Mahilpur is a city and a Nagar Panchayat in Hoshiarpur district in the Indian statePunjab Founded by Bains Clan & named after Chaudhary Mahla Bains who was Chaudhary Jagirdar of area, Pur stands for town or settlement so town came to be known as Mahilpur which means( town of Mahla).It is situated on Hoshiarpur to Garhshankar stretch of State Highway 24. It is famous for the game of football in the region. Mahilpur is connected by road to nearby districts, states and towns such as Jaijon, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Mohali, Chandigarh. Mahilpur is a development block. Mahilpur block has 140 villages in it.[1] It as also known as the soccer-town of India given the craze of football among the people of Mahilpur town and its surrounding villages. It belongs to the Sirowal area in the Doaba region of Punjab. Mahilpur had its first bank as Punjab National Bank in 1946 which operates two branches in the city. Mahilpur is famous for mangoes in the region.
A historical map mentioning Mahilpur from 1 January 1788 by James Rennell
As per history the village was founded by BainsJatts as the headquarters of this tribe, as well as 16 villages that belongs to this area.[2][3] 1905 Gazetteer mentioned Mahilpur as the Headquarters of Bains Jat clan of this area[4] Mahilpur was also the seat of Bains Jat Chaudhris/Jagirdars of the area during Mughal era[5]. They say their ancestor came here from Pothohar region of Punjab during the reign of Firoz Shah Tughlaq[6][7].Chaudhary Biru Bains served as an ahalkar (military official) in the army of a regional ruler who governed areas around Pothohar or Jammu. During the invasion of Firoz Shah Tughlaq, the Bains Jats, under the leadership of Chaudhary Biru Bains, joined the Tughlaq army and migrated eastward into the Doaba region of Punjab.
Upon their arrival, they initially founded and settled in the village of Khera. Subsequently, from Khera, the Bains Jats—primarily the descendants of Chaudhary Biru Bains who had served as ahalkars in the Tughlaq army—established another settlement. This village was later renamed after one of Chaudhary Biru’s descendants, Chaudhary Mahla Bains, and is today known as Mahilpur.
Meanwhile, those members of the Bains Jat community who were primarily soldiers went on to establish several additional villages. These included "Pathrala, Bharta, Ganeshpur, Gondpur, Nangal Khurd, Daduwal, Chambal Kalan and Chambal Khurd, Rasulpur, Nangal Kalan, and Sarhala Khurd". Collectively, this group of villages came to be known as the “Wara of Bains.”The village of "Bahowal", which was not part of the Wara (the group of twelve villages), was founded separately by Baho Bains, the brother of Chaudhary Mahla Bains.Beyond the Wara, the total number of Bains-controlled villages increased to approximately 15–16, including "Kahri, Mehmadowal, Lehli Kalan and Lehli Khurd, Kot Fatuhi" (now jointly held), and others. Over time, the number of villages expanded further to twenty-two, forming a larger territorial grouping known as the “Bahia of Bains.” This group included villages such as "Kotla Naudh Singh, Bainstaniwal, Kotli Bawa Dass, Bains Khurd", among others.With the inclusion of the Bahia villages, the Bains clan came to hold ownership of more than thirty-five villages within this regional belt.[8][9][10]
Chaudhary Biru Bains had a son named Chaudhary Khangan (also known as Sangan). Chaudhary Khangan/Sangan had a son, Chaudhary Udvesal, also known as Udarmal. Udarmal’s son was Chaudhary Makhan, who in turn had a son named Chaudhary Bhoola. Chaudhary Bhoola had three sons: Mahla (also known as Mahlo), Bidhi, and Baho. Chaudhary Mahla/Mahlo renamed the existing Bains village after himself, calling it Mahalpur, later known as Mahilpur. Bidhi died at a young age.[8]
Chaudhary Baho, who resided in Patti Dasowal, moved to a location outside the village known as Baganwali, which was also village-owned land, and founded the village of Bahowal. His descendants later resided both in Patti Dasowal and in Bahowal. Chaudhary Baho had a son named Chaudhary Mehmad. Mehmad had multiple wives, and his descendants established several pattis of Mahilpur. His property was divided among his sons according to the customary system of chundawand.Chaudhary Sagta, the eldest son of Mehmad, was succeeded by his descendant Chaudhary Durga, whose son was Chaudhary Kamaal. Kamaal’s son, Chaudhary Ram Rai, like his forefathers, served as the Chaudhary of Mahilpur and held authority over Mahilpur and approximately 127 surrounding villages until the early 18th century.[8] Even earlier during the time of Akbar's time village was known as ਦੋ ਸੌ ਸਤਾਈ ਦਾ ਟਿੱਕਾ means group of 227 villages, but as per other records it was known as ਇੱਕ ਸੌ ਸਤਾਈ ਦਾ ਟਿੱਕਾ and the number of villages were 127.[11][12]
Originally, Mahilpur was divided into seven pattis:
Patti Chak Wali
Patti Dasowal
Patti Charanpur
Patti Ladhewal
Patti Phagon
Patti Haveli
Patti Hasniyan
In addition, there was an 8thPatti Malwandi, which was bechirag (uninhabited), although the ownership of its land belonged to the Jats of Mahilpur.
The first five pattis derived their names from the founders of earlier abandoned villages, such as Daso, Charan, Ladha, and Phaggo. The lands of these deserted villages were acquired by Bains Jat settlers from the village of Khera, who established a new settlement on these lands. This settlement was later renamed Mahilpur by Chaudhary Mahlo. The pattis were named after the lands of the former villages from which they originated. The remaining two pattis were named after notable Bains elders (buzurgs). Patti Haveli—which later developed into a separate village—derived its name from the animal sheds owned by the Bains Jats; in the Doaba dialect, such domestic animal enclosures are referred to as havelis. Patti Hasniyan is said to have received its name from a traditional incident associated with the laughter of its Jat founder.[8]
During the reign of Akbar under the emperors of Delhi, prior to the Sikh contest, the Jullundur Doab was divided into 36 parganas, in Hoshiarpur Parganas/Taluqdaris were held by Ghorewah rajputs of Garhshankar, Bains Jatts of Mahilpur, Khunga-Chohan Jatts of Budipind and Sahota Jatts of Garhdiwala and (Jullundur) city by Patháns.[13]
Following the death of Chaudhary Ram Rai Bains, his son Chaudhary Gulab Rai Bains succeeded him. In the later stages of the 18th century, Mahilpur gradually recovered the lost territories, and Chaudhary Gulab Rai continued as the jagirdar (taluqdar) of the area under the Sarkar of Jalandhar and the Subah of Lahore.In 1757, his jagir and chaudhar were confiscated by the Sikh misls as punishment for his support of the Mughal imperial forces and his anti-Sikh activities during that period. This followed the defeat of imperial forces at the Battle of Mahilpur (1757), after which the Mahilpur jagir was formally seized.
Two years later, in 1759, Chaudhary Gulab Rai Bains, drawing upon his hereditary status as a chaudhary and his military and diplomatic abilities, joined and assisted the Sikh misls during the invasion of the Sirhind province, fighting against the imperial forces. Subsequently, he secured Jalla village in Sirhind as a jagir. He later entered the service of the Nabha State, where he was granted the jagir of the Maloha area under Nabha rule.[8][14][15](read the remaining story is below in Alawapur Sardars section). After Chaudhary Gulab Rai Bains, Mahilpur came under the control of Sardar Tara Singh Kang (Ghaiba) of the Dallewalia Misl, who granted Mahilpur to his son Sardar Jhanda Singh Kang. When Maharaja Ranjit Singh annexed the Dallewalia territories, he permitted Sardar Jhanda Singh Kang to retain Mahilpur as his chaudhar. Following Jhanda Singh Kang’s death, Mahilpur came under direct control of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Mahilpur Chaudhries were among 70 Chaudhries of Punjab representing and connected to Delhi Darbar during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
There was one more village Paldi which was exchanged by Bains Jats with Minhas rajputs of village kandhola near Jalandhar. As a whole there are 22 Villages of Bains Jatts in District Hoshiarpur solely owned by them and it as known as Bahiya of Bains and shares in Pattis other villages.
Traditional Punjabi folk Vaars related to Chaudhries of Mahilpur :-
Mahilpuriye Sirdars of Alawalpur( Nobles & Diplomats of Sikh Emipre)
The Sirdars of Alawalpur were Bains Jats, originally from Mahilpur in present-day Hoshiarpur district, Punjab. The family had long-standing roots in the Bist Doab, but rose to prominence through its association with the Nabha State. In historical records, the family is often referred to as Jalawala, derived from Jala, a village in Nabha State located approximately four miles southwest of Sirhind.
In 1759, Chaudhri Gulab Rai Bains, the hereditary Mughal imperial jagirdar of Mahilpur, embraced Sikhism following the defeat of Mughal forces at the Battle of Mahilpur (1757). He subsequently aligned himself with the Sikh misls and is reported to have gained control over Jalbhah, Maloya (near present-day Chandigarh), and two villages near Adampur. Thereafter, he entered the service of the Nabha ruling family and settled in the state.
Chaudhri Gulab Rai had five sons, of whom two are historically significant: Sardar Amar Singh Bains and Sardar Himmat Singh Bains.
Sardar Amar Singh’s son, General Ram Singh Bains, served the Sikh Empire . In 1845, he was reportedly tasked with persuading the Raja of Nabha to withdraw support from the British during the First Anglo-Sikh War. He later served as a judicial officer (adālati) at Lahore and Gujrat. He died in 1852, and his descendants continued to reside in Jala, Nabha State. Sardar Himmat Singh Bains played a significant diplomatic role for the Phulkian chiefs, including Nabha, in negotiations with British officials such as Sir Charles Metcalfe and Colonel David Ochterlony. His diplomatic skill resulted in the acquisition of extensive jagirs in Nabha, Patiala, and Jind.Around 1812, the Raja of Nabha introduced Himmat Singh to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who granted him the ilāqa of Alawalpur, which had lapsed to the Sikh state. At that time, Alawalpur and Dhogri (Jalandhar district) were under Pathan control. Himmat Singh’s son, Sardar Albel Singh Bains, expelled the Pathans and secured the territory as a jagir valued at approximately Rs. 120,000 per annum.
Additional grants included Datapur, Khera, Acharwal, and Kutahra in Hoshiarpur district; Machhiwara in Ludhiana district; villages in Samrala tehsil granted by Fateh Singh Ahluwalia; and later jagirs in Multan and Peshawar. Part of these holdings remained with the family into the British period.
Sardar Albel Singh, the eldest son of Himmat Singh, was killed during the Jhang campaign (1816). Following Himmat Singh’s death in 1829, much of the family’s estate was curtailed due to the influence of the Jammu family at Lahore. The remaining holdings passed to Sardar Achal Singh Bains (son of Albel Singh) and Sardar Kishan Singh Bains (brother of Albel Singh), who resided at Alawalpur and Dhogri, respectively. Kishan Singh died around 1841 during the Kohat campaign, after which his estates were resumed by the state because his son, Sardar Basawa Singh Bains, was a minor. However, Basawa Singh retained portions of the Ludhiana estates. His widow, Mussammat Bishan Kaur, later received a small revenue-free grant at Kalal Mazara, under Patiala State. Dhogri temporarily passed into the hands of Abdus Samad Khan, an Afghan chief, but by 1832 it was restored as a jagir to Sardar Kishan Singh Bains.
Following the establishment of British rule, Sardar Achal Singh Bains was exempted from providing the eighty cavalrymen previously required under Sikh administration. His holdings were reduced to six villages, assessed at Rs. 9,180 at regular settlement.Upon his death in 1857, his sons, Sardar Partab Singh Bains and Sardar Ajit Singh Bains, were granted a pension of Rs. 2,000 annually. In 1874, this pension was commuted into a perpetual grant of three-quarters of the revenue of Alawalpur, valued at approximately Rs. 2,065 per annum, to descend through the male line of Sardar Achal Singh.These heirs included Sardar Achar Singh Bains (son of Partap Singh, born 1875) and Gurbachan Singh (b. 1891) and Gurcharan Singh (b. 1895), grandsons of Ajit Singh.[17][18][19]
Jallianwala Bagh, Bunga and Katra
According to Sikh historical traditions, Sardar Himmat Singh Bains is associated with the establishment of Jallianwala Bagh, originally known as "Bagh Sardar Himmat Singh Jallewalia", named after his jagir of Jalla in Nabha State. Over time, the site came to be known as Jallewalia da Bagh, and later Jallianwala Bagh.[20] Himmat Singh also Built Bunga Jallianwala in Golden temple complex in the year 1814 and Katra Himmat singh besides Katra Ahluwalia[21]
As recorded by Professor Pyara Singh Padam in Sankhep Sikh Itihas, the site was purchased by the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Committee in 1923 for Rs. 565,000..
Mahilpur Zail & Zaildars
Zaildaris were Started by British government after the fall of Sikh Empire, Zaildars were grand jagirdars a colonial version of old jagirdars of pre British era though at the same time they allowed old jagirdars to retain their offices in return for collaborating with the government but new chiefs were also needed for tax collection, policing and maintaining Law and order, so based on history British chose previous jagirdar Chaudhary families who previously once held jagirs, Economically and politically Dominant tribe of area the First 40 zaildars were appointed by British government in district Lahore in year 1868, and in whole Punjab in year 1870, in 1870 ZaildarSardar Nagina Singh Bains Became Zaildar of 42 Villages of Mahilpur Zail with revenue collection of Rs 26,546 in year 1881[22] and the revenue collection in year 1901 was Rs 29,430[23] the Laws related to Zaildari system were standardized in year 1887 as per Punjab Land and revenue act 1887[24] Zaildari, jagirdari, Taluqdari, Mansabdari and Zamindari systems etc. were abolished after the independence of India in the 1950s[25]
In 1690s and early 1700s Jaijon border town of jaswan supported by Kangra and Jaswan Dun opted to annex areas of plain at that the main strong Taluqdars/Chaudhries in plains were Pathans Chaudhries of Bassi Kalan, Bains Jatt Chaudhries of Mahilpur and Chaudhries of Garhshankar.
Mahilpur and its 127 villages were headed by the Taluqdar Chaudhary Ram rai Bains, he and Pathans Chaudhries of Bassi Kalan jointly came forward with their force to stop the advance of jaijon and Jaswan Dun, the joint foce attacked near Jaijon where Chaudhary Ram rai Bains was made prisoner of war in the battle and later executed at the now extinct fort of jaijon
the Queens of Jaswal king were crying on the execution of this brave man and his bravery is remembered sung via Vaars & folk lores as:-
“ਮਾਹਿਲਪੁਰ ਮਾਰੂ ਵੱਜਿਆ ਤੇ ਜੇਜੋਂ ਵੱਜੀ ਡੱਫ,
ਰਾਜਪੁਰੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਰੋਣ ਰਾਣੀਆਂ, ਚੜ੍ਹਿਆ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਏ ਜੱਟ।”
Chaudhary Ram rai & Pathans of Bassi were able to save Mahilpur & Bassi areas by permanently halting their advance. later during Sikh Misl era Sardar Tara Singh Kang(Ghaiba) annexed jaijon and subdued it, later Maharaja Ranjit Singh Captured jaijon as well as his all areas after the death of Sardar Tara Singh Ghaiba jaijon and his all areas then submitted to the Maharaja Ranjit singh[26] but in 1815 families of former Jaijon jairdars ceased to exist, meanwhile Successor jagirdars of Chaudhary ram rai Bains like Chaudhary Gulab rai Bains continued to be jagirdar of Mahilpur till 1757 and later he became jagirdar of Achharwal, villages of Adampur area and Jallah in sirhind ludhiana area, one of his descendant Sardar Himmat Singh Bains became personal advisors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and got Jagir of Alawalpur area as well as additional Jagirs in Kohat, Peshawar and Multan area but later taken away by British except Alawalpur area jagir which they held till abolishment of jagirdari in the 1950s after the independence of India.
Finance and Banking
The oldest Financial Centre of Mahilpur is Bains Co-operative thrift & Credit Society established in year 1905.
Bains co-operative thrift and credit society mahilpur established in year 1905.
Punjab National bank
Canara Bank
Kotak Mahindra bank
ICICI Bank
Allahabad Bank
Bank of Baroda
HDFC Bank
State bank of India
Gurudwara Shahidan
Gurudwara Shaheedan mahilpur
This is a memorial Gurudwara dedicated to Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji and Shaheed Singhs as per history Zabar Khan a Pathan from one the Bassis kidnapped the newly married bride of Devi das Brahmin of jaijon a place 15–16km away in the kandi mountains, Devi das requested to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji for help, Guru Gobind Singh Ji send Baba Ajit Singh and 200 Singhs to kill Zabar Khan and to rescue the bride. Baba Ajit Singh and 200 Singhs killed Zabar Khan and saved the bride. Later Baba Ajit Singh Cremated Shahid Singhs, The Gurudwara was built to Commemorate this incident.[28]
Other Gurudwaras
Gurudwara Bunga Sahib
Gurudwara Bunga Sahib Mahilpur
Gurudwara Bunga Sahib is a Known religious place among the Sikhs in Punjab Sahib due to Sant Baba Paramjit Singh Mahilpur wale Damdami Taksal.[29]
Gurudwara Dharamshala sahib
Gurudwara Dharamshala sahib Mahilpur
This Gurudwara sahib is also one of the many Gurudwaras of Mahilpur. Other Gurudwaras include Gurudwara damdama sahib and one Gurudwara of ravidas community.
Battle of Mahilpur
Battle of Mahilpur was fought between Afghans and Sikh Misls Allied with faujdar Adina Beg in year 1757 Sikh and Collation forces won the battle.[30]
Demographics
Mahilpur had a population of 11,360 according to census of 2011.[31] the current population estimate of 2024 is around 16000. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Mahilpur has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 73%. In Mahilpur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. The profession of most of the people is agriculture based. Mahilpur is the NRI hub of the Punjab state.
Constituency
Mahilpur Falls under Sri Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency and current MP is Sardar Malwinder Singh Kang from AAP. grahshankar is the vidhan sabha constituency of the area and the current MLA is Jaikishan Singh from AAP.
Historical photographs
Khalsa High School, Mahilpur Class X, 1924-1925 Khalsa High School, Mahilpur Champion Football team Pouranmasi tournament Nankana Sahib, 1928Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Foot-ball Tournament Committee, Mahilpur Dec 28 1964 ( M.L.A & Freedom fighter Sardar Harjap Singh Bains, sixth person on the chair from the left to the right)
(Air Vice Marshal) Harjinder Singh Bains ( also known as spitfire singh, known for making India's first transport jet aircraft as well as he was India's first IAF corporal and the first Indian warrant officer)
Principal Sardar Harbhajan Singh Bains ( MLA Mahilpur Constituency 1952-1957 Punjab Elections, Founder of Sporting Club & first higher education College of Punjab at village level it is famous SGGS Khalsa College Mahilpur, he was also known in the field of education as )
Chaudhry Gulab rai Bains, ( Punjabi: ਚੌਧਰੀ ਗੁਲਾਬ ਰਾਏ ਬੈਂਸ), Former Jagirdar of mahilpur from Mughal era till 1757, later a prominent jagirdar of villages of Achharwal area, Adampur area and surroundings & Jallah Ludhiana, he was also a Minister under Nabha Riyasat)
Hardial Bains Founder of Canadian Communist party( Marxist–Leninist)
Schools and colleges
Mahilpur was one of the earlier centers of educational institutions being set up during the time of the British Raj. Its government boys school, formerly known as Khalsa High School, was established in 1909. Khalsa College was established in 1946.
St. Soldier Divine Public school Mahilpur (CBSE Affiliated School)
Doaba Public School, Mahilpur (CBSE Affiliated School)
Sant Baba Hari Singh Model School, (ICSE Affiliated)
S. Baldev Singh Mahilpuri Govt. Sr. Secondary School, Mahilpur (Boys)
Govt Sr Secondary School, Mahilpur (Girls)
S.G.G.S. Khalsa College, Mahilpur
Guru Nanak National Public Senior Secondary School, Mahilpur
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