Ludhiana was founded in the time of Lodhi dynasty which ruled in Delhi from 1451-1526 A.D. There were two Lodhi Chief’s Yusaf Khan and Nihand Khan who were deputed by Sikandar Lodhi (1489-1517 A.D.) to restore order in this region. They camped at present city of Ludhiana which was then a village called Mir Hota. Yusaf Khan went across the river Sutlej in Jalandhar Doab to check Khokhars who were plundering the Doab and made a settlement at Sultanpur while Nihand Khan stayed back and founded the present city at the site of village Mir Hota. The new town was originally known as Lodhi-ana, which means the town of Lodi’s. The name later changed to the present name Ludhiana.
Ludhiana is the most centrally located district which falls in the Malwa region of the State of Punjab. It lies between north Latitude 30o-34′ and 31o-01′ and east longitude 75o-18′ and 76o-20′. It is bounded on the north by River Sutlej which separates it from Jalandhar district. The River also forms its northern boundary with Hoshiarpur district. On other sides it shares common boundaries with Rupnagar district in the East, Moga district in the West, and Sangrur & Patiala districts in the South and South east respectively.
The topography of the District is typical representative of an Alluvial plain, it owes its origin to the aggravation work of the Sutlej River. Most of these dunes have been leveled by the brave hard working agriculturists of the district.The
District can be divided into :
- The flood plain of the Sutlej
- The up land plain
The cold season is from middle of November to the early part of March. The succeeding period up-to the end of June is the hot season. July, August and half of September constitute the south west of monsoon, the period of mid September to about the middle of November may be termed as post monsoon or transitional period.
The rainfall in the district increases from south west towards the north east. About 70% of the rainfall is received during the period July to September.
River Sutlej takes its origin from Mansarovar Lake in the Tibbet (China). After flowing through Himachal Pradesh territory,it debouches from the Shivaliks. Just about Rupnagar, some 32 Km East of the boundary of Samrala Tehsil and it flows due west along the top of the district, for some 96 Km and turns, as it leaves Jagraon tehsil slightly to north towards its junction with Beas at Harike during its journey along the district. It maintain and east west direction.
There are 7 Sub-Divisions, 8 Tehsils and 896 villages in Ludhiana having a total population of approx 35 Lakh as per 2011 census and literacy rate of 82.2%.
