India State Story | Punjab | A2 size poster

• Visual story of the evolution of each state (or combination of states/ UTs for joint posters) pre and post Independence , along with key figures involved 
• Map of district evolution for large states and UTs
• Interesting features on name changes and district splits
• Alluvial chart tracing the changes in districts from 1951 onwards
• Interesting, did you know.

Visual Story of Punjab’s Evolution

This poster captures the complex and often turbulent evolution of Punjab—a region shaped by empire, partition, linguistic politics, and reorganization. Once the heartland of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Duleep Singh, Punjab was annexed by the British after the Anglo-Sikh wars. It was administratively restructured into a mix of British districts and princely states between 1872 and 1911. Partition in 1947 brought unprecedented upheaval: Punjab was split into West (Pakistan) and East (India), resulting in the largest population exchange in history and the tragic loss of Lahore to Pakistan. In post-independence India, East Punjab underwent further transformation—hill states merged into Himachal Pradesh, Patiala and surrounding princely states formed PEPSU, and Chandigarh was planned as a modernist capital symbolizing a new national vision. The Shiromani Akali Dal’s demand for a Punjabi Suba ultimately led to the 1966 reorganization, birthing Haryana and carving out Chandigarh and Himachal as separate entities.

Spatial Dynamics and District Evolution

The district landscape of Punjab reflects decades of shifting borders, identity assertions, and administrative rationalization. From a modest 7 districts in 1951, the state now comprises 23, shaped by a mix of linguistic movements, rural-urban rebalancing, and decentralization efforts. The alluvial chart visually captures this transformation—from early bifurcations like the separation of Faridkot and Muktsar to more recent formations such as Malerkotla in 2021, the only Muslim-majority district in the state. “Did You Know?” features highlight fascinating quirks—like Kapurthala state’s two separate enclaves within Jullundur, and the role of the 1951 census in offering joint Hindi-Punjabi identity. This poster offers a compelling narrative of Punjab’s journey from imperial frontier to a linguistically consolidated and administratively streamlined Indian state.