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{{Short description|Area of the historical Punjab region}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2016}}
[[File:Dialects Of Punjabi.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Dialects of Punjabi]]


'''Majha''' ([[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: ਮਾਝਾ ([[Gurmukhi]]), {{Nastaliq|ماجھا}} ([[Shahmukhi]]); ''Mājhā'') is a region located in the central parts of the historical [[Punjab region]] split between India and Pakistan.<ref>Discover India http://www.discoveredindia.com/punjab/about-punjab/regions-in-punjab.htm</ref> It extends north from the right banks<ref name="banks" group="note"/> of the river [[Beas river|Beas]], and reaches as far north as the river [[Jhelum river|Jhelum]].<ref name="grover">{{cite book|title=Discover Punjab: Attractions of Punjab|first=Parminder Singh|last=Grover|publisher=Parminder Singh Grover|year=2011|pages=179|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dy-pOAnlQL0C&pg=PT16}}</ref> People of the Majha region are given the demonym "Mājhī", or the more widely used [[Majhail]]. Most inhabitants of the region speak the [[Majhi dialect]], which is the basis of the standard register of the [[Punjabi language]].<ref>Advanced Centre for Technical Development of Punjabi Language, Literature and Culture, Punjabi University, Patiala [http://www.learnpunjabi.org/intro1.asp Punjabi University, Patiala.]</ref> The most populous city in the area is [[Lahore]] on the Pakistani side and [[Amritsar]] on the Indian side of the border.
{{Use British English|date=January 2026}}


During the [[partition of India]] in 1947, the Majha region of Punjab was split between India and Pakistan when the [[Punjab, India|Indian Punjab]] and [[Punjab, Pakistan|Pakistani Punjab]] were formed. The Majha region of Indian State of Punjab covers the area between [[Beas river|Beas]] and [[Ravi River|Ravi]] rivers, including the area on the north of [[Sutlej]], after the confluence of Beas and Sutlej at [[Harike Wetland|Harike]] in [[Tarn Taran district]], extending up to the Ravi River, which is all part of the Majha region in India.<ref>Punjab Data, Know Everything About Punjab http://www.punjabdata.com/Majha-Malwa-Doaba.aspx</ref> This region contains thirteen districts of the Pakistani province of Punjab, including the cities of [[Lahore]], [[Faisalabad]], [[Gujranwala]], [[Gujrat, Pakistan|Gujrat]], and [[Sialkot]]. Four districts of Indian state of Punjab – [[Amritsar district|Amritsar]], [[Tarn Taran district|Tarn Taran]], [[Gurdaspur district|Gurdaspur]], and [[Pathankot district|Pathankot]].
{{Infobox region
| name              = Majha
| settlement_type    = Cultural region of [[Punjab]]
| image_map          = {{maplink
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|id=Q202822
|title=Amritsar district
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|title2=Tarn Taran district  
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|map_caption=Geographical extent of Majha (Punjab)
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| mapframe          = no
| named_for          = ''mañjhlā'' ("middle")
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{{Punjabis}}


The people of the Majha region have been historically known for their warrior-like nature. The Majha region is called the "Sword Arm of the Country", due to it contributing disproportionately to the Officer as well as Orderly ranks of the Armies of both India and Pakistan. <ref>Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley (1996). ''Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants (Contemporary Ethnography)'', p. 153. Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania.</ref> The [[Sikh Empire]] was founded in the Majha region, and so the region is also sometimes referred to as "the cradle of the brave Sikhs."<ref>Sandhu, Gulzar Singh (2004). ''Gods on Trial and Other Stories'', p. 132. Diamond Pocket Books. {{ISBN|8128808087}}</ref>. Majha is also the birthplace of Sikhism.<ref>https://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/other-historical-places/world/majha/</ref>
'''Majha''' ({{small|romanized:}} ''Mājhā''; {{IPA|pa|mäˑ˩˥.dʒˑäː}}; from "mañjhlā" {{literally|middle}})<ref name="Punjabi" group="note">[[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: ਮਾਝਾ {{small|([[Gurmukhi]])}}, {{Nastaliq|ماجھا}} {{small|([[Shahmukhi]])}}</ref><ref name=eos>{{cite encyclopedia |first= |last= |editor1-last=Singh |editor1-first=Harbans |editor1-link=Harbans Singh |title=MĀJHĀ |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia Of Sikhism | volume=III M–R |edition=Third |pages=23–24 |publisher=Punjabi University Patiala |url=https://archive.org/details/TheEncyclopediaOfSikhism-VolumeIiiM-r/page/23/mode/1up |date=2011 |isbn=978-8-1-7380-349-9 |language=English}}</ref> is a region located in the central parts of the historical [[Punjab region]], presently split between the republics of [[Pakistan]] and [[India]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Arora |first=Mohit |url= |title=Advances in Water Resource Planning and Sustainability |last2=Gujarati |first2=Ashwin |last3=Chandel |first3=Sumita |last4=Pateriya |first4=Brijendra |date=2023-07-12 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-981-99-3660-1 |editor-last=Rai |editor-first=Praveen Kumar |pages=43 |language=en |chapter=Assessment of River Water Dynamics and Optically Active Water Quality Parameters Over Punjab, Based on Cloud Computing Approach |quote=Majha is the region located in the central parts of the historical Punjab and is split between India and Pakistan. It is situated between the right bank of the river Beas and left bank of the river Ravi. Majha Region in Indian Punjab has four districts, viz., Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, and Pathankot.}}</ref> It extends north from the right banks<ref name="banks" group="note">The left/right bank of a river is determined by looking in the direction of flow of the river (facing downstream).</ref> of the river [[Beas river|Beas]], and reaches as far north as left bank of the river [[Ravi River|Ravi]], constituting upper half of the [[Bari Doab]].<ref name=":0" />


==History==
The Majha region was [[partition of Punjab|partitioned]] between India and Pakistan in 1947. It includes four districts of Indian [[Punjab, India|state of Punjab]] — [[Amritsar district|Amritsar]], [[Tarn Taran district|Tarn Taran]], [[Gurdaspur district|Gurdaspur]], and [[Pathankot district|Pathankot]]. In the Pakistani [[Punjab, Pakistan|province of Punjab]], the Majha region proper includes [[Lahore District|Lahore]] and [[Kasur District|Kasur]] districts. However, it is not uncommon to include the districts of [[Gujranwala District|Gujranwala]] (including [[Hafizabad District|Hafizabad]] and [[Wazirabad district|Wazirabad]]), [[Sialkot District|Sialkot]] (including [[Narowal District|Narowal]]) and [[Sheikhupura District|Sheikhupura]] (including [[Nankana Sahib District|Nankana Sahib]]) — located in the Upper [[Rachna Doab]] — in the Majha area as well.<ref name=eos/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sharamā |first=Rādhā |url= |title=Peasantry and the State: Early Nineteenth Century Punjab |date=2000 |publisher=K.K. Publishers and Distributors |isbn=978-81-86912-03-4 |pages=10 |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Punjabdoabs1.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A map of the Punjab region {{circa}} 1947 showing the different ''doabs''.]]
[[File:Punjabdoabs1.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A map of the Punjab region {{circa}} 1947 showing the different ''doabs''.]]
The word "Mājhā" means the "central" or the "heartland". The Majha region is geographically located in the middle (or central part) of the historic [[Punjab region]], hence giving it the name Majha.<ref>Vipul Punjabi https://vipulpunjabi.wordpress.com/regions-and-districts/majha/</ref> It includes a considerable portion of the Bari Doab (the region between the rivers [[Beas river|Beas]] and [[Ravi River|Ravi]]) and the Rechna Doab (the region between the rivers [[Ravi River|Ravi]] and [[Chenab]]), and a smaller portion of the Jech Doab region (the region between the rivers [[Jhelum]] and [[Chenab]]).<ref name="KakshiPathak2007">{{cite book|last1=Kakshi|first1=S.R.|last2=Pathak|first2=Rashmi|last3=Pathak|first3=S.R.Bakshi R.|title=Punjab Through the Ages|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K_FRF3a5y2EC|access-date=12 June 2010|date=2007-01-01|publisher=Sarup & Sons|isbn=978-81-7625-738-1}}</ref>
People of the Majha region are given the demonym "Mājhī" or "Majhail". Most inhabitants of the region speak the [[Majhi dialect]], which is the basis of the standard register of the [[Punjabi language]] in Indian Punjab.<ref>Advanced Centre for Technical Development of Punjabi Language, Literature and Culture, Punjabi University, Patiala [http://www.learnpunjabi.org/intro1.asp Punjabi University, Patiala.]</ref> The most populous city in the area is [[Lahore]] on the Pakistani side, and [[Amritsar]] on the Indian side of the border. Majha is also the birthplace of [[Sikhism]].<ref name=eos/>


The Majha region of historical [[Punjab region]] spans northward from the right banks<ref name="banks" group="note">The left/right bank of a river is determined by looking in the direction of flow of the river (facing downstream).</ref> of river [[Beas river|Beas]], and extends up to river [[Jhelum]] at its northmost,<ref name="grover"/> making it the largest regions of historic [[Punjab region|Punjab]].
==History==
[[File:Map of the Lahore Division comprising the Districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Lahore, Sialkot, and Gujranwala, surveyed in 1850–55. Reduced and drawn by Abdoos Sobhan, 1858 (F.4-31).jpg|thumb|Map of the Lahore Division in 1850–1855, comprising the Districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Lahore, Sialkot, and Gujranwala, usually included in the Majha region.<ref name="eos" />]]


The Indian state of Punjab has continued to recognize the Majha region through maintaining the districts that have historically belonged to the Majha region. In Pakistan, the Majha city of Lahore was selected as its provincial capital, which the remaining Majha districts were either maintained, or their borders blurred as the boundaries were divided between districts Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Rawalpindi,<ref>Rawalpindi: Majha, Punjab, Islamabad, Tribes and Castes of Rawalpindi District, Rawalpindi District, Demography of Rawalpindi District https://www.amazon.it/Rawalpindi-Punjab-Islamabad-District-Demography/dp/6131076170</ref> Sahiwal and Sargodha.
The Majha region is called the "Sword Arm of the Country", due to it contributing disproportionately to the Officer as well as Orderly ranks of the Armies of both India and Pakistan.<ref>Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley (1996). ''Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants (Contemporary Ethnography)'', p. 153. Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania.</ref> The [[Sikh Empire]] was founded in the Majha region, and so the region is also sometimes referred to as "the cradle of the brave Sikhs".<ref>Sandhu, Gulzar Singh (2004). ''Gods on Trial and Other Stories'', p. 132. Diamond Pocket Books. {{ISBN|8128808087}}</ref>


==Districts of Majha==
== Districts ==
The following districts are classified as Majha.
The following districts are classified as Majha:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Majha districts of Punjab, Pakistan
! Majha districts of Punjab, India 
|-
|-
! Majha districts of [[Punjab, India]] !! Majha districts of [[Punjab, Pakistan]]
|[[Lahore District|Lahore]]
| [[Amritsar district|Amritsar]]  
|-
|-
| [[Amritsar district|Amritsar]] ||[[Lahore District|Lahore]]
|[[Kasur District|Kasur]]
| [[Gurdaspur district|Gurdaspur]]  
|-
|-
| [[Gurdaspur district|Gurdaspur]] ||[[Gujrat District|Gujrat]]
||[[Sialkot District|Sialkot]]
| [[Tarn Taran district|Tarn Taran]]
|-
|-
|[[Tarn Taran district|Tarn Taran]]
|[[Gujranwala District|Gujranwala]]
|[[Faisalabad District|Faisalabad]]
| [[Pathankot district|Pathankot]]
|-
|-
| [[Pathankot district|Pathankot]] ||[[Hafizabad District|Hafizabad]]
|[[Narowal District|Narowal]]
|
|-
|-
| ||[[Gujranwala District|Gujranwala]]
|[[Sheikhupura District|Sheikhupura]]
|
|-
|-
| ||[[Kasur District|Kasur]]
|[[Nankana Sahib District|Nankana Sahib]]
|
|-
|-
| ||[[Narowal District|Narowal]]
|[[Gujrat district |Gujrat]]
|
|-
|-
| ||[[Sheikhupura district|Sheikhupura]]
|[[Wazirabad District|Wazirabad]]
|
|-
|-
| ||[[Sialkot District|Sialkot]]
|[[Hafizabad District|Hafizabad]]
|
|}
|}


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===India===
===India===
* [[Harmandir Sahib|The Golden Temple]], [[Amritsar]]
* [[Harmandir Sahib|The Golden Temple]], [[Amritsar]]
[[File:Amritsar-golden-temple-00.JPG|thumb|The Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar]]
[[File:Goldener Tempel Amritsar 2022-11-21 4.jpg|thumb|The Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar]]
* Gurudwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib, Amritsar
* [[Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib]], Tarn Taran
* Baba Atal Sahib, Amritsar
* Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum, Amritsar
* Company Bagh, Amritsar
* [[Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib]], Tarntaran
*[[Jallianwala Bagh]], Amritsar
*[[Jallianwala Bagh]], Amritsar
* Punjab State War Heroes' Memorial & Museum, Amritsar
* [[Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal]], Amritsar
* [[Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal]], Amritsar
* Sadda Pind, Amritsar
* Gurudwara Bir Baba Budha Sahib
* Chheharta Sahib, Amritsar
* Gurudwara Goindwal Sahib, Tarntaran
* Urban Haat, Amritsar
* [[Ram Bagh Palace]], Amritsar  
* [[Ram Bagh Palace]], Amritsar  
* [[Partition Museum]], Amritsar
* [[Partition Museum]], Amritsar
*[[Harike Wetland|Harike Pattan]] bird sanctuary, [[Tarn Taran Sahib|Tarn Taran]]
*[[Harike Wetland|Harike Pattan]] bird sanctuary, [[Tarn Taran Sahib|Tarn Taran]]
*[[Durgiana Temple]], [[Amritsar]]
*[[Durgiana Temple]], [[Amritsar]]
* Walled City of Amritsar
*[[Gobindgarh Fort]], [[Amritsar]]
*[[Gobindgarh Fort]], [[Amritsar]]
* Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple, Pathankot
* [[Ranjit Sagar Dam]], Pathankot
* [[Ranjit Sagar Dam]], Pathankot
*[http://www.discoveredindia.com/punjab/attractions/forts/shahpur-kandi-fort.htm Shahpur Kandi Fort], [[Pathankot]]
* [[Pul Kanjri]], [[Amritsar]]
*[http://www.discoveredindia.com/himachal-pradesh/attractions/forts-and-monuments/nurpur-fort.htm Nurpur Fort], [[Pathankot]]
*[[Wagah-Attari border ceremony]], [[Attari]] border between India and Pakistan.
* Gurdwara Kandh Sahib, Batala
*Shamsher Khan's tomb, [[Batala]]
*[[Pul Kanjri]], [[Amritsar]]
*[[Wagah-Attari border ceremony]], [[Attari]] border between [[Amritsar]] India and [[Lahore]] Pakistan.


===Pakistan===
===Pakistan===
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*[[Anarkali Bazaar]], Lahore
*[[Anarkali Bazaar]], Lahore
*[[Badshahi Mosque]], Lahore
*[[Badshahi Mosque]], Lahore
*[[Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore|Bagh-e-Jinnah]] (Lawrence Gardens), Lahore
*[[Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore|Bagh-e-Jinnah]], Lahore
*[[Begum Shahi Mosque]], Lahore
*[[Begum Shahi Mosque]], Lahore
*[[Chauburji]], Lahore
*[[Chauburji]], Lahore
*[[Clock Tower, Faisalabad|Faisalabad Clock Tower]], Faisalabad
*[[Data Darbar]], Lahore
*[[Data Darbar]], Lahore
*[[Fakir Khana]], Lahore
*[[Fakir Khana]], Lahore
Line 94: Line 170:
*[[Hazuri Bagh]], Lahore
*[[Hazuri Bagh]], Lahore
*[[Hiran Minar]], [[Sheikhupura]]
*[[Hiran Minar]], [[Sheikhupura]]
*[[Lahore Fort]] (Shahi Qila), Lahore
*[[Lahore Fort]], Lahore
*[[Lahore Museum]], Lahore
*[[Lahore Museum]], Lahore
*[[Lahore Zoo]], Lahore
*[[Lahore Zoo]], Lahore
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*[[Moti Masjid (Lahore Fort)|Moti Masjid]], Lahore
*[[Moti Masjid (Lahore Fort)|Moti Masjid]], Lahore
*[[Neevin Mosque]], Lahore
*[[Neevin Mosque]], Lahore
*[[Omar Hayat Mahal]], [[Chiniot]]
*[[Oonchi Mosque]], Lahore
*[[Oonchi Mosque]], Lahore
*[[Sacred Heart Cathedral, Lahore|Sacred Heart Cathedral]], Lahore
*[[Sacred Heart Cathedral, Lahore|Sacred Heart Cathedral]], Lahore
Line 112: Line 187:
*[[Tomb of Allama Iqbal]], Lahore
*[[Tomb of Allama Iqbal]], Lahore
*[[Tomb of Nur Jahan]], Lahore
*[[Tomb of Nur Jahan]], Lahore
*[[Wagah-Attari border ceremony]], [[Attari]] border between [[Amritsar]] India and [[Lahore]] Pakistan.
*[[Wagah-Attari border ceremony]], [[Attari]] border between India and Pakistan.
*[[Walled City of Lahore]], Lahore
*[[Walled City of Lahore]], Lahore
*[[Wazir Khan Mosque]], Lahore
*[[Wazir Khan Mosque]], Lahore
*[[Zamzama]], Lahore
*[[Zamzama]], Lahore
*Tomb of [[Bulleh Shah]], Kasur
*[[Changa Manga]] forest, Kasur


==Notable residents Of Majha(India)==
==Notable residents==


*[[Manmohan Singh]] former Prime Minister of India and economist from Gah, located in present-day Pakistan.
*[[Baba Deep Singh]] Ji (1682–1757).
*[[Baba Deep Singh]] Ji (1682–1757).
*Nawab [[Jassa Singh Ahluwalia]] - Sikh Emperor, supreme leader of [[Dal Khalsa (Sikh Army)|Dal Khalsa]], Chief of Budha Dal, Jathedar [[Akal Takhat]].
*[[Lala Achint Ram]] - Noted freedom Fighter, Member of the Constitutional Assembly, Later Parliamentarian.
*Maharaja [[Ranjit Singh]] of Punjab (1780–1839), the founder of the [[Sikh Empire]].
*Maharaja [[Ranjit Singh]] of Punjab (1780–1839), the founder of the [[Sikh Empire]].
*[[Premchand Degra]] Bodybuilder from Gurdaspur.
*[[Zubair Jhara Pehalwan]] (1990-1991) Famous Wrestler from Lahore
*[[Krishan Kant]] - Former Vice President of India
*[[Hari Singh Nalwa]] (1791–1837), renowned warrior and [[Commander-in-chief]] of the [[Sikh Khalsa Army]], the army of the [[Sikh Empire]].
*[[Hari Singh Nalwa]] (1791–1837), renowned warrior and [[Commander-in-chief]] of the [[Sikh Khalsa Army]], the army of the [[Sikh Empire]].
*[[Bhai Bidhi Chand Chhina]] (1640), the greatest [[Sikh]] warrior and religious preacher at the time of [[Guru Hargobind]] Sahib Ji.
*[[Bhai Bidhi Chand]] (1640), [[Sikh]] warrior and religious preacher at the time of [[Guru Hargobind]].
*[[Akali Phula Singh]] Ji (1761 – 1823), highly respected [[Akali Nihang]] [[Sikh]] general and Jathedar of the [[Khalsa Panth]].
*[[Akali Phula Singh]] Ji (1761 – 1823), [[Akali Nihang]] [[Sikh]] general and Jathedar of the [[Khalsa Panth]].
*[[Sham Singh Atariwala]] (1790 - 1846), the general of the [[Sikh Empire]].
*[[Sham Singh Atariwala]] (1790 - 1846), the general of the [[Sikh Empire]].
*[[Allama Iqbal]], Pakistan's national poet.
*[[Allama Iqbal]], Pakistan's national poet.
*[[Faiz Ahmed Faiz]], Urdu poet.
*[[Sohail Ahmed]], Pakistani Comedian
*Captain [[Arun Singh Jasrotia]], Indian military officer.
*[[Musarrat Nazir]], Pakistani Punjabi folk singer of Kashmiri descent.
*[[Musarrat Nazir]], Pakistani Punjabi folk singer of Kashmiri descent.
*[[Saifuddin Kitchlew]], Indian freedom fighter of Kashmiri descent.
*[[Saifuddin Kitchlew]], Indian freedom fighter of Kashmiri descent.
Line 131: Line 217:
*[[Akshay Kumar]]
*[[Akshay Kumar]]
*[[Baba Gurdit Singh]], [[SS Komagata Maru]]
*[[Baba Gurdit Singh]], [[SS Komagata Maru]]
*[[Satyavati Devi (born 1905)]]
*[[Raza Saqib Mustafai]], Islamic Scholar
*[[Bhai Maha Singh]]
*[[Bhai Maha Singh]]
*[[Kapil Sharma (comedian) |Kapil Sharma]]
*[[Kapil Sharma (comedian)|Kapil Sharma]]
*[[Sunanda Sharma]], Famous Female-Punjabi Singer
*[[Dara Singh]] wrestler
*[[Dara Singh]] wrestler
*[[Gurdial Singh Dhillon]], ex-[[speaker of Lok Sabha]], [[India]]
*[[Gurdial Singh Dhillon]], ex-[[speaker of Lok Sabha]], [[India]]
Line 142: Line 231:
*[[Surender Mohan Pathak]], [[Novelist]]
*[[Surender Mohan Pathak]], [[Novelist]]
*[[Teja Singh Samundri]], founder of [[SGPC]]
*[[Teja Singh Samundri]], founder of [[SGPC]]
*Baba [[Sohan Singh Bhakna]], Founder and President of [[Ghadar Party|Gadar]] party
* [[Bharti Singh]]
* [[Bharti Singh]]
*[[Amrinder Gill]]
*[[Amrinder Gill]]
*[[Manmohan Singh]] former prime minister of India
* [[Chandan Prabhakar]]
* [[Baj Singh|Sardar Baj Singh]], Sikh general and governor.<ref>Singh, Raj Pal (1998). ''Banda Bahadur and His Times'' p. 22. Harman Pub. House, 1 Aug 1998.</ref>
* [[Baj Singh|Sardar Baj Singh]], Sikh general and governor.<ref>Singh, Raj Pal (1998). ''Banda Bahadur and His Times'' p. 22. Harman Pub. House, 1 Aug 1998.</ref>
*Bhai Bhag Singh Bhikhiwind, leader of the Ghadar Party (1914)<ref>http://centralsikhmuseum.com/today-in-sikh-history-5th-september/</ref>
* [[Chhajja Singh Dhillon|Sardar Chhajja Singh Dhillon]], Sikh warrior of the early 18th century.
* [[Chhajja Singh Dhillon|Sardar Chhajja Singh Dhillon]], a renowned Sikh warrior of the early 18th century.
* [[Prem Dhillon]]
* [[Prem Dhillon]]
*[[Jordan Sandhu]]
*[[Jordan Sandhu]]
* [[AP Dhillon]]
* [[AP Dhillon]]
*[[Gurinder Gill]]
*[[Nimrat Khaira]]
*[[Ravi Thakur]]
*[[Bhagat Singh]], (September 1907 – 23 March 1931)


==Photo gallery==
==Photo gallery==
Line 168: Line 257:


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Doaba]]
*[[Doaba]], cultural region in Punjab, India
*[[Malwa, Punjab|Malwa]]
*[[Bar Region|Bar]], cultural region in Punjab, Pakistan
*[[Poadh]]
*[[Pothohar Plateau|Pothwar]], cultural region in Punjab, Pakistan
*[[Jech Doab]]
*[[Malwa, Punjab|Malwa]], cultural region in Punjab, India
*[[Rechna Doab]]
*[[Poadh]], cultural region in India
*[[Doab#The Punjab Doabs|The Punjab Doabs]], geographic regions in Punjab


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 178: Line 268:


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Punjab, India}}
{{Punjab, India}}
{{PunjabGeography}}
{{PunjabGeography}}
{{GeoSouthAsia}}
{{GeoSouthAsia}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Regions of India]]
[[Category:Regions of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Regions of Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Regions of Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Regions of Punjab, Pakistan]]
[[Category:Plains of India]]
[[Category:Plains of India]]
[[Category:Plains of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Plains of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Landforms of Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Landforms of Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Geography of Punjab, Pakistan]]
[[Category:Landforms of Punjab (Pakistan)]]

Latest revision as of 13:23, 25 March 2026



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Punjab portal

Majha (romanized: Mājhā; pa; from "mañjhlā" lit. 'middle')[note 1][1] is a region located in the central parts of the historical Punjab region, presently split between the republics of Pakistan and India.[2] It extends north from the right banks[note 2] of the river Beas, and reaches as far north as left bank of the river Ravi, constituting upper half of the Bari Doab.[2]

The Majha region was partitioned between India and Pakistan in 1947. It includes four districts of Indian state of Punjab — Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot. In the Pakistani province of Punjab, the Majha region proper includes Lahore and Kasur districts. However, it is not uncommon to include the districts of Gujranwala (including Hafizabad and Wazirabad), Sialkot (including Narowal) and Sheikhupura (including Nankana Sahib) — located in the Upper Rachna Doab — in the Majha area as well.[1][3]

A map of the Punjab region c. 1947 showing the different doabs.

People of the Majha region are given the demonym "Mājhī" or "Majhail". Most inhabitants of the region speak the Majhi dialect, which is the basis of the standard register of the Punjabi language in Indian Punjab.[4] The most populous city in the area is Lahore on the Pakistani side, and Amritsar on the Indian side of the border. Majha is also the birthplace of Sikhism.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

Map of the Lahore Division in 1850–1855, comprising the Districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Lahore, Sialkot, and Gujranwala, usually included in the Majha region.[1]

The Majha region is called the "Sword Arm of the Country", due to it contributing disproportionately to the Officer as well as Orderly ranks of the Armies of both India and Pakistan.[5] The Sikh Empire was founded in the Majha region, and so the region is also sometimes referred to as "the cradle of the brave Sikhs".[6]

Districts[edit | edit source]

The following districts are classified as Majha:

Majha districts of Punjab, Pakistan Majha districts of Punjab, India
Lahore Amritsar
Kasur Gurdaspur
Sialkot Tarn Taran
Gujranwala Pathankot
Narowal
Sheikhupura
Nankana Sahib
Gujrat
Wazirabad
Hafizabad

Tourist attractions[edit | edit source]

India[edit | edit source]

The Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar

Pakistan[edit | edit source]

Badshahi Masjid, Lahore

Notable residents[edit | edit source]

Photo gallery[edit | edit source]

  • Ranjit Sagar Dam, Shahpur Kandi
    Ranjit Sagar Dam, Shahpur Kandi
  • Ravi River
    Ravi River
  • Emperor Akbar crowning platform, Kalanaur-Gurdaspur, India
    Emperor Akbar crowning platform, Kalanaur-Gurdaspur, India
  • Golden Temple and the Akal Takht, Amritsar
    Golden Temple and the Akal Takht, Amritsar
  • Badshahi Mosque, Lahore
    Badshahi Mosque, Lahore
  • Lahore Fort, Lahore
    Lahore Fort, Lahore
  • Lahore Museum, Lahore
    Lahore Museum, Lahore
  • Shalimar Gardens
    Shalimar Gardens
  • Jahangir's Tomb, Lahore
    Jahangir's Tomb, Lahore

See also[edit | edit source]

  • Doaba, cultural region in Punjab, India
  • Bar, cultural region in Punjab, Pakistan
  • Pothwar, cultural region in Punjab, Pakistan
  • Malwa, cultural region in Punjab, India
  • Poadh, cultural region in India
  • The Punjab Doabs, geographic regions in Punjab

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Punjabi: ਮਾਝਾ (Gurmukhi), ماجھا (Shahmukhi)
  2. ↑ The left/right bank of a river is determined by looking in the direction of flow of the river (facing downstream).

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Singh, Harbans, ed. (2011). "MĀJHĀ". The Encyclopedia Of Sikhism. Vol. III M–R (Third ed.). Punjabi University Patiala. pp. 23–24. ISBN 978-8-1-7380-349-9.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Arora, Mohit; Gujarati, Ashwin; Chandel, Sumita; Pateriya, Brijendra (12 July 2023). "Assessment of River Water Dynamics and Optically Active Water Quality Parameters Over Punjab, Based on Cloud Computing Approach". In Rai, Praveen Kumar (ed.). Advances in Water Resource Planning and Sustainability. Springer Nature. p. 43. ISBN 978-981-99-3660-1. Majha is the region located in the central parts of the historical Punjab and is split between India and Pakistan. It is situated between the right bank of the river Beas and left bank of the river Ravi. Majha Region in Indian Punjab has four districts, viz., Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, and Pathankot.
  3. ↑ Sharamā, Rādhā (2000). Peasantry and the State: Early Nineteenth Century Punjab. K.K. Publishers and Distributors. p. 10. ISBN 978-81-86912-03-4.
  4. ↑ Advanced Centre for Technical Development of Punjabi Language, Literature and Culture, Punjabi University, Patiala Punjabi University, Patiala.
  5. ↑ Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley (1996). Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants (Contemporary Ethnography), p. 153. Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania.
  6. ↑ Sandhu, Gulzar Singh (2004). Gods on Trial and Other Stories, p. 132. Diamond Pocket Books. ISBN 8128808087
  7. ↑ Singh, Raj Pal (1998). Banda Bahadur and His Times p. 22. Harman Pub. House, 1 Aug 1998.

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