Ludhiana () in India is the largest city in Punjab. It is located in Ludhiana District. It is situated on the banks of the Sutlej River. The city's estimated population is 3,500,000. It is a major industrial center of northern India. Famous for its hosiery, textiles and bicycle industries, Ludhiana is also sometimes called the "Manchester of India".

Hero Cycles is the largest producer of bicycles in the world and was first established in Ludhiana. Through its collaboration with Honda, Hero Cycles also produces Hero Honda motorcycles. Eastman Group, Kular Cycle and Gursewak Industries are also there.

Ludhiana is also home to the largest agricultural university in India, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College is one of the most respected engineering colleges in the region. The college has produced engineers in the field of civil, mechanical, electrical, computer, IT, electronics and production engineering who are working all over the world. A number of spinning mills and hosiery units exist in and around Ludhiana.

Ludhiana also has major medical institutions like the Christian Medical College (C.M.C.), Dayanand Medical College (D.M.C.) and Apollo Hospitals.

Ludhiana also has outlets of worldwide chain restaurants like KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, Ruby Tuesday, etc.

A number of 'freedom fighters' that helped champion an independent India originated from Ludhiana. The most prominent of them being Bhagat Singh, who was hanged by the British, along with Kartar Singh Sarabha, Sukhdev Thapur and Rajguru. Apart from this Ludhiana is home to Sahir Ludhianvi, the famous lyricist. Dr. Atam Hamrahi and Surjeet Pattar are prominent writers from the region.

Ludhiana is well connected to the Indian capital city of Delhi through an airport, by road (GT road) and frequent train service. An international airport is planned for Ludhiana.

Ludhiana is known as the "Manchester of India". It is a knitwear cluster with around 6,000 small to medium sized knitwear factories and 8 big integrated units. In and around Ludhiana, there are 10 big hoisery yarn mills and 150 small to medium size worsted and woollen yarns. The export market in Ludhiana is US$ 40 million.

History

Ludhiana city was founded in the time of Lodhi dynasty which ruled in Delhi from 1451-1526 A.D. The legend goes that two Lodhi Chief Yusaf Khan and Nihand Khan were deputed by Sikandar Lodhi (1489-1517 A.D.) to restore order in this region. They camped at the site of present city of Ludhiana which was then a village called Mir Hota. Yusaf Khan went across the river Sutlej in Jalandhar Doab to check Khokhars who were plundering the Doab and made a settlement at Sultanpur while Nihand Khan stayed back and founded the present city at the site of village Mir Hota. The new town was originally known as Lodhi-ana, which means the town of Lodi's. The name later changed to the present name Ludhiana.

Ludhiana City Centre

A new world class commercial centre is under construction in the heart of ludhiana. Covering over 25 acres of land, this centre will provide space for shopping, entertainment, business, and much more. The Ludhiana City Centre is being developed by Today Homes and Infrastructure in partnership with Ludhiana Improvement Trust, a Govt. of Punjab initiative. The first development of its kind in India, this 25-acre modern day marvel will have five major constituents - The Mall, The Height, The Forum, The Podium & a 5 Star Hotel.

A rendering of the Ludhiana City Centre

States and territories of India | Cities and towns in Punjab (India)

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