About Hoshiarpur

There are two versions about the foundation of Hoshiarpur town from which the district derives its name. It was founded, according to tradition, during the early part of the 4th century by Hargobind and Ram Chand, Diwans of Muhammad Bin Tughlak (A.D. 1325-1351). The second version ascribes the foundation of the town to one Hoshiar Khan, a resident of Bajwara (a suburb village of Hoshiarpur), who lived about the same period, and after whom the town was named. In 1809, it was occupied by the forces of Maharaja Karanvir Singh and was united under the greater state of Punjab. Hoshiarpur is also known as an ancient manufacturing town where colorful lacquer (formerly ivory) finished plastic inlay furniture is made.

Hoshiarpur district is located in the northeast part of the State. It falls in the Jalandhar Revenue Division and is situated in the Bist Doab, Doaba region of the State. The district is sub mountainous and stretches of river Beas in the northwest. It lies between north latitude 30 degree-9 and 32 degree-05 and east longitude 75 degree -32 and 76 degree -12'. The district has an area of 3,365 km and a population of 14,78,045 (2001 census); Hoshiarpur is the district capital. The district is bounded by Kapurthala, Jalandhar and Gurdaspur districts of Punjab state and Kangra and Una districts of Himachal Pradesh state.

It falls into two nearly equal portions of hill and plain country. Its eastern face consists of the westward slope of the Solar Singhi Hills; parallel with that ridge, a line of lower heights belonging to the Siwalik Range traverses the district from south to north, while between the two chains stretches a valley of uneven width, known as the Jaswan Dun. Its upper portion is crossed by the Sohan torrent, while the Sutlej sweeps into its lower end through a break in the hills, and flows in a southerly direction until it turns the flank of the central range, and debouches westwards upon the plains. This western plain consists of alluvial formation, with a general westerly slope owing to the deposit of silt from the mountain torrents in the sub-montane tract. The Beas has a fringe of lowland, open to moderate but not excessive inundations, and considered very fertile. A considerable area is covered by government woodlands, under the care of the forest department. Rice is largely grown, in the marshy flats along the banks of the Beas.

Several religious fairs are held, at Anandpur, Mukerian and Chintpurni, all of which attract an enormous concourse of people. The district, owing to its proximity to the hills, possesses a comparatively cool and humid climate. Cotton fabrics are manufactured, and sugar, rice and other grains, tobacco and indigo are among the exports. Hoshiarpur is also known as a City of Saints. There are many Deras in this district. The District Govt. College was once a campus for Punjab University.