Budhlada’s History: A Tale of Faith, Freedom, Farming, and Fierce Spirit

Budhlada is a beautiful city in the Mansa district of Punjab, India. It is known for its peaceful life, farming, and warm people. Most people in Budhlada work in agriculture, growing food for many others. The city is run by a local government called a municipal council. It has 19 wards, and people vote every five years to choose new leaders. Since the 1950s, Budhlada has been a Class II Municipal Council.

How Budhlada Got Its Name

Long ago, the area was home to two Khatri brothers named Budha and Laddha. The city’s name, “Budhlada,” comes from joining their names together. This name stayed as the place grew over the years.

History of Budhlada

Budhlada was once part of a small kingdom called Kaithal. During British rule, it came under Karnal District. In 1857, there was a big fight against the British across India, and Budhlada also took part. A railway was later built, and this helped Budhlada grow in trade. But in 1947, when India got independence and was divided into two countries, Budhlada lost trade ties with cities like Lahore and Karachi. This hurt the local economy.

Sweet Fame and Loss

In the 1930s and 1940s, Budhlada was famous for a kind of sugar called "bora khand." A sugar factory near the railway station sent sugar to big cities. But after the 1947 partition, Budhlada lost those markets, and the sugar trade dropped.

Role in India’s Freedom

In the past, Budhlada was also known as a small “riyasat” (kingdom). Many people from nearby villages helped in India’s freedom movement. After freedom, the city lost some attention, but people joined the Praja Movement after the death of Sewa Singh Thikriwala.

Famous People from Budhlada

Budhlada is proud of its heroes. Captain Kulbhushan Kumar Gaur (K.K. Gaur) was a brave soldier from here. Babu Hitabhilashi was a kind man who helped people and worked to improve society. Dr. M. L. Singla, who led India’s Chandrayaan space mission, also comes from Budhlada.

Population and Literacy

In 2011, Budhlada had 26,172 people. About 53% were men and 47% were women. Around 11% of the people were kids under six years old. Out of all the people, 8,726 had jobs. Around 18,680 people could read and write. Budhlada has a literacy rate of 80.2%, which is better than India’s average.

Places to Visit

Madina Jama Masjid: A peaceful mosque in Budhlada where people come to pray.

Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurudwara: This holy place is 7 km from Budhlada in Bareh village. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji stayed there and helped the villagers move their village to a better place for farming.

Budhlada Railway Station

The railway station was built in 1895. It was part of the Southern Punjab Railway. Now it’s on the Delhi-Ferozpur line. Trains from Budhlada go to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and more. This helps people travel easily.

Guru Nanak College

This college started in 1971 in honor of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 500th birth anniversary. It was first run by local people. In 1994, it was taken over by SGPC to improve the college. Since 2008, the college has grown a lot. It now has good buildings, many teachers, and modern technology. Recently, it got an “A++ Grade NAAC Accreditation,” which means it provides very good education.

Location and Events

Budhlada is about 70 km from Bathinda. A well-known Gurudwara named Braham Bunga is in Dodra, just 10 km away. Every year, three big gatherings called “Sangam” happen in March, September, and December. People from all over the world come for these events.

Schools and Education

Budhlada has many schools, both government and private. Some famous ones are Captain KK Gaur Girls School, Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Guru Nanak College, LADM DAV Public School, and Manu Vatika Day Boarding School. There are also places like the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and National Institute of Computer Education, where students learn skills for jobs.

Budhlada Bus Stand

Budhlada has a good bus stand that connects it to other cities by road.

Community Work and Kindness

In recent years, people in Budhlada have started many programs to help others. Groups like the Mata Gujri ji Taneki Foundation and Nikki Foundation help poor and needy people. A place called Neki Ashram was also built to help the community. People in Budhlada respect heroes like Doctor Krishna Chand Garg Ji and continue his good work.

Conclusion

Budhlada is a city full of stories, kindness, and strong people. From its deep history to today’s growth, Budhlada shows how a small city can become a big part of Punjab’s culture. Come visit Budhlada and feel its heart and soul.