Harman Patil (Editor)

Amritsar district

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Country
  
India

Named for
  
Suffice of Amrit

Time zone
  
IST (UTC+5:30)

Area
  
2,683 km²

Population
  
2.491 million (2011)

State
  
Punjab

Headquarters
  
Amritsar

Website
  
amritsar.nic.in

Literacy
  
76.3%

Amritsar district httpsmw2googlecommwpanoramiophotosmedium

Points of interest
  
Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple, Akal Takht, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Mu

Colleges and Universities
  
Guru Nanak Dev University, BBK DAV College for Women, Government Medical College, Indian Institute of Manage

Amritsar district (Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ) is one of 22 districts located in the Majha region of the state of Punjab in North India. The city of Amritsar is headquarters of this district.

Contents

Map of Amritsar, Punjab

As of 2011 it is the second most populous district of Punjab (out of 22), after Ludhiana.

History

During British Rule Amritsar was part of Lahore Division and was administratively subdivided into 3 tehsils namely - Amritsar, and Ajnala. Tarn Taran has itself formed into a district headquarters. However, as part of the partition of India in 1947 Amritsar district was separated from the rest of the division and awarded to India. During the partition period, the Muslim population of the district, some 30%, left for Pakistan while Hindus and Sikhs from West Punjab in newly created Pakistan migrated in the opposite direction.

The Sikhs were a majority in the Amritsar district constituting about 60% of the population before the partition of 1947. According to 2001 census, Sikhs make up about 77% while Hindus make 21% of the total population of the district.

The Majha Region is the Birthplace of the Sikh religion, and the Birthplace of the Sikh Misls (Sikh Confederacy).

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Amritsar district has a population of 2,490,891, roughly equal to the nation of Kuwait or the US state of Nevada. This gives it a ranking of 175th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 932 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,410/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 15.48%. Amritsar has a sex ratio of 884 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 77.2%.

District administration

  • The Deputy Commissioner, an officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Service is in charge of general administration of the district. He is generally a middle-level IAS officer of Punjab Cadre. As the District Magistrate, he also effectively the head of the police force.
  • Administration of departments such as public works, health, education, agriculture, animal husbandry, etc. is headed by district officers who belong to various Punjab state services.
  • The Commissioner of Police, an officer belonging to the Indian Police Service is responsible for maintaining law and order in the district. He is assisted by officers of the Punjab Police Service and other Punjab Police officials.
  • The Divisional Forest Officer, an officer belonging to the Indian Forest Service is responsible for the management of forests and wildlife in the district. He is assisted by officers of the Punjab Forest Service, other Punjab Forest officials and Punjab Wildlife officials.
  • A Municipal corporation is responsible for the management of public works and health systems in the city of Amritsar. The municipal corporation is a democratic body of councillors and is presided over by the Mayor, who is elected by the councillors. At present, there are more than 70 councillors.

    • Amritsar District Borders the Pakistani Punjab Districts of Lahore, Kasur, Shiekhupura along the Ravi River Firozpur District to the South along Sutlej River, Kapurthala District along the Beas River and Gurdaspur District to the North.

    References

    Amritsar district Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA