Qadian, Religious center in Gurdaspur district, India.
Qadian is a town in Gurdaspur district of Punjab, located about 35 km northeast of Amritsar at an elevation of 250 meters. The town is divided into 16 wards and has a railway station that connects it to regional lines.
Mirza Hadi Baig founded the settlement in 1530 after moving here from Samarkand, receiving governance rights over the area from Mughal Emperor Babur. The original location was called Islam Pur Qazi before it took its current name.
The town serves as a religious center where followers visit shrines and gather for community events throughout the year. The name comes from the Arabic word for purity, reflecting the spiritual role the place holds for many residents who live and work here.
The town can be reached by main roads from Amritsar and other cities in the region, with the railway station offering another option for arrival. Visitor centers are located near the religious sites and can be explored on foot.
The literacy rate stands above 76 percent, with the gap between men and women smaller than in many other Indian towns. This education level shows in daily life, where many residents read newspapers and schools see good attendance.
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