Malerkotla district is an administrative district in the state of Punjab, India. It was carved out as a separate district with its headquarters at the town of Malerkotla, which was previously part of Sangrur district. The district takes its name from the historic town of Malerkotla, long associated with the former princely state of the same name and known for its composite cultural heritage and significant Muslim population.
| Name | Malerkotla district |
|---|---|
| State | Punjab |
| Country | India |
| Headquarters | Malerkotla |
| Parent district | Sangrur (prior to bifurcation) |
| Region | Malwa region of Punjab |
The town of Malerkotla has a long history dating back to the medieval period, when it served as the seat of a Muslim-ruled principality founded by Sufi and Afghan lineages. After the integration of princely states following Indian independence, Malerkotla became part of the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) and later of Punjab, where it was administered as a tehsil within Sangrur district.
Malerkotla is widely remembered in Sikh tradition for the haa da naara, the protest raised by Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan against the execution of the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh by the Mughal governor of Sirhind. This act is often cited as a basis for the town's reputation for communal harmony.
Malerkotla was constituted as the 23rd district of Punjab. The decision to upgrade it to district status was taken by the Government of Punjab, separating the area from the larger Sangrur district to provide more focused administration to the region's population, which includes the largest concentration of Muslims in the state.
The district lies in the Malwa region of Punjab, in the alluvial plains between the Sutlej and Ghaggar river systems. It is bounded by parts of Sangrur, Ludhiana, Barnala and Patiala districts. The terrain is largely flat agricultural land, with wheat, paddy and other field crops dominating the rural economy.
The district is headed by a Deputy Commissioner and falls within the jurisdiction of the Punjab Police, with a Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of law and order. Administrative subdivisions include the tehsil and sub-tehsils centred on Malerkotla town and surrounding rural blocks.
The economy is primarily agrarian, supplemented by small-scale industry and trade in Malerkotla town, which has historically been a centre for handloom, embroidery and brassware. The town is also known for its hosiery and cycle-related ancillary units linked to the larger industrial belt around Ludhiana. Cultural life reflects a blend of Punjabi, Sufi and Islamic traditions, with shrines, mosques, gurdwaras and temples coexisting within the district.