Introduction
City in Haryana, India
This article is about the city in Haryana, India. For the film, see Aambala. For the British confectionary company, see Ambala Foods.
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City in Haryana, IndiaAmbalaCityAmbala Cantonment Railway Station, Haryana, IndiaAmbalaLocation in Haryana, IndiaShow map of HaryanaAmbalaAmbala (India)Show map of IndiaCoordinates: 30°23′N 76°47′E / 30.38°N 76.78°E / 30.38; 76.78CountryIndiaStateHaryanaDistrictAmbalaEstablished14th century CEFounded byAmba Rajput[who?]Named afterAmba Rajput, Bhawani Amba (Goddess)Government • TypeMunicipal corporation • BodyAmbala Municipal Corporation • MayorAkshita Saini (BJP) • Lok Sabha MPVarun Chaudhary (INC) • MLANirmal Singh (INC) Anil Vij (BJP) • Municipal CommissionerSachin Gupta (IAS)Elevation264 m (866 ft)Population (2011) • Total207,934 (UA)DemonymAmbalviLanguages • OfficialHindi • Additional officialEnglish, Punjabi • RegionalPuadhiHaryanvi (Ambalvi)Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)PIN1330xx,1340xxTelephone code0171ISO 3166 codeIN-HRVehicle registrationHR 01 (city), HR 04 (Naraingarh), HR 54 (Barara), HR 85 (Ambala Cantonment), HR37 (commercial)Websiteambala.gov.in
Kos Minar near Ambala along Grand Trunk Road in Haryana
Ambala (Hindi: Ambālā, pronounced [əmbalaː]) is a city and municipal corporation in the Ambala district of Haryana, India. It is situated on the border between the states of Punjab and Haryana, in close proximity to Chandigarh, the shared capital of both states.
Geographically and administratively, the urban area is divided into two distinct parts separated by a distance of eight kilometres: Ambala Cantonment (also known as Ambala Cantt) and Ambala City. Collectively referred to as the "Twin Cities.", the area hosts a major presence of both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force within the cantonment limits. Ambala is located 200 kilometres (124 mi) north of New Delhi, India's capital, and has been designated as a counter-magnet city for the National Capital Region (NCR) to serve as an alternative centre of regional growth.
Ambala acts as a drainage divide separating the Ganges river network from the Indus river network and is surrounded by the Ghaggar and Tangri rivers to the north and south, respectively. Due to its strategic geographic position, The Ambala district is a regional transit hub for tourism. The city is situated 47 km (29 mi) south of Chandigarh, 50 km (31 mi) north of Kurukshetra, 148 km (92 mi) southwest of Shimla, 198 km (123 mi) north of New Delhi and 260 km (160 mi) southeast of Amritsar.
History
[edit]
See also: History of Haryana and Tourism in Haryana
Etymology[edit]
The town is said to derive its name from Amba Rajput, who supposedly founded it during the 14th century CE. According to another version, it is named after the goddess "Bhawani Amba," whose Temple still exists in Ambala city. The English spelling Umballa has sometimes been used; this spelling was used by Rudyard Kipling in his 1901 novel Kim.
Classical era[edit]
Archaeological surveyor C.J. Rodgers found Indo-Parthian Kingdom coins as well as coins of Hunas, Mihirakula, and Toramana, which indicated that after the disintegration of the Mauryan empire, the area was taken over by Indo-Parthians and later incorporated into the domain of the Hunas.
Late medieval era[edit]
In 1709, the Battle of Ambala was fought, and the Sikhs captured Ambala from the Mughals. It was under the rule of Gill Jats from 1748 to 1825. It was also the capital of Nishanwalia Misl. For some time, it had been under the rule of Jawahir Singh of Mustafabad, a descendant of Desu Singh Randhawa.
British colonial era[edit]
The Ambala Cantonment[edit]
The Grand Trunk Road, at Ambala Cantonment, during the British Raj
Ambala Army Base[edit]
Ambala Army Cantonment was established in 1843 after the British were forced to leave its Karnal Cantonment following the malaria epidemic of 1841–42, as there were no known effective means to control malaria epidemics in those days. The cantonment houses the '2 Corps', one of the three Strike Corps of the Indian Army.
Ambala Air Force Base[edit]
Ambala Air Force Base is one of the oldest and largest airbases that were inherited from the British by the Indian Air Force. It was from this airbase that Spitfires and Harvards flown by Instructors of the Advanced Flying Training School took part in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948. Subsequently, Ambala was the front line airfield for many years. This base was home to various aircraft that were inducted into the Indian Air Force like Harvards, Vampires, Ouragans, Hunters, Liberators, Spitfire, Canberra, and MiG-21. The airbase was briefly attacked in 1965 by B-57 bombers of the Pakistan Air Force. Today, the Airbase houses the '7 Wing', with 2 squadrons of Jaguars and 1 squadron of Dassault Rafale.
European Cemetery[edit]
Ambala Cantonment is the location of the historic European Cemetery. It is 200 km north of Delhi and 55 km southwest of Chandigarh.
1857 War Memorial[edit]
See also: Bengal Native Infantry in aftermath of 1857, Haryana in 1857, Ballabhgarh history, Farrukhnagar history, Nahar Singh, Rao Tula Ram, and Shaheed Smarak Patna
First War of Independence Memorial, Ambala, also 1857 War Memorial, Ambala, Shaheed Smarak Ambala, costing Rs. 300 crore in the honour of Indian rebels of 1857 First War of Independence against British Colonial Company Raj in India, is spread over 22 acres on NH-44 2 km southeast of Ambala Cantonment Junction railway station. The memorial has four sections: an administrative building, a museum building, a library and food court, and an open-air theatre. The complex has a 63m tall lotus-shaped memorial tower at the center. The museum showcases the First War of Indian Independence in 1857 in 22 galleries across three sections: the outbreak of war at Ambala, the expansion of war in Haryana, and the martyrs across the country. Short films and light-and-sound shows will be displayed on five screens to elaborate the valor of martyrs and the circumstances of the revolution. Before the war, 50 to 60 major movements across India had taken place against the British Colonial rule in India.
The war started at Ambala on 10 May 1857, 9 hours before the revolt also began at Meerut, by the Indian sepoys of 5th & 60th regiments of Bengal Native Infantry stationed at Ambala Cantonment. This is evident by 10 May 1857 telegram to the Chief Commissioner Punjab, John Lawrence, by the Deputy Commissioner of Ambala which states "This morning, the 60th and 5th regiments were in an excited state and under arms on their parade ground. Cavalry and artillery ordered out, but no actual row. The guard over one treasury turned out under arms and were in an excited state. I ordered the police corps to be in readiness and in their own lines. I have consulted with the General, who has sent an officer of the 5th to the treasury guard to dismiss the men to their lines, if necessary. The General will not give any orders without your sanction. This step will not, I think, be necessary unless some further disturbance takes place."
The Ambala rebellion was led by Ananti Mishra, Parmeshwar Pandey, Beni Prasad, Sheikh Faiz Ul-Khan, and Bikhan Khan, who moved towards Red Fort in Delhi via Bilaspur, Sadhaura, Yamunanagar, and Saharanpur. War spread to Ambala, Hisar, Kaithal, Karnal, Gulha Cheeka, Rohtak, Kharkhoda, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Palwal, Sohna, Rewari, and Narnaul.
The Indian revolutionaries were defeated by the British Colonisers. After the war was over, the execution of Baba Mohar Singh on 5 June 1857 at Ambala Cantonment was the first recorded execution of a captured Indian rebel by the British colonial regime. The British killed 26 people, who started the revolt at Ambala, by hanging them on trees, including Sardar Mohar Singh, Kahan Singh, and Ramprasad Bairagi. British authorities burnt the villages of Bilaspur and Sadhaura as punishment for providing aid to the rebels. The 5th & 60th Regiments of the Bengal Native Infantry were also disbanded. For their participation in first war of independence, the Chaudharys and Lambardars of villages who participated in rebellion were also deprived of their land and property, including 368 people of Hisar and Gurugram who were hanged or transported for life, and a fine was imposed on the people of Thanesar (Rs 235,000), Ambala (Rs. 253,541) and Rohtak (Rs. 63,000 mostly on Ranghars, Shaikhs and Muslim Kasai). The museum commemorates the valor and sacrifice of the Indian martyrs and the brutality of British Colonial rulers.
Science Centre Museum[edit]
See also: List of Museums in Haryana
Aryabhatta Vigyan Kendra a sub-regional science centre and museum on 5 acres costing Rs 40 crore, is located adjacent to the 1857 War Memorial. It houses multiple exhibits across 4 floors with 3D auditorium & planetarium, space science gallery with Indian space technology and satellites, digital adventure gallery for modern science and technology, agricultural technology, popular science, astronomical observatory with telescope for evening sky watching.
Formation of Ambala district[edit]
Ambala was given the status of a district in 1847, formed by the merging of the jagir estates of independent chieftains whose territories had lapsed or had been confiscated by the British Indian Government. In its 160 years of existence as a district, Ambala has witnessed many changes in its boundaries. Previously, it extended across tehsils of Ambala, Chandigarh, Jagadhri, Pipli, Kharar, Ropar, and Nalagarh. Kalka-cum-Kurari State, Pinjore, Mani Majra, Kasauli, and Sanawar were also merged later into the district at different times.
Post-independence[edit]
Hanging of Nathuram Godse[edit]
In November 1949, Mahatma Gandhi's alleged assassin Nathuram Godse was hanged at Ambala Central Jail along with Narayan Apte, a co-conspirator.
Geography
[edit]
Climate[edit]
The climate is a humid subtropical climate (Koppen: Cwa), with the monsoon season being noticeably rainier than the rest of the year, along with being much hotter and more humid than the winter, which is mild/cold and dry.
Climate data for Ambala (1991–2020, extremes 1901–2012)
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high °C (°F)
29.1(84.4)
33.9(93.0)
41.7(107.1)
45.0(113.0)
47.8(118.0)
47.8(118.0)
46.7(116.1)
43.9(111.0)
40.6(105.1)
39.4(102.9)
35.6(96.1)
29.4(84.9)
47.8(118.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
18.1(64.6)
22.5(72.5)
27.7(81.9)
35.1(95.2)
38.4(101.1)
37.9(100.2)
34.5(94.1)
33.5(92.3)
33.1(91.6)
31.7(89.1)
26.9(80.4)
21.0(69.8)
30.0(86.0)
Daily mean °C (°F)
12.4(54.3)
16.1(61.0)
21.0(69.8)
27.4(81.3)
31.1(88.0)
31.7(89.1)
30.1(86.2)
29.3(84.7)
28.2(82.8)
24.8(76.6)
19.4(66.9)
14.3(57.7)
23.8(74.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
6.7(44.1)
9.6(49.3)
14.3(57.7)
19.6(67.3)
23.8(74.8)
25.5(77.9)
25.7(78.3)
25.1(77.2)
23.3(73.9)
17.8(64.0)
11.8(53.2)
7.5(45.5)
17.5(63.5)
Record low °C (°F)
−1.3(29.7)
−0.6(30.9)
3.7(38.7)
9.4(48.9)
13.9(57.0)
17.8(64.0)
19.4(66.9)
20.0(68.0)
15.6(60.1)
8.3(46.9)
1.8(35.2)
−0.6(30.9)
−1.3(29.7)
Average rainfall mm (inches)
30.7(1.21)
35.9(1.41)
29.4(1.16)
20.1(0.79)
35.3(1.39)
111.4(4.39)
257.0(10.12)
228.0(8.98)
136.5(5.37)
14.3(0.56)
6.5(0.26)
15.4(0.61)
920.5(36.24)
Average rainy days
2.0
2.4
2.0
1.7
3.0
5.5
8.7
8.9
5.5
0.8
0.4
0.8
41.7
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST)
66
55
45
29
30
44
68
72
66
52
53
63
53
Source: India Meteorological Department
Demographics
[edit]
Religion in Ambala city
Religion
Percent
Hinduism
 
81.94%
Sikhism
 
14.59%
Jainism
 
1.44%
Islam
 
1.25%
Others
 
0.78%
As of 2011[update] India census, Ambala, UA had a population of 207,934, consisting of 112,840 males and 95,094 females, a ratio of 843. There were 20,687 children ages 0–6, and Ambala had an average literacy rate of 89.31%, with 91.76% of males and 86.41% of females literate.
Religious groups in Ambala City (1868−2011)
Religiousgroup
1868
1881: 520 
1891: 68 
1901: 44 
1911: 20 
1921: 23 
1931: 26 
1941: 32 
2011
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Pop.
%
Hinduism
27,008
53.27%
34,522
51.17%
40,339
50.87%
39,601
50.36%
38,192
47.66%
37,765
49.48%
39,945
46.13%
50,679
47.19%
159,912
81.94%
Islam
19,570
38.6%
27,115
40.19%
30,523
38.49%
32,149
40.88%
31,641
39.49%
31,448
41.2%
38,089
43.99%
47,881
44.59%
2,431
1.25%
Christianity
1,362
2.69%
—N/a
—N/a
4,899
6.18%
3,610
4.59%
5,918
7.39%
2,373
3.11%
3,138
3.62%
1,054
0.98%
739
0.38%
Sikhism
1,235
2.44%
1,867
2.77%
2,407
3.04%
2,168
2.76%
3,392
4.23%
3,622
4.75%
4,143
4.78%
4,926
4.59%
28,471
14.59%
Jainism
—N/a
—N/a
410
0.61%
1,119
1.41%
1,096
1.39%
957
1.19%
1,083
1.42%
1,269
1.47%
1,814
1.69%
2,816
1.44%
Zoroastrianism
—N/a
—N/a
—N/a
—N/a
6
0.01%
14
0.02%
31
0.04%
30
0.04%
2
0%
—N/a
—N/a
—N/a
—N/a
Buddhism
—N/a
—N/a
—N/a
—N/a
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
5
0.01%
5
0.01%
—N/a
—N/a
55
0.03%
Judaism
—N/a
—N/a
—N/a
—N/a
0
0%
N/A
N/A
0
0%
0
0%
1
0%
—N/a
—N/a
—N/a
—N/a
Others
1,521
3%
3,549
5.26%
1
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
1,008
0.94%
729
0.37%
Total population
50,696
100%
67,463
100%
79,294
100%
78,638
100%
80,131
100%
76,326
100%
86,592
100%
107,383
100%
195,153
100%
Economy
[edit]
Cloth Market[edit]
The Cloth Market is considered to be the largest textile market in this region. The market is known for catering to wedding-related shopping. The most commonly bought items are sarees and silk clothing.[better source needed]
Transport
[edit]
Ambala is connected to all of the other major cities of north India. It is a big interchange for various commuters for all neighbouring states.
National Highway NH 44, popularly known as GT road and earlier known as NH 1, passes through Ambala and connects it to the national capital (Delhi), Panipat, Ludhiana, and Amritsar. NH 152 connects Ambala to the state capital, Chandigarh, and Kaithal.
Apart from the Interstate service, Ambala also houses one of the oldest local bus services in Haryana, which is run by both Haryana roadways and private companies. Other means of local transportation include auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws.
Roadways[edit]
Bus service is the major means of public transport in this district. The Ambala depot came into being on 1 August 1950. The office of the General Manager is situated on the premises of the depot workshop at Ambala City. Ambala depot has a sub-depot at Naraingarh.
Presently, Haryana Roadways, Ambala has 200 buses, which carry about 34.88 lakh passengers daily and cover a distance of about 19000 km daily. Out of these, the total distance covered on interstate routes is 24,711 km (15,355 mi) and 41.469 km (25.768 mi) are operated within Haryana every day.
New Bus Stand at Ambala Cantt was inaugurated on 12 July 1999, and the total land of bus stand is 6.7 acres (2.7 ha). Bus stands in this district exist at Ambala City, Naraingarh, and Barara as well. A sub-depot level workshop has also been provided at Naraingarh. 'Yatri Niwas' exists on the campus of Ambala Cantt bus stand for the convenience of the commuters who wish to stay for the night.
Besides the Haryana Roadways buses, the government has issued permits to private operators on local routes. Presently, 60 buses are plying in Ambala district. The bus stand is very near to Ambala Cantt Jn. (railway station). Most of the buses plying on GT road (NH1) stop in front of the railway station.
Railways[edit]
Ambala is a divisional headquarters of the Northern Railway Zone and is an important railway junction. Ambala Cantt station is among the top 100 booking stations in India. Several railway stations serve the city:
Ambala Cantt [UMB] – Major junction on the Delhi–Kalka, Moradabad–Ambala, Ambala–Attari, Ambala–Bathinda and Ambala–Una Himachal lines.
Ambala City [UBC] – Station on the Ambala–Attari line.
Barara [RAA] – Station on the Ambala–Saharanpur line.
Dhulkot [DKT] – Station on the Delhi–Kalka line.
Dukheri [DOKY] – Station on the Ambala–Saharanpur line.
Kesri [KES] – Station on the Ambala–Saharanpur line.
Mohri [MOY] – Station on the Delhi–Kalka line.
Tandwal [TDW] – Station on the Ambala–Saharanpur line.
The Ambala Cantonment railway station was founded on the junction of the Delhi-Kalka and Ludhiana-Saharanpur lines. The historic Delhi-Panipat-Ambala-Kalka railway line dates back to 1889, while the Ludhiana-Saharanpur line was built in 1870. Situated 200 km (120 mi) north of Delhi, this town is well connected by the rail and road network.[citation needed]
Ambala Cantt railway station is the main station of the city and well-connected with the major cities of India.
Kalka-Shimla Railway, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, also comes under Ambala division.
Ambala Cantonment railway station serves maximum Shatabdi Express after New Delhi.
Ambala railway station was mentioned in the famous story 'The Woman on Platform 8' by Ruskin Bond, although in reality, there is no platform 8 in Ambala Cantt.
Airways[edit]
Air transport in Ambala is presently served by Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport located about 45 km north of the city, which is the nearest major airport to the city and provides domestic and limited international connectivity.
Ambala Domestic Airport has also been developed at Ambala Cantonment through a civil enclave at the Ambala Air Force Station under the Government of India's UDAN regional connectivity scheme. The airport infrastructure and terminal building have been completed and the airport is awaiting inauguration and commencement of commercial flight operations.
Education
[edit]
Ambala has a large number of schools and colleges. Notable colleges are as follows:
Convent of Jesus and Mary, Ambala
D.A.V. College (Lahore), Ambala City
E-Max School of Engineering and Applied Research
Government Polytechnic College, Ambala
Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana
Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Sadopur
Philadelphia Hospital & School of Nursing, Ambala
Sanatan Dharma College (S.D. College)
Shri Atmanand Jain Institute of Management and Technology
Notable people
[edit]
Sushma Swaraj
Zohrabai Ambalewali
Hansraj Behl
Urvashi Butalia
Simi Chahal
Juhi Chawla
Parineeti Chopra
Swadesh Deepak
Navneet Kaur Dhillon
Sanjeev Kapoor
Manpreet Kaur
Nasir Kazmi
Sucheta Kripalani
Shalabh Kumar
Selja Kumari
Talib Dehlavi
Kim Philby
Ash K. Prakash
Om Puri
Saghar Siddiqui
Sanjiv Sam Gambhir
Sushma Swaraj
Zeba
