In this article, you will learn about the various names of Punjab from different time periods, which are frequently asked in competitive exams like PSSSB, Punjab Police, PCS, and others.
Table of Contents
Ancient Period Names of Punjab
1. Sapta Sindhu
Sapta Sindhu is a name mentioned during the Rigvedic period. “Sapta” means seven, and “Sindhu” means rivers, referring to the seven rivers that flowed through this sacred land. These rivers are:
| Ancient Name | Modern Name |
|---|---|
| Sindhu | Indus |
| Vitasta | Jhelum |
| Asikni | Chenab |
| Parushni | Ravi |
| Vipasha | Beas |
| Sutudri | Sutlej |
| Saraswati | Saraswati |
The Sindhu (Indus) and Saraswati rivers served as the boundaries of Punjab during this period.
2. Panchnanda
Panchnanda literally means “The Land of Five Rivers,” referring to Vitasta (Jhelum), Asikni (Chenab), Parushni (Ravi), Vipasha (Beas), and Sutudri (Sutlej). The name Panchnanda is also mentioned in ancient Indian epics and Puranas, emphasizing the holiness of Punjab’s land.
3. Pentapotamia
The Greeks referred to Punjab as Pentapotamia. “Penta” means five, and “Potamia” means rivers, which together signify “The Land of Five Rivers.”
4. Taki/Tak Desh
Punjab was also known as Taki or Tak Desh, named after the Tak tribe that ruled this land for centuries under the kingdom of Tse-Kia. The Chinese traveler Hieun Tsang documented this name and described Taki/Tak Desh’s boundaries extending from Sindhu to Vipasha.
5. Trigarta
Trigarta was an ancient kingdom that existed in the northern part of Punjab. It is mentioned in the Indian epic, the Mahabharata, and was ruled by King Susharma. Trigarta was located in the present-day regions of Kangra and Jalandhar.
6. Madra
Another ancient kingdom in Punjab mentioned in the Mahabharata is Madra. It was ruled by King Shalya and was located in the northwestern part of Punjab, near the present-day regions of Multan and Bahawalpur.
Medieval Period Names of Punjab
1. Lahore Suba
During the Mughal period, Punjab was called Lahore Suba, with Lahore as its capital. Emperor Akbar divided this region into two provinces for administrative purposes: Suba of Lahore and Suba of Multan.
2. Lahore Raj
Under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Punjab was known as Lahore Raj. The boundaries of Punjab expanded significantly during his reign, stretching from Ladakh in the north to Shikarpur in the south, and from Sutlej in the east to Peshawar in the west.
Modern Period Names of Punjab
1. Punjab Province (British Era)
After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839, the British annexed Punjab, after 2nd Anglo-Sikhs war in 1849, into their empire and named it Punjab Province. Following the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, Delhi was included in Punjab Province, which then stretched from Kashmir in the north to Afghanistan in the northwest and from the Yamuna in the east to Rajasthan in the south. In 1901, the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, carved out the North-Western Frontier Province (NWFP) from Punjab, further altering its boundaries. This significant administrative change redefined the region under British rule and marked an important step in the reshaping of Punjab during the colonial period.
2. Partition of Punjab (1947)
After India’s independence in 1947, Punjab was divided into two parts:
West Punjab
Became part of Pakistan, retaining much of the historical and cultural legacy of the region.
East Punjab
Remained in India and was later renamed Punjab. Over time, its boundaries were adjusted, and new states like Haryana and Himachal Pradesh were carved out from it.
The names of Punjab have evolved over time, reflecting its rich history, culture, and geographical changes. From Sapta Sindhu in the Rigvedic period to Lahore Raj under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and finally to the Punjab Province during British rule, these names highlight the significance of the land of five rivers or names of Punjab.
Understanding these historical names of Punjab is crucial for competitive exams, especially in Punjab. This knowledge not only enhances your understanding of the region’s heritage but also helps you excel in exams where such topics are frequently asked.
FAQs of Names of Punjab
1. What does the name Punjab mean?
Punjab is derived from two Persian words: “Punj” (five) and “Aab” (water), meaning “The Land of Five Rivers.”
2. What were the seven rivers of Sapta Sindhu?
The seven rivers of Sapta Sindhu are:
– Sindhu (Indus)
– Vitasta (Jhelum)
– Asikni (Chenab)
– Parushni (Ravi)
– Vipasha (Beas)
– Sutudri (Sutlej)
– Saraswati (Saraswati)
3. What is Panchnanda?
Panchnanda means “The Land of Five Rivers,” referring to Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
4. Who called Punjab Pentapotamia?
The Greeks referred to Punjab as Pentapotamia, which also means “The Land of Five Rivers.”
5. What was Punjab known as during the Mughal period?
Punjab was called Lahore Suba during the Mughal period, with Lahore as its capital.
6. What name was given to Punjab during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign?
During Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign, Punjab was known as Lahore Raj.
7. How was Punjab affected after the Partition of India in 1947?
In 1947, Punjab was divided into West Punjab (now in Pakistan) and East Punjab (now in India). The Indian Punjab was later reorganized, leading to the creation of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.