Punjabi University - History

History

Punjabi University was established on 30 April 1962 under the Punjabi University Act 1961 as a residential and teaching university, not as an affiliating University. It started functioning from temporary accommodation in Barandari Palace building. Initially its jurisdictional area was fixed as the 10-mile (16 km) radius. There were only nine colleges — six professional and three art and science colleges in Patiala — which fall within its jurisdiction. The university moved to its present campus in 1965. The campus is spread over about 316 acres (1.28 km2) with imposing buildings in lush green, pollution-free environment away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The campus at Patiala makes international standard facilities available for students and researchers.

Although initially the main task before the university was to develop and promote the language of the Punjabi people, it has since evolved into a multi-faceted, multi-faculty educational institution. It grew into an affiliating university in 1969, with 43 colleges affiliated to it and covering Patiala, Sangrur and Bathinda districts of Punjab. Since then, it developed significantly and acquired a distinctive character among the centres of education and research in the country. Now, it has 138 affiliated colleges spread over nine districts of Punjab. The affiliated colleges are in districts of Patiala, Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur, Bathinda, Mansa, Mohali, Rupnagar and Faridkot.