and his relationship with other religious entities.

Discography

2011: ''Jogiya'' (Sai Productions)

2008: ''Boot Polishan'' (Sai Creations/UK BOX OFFICE)

2005: ''Vilayatan'' (T-Series/MovieBox)

2004: ''Heer'' (T-Series)

2003: ''Punjeeri'' (T-Series/MovieBox/Music Waves)

2001: ''Pyar Kar Lai'' (Tips)

1999: ''Jaadugarian'' (Venus)

1998: ''Dil Hona Chahida Jawaan'' (Venus)

1997: ''Yaar Mera Pyar'' (T-Series)

1996: ''Chaklo Chaklo'' (T-Series)

1995: ''Ishq Na Dekhe Zaat''

1994: ''Aaja Sajna''

1994: ''Ishq Da Giddha'' (Tips)

1993: ''Ghar Bhulgi Morh Te Ake''

1993: ''Than Than Gopal'' (RMI)

1993: ''Aakarh Aa Hi Jaandi-E'''(Music Bank)

1992: ''Larh Geya Pecha''

1991: ''Dil Da Badshah''

1990: ''Mohabbat Zindabad''

1989: ''Akhiyaan Udeek Dian''

1988* ''Raat Suhani'

1988: ''Chugliyaan''

1988: ''Wah Ni Jawaniye''

1987: ''Geetan Bhari Patari''

1986: ''Nacho Babeyo''

1985: ''Kurian Ne Judo Sikh Lai''

1984: ''Chakkar'

1984: ''Peer Tere Jaan Di''

1983: ''Masti''

1982: ''Dil Saaf Hona Chahida''

1982: ''Disco Vichari''

1981: ''Dil Da Mamla Hai''

Filmography

2011: ''truck Driver''

2010: ''Chak Jawana''

2010: ''Sukhmani Hope for life''

2009: ''Mini Punjab'' (Speed OXL Films)

2008: ''Yaariyan'' (Universal)

2007: ''Mummy-Ji'' (special appearance) (Universal)

2006: ''Waris Shah-Ishq Da Waaris'' (MovieBox)

2004: ''Des Hoyaa Pardes'' (Universal)

2004: ''Veer Zaara'' (special appearance)(Yash Raj Films)

2002: ''Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai''

2000: ''Shaheed Udham Singh'' (MovieBox) ...Shaheed Udham Singh

1999: ''Shaheed-E-Mohabbat'' ...Boota Singh

1999 ''Sirf Tum'' (special appearance)

1995: ''Subedaar''

1995: ''Bagawat'' ...Gurjeet

1994: ''Kachehri''

1994: ''Wanted: Gurdas Maan Dead or Alive''

1992: ''Saali Adhi Ghar Waali''

1991: ''Roohani Taaqat''

1990: ''Pratigya'' ...Billa

1990: ''Qurbani Jatt Di'' ...Karma

1990: ''Dushmani Di Aag''

1988: ''Baghavaat''

1987: ''Chhora Haryana Da''

1986: ''Ki Banu Duniyan Da''

1986: Gabhroo Punjab Da ...Shera

1986: ''Laung Da Lashkara''

1985: ''Patthar Dil''

1984: ''Mamla Garbar Hai''

1982: ''Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da''

References

Category:Bhangra Category:Jat people Category:People from Punjab (India) Category:Punjwood film actors Category:Indian Sikhs Category:Punjabi-language singers Category:People from Faridkot Category:Living people Category:1957 births

pnb:گرداس مان

Name	Bhagwant Mann
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Bhagwant Singh Mann
Alias	"Comedy King"
born	October 17, 1975'Satauj', dist Sangrur, Punjab
Genre	Comedy, Bhangra
Associated acts	Jagtar Jaggi, Rana Ranbir
Occupation	Comedian, Singer, Actor
Years active	1992–present
Label	Unsigned (India) |
Website	}}

Bhagwant Mann (Punjabi:ਭਗਵੰਤ ਮਾਨ, Hindi: भगवंत मान) (born 17 October 1975) Satauj dist.Sangrur, Punjab, India. Bhagwant Mann is an Indian comedian, who is famous for his skits in Punjabi language. He started his comedy career by participating in youth festivals and inter-college competitions. He won two gold medals from Punjabi University Patiala for Sunam College.

His second comedy album was a huge success entitled "Kulfi Garma Garm". Bhagwant Mann's comedy focuses on Indian issues — politicians, policemen, business departments, and sports. His first comedy album was with Jagtar Jaggi and together they were the most successful comedy partnership of the 1990s creating many successful comedy albums. They also created a show for Punjabi channel Alpha Punjabi called ''Jugnu Kehnda Hai''. After 10 years together, Jaggi and Mann split when Jaggi felt he was not getting enough credit. Jaggi left to carve his own niche in the comedy market.

After their split, Bhagwant Mann became partners with writer and co-actor Rana Ranbir. Both were very popular and worked together on ''Jugnu Mast Mast'' for Alpha ETC Punjabi. In 2006, it was announced that Bhagwant & Jaggi had settled their differences and were due to reunite. Both toured Canada & England with their stage play ''No Life With Wife''.

Bhagwant also gained nationwide fame when he competed in the Great Indian Laughter Challenge on Star Plus. This widened his audience and made him very popular throughout the world.He is nowadays the world's most appreciated Punjabi comedian.People love to hear his songs a lot.

Bhagwant Mann currently had a show on MH One called ''Jugnu Hazir Hai'' and featured in Manjit Mann's film ''Sukhmani'' alongside Gurdas Mann.

Discography (Comedy)

! Year	! Album	! Record label
2009	''Just Laugh Baki Maaf''	M Series
2007	''Haas-Haas Ke''	T-Series
2005	''Bhagwant Mann Most Wanted''	Creative Audio Productions
2004	''Kee Main Jhooth Boliya''	T-Series
2003	''Sawdhan Agge Bhagwant Mann''	T-Series
2002	''Bhagwant Mann Full Speed''	T-Series
2001	''Bhagwant Mann Non-Stop''	T-Series
2001	''Bhagwant Mann Hazir Ho''	T-Series
2000	''Bhagwant Mann 420''	Sun Music
2000	''Jatta Da Munda Gaon Laggaya''	Sun Music
1999	''Lallu Kare Kawaliya''	T-Series
1998	''Gustaki Maaf''	T-Series
1997	''Rukawat Ke Liye Khed Hai''	T-Series
1997	''Sadi Billi Sanu Miyaoon''	T-Series
1997	''Khariya Khariya''	Tips
1996	''Kursi Rani''	Tips
1995	''Jagde Raho''	Peritone
1995	''Hindustan Dhakka Start''	T-Series
1995	''Panj Duni Veeh''	T-Series
1994	''Koko De Bachhe''	T-Series
1994	''Bol Madari Bol''	Peritone
1994	''Mithiya Mircha''	T-Series
1993	''Kulfi Garma Garm''	T-Series
1992	''Gobhi Diye Kacchiye Vaparne''	Creative Music Company

Discography (Bhangra)

! Year	! Album	! Record label
2010	''Aawaaz - The Voice''	Point Zero
2001	''Dam Lai Lo''	T-Series

Filmography

! Year	! Film
2011	''Hero Hitler in Love''
2010	''Sukhmani – Hope for Life''
2010	''Ekam – Son of Soil''
2001	''Sikandera''
1996	''Sukha''
1995	''Nain Preeto De''
1994	''Tabaahi''
1994	''Kachehri''

Videography

! Year	! Album	! Record label
2010	''Jhanda Amli Kachahri Vich''	Eagle
2009	''Just Laugh Baki Maaf''	M Series
2008	''My Name is Mann''	Eagle
2007	''Pappu Da Dhaba''	Eagle
2006	''Punjabi Bluff Master''	Eagle
2006	''Pappu Baneya Neta''	Eagle
2006	''Pappu Bhaa Ji M.B.B.S.''	Eagle
2005	''Pappu Pass Ho Gaya''	Eagle
2004	''Kee Main Jhooth Boliya''	T-Series
2003	''Sawdhan Agge Bhagwant Mann''	T-Series
2002	''Bhagwant Mann Non-Stop Vol. 2''	T-Series
2002	''Bhagwant Mann Full Speed''	T-Series
2001	''Bhagwant Mann Non-Stop Vol. 1''	T-Series

Politics

He has recently joined active politics of Punjab with his membership of People's Party of Punjab with leadership of Manpreet Singh Badal.

Social Works

He set up a NGO Lok Lehar Foundation to help children affected from deformities due to polluted groundwaters in border areas of Punjab.

References

Ashish Mitra, Laugh Masters, "Indian Express", 30 December 2005

Randeep Wadehra, I want people to sit down and reflect "Tribune India" 11 September 2005

Category:Indian comedians Category:Living people Category:1975 births