Panchkula

Panchkula, in Haryana, is a relatively young planned city, but the region’s history is much older. The name comes from “Panch” (five) and “kula” (canals), referring to five irrigation canals that carried water from the Ghaggar river to this area. Historically, the older town of Pinjore was the main centre here. The region passed through many North Indian empires: early medieval kings like Yasovarman of Kannauj and Lalitaditya of Kashmir, the Gurjara-Pratiharas, Delhi Sultanate and Mughals. The famous Pinjore (Yadvindra) Gardens were laid out in Aurangzeb’s time as a royal retreat. Later, Sikhs, Afghans and finally the British controlled the area, which was administered as part of Ambala district. After Independence, this zone remained in Ambala district of Punjab and then Haryana. In the 1970s, the Haryana government began developing Panchkula as a satellite city of Chandigarh, with sectors, wide roads and modern infrastructure. On 15 August 1995, Panchkula became a separate district with the city as its headquarters. Today it forms part of the Tricity (Chandigarh–Panchkula–Mohali) and is known for the Chandimandir Cantonment, Mata Mansa Devi Temple, Morni Hills gateway and its planned urban design.