History

SESSIONS DIVISION SANGRUR

Brief History
Before 1773, Sangrur town was part of the Nabha state. In 1773–74, it came under the control of the Jind State following a quarrel between the two states. The region that now forms Sangrur district was historically divided among the princely states of Kaithal, Nabha, Jind, and Patiala. Until 1843, the parganas of Ghabdan and Khadial were part of Kaithal State. After Kaithal was annexed by the British, a few villages from the Mahalan Ghabdan area were transferred to Jind State as part of an exchange. During the British era, Sangrur, Badrukha, and 43 nearby villages (now in sangrur and sunam tehsil) were part of Jind State. However, the majority of the territory that now forms Sangrur district belonged to Patiala State, including areas like Sunam, Dhuri, Dirba, Moonak, Longowal, & Bhawanigarh with some areas also belonging to Nabha State.
In 1948, after the end of princely rule, the modern Sangrur district was created from territories of Nabha, Jind, and Patiala states and formed part of PEPSU. In 1953, the Barnala district was abolished, and its tehsils—Dhuri, Malerkotla, Barnala, and part of Phul—were merged into Sangrur. There is an ancient Temple of Maha Kali Devi mata Ji built in 1867 where the people of area regularly pay obeisance. There is a unique institution known by the name of ‘Nagan Baba Ki Samadh’. It houses a Samadh, a Temple as well as Gurudwara and large number of the devotees visit the place daily. There is a Darbar Hall built in or around 1865 still exists and is used as Museum”. Takhat constructed in the Hall for sitting of Raja is still there and it looks as if the same has been recently built. Adjoining the Darbar Hall, there is a ‘Banesar Bagh’ in which marble baradari is surrounded by a big water channel.
In 1956, PEPSU was merged with Punjab. In 1966, Jind and Narwana tehsils were transferred to form the new Haryana state Jind district during the Punjab Reorganisation.Later, in 2006, the entire Barnala tehsil was separated from Sangrur to form Barnala district. In 2021, Malerkotla tehsil was carved out to create the new Malerkotla district.
Settlements in Sangrur trace back to the pre-Harappan period. Recent excavations in Rohira in Sangrur have revealed a 10-metre high mound with settlements dating back to 2300 BC. Excavations from Mard Khera village have led to the discovery of pottery from the Harappan period. Remnants of pottery from the Kushan period have also been discovered.

SUB DIVISION SUNAM

Earlier city Sunam was District Headquarter of Patiala State and District and Sessions Judge along with other subordinate Courts used to sit at Sunam till the partition of country. Courts were housed in old fort. After partition, Princely states were united as Pepsu and Sangrur was declared headquarter and Sunam became a Sub Tehsil.

SUB DIVISION DHURI

Judicial Courts at Dhuri were established and functioning since the year on or about 1910 by the then Maharaja of Erstwhile Patiala State.

SUB DIVISION MOONAK

Moonak remained part of princely State of Patiala till 20.8.1948 i.e. till the formation of Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU). Babu Brish Bhan Ji was a great freedom fighter, an intelligent Civil and Criminal lawyer, honest and upright politician and remained Pioneer of Parja Mandal Movement and fought against Imperialism, Feudalism, British Empire, Rulers, Rajas and Maharajas, a great man who had grave concern for the plight of small farmers and remained Chief Minister of PEPSU from 1953 to 1956 and during the tenure of Babu Brish Bhan Ji as Chief Minister PEPSU Legislation ‘PEPSU Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act’ was enacted for the welfare, protection and security of tenants especially small tenants. Later on Babu Brish Bhan Ji also remained as Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab after the abolition of PEPSU and merger of PEPSU in Punjab. Moonak is the ‘Karam Bhoomi’ of Babu Brish Bhan Ji and Moonak is famous by the name of Babu Brish Bhan Ji.