Firozpur

The name, Ferozepore, is said to derive either from Feroz Shah Tughlaq, sultan of Delhi, or from a Bhatti chief, named Feroze Khan, who was a mid-16th century Manj Rajput chief. A popular name for the locality is Shaheedon-ki-dharti ("the land of martyrs"). ==History==

Early history . Kept in the collection of the Raza Library, Rampur. The city of Firozpur was founded by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, a ruler of the Tughluq dynasty, who reigned over the Sultanate of Delhi from 1351 to 1388. The Ferozepur Fortress is said to have been constructed in the 14th century during the reign of Firoz Shah of the Delhi Sultanate. The Manj Rajput chief, Feroze Khan, was a prominent figure in the region in the mid-16th century. In 1820, Lachhman Kaur went on a pilgrimage to shrines of Haridwar, Gaya, and Jagannath after having placed her father-in-law, Gurbakhsh Singh, in charge of Ferozepore in her temporary absence. British control British rule was first established in 1835, when, on the failure of heirs to the Sikh family who possessed it, a small escheat to the British government was formed, and the district was gradually formed around this nucleus. The British inherited Ferozepore at a time when its local economy was in-decline. The Arya Orphanage, providing shelter for orphans and the destitute spread over 21 acres, was established in Ferozepur on 26 October 1877 by Dayananda Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, after being invited by Rai Sahib Mathra Das. ==Geography==

Ferozepur is located on the bank of the Sutlej River. Climate ==Demographics==

As of the 2011 Indian Census, Firozpur had a total population of 110,313, of which 58,451 (53%) were male and 51,862 (47%) were female. 10.6% of the population was six years old or younger. The total number of literate people in Firozpur was 78,040, which constituted 70.7% of the population, with male literacy of 73.3% and female literacy of 67.9%. The effective literacy rate (population of 7 years and above) was 79.1%, of which the male literacy rate was 82.3% and female literacy rate was 75.6%. The Scheduled Caste population was 27,395. Firozpur had 22,263 households in 2011. Religion According to the 2011 census, out of a total population of 110,313 in Firozpur city, Hinduism is followed by 77,743 (70.5%) people and Sikhism by 28,961 (26.3%). Minority religions include Christianity, Islam, Jainism, and Buddhism. ==Media==

Firozpur has an All India Radio Relay station known as Akashvani Firozpur. It broadcasts on 100.1 MHz frequency. == Economy ==

There are many markets in the town that are named after local figures and philanthropists. Some of these markets are Gali Dugglan, Mohalla Sodhian, Mohalla Baurianwala, Basti Shekhan, Basti Balochan, Hata Khuda Bakhsh, Kuchha Harnam Das, and Gali Kumrianwali. == Education ==

There are a number of educational institutions within the town, such as: • DAV College for Women • Dev Samaj College for Women • Dev Samaj College of Education for Women • RSD College • Guru Nanak College • Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Engineering and Technology Some libraries are: • Firozpur municipal library • Firozpur district library • Dronacharya library (located in the cantonment area, with a large book collection) Aside from the above, there are two government schools, one dedicated toward a particular gender. There are two industrial training institutes, also dedicated to a particular gender. There is also a government polytechnic. == Nature ==

The town was once home to many gardens, such as Tulsi Ram Bagh, Gole Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Ram Sukh Das Bagh, and Kanshi Ram Bagh. However, only Gole Bagh was under the control of the municipal government, with the majority of the gardens being held privately by residents or trusts. In around 1960, these trusts and individuals began getting rid of their garden-land as it became difficult to maintain them. Many fruit trees used to be found at Gole Bagh but now it is used as a garbage-dump. == Places of worship ==

Gurdwaras • Saragarhi Memorial Gurdwara, Ferozpur Churches • Saint Andrew’s Church, Jhoke Road • Roman Catholic Church, Church Road • Methodist Church, NBI Road, established by Missionaries of Methodist Denomination during 1925–30 ==Notable people==

• Susham Bedi, author • Preet Bharara, attorney and media personality • George Bigge, cricketer • Lawrence Bishnoi, an Indian gangster • Alexander Cadell, cricketer • Sohraab Dhaliwal, cricketer • Horatio Dumbleton, cricketer • Sher Singh Ghubaya, politician • Annie Gill, actress • Balram Jakhar, politician • Charles Kindersley, cricketer • Zora Singh Maan, politician • Verma Malik, lyricist • Narain Chand Parashar, politician • Bano Qudsia, writer • Janmeja Singh Sekhon, politician • Ajit Pal Singh, hockey player • Gagan Ajit Singh, hockey player • Ganda Singh, revolutionary • Gurbaj Singh, hockey player • Princepal Singh, basketball player • Ronjan Sodhi, shooter • Manav Vij, actor ==Notes==