Baba Bakala
Baba Bakala is a historical town and tehsil in the Amritsar district in Punjab, India.[2] It is known as the location of Gurdwara Baba Bakala Sahib.
Baba Bakala | |
|---|---|
town | |
  Baba Bakala Location in Punjab, India  Baba Bakala Baba Bakala (India) | |
| Coordinates: 31°33′18″N 75°15′56″E | |
| Country |  |
| State | Punjab |
| Region | Punjab |
| District | Amritsar |
| Tehsil | Baba Bakala |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 128,946 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Punjabi (Gurmukhi) |
| • Regional | Punjabi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 143201[1] |
| Vehicle registration | PB-17 |
| Amritsar city | Amritsar |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | 25 |
History
Baba Bakala is closely associated with the 9th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Tegh Bahadur. The Guru is said to have meditated here for 26 years, 9 months and 13 days. There is a Gurdwara at the site commemorating this.[3]
Baba Bakala was originally known as Bakkan-Wala (meaning 'Town of the Deer' in Persian) however over time this was shortened to Bakala. The town was originally a mound, where deer were found grazing.
Before passing away in Delhi, the Guru at the time, Guru Har Krishan uttered "Baba Bakale" which the Sikhs at the time interpreted as meaning that the Guru's successor was to be found at the town of Bakala, close to Amritsar. Once the next Guru was found, the phrase "Baba Bakale" evolved into the official name of the town, Baba Bakala.
Geography
Baba Bakala is located at 31°33′18″N 75°15′56″E, on Batala Road, near Amritsar, Punjab, India. The town is located only 43 km (26.7 miles) away from the Golden Temple in the city of Amritsar,[3] 46.5 km (28.9 miles) northwest of Jalandhar and 193 km (120.5 miles) northwest of the state's capital of Chandigarh.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census of India, the population of Baba Bakala is 8946. There are 1,834 households, 4,697 males and 4,249 females. Thus the corresponding sex ratio is 905 women per 1000 men.[4]
Religion
Sikhism is the most prominent religion of the town. Other minorities includes Hinduism and Jainism. Bhullar Jatts and Shukla Pandits were the original inhabitants of the town when it was founded as a village. There were few Muslim households, who migrated elsewhere during the 1947 Partition of India and up until 1955 there was a Mosque as well. There is an Ancient Shiva Temple in the centre of the town which still exists.
Politics
Baba Bakala Sahib's constituency is mainly led by the Shiromani Akali Dal party. Many political leaders such as Jiwan Singh Umranangal, Babu Karam Singh Bal, Shaheed Darshan Singh Pheruman, Sohan Singh Jallalusman and Dalip Singh Mehta belonged to this constituency. These politicians played a large role in the politics of Punjab. The foundation stone of the Baba Bakala Sahib tehsil was laid by Jiwan Singh Umranangal. Sardar Dasuanda Singh bhullar was popularly known as wattvalan due to his contribution in allotting his own land for making way for hospital he is not mentioned as he didn't wanted to popularise his name and he has also met many renowned persons like Mr Gianni zail singh (then prime minister of India), Sardar Pratap Singh kairon Sardar Mohan singh nagoke Sardar Sohan Singh Jallalusma and many more. His main contribution was in supplying food to freedom fighters .
References
- "Baba Bakala PIN code". sulekha.com. n.d. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- "Baba Bakala, Amritsar, Punjab". maplandia.com. n.d. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- "Baba Bakala, Amritsar, Punjab". Official website of Amritsar district. amritsar.nic.in. n.d. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
- "GOI Census 2011". n.d. Retrieved 27 October 2011.