Patiala is a city in the south-eastern part of the Indian state of Punjab. It is the administrative headquarters of Patiala district and was, until 1956, the capital of the princely state of Patiala and later the short-lived Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU). The city is known for its distinctive cultural identity, encapsulated in expressions such as the Patiala salwar, the Patiala peg, the Patiala shahi turban (pagri), and the Patiala gharana of Hindustani classical music.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Punjab |
| District | Patiala |
| Region | Malwa |
| Founded | 1763 (by Baba Ala Singh) |
| Former status | Capital, Patiala State; capital, PEPSU (1948–1956) |
| Languages | Punjabi (official), Hindi, English |
Patiala lies in the Malwa region of Punjab, on the plains south of the Sutlej. It is connected by road and rail to Chandigarh to the north-east, Ludhiana to the north-west, Ambala to the east, and Sangrur to the west. The city falls within the Indo-Gangetic alluvial belt and experiences a humid subtropical climate marked by hot summers, a monsoon season from late June to September, and cool winters with occasional fog.
The city traces its origin to Baba Ala Singh, a Sidhu Jat chieftain who founded the fort of Qila Mubarak in 1763. The settlement that grew around the fort developed into the seat of the Phulkian dynasty's principal house, and the state of Patiala emerged as one of the most prominent Sikh princely states under successive rulers including Amar Singh, Sahib Singh, Karam Singh, Narinder Singh, Mahendra Singh, Rajinder Singh, Bhupinder Singh, and Yadavindra Singh.
Patiala entered into a treaty relationship with the British East India Company in 1809, which placed it under British paramountcy while preserving the internal authority of its rulers. The state contributed troops to the British during the Anglo-Sikh wars and the events of 1857, and its rulers were granted a high gun salute among Indian princely states.
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh (reigned 1900–1938) was a notable patron of cricket, the arts, and architecture, and commissioned several of the city's prominent buildings. He represented India at the League of Nations and led the Chamber of Princes. His son, Yadavindra Singh, the last ruling Maharaja, signed the instrument of accession to India and later served as Rajpramukh of PEPSU and as a diplomat.
After Indian independence, Patiala became the capital of the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU), formed in 1948 by the merger of eight princely states. Following the States Reorganisation Act, PEPSU was merged with Punjab in 1956, and Patiala was redesignated a district headquarters within the larger state.
Patiala lends its name to several enduring cultural items. The Patiala salwar, a loose pleated lower garment, originated here as part of women's court dress. The Patiala peg, a generously poured measure of spirits, is associated with the hospitality of the royal court. The Patiala gharana of Hindustani classical music, founded by Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and Ali Baksh Khan in the 19th century under royal patronage, produced singers such as Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. The Patiala shahi pagri remains a recognised style of Sikh turban.
Patiala has a long association with Indian sport. The Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), established in 1961 in the Old Moti Bagh Palace, is the principal coach-training and high-performance centre of the Sports Authority of India. The city's rulers, especially Bhupinder Singh and Yadavindra Singh, were closely associated with Indian cricket administration in the early 20th century; Yadavindra Singh played a Test match for India in 1934.
The local economy combines agriculture and agro-processing with public-sector employment, education, and small and medium industry. Surrounding rural areas produce wheat, paddy, and dairy. Manufacturing includes engineering goods, auto components, and textiles, supported by industrial focal points around the city.
Patiala is served by the Patiala railway station on the Rajpura–Bathinda line and by national and state highways linking it to Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Ambala, and Sangrur. The nearest major airports are at Chandigarh and Ludhiana.
The city is governed by the Patiala Municipal Corporation and is the headquarters of Patiala district. It is part of the Patiala Lok Sabha constituency and contains several Punjab Legislative Assembly constituencies, including Patiala (Urban) and Patiala (Rural).