Kalanaur
Kalanaur, a historical town of Gurdaspur District, is situated towards the west of Gurdaspur at a distance of 25 Kilometres on the bank of Kiran Rivulet which originates from The Chhamb of Behrampur and flows in a Zig – Zag serpentine path and merges into the Ravi river after covering a distance of 36 miles in Amritsar District.
Kalanaur was a famous place in ancient Hindu period. According to Mohammad Latif (a historian ) it was founded by a Noor Tribe of Rajputs who probably migrated from South India. According to Imperial Gazetteer of India it was founded by two Muslim brothers Kala and Noor. Most probably it derived its name from the name of Kaleshwar (Name of Lord SHIVA ) Temple built on an ancient fort.
The city was a centre of art, cottage industries and trade. According to one proverbial saying before partition of India, it was said
"A person who has not seen Lahore should see Kalanaur "
Many historical events are associated with this ancient town. The town being situated on high mound suggests that the town got demolished many times, and it was rebuilt again and again. Feroz – Shah – Tuglaq (1352 – 88 AD) came here for hunting in 1353 and built here a beautiful palace on the bank of Kiran rivulet.
During the reign of Sayyad Mubarak Shah (1421 – 35 AD) Kalanaur was under the powerful Khokhar Tribe. From 14th to 16th century Kalanaur was a famous city of this region.
Kalanaur is also famous for heroic activities of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur who built a well where now a days Gurudwara Banda Bahadur is situated.
During Misl period Kanaya Misl occupied Kalanaur under Sardar Haqeeqat Singh Kanaya. His son Jaimal Sing extended his territory up to Fatehgarh Churian and shifted his residence there. Jaimal Singh’s daughter Chand Kaur was married to Prince KHARAK SINGH in 1812 AD, (son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh). When Maharaja Ranjit Singh annexed this region into his kingdom, the Taulaka of Kalanaur was given to Prince Kharak Singh. In 1874 this taulaka of Kalanaur was given to Diwan Dina Nath as Jagir. It was annexed to British Empire after the death of Dina Nath on 1857.
When Gurdaspur became a district on 1st May 1852 Kalanaur became an important city of the district.
Read more about this topic: Gurdaspur District