Punjab, State in northwestern India
Punjab is a state in northwestern India, stretching across fertile lowlands between the Pakistan border and the neighboring states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. The territory consists mostly of farmland, small cities, and scattered villages connected by wide roads and canal systems.
Ancient settlements along the Indus gave way to various kingdoms over centuries, then the region became a grain-producing center under British rule. Partition in 1947 divided the historical territory, while the current state formed in 1966 when Haryana and Himachal Pradesh split away.
Langar community kitchens in gurdwaras welcome visitors regardless of background, offering free vegetarian meals served on the floor as people sit cross-legged. Bhangra dancers and dhol drummers perform at village fairs and weddings, while women wear phulkari embroidery and families gather for weekend picnics in fields.
The capital Chandigarh offers international flights and train connections to larger Indian cities, while Amritsar provides another major airport. Wide highways make it easy to move between main towns, though rural areas often have narrow roads winding through fields.
The five rivers Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum gave the region its name, though only two now flow entirely within Indian territory. Despite its small area, the territory supplies a significant share of the national wheat and rice harvest, making it one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the country.
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