The word "Punjab" is made up of two Persian words 'Panj' and 'Aab'. Panj means five and Aab means water. This name was probably given to this land possibly in an era when this region came into close contact with Persia. The Punjab was known as land of five rivers because of the five rivers that ran through it. They are Indus, Ravi, Beas, Sutlaj and Ghaggar. It was the granary of undivided India with its burgeoning fields watered by a network of canals. Punjab falls into two regions, the Shivaliks and the Plain.
Punjab, the chief wheat producing area of the country, is the overland entry point into India. The state is also known for its production of sports and hosiery goods. The holiest shrine for the Sikhs is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, so called because the dome is covered with gold leaf. Home of the fiercly proud and independent sikhs, the state of Punjab is steeped in histroy and culture of India. For centuries, the sikh warriors have provided the fighting force for armies of the great kings of India, British Raj and now the people of United India. Through sheer hard work, the men and women of Punjab have turned this into one the greenest states in India. Universally famous for their diligence, they have done much to contribute to the welfare of India.
Much of Punjab came under Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947. Today, its vigorous and prosperous people have spread all over India, often as transporters and traders associated with motor accessories. The most distinctive Punjabis are the Sikhs, who were given a martial identity by their revered gurus who opposed the Mughal oppression of the Hindus.
In spite of the determined industrialization of the state, Punjab is still a land of large farms, robust food and a healthy zest for life. After farming hours, the tractor often becomes the family jalopy with the mother and the kids perched on the mudguards, while the father steps on the diesel.
Punjab & Haryana are the agricultural states of India which do not have significant importance as far as the tourists are concerned. But known for two states, however, are known for Amritsar and Chandigarh. The former city, bordering Pakistan boasts of its Golden Temple, the Sikh Gurudwara, one of the holiest and the seat of the religious body of Sikhism. Chandigarh, 250 kms from Delhi is one of the most clean and well planned cities of India. Designed in the early 1950s by the Swiss Architect Le Corbusier, assisted by Max Fry, Chandigarh is the gateway point for Simla, Manali & Dharamsala.