Kalanaur, Punjab, India

Demographics

As per the 2001 census of India, Kalanaur has a population of 12,915. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Those under 6 years of age constitute 13% of the population. The average literacy rate is 65%, which is higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is at 69%, and female literacy at 61%.

Geography

Kalanaur is located at 32.01°N 75.09°E / 32.01; 75.09. It has an average elevation of 243 metres (797 feet). The town is situated about 25 km to the west of Gurdaspur city, on the banks of the Kiran, a minor rivulet that merges into the Ravi river.

History

According to Imperial Gazetteer of India, Kalanaur was founded by two Muslim brothers named Kala and Noor. According to the historian Mohammad Latif, the town was founded by the Noor tribe of Rajputs who probably migrated from South India.It is also possible that the town took its name from the Kaleshwar temple, consecrated to Shiva, which stands within a local fort.

Kalanaur existed much before 13th century. It is probably late 7th or early 8th century that Raja Nakay Rao established its rule over the territory. Later, the Raja of Kalanaur Raja Saheb Rao Sena was one of the 150 Rajas who had participated in both the battles of 1191 & 1192 at Tarain (Thanessar) alongside Prithviraj Chauhan against Mohammad Ghour. He adopted religion of Islam after the defeat and Prithviraj Chauhan was captured and killed by Mohammad Ghour under captivity. They migrated to the hills near Peer Panchaal after becoming Muslims as other Rajputs broke relations with this family.

History of Jarral Rajputs

The History of Jarral rajputs starts from Mahabharata as they were the descendants of Pandavs of Mahabharata from Prince Arjuna.As they are the Chandravanshi rajputs descended from Tomar Rajputs of Delhi. Rana Jira pal who was brother of Rana Beht or Jhet pal ruling Prathisthna or Pathankot who was younger brother of Raja Angpal tomar || of Delhi. As they are named after their apical ancestor Raja Jir rao. After being defeated by Mohd. Ghori they moved to Rajauri and became the king of Rajauri also.

During the 14th-16th centuries, Kalanaur was a major urban centre and several historical events are associated with the town. Firuz Shah Tughluq (1352–88) built a beautiful palace on the banks of the Kiran rivulet. During the reign of Sayyad Mubarak Shah (1421–35), Kalanaur was ruled by the Khokhar tribe. In February 1556, Mughal Emperor Akbar, was enthroned in a garden near the Kalanaur by Bairam Khan. The masonry platform, where he was crowned can be visited even today.There is a mosque that was built during the his reign.

During period of anarchy in latter half of the 18th century, the Kanhaiya Misl, a militia under Sardar Haqeeqat Singh Kanhaiya, occupied Kalanaur. His son Jaimal Singh extended his territory up to Fatehgarh Churian and shifted his residence there. Jaimal Singh’s daughter Chand Kaur was married to Kharak Singh, eldest son and heir of Ranjit Singh, in 1812. Later, when the area was annexed by Ranjit Singh, he granted it to Kharak Singh. It was later granted in fief to one Diwan Dina Nath, and was finally annexed into British India after the death of Dewan Dina Nath in 1857.

Culture

Kalanaur was at one time a centre of art, trade and cottage industry. A local saying has it that "a person who has not seen Lahore should see Kalanaur."

The town houses a famous temple of Lord Shiva. The Shivalingam enshrined in the temple is in horizontal form and bound with the ground, with the sanctum sanctorum above it. An annual three-day fair coinciding with the Shivaratri festival is held in the vicinity of the temple. Free kitchens are organised and thousands of devotees come to pay obeisance to the lord. The Gurudwara Banda Bahadur, built on the site of a well excavated by order of Banda Bahadur, is another landmark of the town. There is also a temple of Shiva.