Bassi Pathana, the Jewel of Punjab, Rich in Tradition and Development

Let’s take a small tour of a very special city in Punjab. The name of this city is Bassi Pathana. It is in the Fatehgarh Sahib district in the state of Punjab, India. This city is very old and has a long history. In the year 1920, Bassi Pathana became famous. It made the first sewing machine in Asia. It also made the main parts of the machine. This was a big step in history.

According to the 2011 census in India, Bassi Pathana had 20,288 people. Out of these, 10,665 were men and 9,623 were women. This shows it is a small town, but it is full of life.

The people in Bassi Pathana are well educated. The town has a literacy rate of 79%. This means many people can read and write. This number is more than the average rate in India, which is 74.04%. Among men in Bassi Pathana, 81% can read and write. Among women, 75% can read and write. This shows that both men and women in the town give importance to learning.

Bassi Pathana: A City with a Long Story

Bassi Pathana is a very old city. It started in the year 1540. At first, Muslim Pathans lived there. Later, the 9th Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, came to visit. After his visit, people started calling the city just "Bassi." The city has a special Gurdwara to remember Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. The 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, also came to this city. People built the Gurdwara to honor both Sikh Gurus.

Famous Places to Visit:

There are other holy places in Bassi Pathana too. One temple is for Sh. Sant Namdev Ji. Another temple is called Brahamghat. A holy man named Rishi Ajgaiwanand meditated there for many years. During his deep prayer, he lost one leg, but he did not know it. His followers made a new leg for him using wood and brass. He gave a blessing to the city. He said that if there is any sign of bad luck, people should move his wooden leg from house to house. If they do this, the city will stay safe and will not have misfortune.

Town and City Organization

The city is part of a district. There are 86 villages in this area. The city has its own local government. This is called the Municipal Corporation. The city is divided into 15 parts. These parts are called Wards. Each Ward has one leader. This leader is called a Municipal Councilor. One of the villages in this area is Nandpur Kalaur. It is in Bassi Pathana Tehsil.

Religions in the City

People in the city follow many religions. These include Sikhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Christianity, and Islam.

Places of Worship

There are many places in the city where people go to pray. People of different religions have different places to worship.

Temples

Hindu people go to temples. Some famous temples in the city are:

• Sh. Namdev Ji Temple

• Prachin Shri Ram Mandir (Nav Garah Mandir)

• Prachin Shri Shiva Temple (Mahadevas)

• Usha Mata Mandir

• Baba Rishi Ajgawanand (Brahmghat Mandir)

Usha Mata Temple

Usha Mata Mandir is one of the well-known temples in the city. Many people visit this temple to pray.

Gurdwaras

Sikh people go to Gurdwaras. Some Gurdwaras in the city are:

• Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Gurdwara

• Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji Gurdwara

• Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Gurdwara

Masjid

Muslim people go to Masjids. The city has two big Masjids. These are called Jama Masjids.

Church

Christian people go to church. There is one church in the city. It is a special place for prayer and is also a symbol of Jesus.

Basant Panchami Festival

The biggest festival in Bassi Pathana is Basant Panchami. This festival is celebrated in the month of Magh. Magh comes between January and February in the regular calendar. A big fair is held during this time. The fair goes on for three days without stopping. Many people come to enjoy the fair and celebrate the festival.

Education Hub: Institutions in Bassi Pathana

Bassi Pathana has many schools and colleges. It also has a government-approved center for ITI (Industrial Training Institute) courses. This center gives full-time training for different jobs.

Colleges in Bassi Pathana

There are three main colleges in the city:

• Sant Namdev Kanya Maha Vidyalaya College – This college is for girls and is linked with Punjabi University.

• S.D.A.V. College for Girls – This is also a girls' college and is linked with Punjabi University.

• Pine Grove College of Education – This college trains students to become teachers.

Schools in Bassi Pathana

Here are the schools in the city:

1. Holy Heart Public High School Bassi Pathana

2. Bal Bharati Public School

3. Pine Grove Public School

4. S.D. Public School For Girls

5. Guru Nanak Dev Public School

6. Government Senior Secondary School For Girls

7. Government Lala Lajpat Rai High School

8. Government Senior Secondary School For Boys

9. Garden Valley International School

10. Government Mandi Secondary School

11. Government SD Model Hindi School (Puttari Path Shala)

12. Government Old Jail School

13. Sant Namdev Kanya Public School

14. Bassi Public School

15. Government Anganwadi Elementary School

16. Government Masjid (Maseet) Elementary School

Bassi Pathana Railway Station Today

The station has improved over time. Now it has better ticket counters and waiting areas. These changes make travel more comfortable.

The station is not only for people who live in Bassi Pathana. Tourists also use it to visit the area and learn about its history and culture. The station is connected to big cities in Punjab and also to other parts of India.

As the city grows, the railway station also grows. It plays a big role in daily life. It helps people stay connected and shows that the city is moving forward.

Historic Mughal-era Bassi Pathana Jail

Bassi Pathana Jail is a very old jail. It was built in the Mughal time. It is in Bassi Pathana, Punjab. People say that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was kept here for about four months.

The jail is very old now. It is broken and needs fixing. The government once planned to use the jail again. The plan was to keep 200 prisoners here. This was to help Patiala Jail, which is very full.

But some people did not agree. They said this place is special and should not be used as a jail again. They want a memorial to be built here to honor Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. In 2017, the government said they would build this memorial. But it has not started yet.

So, this jail is still closed. It is not working as a jail right now.

Exploring Haleem Salim’s Haveli

Haleem Salim’s Haveli is a very old house. It is in Bassi Pathana, Punjab. It was built around the year 1560 by Pathans, who lived in the area a long time ago.

This haveli became more known in 1947, during the time of India’s Partition. Many people left Punjab. Some went to Pakistan, and some stayed.

The haveli was likely owned by a rich person or a leader. The design of the house shows both Rajput and Islamic styles. The house is big, with brown and yellow walls. It looks very royal, even today.

This haveli was also used in movies. Many people come to see it. They like its large space and beautiful designs.

Now, this haveli is private. No one can go inside. But from outside, people can see how beautiful and grand it is. The fountain inside shows how the rich people lived.

Haleem Salim’s Haveli tells us about Punjab’s old times and beautiful buildings.

Passport Services in Bassi Pathana: Easy and Local

People living in Bassi Pathana and Fatehgarh Sahib no longer have to travel to Chandigarh for passport work. A Passport Seva Kendra has now opened in Bassi Pathana, making the process much easier.

This new service center helps people apply for new passports, renew old ones, and get other passport-related work done—all without going far from home. It saves time, money, and travel.

Verka Milk Plant in Bassi Pathana: Modern Dairy for the Region

On November 17, 2021, the first part of the Verka Milk Plant was opened in Bassi Pathana. Built at a cost of ₹138 crore, this modern plant can process 2 lakh liters of milk daily.

It packs milk and cream in tetra packs, which can stay fresh for up to 6 months. The project was supported by the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and carried out by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

Bassi Pathana: A Blend of Old and New

Bassi Pathana is a special place where history and progress come together. From old buildings and Mughal-era stories to modern services like the passport center and milk plant, the city continues to grow while holding on to its rich roots.

This town shows the strength and spirit of Punjab, where people keep moving forward with pride in their culture and hope for the future.