Abohar

History

In **Book II of the *Ain-i-Akbari''''', Abohar (Persian: ابوهر, transliterated as Abuhar) appears as a pargana under the Sarkar of Sirhind, within the **Subah of Delhi'''. The Sarkar of Sirhind was an important administrative and military division of the Delhi Subah, functioning as a strategic gateway to the empire’s northwestern frontiers. Abohar’s classification as a pargana reflects its established role as a fiscal jurisdiction, with defined territorial limits, inhabited settlements, and assessed land (*zamin'') revenues.

Connections with Firoz Shah Tughluq

This city developed a deeper connection with Tughluqs. Firoz Shah Tughluq's mother Bibi Naila was from Abohar and Tughlaq's court historian Shams-i Siraj 'Afif lived here.

Ibn Battuta's mention

Ibn Battuta when travelled India, he mentioned in his book as 'Abohar was the first town in the Hindustan, even it was in a desert', when he travelled in 1341 A.D.  But this varies translation to translation of the Rehla.

British Colonial Era

During the British era in India, it was the hub of horse breeding and a major cotton trade centre having business with Karachi and other mandis.

Geography

Location

Abohar, located approximately 32 kilometres (19.8 miles) south of Fazilka, is the nearest border town to Fazilka. It serves as a connection point between the two Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan. Within India, Abohar is situated 75.6 kilometres (47 miles) west of Bathinda, 258 kilometres southwest of the holy city of Amritsar, 217 kilometres southwest of the industrial city of Ludhiana, 300 kilometres southwest of the state capital Chandigarh, and 373 kilometres northwest of the national capital, New Delhi.

Demographics

Population

According to the 2011 Indian census, Abohar had a population of 145,302, of which 76,984 were males and 68,318 were females.

Religion

The majority of the people living in Abohar follows Hinduism, with a significant Sikh minority.

Languages

Punjabi is the official language of the city and is spoken by the majority. Other major languages spoken are Bagri and Hindi.

Wildlife sanctuary

Abohar is home to the Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary, which provides a free-range sanctuary for black bucks. The open sanctuary is spread over an area of 18,650 hectares across farmlands and villages. The sanctuary is also home to Albizia lebbeck, Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica, A. tortilis, Nilgai, porcupines, hares, and jackals.

References

References

1. "52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India". [[Ministry of Minority Affairs]].
2. "Abohar Municipal Council City Population Census 2011". Census of India.
3. "Punjab’s Abohar accounts for 60% of the state’s kinnow production".
4. "Kinnow, cultivation in Abohar contributes significant share". PANJ.
5. "Distance from Abohar to Lahore".
6. "Distance between Lahore and Abohar".
7. Ain-i-Akbari, Book II; Sirhind Sarkar is listed under Subah of Delhi; sarkar area c. 11,650 mi², revenue c. 160,790,549 dams. [Cite: Ain-i-Akbari, Subahs of Delhi section]
8. (1 September 2024). "Mud Fort that once defined Abohar". The Tribune.
9. E. L. Blandreth. "Report on the Revised Settlement of the District of Ferozepore".
10. (24 July 2022). "Punjab’s Abohar was once a hub of horse breeding and cotton trade". Hindustan Times.
11. "C-01: Population by religious community - Abohar city".
12. "C-16: Population by mother tongue - Abohar".
13. "Black Buck Sanctuary Abohar {{!}} District Fazilka, Government of Punjab {{!}} India".