Malerkotla (princely state) facts for kids

Malerkotla is a historic city and district in Punjab, India. It was once a special area known as a princely state, which means it was ruled by its own local leaders, called Nawabs, under the larger control of the British Empire. Malerkotla is unique because it had a majority of Muslim people living there.

The Story of Malerkotla

Malerkotla was founded a very long time ago, in 1454 A.D. (which means 'Anno Domini', or 'in the year of the Lord'). It was started by a respected person named Sheikh Sadruddin-i-Jahan, who came from Afghanistan. His family, from the Sherwani tribe, continued to rule this area for many years. The official 'State of Malerkotla' was formally set up in 1657 A.D.

A Place of Peace During Difficult Times

One of the most remarkable things about Malerkotla happened during the Partition of India in 1947. This was a very tough time when India was divided into two separate countries, India and Pakistan. During this division, there were many sad events and conflicts, especially in the Punjab area, where Malerkotla is located.

Even though there was a lot of trouble and violence happening all around, Malerkotla remained a truly peaceful place. It was like a calm island in the middle of a storm. Not a single act of violence or fighting was reported in Malerkotla during those difficult days. This makes Malerkotla a special example of peace and harmony in history.