District- Barnala, the fastest growing district in Punjab

Barnala is the 20th district of the Indian state of Punjab. It is a well-known City in the center of the Malwa region. Barnala was declared a district in 19th November 2006 by partitioning the erstwhile Sangrur district.  Barnala is a small district both in terms of population and area. The district is surrounded by Ludhiana and Moga districts in the North, Sangrur district in the East, Mansa district in the South, and Bhatinda district in the Southwest. It has a diverse population supporting local industries and food businesses. The seat of Parliament is attached to Sangrur. Barnala is situated in the heart of Punjab. Before upgrading the status of Barnala as a District, it was a part of the Sangrur district. District Barnala has two sub-divisions Barnala and Tapa, three sub-tehsil Tapa, Bhadaur, Dhanaula, and three blocks Barnala, Sehna, and Mehal Kalan. The district has 5 Municipal committees. It consists of 17 kanungo circles, 170 patwar circles, and 207 revenue villages with the district headquarters at Barnala. There are 130 villages and 158 Gram Panchayats. Barnala has an area of 1482 sq Kilometer. It is located at 30.37 latitudes and 75.55 longitudes and it is situated at an elevation of 237 meters above sea level. Barnala was created as Police District on 16.12.1991 with Police Stations City Barnala, Sadar Barnala, Dhanaula, Tappa, Sehna, Bhadaur, Mehal Kalan, and Sherpur. This Police District was converted into Revenue District on 19-11-2006  during which Police Station Sherpur was transferred to District Sangrur and new Police Stations Rureke Kalan, Tallewal, and Thuliwal came into existence.

Barnala was named after Baba Ala Singh, who was a Misl Jathedar of Phulkian Misl. At one time Barnala was a part of Patiala province which was set up by Baba Ala Singh in 1719. He also laid the foundation of Patiala two hundred fifty-two years ago. Baba Ala Singh conquered Sirhind by fighting his battle from this place. When he overpowered remote areas, then he shifted his capital from Barnala to Patiala keeping in mind the administrative angle. Barnala which at one time was the capital of Patiala province was District Headquarter when Patiala province came into existence and Bathinda and Mansa used to be its Tehsils (sub-divisions). At the time of independence of India, Bathinda became a separate district. After Independence, following the abolition of provinces, the new state of PEPSU was created in 1954. Then Barnala was the district headquarter and Rampura Phool and Malerkotla were its Tehsils (sub-divisions). When PEPSU State with Patiala as its capital was disbanded and merged with Punjab, the status of Barnala district got degraded. It was made a sub-division. When Barnala became a sub-division, after the merger of PEPSU in Punjab, it had only the Additional District and Sessions Judge Court, vested with all powers of District and Session Judge Court.

The Dera Baba Gandha Singh of Barnala too was linked with the history of Barnala. Once Bibi Pradhan Kaur (famous with the name of 'Pradhan'), daughter of Maharaja Ala Singh met Baba Langar Singh. She listened to the sermon of Baba Langar Singh and was impressed to see serving meals to the people without any break. It left a deep impact on her mind. She requested Baba Langar Singh that a saint of high conduct like him be sent to Barnala who may start congregation and meal service like this there. Accepting her request, Baba Langar Singh sent his learned disciple Pandit Nikka Singh to Barnala. Maharaja Ala Singh had heard a lot about Baba Langar Singh and Pandit Nikka Singh. Whenever he talked of appointing a talented teacher for Bibi, then the name of Pandit Nikka Singh used to be mentioned in high esteem. Complying with the orders of Baba Langar Singh, Pandit Nikka Singh reached Barnala. Maharaja Ala Singh provided him a beautiful house to live in. Pandit Ji started the congregation. In this way, Dera Baba Gandha Singh came into existence. It is found that even today in the fort, regular langar is served to hundreds of the people. The hearths of Baba Ala Singh are well maintained even today and the Gurudawara is famous with the name of Baba Chulle (Hearths).

Barnala is also famous for producing 'Sahit" (literature) too. The district has produced many eminent literary poets and novel writers like Mr. Ram Sarup Ankhi, Mr. Om Parkash Gasso, Dr. Pritam Singh Rahi, and Dr.  Amar Komal.

The Barnala is fast emerging as an important industrial growth center on the industrial map of the state. Besides traditional goods, high-quality and sophisticated items like small cutting tools, threads by spinning mills, chemicals, paper, towels, combines, tractors, electric scooter, bulldozers, cranes and their components, agricultural implements including harvester combines and thrashers, milk products, pesticides are produced in Barnala. There is another industry in Bhadaur related to truck body framing. One of the fastest growing towns in Punjab, Barnala is developing rapidly and has many industries that are coming up and giving the city a chance to match steps with the rest of the country. It is said that the city has a lot of historical significance and has stories that go way back in time, even prior to the 18th Century, but no evidence to prove this has been found. Nonetheless, the city has a lot to offer to tourists and promises to not let anyone leave unhappy. The city is well known for its power loom and handloom works and once in the city, taking a look at all their offerings is a must.