Overview
Moga district is an administrative district in the Indian state of Punjab. Located in the Malwa region of Punjab, the district has its headquarters at Moga city. It was carved out as a separate district on 24 November 1995, becoming the seventeenth district of Punjab, when it was separated from Faridkot district.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Punjab |
| Region | Malwa |
| Headquarters | Moga |
| Date of formation | 24 November 1995 |
| Parent district | Faridkot |
| Official language | Punjabi |
Geography
Moga district lies in the south-western part of Punjab, on the alluvial plains of the Malwa belt. It is bordered by Ludhiana district to the east, Barnala and Bathinda districts to the south, Faridkot district to the west, and Ferozepur and Jalandhar districts to the north. The terrain is flat and largely cultivated, drained by canals of the Sirhind and Bikaner systems. The district forms part of the wheat–paddy belt of Punjab.
Administration
The district is divided into administrative subdivisions (tehsils) including Moga, Bagha Purana, Nihal Singh Wala and Dharamkot, along with several community development blocks. Local self-government is exercised through the Moga municipal corporation in the headquarters town and through panchayati raj institutions in rural areas.
Tehsils
- Moga
- Bagha Purana
- Nihal Singh Wala
- Dharamkot
History
The area now comprising Moga district has historically been part of the Malwa tract of Punjab and was associated with the Sikh misls during the eighteenth century before coming under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. After the British annexation of Punjab in 1849, the region became part of the colonial administrative framework, and after the Partition of 1947 it lay within Indian Punjab. Following the linguistic reorganisation of Punjab in 1966, it formed part of Faridkot district until it was upgraded into an independent district on 24 November 1995.
Economy
The economy of Moga district is predominantly agricultural, with wheat and paddy as the principal crops, supplemented by cotton, sugarcane, fodder and dairy farming. Moga town is a notable industrial and commercial centre; it hosts a large Nestlé India milk processing facility, one of the company's significant plants in the country, along with grain markets, rice shellers and agro-processing units.
Demographics
Punjabi is the principal language and is written in the Gurmukhi script. The population is predominantly Sikh, with sizeable Hindu and other communities. Most residents live in rural settlements, though Moga town is a growing urban centre.
Transport
Moga is situated on National Highway 5 (formerly NH 95), connecting Ludhiana with Ferozepur, and has rail connectivity on the Ludhiana–Ferozepur line of Northern Railway. The district's location on this corridor links it to the broader Punjab road and rail network.
Culture and notable associations
Moga has a strong cultural association with Punjabi music, literature and cinema, and has produced several artists in these fields. The town is also known for the historic Nanaksar Gurdwara associated with Baba Nand Singh.
Related topics
References
- Wikidata: Q1946896
- Government of Punjab, district administration portal for Moga
- Census of India, district handbooks for Punjab