Malerkotla New District for Punjab
Source : Indian Express
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Why in News?

Malerkotla New District for Punjab has been announced by Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and the former princely state would be the 23rd district of the state.

Key Facts

• It was the seat of the princely state during the British Raj.
• The state joins the union of India in 1947 and was merged with other nearby princely states to create the Patiala and East Punjab States Union.
• Malerkotla, a Muslim majority state was established in 1454 A.D. by Sheikh Sadruddin-i-Jahan from Afghanistan.
• The only Muslim-dominated town of Punjab presently.

Procedure of creating new districts within a state

• Formation of a new district or reorganisation of existing districts in new districts is a matter completely under the power of state Govt.
• Formation of district which can do so through an executive order or by passing a bill in the assembly, depending on the state.
• The home and finance department will study the feasibility of the formation of a new district.
  • States argue that smaller districts lead to better administration and governance.
• The Centre has no role to play in the alteration of districts or creation of new ones.

History of Malerkota

• Malerkotla owes its foundations in the 15th century to Sufi saint Sheikh Sadrauddin Sadar-i-Jahan, also known as Haider Sheikh.
• The initial settlement being called Maler and Kotla meaning Fortress.
• 17th century with a collection of villages which formed a jagir which was awarded to Bayzid Khan.
• After the decline of the Mughal empire, Malerkotla’s rulers exercised greater independence.
• It was a part of Cis-Sutlej states
  • Cis-Sutlej states were a group of small states in Punjab region in the 19th century lying between the
    • Sutlej River on the north
    • Himalayas on the east
    • Yamuna River and Delhi District on the south
    • Sirsa District on the west
• States accepted British protection in 1809 and were free from interference from the Sikh Maharaja.
• Malerkotla joined the new state of PEPSU or Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) after the abolition of Princely States.
  • PEPSU itself was dissolved in 1954 and Malerkotla became a part of Punjab.

Major events in the History of Malerkotla New District for Punjab

• Haa Da Naara’ Episode in 1705
  • Malerkotla Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan had raised his voice ‘Haa Da Naara’
  • It was against brutal execution of Chote Sahibzade who is the youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh Zorawar Singh (9) and Fateh Singh (6)  by Nawab of Sirhind, Wazir Khan in 1705.
• Wadda Ghallugara
  • The events of Nawab Bhikam Shah is said to have fought on the side of Abdali’s forces in a battle against the Sikhs in 1762
  • Also known as the Great Holocaust
  • Tens and thousands of Sikhs were killed.
• 1769 treaty of friendship
  • It was signed with Raja Amar Singh of Patiala by the then Nawab of Malerkotla.
  • Thereafter the Patiala princely state was often to the aid of Malerkotla especially in 1795 when Sahib Singh Bedi a descendant of first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev, attacked Malerkotla over the issue of cow slaughter.
• Namdhari Massacre of 1872
  • Namdhari is a sect of Sikhs.
  • Namdhari for protesting against the British merciless killng of 69 Namdharis including women and children, after tying them to barrels of cannons.
  • British Agent who administered Malerkotla at the time as the Nawab was a minor.

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