Nakodar, Punjab

Welcome to Nakodar, a historic town located in the Jalandhar district of Punjab, India. This picturesque destination is surrounded by charming villages such as Chak Mughlani, Maheru, Allowal, Mehatpur (Haripur) (Bhullar) Nawan Pind Jattan, Heran, Bir Pind, (Aulakh), Shankar, Nur Pur Chatha, Sarih, Malri, Khanpur Dhadda, Uggi, and Malhian Kalan. The town’s name is derived from the Persian phrase Neki ka dar, which means Gate of Goodness or Virtue. The town’s rich history dates back to ancient times, and it has been held in succession by three different races- the Arain, Jatts, Kambojs, and then by the Muslim Rajputs. The town was founded by the Hindu Kamboh, according to Sir William Wilson Hunter and others. The Kamboh settlements lay to the west of present town, and the sites are still marked by extensive ruins and two old fine tombs, now called the Black and Red Domes, from the color of the material. Tradition attributes the Kamboh expulsion to the Nawab Kutb Khan who came with an army from Indor near Nuh in 1570 AD, and as a consequence, the lordship of the town passed over to the Khanzadaas from the Kamboj tribe. Within two generations, the Rajputs got the town in jagir from Emperor Jahangir, in later sixteenth century, apparently divesting the Khanzadahs, the successor race to the Kambohs. The Rajputs were themselves later ousted during Sikh period by one Sardar Tara Singh Ghaiba, who made a fort and made himself the master of the surroundings. From Ghaiba, the town was seized by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1816. Today, Nakodar is a well-paved town and currently forms a Tehsil of District Jalandhar. Visitors can explore the town’s extensive ruins and two large tombs dating from the times of Emperor Jahangir, and later one of them is said to be the burial place of the adviser of Emperor Shah Jahan, but it is not known who stands buried in the earlier tomb. The town’s location at 31.13°N 75.47°E / 31.13; 75.47 gives it an average elevation of 223 metres (731 feet). Visitors can reach Nakodar through the Nakodar Junction railway station, which is a junction point for connection to railway stations at Jalandhar City, Phillaur, and Lohian Khas. In 2011, the town had a total population of 36,973, of which 19,360 were males, and 17,613 were females. Children in the age group of 0-6 were 3,843. The total number of literates in Nakodar was 27,836, which constituted 75.3% of the population with male literacy of 78.4% and female literacy of 71.9%. The effective literacy rate of 7+ population of Nakodar was 84.0%, of which male literacy rate was 87.4% and female literacy rate was 80.3%. The Scheduled Castes population was 13,492. Visitors can also explore nearby villages such as Boparai Kalan and Dera Baba Murad Shah or indulge in some local cuisine. Come and explore the hidden gems of Nakodar, Punjab and uncover the town’s rich history and natural beauty.