Firozpur District - History

History

Ferozepur District was part of the Mamdot estate. The capital city, Ferozepur, is believed to have been founded by Firoze Shah Tughluqe from which the district obtains its name. In 1838, as part of the first Anglo-Afghan war, troops of the British East India Company marched from Ferozepur to Kabul. Seven years later during the Anglo-Sikh War the area was the scene of conflict between the Khalsa army and the British. It has always remained an important place throughout its existence. It has always remained as a border area, earlier between Sikhs and Britishers and now between India and Pakistan. at the time of partition To counterbalance the relatively small share of Gurdaspur district awarded to Pakistan, Radcliffe attempted to instead transfer Firozpur and Zira tehsils in Firozpur district to Pakistan. This was opposed by the Maharaja of Bikaner because Harike headworks on the confluence of the Satluj and Beas rivers, from where a canal originated, the only source of water for his desert state was in Ferozepore. It was only after he threatened Mountbatten, that he would accede his state to Pakistan if Firozpur was awarded to West Punjab, that the award was changed at the last minute and all of Firozpur district was awarded to India.It is situated inside ten gates Amritsari Gate,Wansi Gate,Makhu Gate,Zira Gate,Bagdadi Gate,Mori Gate,Delhi Gate,Magjani Gate,Multani Gate and Kasuri Gate.