Pathankot district
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Pathankot district ਪਠਾਣਕੋਟ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ पठानकोट जिला |
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|---|---|
| District of Punjab | |
 Location in Punjab, India |
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| Coordinates: 32°16′01″N 75°38′36″E / 32.266814°N 75.643444°ECoordinates: 32°16′01″N 75°38′36″E / 32.266814°N 75.643444°E | |
| Country |
 India
|
| State | Punjab |
| Named for | Pathania Rajput |
| Headquarters | Pathankot |
| Government | |
| • Deputy commissioner | Sukhvinder Singh |
| • Senior Superintendent of Police | R.K. Bakshi (PPS) |
| • Member of Parliament | Vinod Khanna |
| Area | |
| • Total | 929 km2 (359 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 626,154 |
| • Density | 670/km2 (1,700/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Regional | Punjabi, Hindi, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Vehicle registration | PB-35 / PB-68 |
| Largest City | Pathankot |
| Website | http://pathankot.gov.in/ |
Pathankot district (Punjabi: ਪਠਾਣਕੋਟ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ), is a district of Indian Punjab, located in the north zone of the state. Pathankot city is the district headquarters. The district was created on 27 July 2011.
It is located in the foothills of the Sivalik Hills. It shares international borders with the Narowal District of Pakistani Punjab. It also shares borders with the Kathua District of Jammu and Kashmir and Chamba and Kangra districts of Himachal Pradesh. Hoshiarpur district shares a boundary with Pathankot in Eastern Punjab. The two main rivers – Beas and Ravi, pass through the district.
In the vedic period monarchy was the form of government but from the Mahabharta period onwards we find traces of republic form of government in our country according to Mahabharta the present Himachal Pradesh was divided into a number of small tribal republics Panini (5th century B.C.)in his ashtadhayai mentioned some of the republics settled there. The Janpadas mentioned in the Mahabharta and also known to Panini are the Trigarthas, the kulutas and kulindas. In Shanti Parva and Sabha Parva of the Mahabharta (chapter 52)the name of the Audambra is found mentioned at the end of the list of republic Janpadas.
It is stated that the rajas of Audumbra accompanied the rajas of kashmira, darda and trigarta to pay Nazaranas to the pandava king Yudhishtra (Mahabharta 2-52-13).the reference of the Audumbras is also find mentioned is Vishnu Puran, vayu Puran, Brihat Samihta, Satpatha Brahma and Ganpatha etc.
The state of Audumbra was lying in between the two great rivers of Ancient times as Parushni or Aravati and Vipasa presently known as River Ravi & Beas comprising whole of the Nurpur Tehsil, Tehsil of Pathankot and a large tract of plains of district Gurdaspur with its capital at Pratishthan that is present Pathankot. Praishthan was probably one of the oldest sites in the Punjab ; Pratishthan (present Pathankot) was advantageously situated on the great commerce route of ancient times, which ran from Patliputra (Patna) of Magadha state to Takshashila and further to the central Asia under the foothills. During the invasion of Alexandra's in 326 B.C. the state of Audmbra was ruled by the Katha Kashatriyas, who enjoyed the highest reputation for still in the art of war. After crossing the river Ravi, Alexander entered the territory of Audumbra State and invested Sangala a strong hold of Kathas of whom Greek called Kathains or Kathoi. The Kathas fought with great dash and studborness so much so that even Pores had to come to the help of 'Alxander with his army of Elephants and 5000 soldiers and titled the scale of victory in his favour. 17,000 Kathas were killed and more than 70,000 were captured. This resolute resistance of the Kathas incensed Alexander to such an extent that Sangala was razed to ground. All this happened near the capital town of Pratisthan (the modern Pathankot). There is no trace of Sangala, HOWEVER A VILLAGE Sangram is available near Shahpur Kandi, Tehsil Pathankot. It may be the abbreviated forms of Sangala. The town Kathua on the east bank of Ravi and Kathgarh on western bank of River Beas seems to be inhabited by the Kathas to whom Greeks called Kathoi's. On reaching near Indoura (in District Kangra) - Kathgarh - Mirthal on the Beas, the army of Alexandera refused to go further on account of alarming reports of the Military strength of Magadh State. In deep disdain Alaxandra had to announce his historical retreat September 326 B.C. On the return of Alexandera, Audumbras again came into power and gained their strength. In the days of their prosperity Audumbra kings issued their coins. These early coins are thin pieces of copper either square or oblong. Their identity is marked by the symbols found on these coins such as Trident, Nandi Bull, Swastic and elephant etc. Some silver coins have also been issued by the Audumbra Kings. They were issued in the name of the community and king. These coins bear the name of the king as well as the state as Audumbrisa . Dharaghosa was probably the most famous and great king of the Audumbra republic. These coins remained in use till the fourth century A.D. Sir A. Cunnigham, first Director General of Archeological Survey of India discovered some Audumbra coins from Pathankot itself during the second half of the nineteenth century when he visited this place.
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