Sultanpur Lodhi is a city and a Municipal Council, from Kapurthala city in the Kapurthala district in the Indian state of Punjab. The town is named after its founder, Bahlul Khan Lodi, the future Sultan of Delhi who renamed the town in 1443 C.E. during his time as governor of Punjab, and was also mentioned in the Ain-e-Akbari. Sultanpur Lodhi is on the south bank of a seasonal rivulet called Kali Bein, which runs north of the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej rivers of Punjab.
History Sultanpur Lodhi was established in the 1st century.
Ancient
From the 1st century to the 6th century, Sultanpur Lodhi was known as Sarwmanpur and was a major site for Hinduism and Buddhism. It is also believed that the Buddhist book Abinav-Prastava was authored in Sarwmanpur by Katiyana in the 8th century.
Medieval Times
In 1020–1030, Mahmud of Ghazni invaded the Hindu-Buddhist city and burnt it to the ground.
During the 12th century, Sultan Khan, the son of Nawab Wali Muhammad Khan, then the Hakim of Punjab, was attracted by the beauty of the surroundings and sought to reestablish the city under the name Sultanpur. The city kept this name Sultanpur until 1443 when the future Sultan of Delhi Bahlol Lodi who was then governor of Punjab added Lodi onto the name of the city so it was renamed Sultanpur Lodhi which it is still known as today. "Sultanpur Lodhi" was also the center point of the old trade route between Delhi and Lahore. It was a major trade center of north India at that time. It consisted of 32 major markets and about 5600 shops (Figures are mere estimates as No proof, as yet, with Author). At that time the city was spread over in an area of . The black rivulet (Kali Bein) ran through the center of the city. These features are more than enough to hold that Sultanpur Lodhi was a big city in old times. Sultanpur Lodhi was also mentioned as important place in famous "Ain-e-Akbari". The city in those times had many Royal Gardens and farms. At present, relics of these royal buildings built at that time, are still present. One of these is "Hadera". It was once a marvelous building used as place of rest for the royal family on their way to royal gardens. It was also used as a place of entertainment for royal family and to organize dances and other royal functions. This place is now just an old & neglected building.
Sultanpur Lodhi, in those days was not only famous for its surroundings & trade, but also for its education. City had many Islamic schools of education known as "Madrassas". The two princes of Delhi, Aurengzeb and Dara-Shikoh completed their studies in one white masjid of Sultanpur Lodhi. At the end of the 14th century, the governor of Lahore was Daulat Khan Lodi. Sultanpur Lodhi was also called ‘Perran Puri’ (city of monks). Many religious personalities were related to the city at that time and some of the tombs Maqbaras of these monks are still present in the city.
After Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan), Sultanpur Lodhi is perhaps the most related to life of the first Sikh Guru. In 1475 AD elder sister of Guru Ji, Bibi Nanki Ji was married to Shri Jai Ram of Sultanpur Lodhi. In 1483 Guru Ji's father sent Guru Ji to the custody of Shri Jai Ram. Guru Ji was employed as the Modi (Person In-charge) of the Modi Khana (Civil supplies store). In June 1488, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was married to Bibi Sulkhani ji in Sultanpur Lodhi. And here, in this city Guru Ji begot two sons, in July 1494 Shri Chand Ji and in Feb 1497 Lakmi Chand Ji. In this very city Guru Ji spent more than 14 years and in 1497 Guru Ji disappeared in holy Rivulet (Kali Bein) flowing along the North end of the city and then Re-Appeared after three days with the teaching of "na koi hindu, na koi muslman" (no one is Hindu, no one is Muslim). This led to the birth of a new religion, Sikhism. Thereafter Guru Ji left his job and the city to start with the First Udasi (Sacramental Journey).
After Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Fifth Guru Sahib Guru Arjan Dev Ji, on occasion of his son Guru Hargobind sahib's marriage in a nearby village Dhalla rested at Sultanpur Lodhi. A Gurudwara having Sehra and wedding costume of Guru Ji, is built at that place.
1526 AD Some Lodhi tribes traveled to Pakistan. Choura Baz Khan Lodhi traveled to Mohib Banda, Mardan, KPK, Pakistan.
Modern
In 1739 Nader Shah, the famous invader, on his way to Delhi, invaded Sultanpur Lodhi and almost destroyed it. After looting the whole city, it was set on fire. After that Ahmed Shah Abdali again destroyed it. Later Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, after taking the historic monuments under his custody, re established this city ab-initio. But it could not re-gain its old prestige and glory. One of the reason has been, the development of Amritsar-Jalandhar G.T. Road as the main route for commutation to Delhi. One of the accomplices of Maharaja Jagajit Singh of Kapurthala was Dewan Ramjas, of Sultanpur Lodhi; later his sons worked for the Kapurthala Royal family, Dewan Mathura Dass, Dewan Daulat Ram & Dewan Jarmani Dass(1895–1971) who wrote the book "Maharaja & Maharani" in 1970. Dewan Ramjas and family were given many villages for the services.
Post Independence and Present
The Present day Sultanpur Lodhi is a Sub-Division (From 1969) and a Tehsil of District Kapurthala of Punjab. It is a small town, connected by the Roads & Rail. Sultanpur Lodhi is linked to two New National Expressway ways, (New Delhi-Katra Expressway and Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway). Railway Station, Sultanpur Lodhi, falls under Ferozepur Division of Northern Railway. This City houses a Judicial Courts Complex for the Courts of ACJ(Sr. Div.), CJ (Jr. Div.). A new Multi Story Administrative Complex is being constructed at the site of older one. The city also houses, Civil Hospital (SMO), Police Station (DSP), BDEO Office (BDEO), BEO Office (BEO) etc. The city is now under the Smart City Project of Central Govt.
The City of Sultanpur Lodhi has a Municipal Council, divided into 13 Municipal Wards. The city has population of 16,877 of which 8,862 are males while 8,015 are females as per report released by Census India 2011. The Tehsil of Sultanpur Lodhi, has 216 villages having a population of 130,124, of which 54,506 are male and 50,433 are female, as per year 2021 estimates.
Education There are three post-secondary colleges, including one in the field of education. At the secondary level there are two Government schools and Two Government Aided (Recognized) schools. In addition are many other schools, including a convent school and an ITI. There is a multidisciplinary college is provisioned in the nearby village of Jabbowal, and a new regional campus of Guru Nanak Dev University has been set up nearby.
Health & Medical Aid City houses a Civil Hospital under charge of SMO and has speciality medical care in Ortho., Ophthalmology, Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Dentistry. A trauma Care Centre is also running there. Many private practitioners offer good medical services. The Nearest Medical Colleges are CMC & DMC at Ludhiana or Govt. Medical College, Amritsar and PIMS, Jalandhar.
Demographics India census, Sultanpur Lodhi (Town Code 4591 and Tehsil Code 03 03 0003) had a population of 15,653. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Sultanpur Lodhi has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 68%. Here, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. This town extends only to and it is away from Jalandhar and from Kapurthala .
Places Of Prominence 1- Gurudwaras Bebe Nanaki Ji, Ber Sahib, Hatt Sahib, Kothri Sahib, Guru Ka Bagh, Sant Ghat, Antaryamta, Sehra Sahib etc.2- Mandirs Singh Bhawani, BharaMal, Ahli Wala Shivala, Mata Asha Rani, Ram Rameshwaram, Choura Khuh, Shiv ji Mandir, Ktagash Giri Mandir, Radhe Krishn Mandir, Bhairon Mandir etc.
3- Chitti Masjid, Peer Gabgazi, Panj Peer
4- Hadira, Quila Sarai (Now housing, Local Police Station)
5- Kali Bein (Ghats developed by Sant Sechewal ji)
6- Forthcoming "Pind Babe Nanak Da" by Central Govt. over more than 65 acres of Land
Gurudwaras
Sultanpur Lodi is a sacred Sikh pilgrimage site associated with the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, who lived here for 14 years. It is here that he gained enlightenment at the end of the 15th century. It is said he disappeared into the waters of the Bein rivulet, reappearing three days later as the enlightened Guru. His first words were: ‘There is no Hindu, no Mussalman’.
Gurudwara Shri Ber Sahib
Gurudwara Shri Ber Sahib, the principal shrine at Sultanpur, is situated on the bank of the rivulet Kali Bein. Guru Nanak performed his morning ablutions in the Bein and then sat under a Ber (Ziziphus jujuba) tree to meditate. Guru Ji meditated at this tree daily for 14 years, nine months and 13 days. It was during one such ablution that Guru Nanak had what is described, in the Janam Sakhis, as a direct communion with the Divine. As the Janam Sakhis narrate the details, Guru Nanak one morning disappeared into the stream and was not seen for two days. When he reappeared at a spot, 2 km upstream, now known as Sant Ghat, the first words he uttered were, "No one is Hindu, No one is Musalman (Muslim)." Guru Nanak was now ready to embark on his long journeys. Gurudwara Ber Sahib is built by the side of an old ber tree which is believed to be the one under which Guru Nanak would sit in meditation. The present building of Gurudwara Ber Sahib was built by Maharaja Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala. The cornerstone was laid by Bhai Arjan Singh of Bagarian on 25 February 1937, and the Gurudwara was on completion dedicated by Lieutenant General Maharaja Yadavinder Singh of Patiala on 26 January 1941. Standing on a high plinth and entered through a portico, supported by octagonal columns, and a small entrance gallery is the high ceiling, marble floored hall. At the far end, marked off by a high archway decorated with floral designs in stucco, is the sanctum sanctorum, where the Guru Granth Sahib is seated on a white marble canopied throne. Besides the daily services and observance of important Sikh anniversaries, a largely attended fair takes place on each birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Gurudwara Shri Hatt Sahib
As a young man Guru Nanak was convinced by his family to accept employment here as the accountant of the provisions of Nawab Daulat Khan Lodhi. Guru Nanak got the job on the recommendations of his brother-in-law Jai Ram. The Nawab was very much impressed by the young Guru who would work diligently in the day and spend the evenings and night singing the praises of God with his friends.
Gurudwara Shri Kothri Sahib
Guru Nanak Dev ji worked for Nawab Daulat Khan Lodhi as in-charge of accounts. It was falsely reported to the Nawab by jealous elements that the Guru was stealing from the inventory as his predecessor had. So. Guru Ji was briefly jailed here. But when the accounts & the inventory where checked and found to be correct, the Nawab released Guru Nanak & apologized profusely, even offering Guru Nanak a promotion. Guru Nanak refused to accept the position as he had decided to dedicate his life to spread the Doctrine of Humanity, Dedication, Compassion, Love leading to be a God's Sikh (Spiritual Apprentice)
Gurudwara Shri Guru Ka Bagh
Guru Nanak Dev ji spent 14 years in Sultanpur Lodhi as a young man in this house of Guru Nanak where his two sons Baba Sri Chand and Baba Lakhmi Chand were born. Guru Nanak tested his two sons, but neither proved worthy of being his successor. Baba Lakhmi Chand was too involved in worldly affairs while Baba Sri Chand chose the path of renunciation and became an aesthetic. Guru Sahib used to have Langar prepared by Bibi Nanaki ji. Well (Khooh) is also located here, from which water was used for Langar Preparation.
Gurudwara Shri Sant Ghat