🌄 Overview
Pathankot, nestled in the northern region of Punjab, is a historically rich and strategically vital city at the foothills of the majestic Himalayas. Known as the “Gateway to the North,” it serves as a tri-junction connecting Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. Surrounded by lush green valleys and hills, Pathankot is a favored transit hub for tourists heading to Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Kangra, and Jammu.
🏰 Historical Background
👑 Royal Legacy
Pathankot was once the capital of the princely state of Nurpur, ruled by the Pathania Rajputs. The city’s name is believed to derive from King Pathania, reflecting its royal roots.
🕍 Architectural Treasures
Nurpur Fort: Built by the Pathania rulers, this fort also houses a Lord Krishna Temple.
🛕 Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple: A sacred site linked to the Mahabharata. Legend says the Pandavas spent a night in the caves during exile. A major fair is held here every April.
📍 Places to Visit in Pathankot
🏯 Shahpurkandi Fort
Built by Rajput chief Jaspal Singh Pathania, offering stunning views of the Ravi River and lush surroundings.
💧 Ranjit Sagar Dam (Thein Dam)
Located 25 km from the city, it is a major hydroelectric project and a perfect picnic destination.
🌉 Atal Setu (Basohli Bridge)
A modern bridge connecting Punjab and J&K, offering breathtaking lake views.
🛕 Religious Sites
🛕 Ashapurni Mandir
🛕 Kali Mata Mandir
🛕 Hanuman Mandir (Friends Colony)
🛕 Shani Dev Mandir (Dalhousie Road)
🛕 Ancient Shiv Temple (Bollian Lamini)
🛕 Ram Mandir
🛕 Ram Sharnam Ashram
🛕 Gurudwara Shri Barth Sahib (Near Sarna)
🌳 Druv Park (Cantt Area)
A beautifully maintained park near Tank Chowk, managed by the Indian Army. Ideal for families and children, the park is a peaceful retreat with clean surroundings.
🏰 Nurpur Fort & Krishna Temple
Another historic gem combining Rajput architecture and religious significance, showcasing the city’s deep-rooted culture.
🏨 Accommodation in Pathankot
Popular hotels for all budgets include:
🏨 Hotel Venice
🏨 Hotel U-Nite
🏨 Hotel Woodland
🏨 Hotel Grand
🏨 Hotel Opulence
🍽️ Dining & Cafés
For food enthusiasts, Pathankot offers many great places:
🍴 Green Hotel
🧁 Honey Bun Bakery
☕ Munchy’s Café
☕ CCD Lounge
🍛 Basant Pure Veg
🌲 Whistling Woods
🍗 Moti Mahal Deluxe
🧾 Quick Facts
🗣️ Languages: Punjabi, Hindi, English, Dogri
🕒 Time Zone: IST (UTC +5:30)
📮 Pin Code: 145001
☎️ Telephone Code: 0186
🚗 Vehicle Registration: PB 35
👥 Population: 6,26,154 (2011 Census)
🏔️ Elevation: 331 meters above sea level
🏛️ Government & Administration
🧑💼 Mayor: Panna Lal Bhatia (Congress)
🧑⚖️ Deputy Commissioner: Sanyam Aggarwal, IAS
🧑⚖️ MP (Member of Parliament): Sunny Deol
🧑⚖️ MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly): Ashwani Sharma
🏢 Key Institutions & Services
🏛️ Municipal Corporation
🏢 Improvement Trust
⚡ Punjab State Electricity Board (PSPCL)
☎️ BSNL
🏥 Civil Hospital
🧑💼 Employment Exchange
⚖️ Court Complex
🚘 DTO (District Transport Office)
🚔 Police Stations
🏤 Post Offices
🎬 PVR Cinemas
🔗 Useful Link
🌐 Official Website of Pathankot
🏛️ History of Pathankot
An Ancient City with a Glorious Past
Pathankot is one of the most historically significant cities in Punjab, with roots that stretch back to ancient India. Strategically located at the foothills of the Himalayas, it has been a prominent cultural, political, and military hub for centuries.
🏰 Early Rule and Rajput Legacy
Until 1781, Pathankot was ruled by a Muslim descendant of Raja Sayed Khan of the Nurpur State. By the end of the 17th century, the region became a part of the Nurpur princely state, governed by Rajput rulers.
Nurpur itself was founded by Rana Bhet, a Taur Rajput from Delhi, also known as Jatpal, who established his rule in Pathankot and extended his control across the foothills. Later, he shifted his capital to Nurpur, but Pathankot remained the cultural and administrative core.
📖 Pathankot in Ancient Texts
In the Mahabharata, Pathankot is referred to as Audumbar
The Ain-i-Akbari mentions it as a ‘Pargana Headquarter’
Some Sikh historical accounts believe that Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru, established Pathankot
⚔️ The Name ‘Pathankot’ – Origins and Theories
Pathankot’s name has many believed origins:
During the Medieval period, as Pathan tribes from Afghanistan — such as Marwat, Khattak, and Yusufzai—migrated and settled in areas like Pathankot and Hoshiarpur, the city came to be known as Pathankot, or “the fort of the Pathans”.
Sir Alexander Cunningham, a renowned historian, first suggested the name derived from the word ‘Pathan’ (road), symbolizing a meeting point of key trade routes.
Later, he supported the theory that it derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Pratishthana’, meaning “firmly established place”.
In Mughal records like the Ain-i-Akbari and Badshahnamah, the city is also referred to as Paithan, an abbreviation of Pratishthana.
🏞️ Nurpur State Boundaries & Influence
According to historical records such as the Kangra District Gazetteer (1924–25) and History of Punjab Hill States (J. Hutchison & J. Ph. Vogel), the ancient Nurpur State covered:
Pathankot, Shahpur, and Kandi
The Nurpur Tahsil, excluding the tappa of Gango
A region west of the Ravi River called Lakhanpur (now in Jammu)
Boundaries of the state were:
North: Chamba
East: Kangra & Guler
South: Punjab Plains
West: River Ravi
🪖 Pathankot Today – A Legacy Continued
Pathankot is now known globally for Mamun Cantonment, the largest military base in Asia, further emphasizing its longstanding strategic importance. From ancient empires and Rajput dynasties to Sikh heritage and modern defense, Pathankot remains a city rich in history, honor, and heritage.