Mohali district, officially Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district (often abbreviated SAS Nagar), is a district in the Indian state of Punjab. Its administrative headquarters is the planned city of Mohali, which adjoins Chandigarh and forms part of the Chandigarh tri-city region along with Panchkula. The district is named after Sahibzada Ajit Singh, the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh.
| Official name | Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district |
|---|---|
| Common name | Mohali district |
| State | Punjab |
| Country | India |
| Headquarters | Mohali (SAS Nagar) |
| Region | Chandigarh tri-city / Greater Chandigarh |
| Named after | Sahibzada Ajit Singh |
The district was carved out of Rupnagar (Ropar) district and notified as a separate district in 2006, becoming one of the newer districts of Punjab. Its creation reflected the rapid urbanisation around Chandigarh and the emergence of Mohali as a hub for information technology, industry, and institutional facilities.
The district is divided into administrative subdivisions (tehsils) including Mohali, Kharar, Dera Bassi, and Banur. It is administered by a Deputy Commissioner, with a Senior Superintendent of Police heading the district police. The district falls within the jurisdiction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh.
Mohali district lies in the south-eastern part of Punjab, bordering the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the state of Haryana, and the Punjab districts of Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Patiala. The terrain is largely part of the Indo-Gangetic plain, with the Shivalik foothills influencing the northern fringes. Major drainage features include seasonal choes flowing down from the Shivaliks.
Mohali has developed as one of Punjab's leading centres for industry, education, and services. Notable establishments and sectors associated with the district include:
The district is well connected by road and rail. National Highway 5 (formerly NH-21/NH-95 corridors) and other major highways pass through it, linking Chandigarh with Ludhiana, Patiala, and Himachal Pradesh. Kharar and Dera Bassi are major junctions on these routes. Chandigarh International Airport at Mohali offers domestic and limited international services.
According to the 2011 Census of India, Mohali was among Punjab's more urbanised districts, with a substantial share of its population living in urban centres such as Mohali, Kharar, Zirakpur, and Dera Bassi. Punjabi is the principal language, with Hindi and English widely used in administration, education, and business.
The district has historical and religious sites associated with Sikh history. Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and Chappar Chiri, the site of the Battle of Chappar Chiri (1710) where Banda Singh Bahadur defeated the Mughal forces of Sirhind, lie close to the district. The Fateh Burj at Chappar Chiri commemorates this victory and is a prominent monument in the region.
Mohali district is significant as a planned urban-industrial extension of Chandigarh, hosting major scientific, educational, and sporting institutions. Its growth has shaped Punjab's services and knowledge economy, while its proximity to the state capital region makes it an administrative and commercial focal point.