Mandi Gobindgarh

History

Local tradition (authenticated by the SGPC) holds that the sixth Sikh Guru Shri Guru Hargobind Sahib stayed, for 40 days during 1646, at the bank of a large sarovar known as 'Barhi Dhab'. He was accompanied by his followers and warriors. A skirmish occurred between Guru Sahib`s men and a contingent of Mughal forces. In the clash, the weapons of Guru Sahib's men were damaged. His men pleaded before him that they could not continue to fight as there was no steel available in the area to repair of their weapons. Guru Sahib replied: "Some day this place will be a large steel-producing centre in the country, where you say, no steel is available for repair of your weapons". (To commemorate Guru Sahib's influence, a Gurdwara in the holy memory of the him is situated near the railway station). Following this, the place known as 'Barhi Dhab' then became known as Gobindgarh after the name of Guru Hargobind ji.

At the start of the 20th century, the industralisation of the city began. The Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha, in whose territory Gobindgarh then lay, ordered some industrial units to be built in 1902.

This was followed by Maharaja Partap Singh who took specific measures for the industrial development of the town. Gobindgarh was declared a free trade zone for steel in 1928, and its growth as a centre for steel began. Land was made available to local blacksmiths at nominal rates in early 1940. This move led to establishment of a number of workshops on both sides of the G.T.Road at Gobindgarh.

This was originally a walled town with four gates. One was near Modi Mills, another was near Munilal Om Prakash, the third near the present main post office and the fourth near Krishna Mandir. All these gates used to be closed by sunset till 1950. After 1950, the gates were demolished one by one.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Gobindgarh had a population of 55,416. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Gobindgarh has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 72%, and female literacy is 67%. In Gobindgarh, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Economy

The economy of the town is mainly based on steel and allied industries. It has a large number of steel-rolling mills - nearly 200 - serving 25% of the secondary steel market of the country. There are about 48 induction furnaces producing raw material for the rolling mills, about 12 forging units catering to the needs of the steel-rolling mills, sugar and paper industry, some 40 foundry units, 90 scrap-cutting units and 12 oxygen plants catering to the local requirements of industry. Besides this, there are another 67 industrial units associated with the steel industry.

The steel economy attracts workers around the whole India especially from Bihar, Delhi, Kanpur.

Present State

Due to the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent global recession, the industry of Mandi Gobindgarh was affected. From 2012 to 2015, tax duties on import and export were increased, hitting profits of the Gobindgarh steel mills. After the closure of several factories within a short span of time, thousands of people became unemployed and they returned to their homes.

Transport

Mandi Gobindgarh railway station is on Ambala-Attari line.

Mandi Gobingarh Bus Stand on National Highway 1 (India) OR NH01. Ataxi service is available in the city being provided by makk cabs.[1]

Engineering

Schools

Local Sights

There are many beautiful public parks in Mandi Gobindgarh, such as the Maharaja Aggarsain Park (Rose Garden), the Green Park and the Ladies' Park. There is a mall on the north side of the city, with a cinema. There is also a McDonald's fast-food restaurant along with Domino's and Pizza Hut.

It also has main market named Main Bazar.