Ambala
District Information
The Ambala District has claims of being one of the Historical famous
District of Haryana State . The District was explored during British
period by A.C.Cunningham and C.Rodgers and later by B.B.Lal and
many others.On the basis of various literary and archeological evidences
it is possible to give an outline of culture and History of Ambala
District. The earliest literacy reference to the region comprising
the Ambala District in the Taittiriya Aranayaka which mentions Turghna
as the bordering region towards the North of kurukshetra. This locality
identified with Shrughna Sugh also finds mention in Panini (Ancient
Indian Literature).It is surmised that Ambala District to have been
founded by Amba Rajput during the 14th century AD. Another version
is that the name is a corruption of Amba Wala or the mango-village
judging from mango groves that existed in its immediate neighborhood.
Still another version is that the District has taken its name
after goddess "Bhawani Amba" whose Temple still exist in Ambala
city.
Ancient Period
The earliest inhabitants of district were a primitive people
using stone tools of lower palacolithic Age. These tools were found
at various sites in the district like Tarlokpur etc. Unfortunately
this district has not yielded any pre Harappan or mature Harappan
site. However there has been some satisfactory evidence in kins
of late Harappan. The Various evidence specially that of painted
Grey ware pottery support the fact that the Aryans also inhabited
the region. The Ambala region was included in the Kingdom of Pandava
and there successors.The Edicts of Ashoka Chiefly Topara edicts
and stupas at Singh and Chaneti associate this district with Maurayan
Empire which further add to the district with Mauryan Empire which
further add to the importance of place. The discovering of Sunga
Terralottas suggests that they held this area. Several coins of
menander have alsobeen recovered from the area. The district has
also yielded Coins of Indo Parthian Gondophernes and a coin of Mahakshtrapa
Rajuvala (from Ambala and Nariangarh). At some places Kushan
Bricks have also been found which justify the conclusion that this
district was included in the Kushana empire. According to Dr.R.C.
Majumdar the region between Lahore and Karnal formed a part of Samudra
Gupta empire . This evidence is supported by Mehrauli Pillar Inscription
and silver coins found at various places.The region formed an integral
part of nearly all the premier ruling dynasties of India. In 7th
Century is was a part of Sukantha Janpada of puspabhuti of Thanesar.
Some foreign sources specially those of Chinese pilgrimage Hiven
Tsang who visited during Harsha regime show that this District was
also under some influence of Buddhism . The district further Witnessed
the Imperial ambition of Yaso Verman of Kanauj and laladitya. After
the invasion of Mohammed Ghaznavi charuhaus brought it under their
control the Topara pillar stands Testimony of this fact. Finally
the Muslims under took the district after the defeat of Prithviraj
Chauhan in the second Battle of Terrain 1192. Between 9th to12th
century this district retained its importance as a centre of religious
pilgrimage. The discovery of image of lords at several places
suggest existence of beautiful temples which were probably
destroyed during Muslim invasions.
Modern Period
The advent of British Rule Marked the growth of Sikh Power
in this region and the consequent destruction by British in 1805.
The British in order to increase their sway beyond Yamuna look
the Chiefs in Ambala under their protection. The British Controlled
the affairs of all states in the region in a most effective manner
through the political agency at Ambala . In 1845, the Sikh chief
showed passive obstruction or open hostility to the British. The
result was the police jurisdiction of most of the chief as well
as transit and custom duty were abolished and a commutation
was accepted for the personal service of the chief of his contingent.
The political agency of Ambala was transformed into Commissionership
under the commissioner of the cis-Satluj states. By 1846 several
chiefships had lapsed owing to their failure to have male heirs
and the so called break down of administrative machinery. The
British acquired strips of territory around Ambala district
in 1847. In 1849, Punjab was annexed and then it was declared
that expect Buria and Kalsia all chiefs would cease to hold sovereign
powers.
The Revolt of 1857
The Ambala district played a significant role in uprising of 1857.
Ambala was a military depot of great Importance then. Sham Singh
,a sepoy of the 5th Native infantry told Forsyth, the then Deputy
Commissioner Ambala in the end of April 1857 that a general rising
of the Sepoys would take place in the beginning of May. He was
proved Correct at approximately 9 A.M.on Sunday 10th May 1857
an Indian regiment the 60th Native Infantry rose in open revolt
at Ambala followed by 5th native infantry at 12 noon but
the Britsh were too alert and suppressed the revolt. Like the
sepoys, the civil population was also badly disaffected . Indeed
everyone among them irrespective of their caste , creed and religion
stood against Britishers and played a significant Role in Struggle.
Rise of National Awakening
For a long time after the uprising the people of Haryana kept
in suffering . On account of their opposition and indifference
towards the British in the crisis but soon various changes swept
in the country as well as the region as the result , the people
of Ambala were influenced and become politically awakened and
enlighted . Some organization took the task of reformation . The
organization which rendered services in this district
are as follows.
Year Name
of Organization
Aims and Objectives
and Place
1883 Arya
Samaj Ambala
Social & Religious reforms of
Cantonment
Hindus
1884 Anjunam-Rifah-i-Am,
Socio-political awakening
Ambala City
of Indian
1886 Anjuman-islamiya ,
Bettering Muslim 'lot
Ambala city
1886 Singh Sabha
Reforming sikh religion
Ambala city
1886 Central National
Bellering Muslim,lot
Mohamedans
Association
Ambala city
1888 Anjuman -Islamiya
Bellering Muslims' lot
Ambala Cantoment
1888 Singh Sabha Ambala
Reforming Sikh religion
Cantoment
1890 Arya Samaj Ambala
Social-Religious 36
city
Reform Hindus
1896 Sanatam Dharam
Hindu revivalism
Sabha Ambala Cantonment
During this period the people also made efforts
to establish re-organization at national level. Lala Murli Dhar
of Ambala (1820-1924) was one of the founding fathers of Indian
National Congress at Bombay in 1885. Later on during early twentieth
century Indian National Congress organization spread its roots
at various places in Ambala District.
The First world war and Non-co-operation Movement
The people of Ambala helped government in its
war efforts. The village peasants gave recruits to Army but in
the period following the first world war they were rendered jobless
and a feeling of discontentment creeped into them. Mahatma Gandhi
found a great opportunity and launched an all India agitation
in 1919.The Postwar Scenario witnessed a great deal of Political
activity in Ambala District like other parts of India people opposed
Rowllatt Bills. The people over here opposed the Bills and passed
resolution condemning the government action. After the arrest
of Mahatma Gandhi and Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy some voilent disturbance
also took place at number of places.The burning of the offic of
a military regiment 1/34 Sikh Pioneer at Ambala Cantonment
was indeed very serious. The people contributed shoulder to shoulder
with Gandhi's Non Co-operation movement. But in 1922 the Movement
was withdrawn as a result of chaure-chaura Incident.
The Civil disobedience
Movement.
In 1930, an all India civil-disobedience Movement was launched
by Mahatma Gandhi which spread throughout the nation and Ambala
was no exception on April 6th,1930 a huge procession marched through
the main streets of the city and leaders made soul stirring
speeches. At this stage Naujawan Bharat Sabha , a progressive
leftist Movement was established. The Sabha had its Base in the
villages and also among the works in Ambala. The Swadeshi Movement
also gained momentum at this time. The Merchant of Ambala took
a vow not to sell foreign clothes and Bar association passed a
resolution to wear Khadi. Even ladies come forward on 26th April
1920, and woman volunteers prepared salt in Anaj Mandi Ambala.
The auctioned salt fetched 63/- ( sixty three Rupees). The struggle
went on unabated except for a brief halt in 1931 till 1933,
when Mahatma Gandhi withdrawn it and turned it into an individual
Satyagrah. However , it did not make any impressive impact
on the people and the district offered only 171 arrests during
the wake of individual Satyagraha Movement in 1941.
Quit India Movement
The situation changed in 1942, when the Quit India
Movement was launched. The Congress was declared as unlawful.
The people of Ambala were not disheartened and gave a tough fight
to the Britishers. There were violent activities also. There were
lathi charges at about two dozen occasions and about 298 persons
were arrested. The Movement in 1944 was as a result of arrest
of leaders and repressive measures of government.The people of
Ambala fought overseas also in the Indian National Army under
one of the inspiring leadership of Subash Chander Boss.To sum
up the people of Ambala District made a great sacrifice like their
counter parts in the other parts of the country . The achievement
of Independence on August 15,1947 was celebrated in the
district with migration of population from both sides on
account of the partition of the country.This survey of the pre-independence
and historical events indicate that the area Ambala District
nearly always remained a part of the main stream of the Indian
History.
Location
The district Ambala lies on the North-Eastern edge
of Haryana between 27-39"-45' North latitude and 74-33"-53'
to 76-36"-52' East longitude. It is bounded by the district Yamunanagar
to the South-East. To its South lies Kurukshetra district while
in its west is situated Patiala and Ropar districts of Punjab
and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The Shivalik Range of Solan
and Sirmaur districts of Himachal Pradesh bounds the Ambala district
in the North and North-East. The height from the sea level
is 900feet.
Area
It has an area of 1568.85 sq.kms. It comprises of three
tehsils covering the area as mentioned below.
Tehsil Area (in %) as
per 1991 census.
Tehsil
Area(%age)
Ambala
46.63
Barara
19.31
Naraingarh
28.56
Population
The total population of the district according to 2001
is 10,13,660 of which the male population accounted for 5,42,366
and female for 4,71,294. The population of the district forms
4.8 percent of the total population of the Haryana state.
The literate population is 673807out of which 390012 are males
and 283795 are females respectively. The sex rate is 869 and the
density of population is 644.
Rivers &Water System
The district is mainly drained by non-perennial streams
and the drainage system of the district comprises of the following:
1. The Markanda & its tributaries
2. The Dangri (Tangri) & its tributaries
3. The Ghagghar & its tributaries
The Markanda and the Dangri streams ultimately
drain into the Ghagghar river beyond the territory of the district.
The Ghagghar along with its tributaries however constitutes an
inland drainage system.
