Barnala is a city and the administrative headquarters of Barnala district[1] in the Indian state of Punjab. Located in the Malwa region, it serves as a key agricultural and trading hub, surrounded by fertile plains. As of the 2011 census, the city had a population of 116,449, while the district's population was 595,527. Estimates for 2024 project the district population at approximately 839,694, reflecting steady growth driven by rural-urban migration and agricultural prosperity.[2] The city is renowned for its role in Punjab's textile and agro-machinery industries, earning it the nickname "Manchester of Punjab" due to its textile mills. Barnala district was carved out of Sangrur district on 19 November 2006, making it Punjab's 23rd district at the time.
The name "Barnala" has multiple proposed origins. One theory suggests it derives from the local term Vaaran (storm), reflecting the region's historical weather patterns, evolving into Barnala.[3] Another links it to a stepwell (Baahuli) near a fort built by Baba Ala Singh and Baba Anahat Khan, pronounced as Baain in the Malwai dialect, becoming Baain Wala or Barnala.[4] The most accepted narrative credits Baba Ala Singh, an 18th-century Sikh warrior, who named the settlement after himself upon establishing it as his capital in 1775.[5]
History
Sikh historian Giani has recorded the details of setting up of Barnala in the annals of Khalsa in this manner that in the year 1775 Baba Ala Singh after offering Bhadaur (set up by King Padhar Sain) to his brother Duna Singh came to Barnala region which was lying aloof at that time. Setting it up, he made it his capital and took under his control surrounding villages. It too appears that Anahatgarh may be existing before and must have been deserted following attacks of Dharvis.
There are different opinions about the nomenclature of Barnala. Some are of the view, Vaaran being a region because of frequent storms was at that time also called Varna. So Barnala was called a land of too many storms which later on became Barnala because of precision of example. Another view reveals that a fort here is said to be built by Baba Ala Singh And Baba Anahat khan in which there was a ‘Baahuli’ (a well which had stairs going down). That too due to precision and Malwai accent was known as ‘Baain’. Thus Baain Wala ultimately became Barnala. Thus these are different views only but no historical detail is available that how name Barnala came into existence. Barnala was named after Baba Ala Singh. Baba Ala Singh left Bhadaur with his elder brother (hometown of Patiala State) and settled at Barnala and conquered many areas with the help of his brothers the Bhadaur Sardars. Though it was a district headquarters in erstwhile princely state system, it was later merged in PEPSU (Patiala & East Punjab States Union) and degraded as sub divisional headquarters.[citation needed]
There is a stone "Rameshwaram Stone" in Nath Wala Dera – Village Handiaya Adjoining with Barnala that one floating in water.
As per provisional data of the 2011 census, Barnala had a population of 116,449, out of which males were 62,554 and females were 53,895, with a density of 5,060/km² and a sex ratio of 862 females per 1,000 males, below Punjab’s average of 895. The district had 595,527 residents (317,522 males, 278,005 females), with a sex ratio of 876 and a child sex ratio (0–6 years) of 835. Urban areas constitute 19.5% of the population. Scheduled Castes form 28.2% (city) and 29.5% (district), with negligible Scheduled Tribes (0.1%). Literacy is 79.59% in the city and 67.82% district-wide (males: 71.57%, females: 63.57%). Punjabi (Malwai dialect) is spoken by 97%, with Sikhs (50.37%), Hindus (47.67%), Muslims (1.53%), and others (0.43%) comprising the religious makeup.[7]
Economy
Trident Group (formerly known as Abhishek Industries), is headed by Mr. Rajinder Gupta. The group operates in five major business segments: Yarn, Terry Towels, Paper, Chemicals and Captive Power. Trident is one of the largest yarn spinners in India, one of the world's largest terry towel manufacturers and the world's largest wheat straw based paper manufacturer.
IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals (IOLCP) is a leading organic chemicals manufacturer and supplier.
Standard Combines headquartered in Barnala, is in various products like, Thresher, Self Harvester Combine, Tractor Driven Harvester Combine, Rotavator, Rotavator with Seed Drill, Maize Self Harvester Combine. The company is also exporting its 4x4 Harvester Combine & track Combine to Nepal, Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh.
Balkar Combines is headquartered in Barnala, The company is in various products like Thresher, Self Harvester Combine, Tractor Driven Harvester Combine, Rotavator, Rotavator with Seed Drill, Maize Self Harvester Combine. The company is also exporting its 4x4 Harvester Combine to Nepal, Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh.
Vedic Formulation Pvt Ltd Ayurvedic medicine manufacturer GMP certified by dept. of Ayurved Punjab. A Chandigarh-based well known company has its own manufacturing plant at Sanghera Road, Barnala.
Barnala mainly acts as a market place for surrounding villages, including Hamidi, and is also emerging as a trading town.
Culture
Barnala embodies Malwai Punjabi culture, blending Sikh traditions with agrarian folk. Festivals like Baisakhi (April), Diwali, and Lohri feature bhangra, gidda dances, and heaving fairs. Cuisine highlights makki di roti-sarson da saag, chaap (soybean-based), and aloo paratha. The Barnala Bird Sanctuary (50 hectares) attracts 20,000 migratory birds annually, ideal for eco-tourism. Gurdwara Baba Ala Singh and local mela grounds host cultural events. Folk artists preserve tappa and boliyan songs.
Transportation
Barnala lies on NH-9 (Delhi-Amritsar) and SH-7, connecting to Chandigarh (140 km) and Ludhiana (60 km). Barnala railway station (Northern Railway) handles 20+ daily trains, with nearest airports in Ludhiana (70 km) and Chandigarh (150 km). A ₹100 crore flyover (2024) eases city traffic, and PRTC operates 50 daily buses.
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