Abut Sirsa

ORIGIN OF THE NAME OF THE DISTRICT

The name of the district is derived from its headquarters Sirsa. It is said to be one of the oldest places of North India and its ancient name was Sairishaka, which finds mention in Mahabharata, Panini's Ashatadhayayi and Divyavadan. In Mahabharata, Sairishaka is described as being taken by Nakula in his conquest of the western quarter. It must have been a flourishing city in the 5^th century B.C. as it has been mentioned by Panini.

There are a number of legends about the origin of the name of the town. As mentioned earlier, its ancient name was Sairishaka and from that it seems to have been corrupted to Sirsa. According to local tradition, an unknown king named Saras founded the town in 7^th century A.D. and built a fort. The material remains of an ancient fort can still be seen in the South-East of the present town. It is about 5 kilometers in circuit. According to another tradition, the name has its origin from the sacred river Sarasvati which one flowed near it. During medieval period, the town was known as Sarsuti. It has been mentioned as Sarsuti by a number of medieval historians. The derivation of name Sirsa, is also attributed to the abundance of siris trees[Albizia lebbock (Benth)] in the neighborhood of Sirsa which seems quite plausible for it finds some corroboration also in Panini and his commentator. In ancient period, Sirsa was also known as Sirsapattan.

History of the District as an Administrative Unit

Sirsa seems to be in the administrative division of Hisar Feroza during Firuz Shah's reign. In the time of Akbar, Sirsa was one of the dasturs of Hisar Feroza Sarkar and much of its area lying in the present Sirsa district was covered by Mahals of Fatehabad, Bhattu, Bhangiwal (Darba), Sirsa, Bhatner (or Hanumangarh, Rajasthan) and Paniyana (Rajasthan). With the decline of the Mughal Empire, the track comprising Sirsa district came under the control of Marathas. The whole of Delhi Territory of which the tract formed part was ceded by the Marathas to the British in 1810. Sirsa was part of the outlying district of Delhi territory under the charge of an Assistant to the Resident. In 1819, the Delhi territory was divided into three districts - the Central which included Delhi, The Southern including Rewari, and the North-Western including Panipat, Hansi, Hisar, Sirsa and Rohta. In 1820, the latter was again sub-divided into Northern and Western and Sirsa alongwith Hansi, Hisar and Bhiwani formed Western district (Haryana district and later known Hisar district).

In 1837, Sirsa and Rania parganas were taken out of Haryana district and alongwith Guda and Malaut parganas were formed into a separate district called Bhattiana. The pargana of Darba from Hisar district and the small pargana of Rori confiscated from erstwhile princely state of Nabha were transferred to Bhattiana in 1838 and 1847 respectively. In 1844, Wattu pargana running upto Satluj was added in the Bhattiana district. The whole of the Delhi territory alongwith district of Bhattiana and Hisar was transferred to Punjab in 1858 and the dustrict of Bhattiana was renamed as Sirsa.

In 1861, 42 villages of Tibi tract of Rania pargana were transferred to the then state of Bikaner.

The Sirsa district which comprised three tahsils of Sirsa, Dabwali and Fazilka was abolished in 1884 and Sirsa tahsil (consisting of 199 Villages) and 126 villages of Dabwali tahsil formed one tahsil and the same was merged in the Hisar district and the rest of the portion was transferred to the Firozpur district (Punjab). There was no change till the Independence of the country except that a village was transferred from Sirsa tahsil to the then state of Bikaner in 1906.

The entire area of the district was included in the new state of Haryana on November 1, 1966. In 1968, Sirsa tahsil was bifurcated into Sirsa and Dabwali tahsils. In 1974, three villages of Dabwali tahsil were transferred to Sirsa tahsil. On September 1, 1975, Sirsa and Dabwali tahsils were constituted into a separate Sirsa district with headquarters at Sirsa.

PLACES OF RELIGIOUS INTEREST Dera Sacha Sauda (Shahpur Begu) : Located on the Begu Road, the Dera was set-up by Shah Mastana a Saint in 1948. He had a large following of all caste and laid special stress on chanting the name of God, Service of the Humanity and Austere life. Dera is housed in a spacious building having 600 Rooms, A Hall and a big ground. There are arrangements for free kitchen (Langar). No offerings are accepted and expenses are met from the income of the land attached to it. A large number of devotees join the birth anniversary and death anniversary celebrations in April and November respectively. Radha Swami Satsang Ghar (Sikander Pur) : Though, the Main Dear is located at Byas (District Amritsar, Punjab), yet there is a vast Satsang Ghar at village Sikanderpur, at a distance of 5 KMs towards East from Sirsa city where a large Satsang is held every year in the month of March-April. Peoples from all disciplines of life visit here to attend the occasion. A local Satsang Ghar is also situated in Sirsa City. Ram Dev Mandir, Kagdana (Tehsil Sirsa) : Ram Dev, A Saint of Rajasthan and the bagar, is worshipped in the district. Though there are many temples of Ram Dev, but the one at Kagdana in Sirsa Tehsil is the biggest. A large number of devotee pay their obeisance in the temple. A fair attended by large number is held on Magh-Saudi-10 (Jan-Feb). Dera Jiwan Nagar (Tehsil Sirsa) : Loacated 30 KMs west of Sirsa, it is an important centre of Namdhari sect. Earlier known as chichal,the village was named Jiwan Nagar after Jeewan Kaur mother of late Partap Singh, a Namdhari Saint. A large number of followers of Namdhari Sect came from Shekhupura, Sialkot and Gujranwala Districts after the participation and settled here. The Dera is running a Guru Hari Singh Vidyala and Cow Breeding Centre. A hola festival is held on Chet Badi 1 (March-April), which is attended by a large number of followers of Namdhari Sect. An interesting feature of the fair is that simple marriages costing just Rs 11 are solemnised. Hanuman Temple (Ram Nagria) : The Temple is situated at a distance of 2 KMs in the West of the City. Peoples from all walks of life visit this temple on every Tuesday with a great faith. Gurudwara Guru Gobind Singh, Chormar Khera (Tehsil Dabwali) : Located 36 KMs from Sirsa on Delhi-Fazklika National Highway, the Gurudwara is said to be associated with Guru Gobind Singh, who stayed here for a night. It is spread over an area of 8 Acres and has tank with seperate enclosure for ladies. There is a small Museum and Library. The Gurudwara is held in high esteem. Dera Baba Sarsai Nath : Located outside Hisar Gate, the construction of the temple is assigned to the 13th Century. It was built by Sarsai Nath, a Saint of Nath sect, followers of Shiva who is said to have meditated here. It is held in high Esteem by the people of the area. An inscription of Bhoja, the Pratihara Ruler was found at Sirsa. It records that Nilkantha, a Saint of Pashupati sect constructed a temple of Yogisvara (Shiva) made of burnt bricks and thick slabs of stones with a golden Shikhra. Though no remains of this temple has been found, yet it indicates that Saivism and Pashupati Sect flourished at Sirsa during the 8th and 9th Centuries. Mughal Emperor ShahJahan visited the Dera Baba Sarsai Nath for blessings for his ailing son. The empror built a dome and donated land to the temple. A document in Arabic, in possession of Dera authorities testify ShahJahan's visit to the temple. The Dera has the temples of Shiva and Durga. Saint Baba Bihari Samadhi : The Samidhi is situated in the Western part of Sirsa city in a beautiful Vatika and Temple where a Bhandra is held every year on 1st January. Dera Sufi Saint Baba Bhuman : Deras of famous Sufi Saint Baba Bhuman Shah, belonging especially to Kamboj, are situated in the villages Mangala, Sangar Saristha and Mallewala. A Fair is held every year on the ocassion of Sakranti. Tomb of Khawaja Pir : The Tomb is said to have been built in the 13th century, in the memory of Khawaja Abdul Shankar. He was one of those who accompanied Muhammed Ghuri to India and resided here. A Mosque was built adjoining the Tomb later during the 16th century. However, no remains of Tomb or Mosque are there. Guru Nanak Dev is said to have stayed here for 40 days at the Tomb alongwith his disciples Bala and Madana. Jama Masjid : Located in the tows, it was built towards the close of the 19th century. It has two high Minarets which overlooked the town

Officer/Designation	Phone (Off)	Phone (Resi)
DC, Sirsa	248890	248870, 248880
ADC, Sirsa	247235, 247245	247810, 247976
SP, Sirsa	247212	247400
Sessions Judge	247027	247227
SDM, Sirsa	247345	247445
SDM, Ellenabad - 01698	220287	220288
SDM, Dabwali - 01668	222997	230708
MD,Sugar Mill	277381, 277317	277481
CTM,Sirsa	248881	247645
EO, HUDA	247435	247445
DFO, Sirsa	243307	243315
DRO	248882	247300
RTA	244025
DD&PO, Sirsa	248883	247317
DIO, NIC	247273	230794
Civil Surgeon	240155	240669
DETC, Sirsa DETC (E)	247621 247164	247128
DFSC, Sirsa	248422	247722
Treasury Officer	247253
GM,DIC, Sirsa	247650
GM, Roadways	221274	247384
SE,Public Health	247100	228101
SE,DHVBN	238400	238401
SE, Irrigation	220106	220605
SE, Constn. Circle	220834	221334
Xen. Panchayati Raj	247479
Xen. Marketing Board	240743	221559
Distt. Sports Officer	242652
Distt. Statistical Officer	248204
DEO, Sirsa	247538
DPEO	247899
DPRO, Sirsa	247201
Distt. Employment Officer	247443	247837
DM,HAFED	240856	240174
GM, Milk Plant	245061	247064
DDA, Sirsa	220371	221683
MD,Coop.Bank	242258	220413
DD,ICDP, Sirsa	245007
LBO,PNB	221989
Distt. Attorney	247101
PO,ICDS	247439	223929
DWO	248891
DSWO	247610
DCWO	222602	248222
D.T.P.	247068	247168
Supdt Distt Jail	247685	247885
NT Election	248886	238530
Distt Ayurvedic Officer	243868	247200
Tehsildars
Tehsildar, Sirsa (01666)	247130	247707
Tehsildar, Rania (01698)	250279
Tehsildar, Dab. (01668)	230035	224119
Tehsildar, E/bad (01698)	220289
BD&Pos
BD&PO, Sirsa (01666)	220483
BD&PO, Dabwali (01668)	231153	229600
BD&PO Ellenabad (01698)	220063
BD&PO, Odhan (01696)	251247
BD&PO Baragudha(01696)	245230
BD&PO, Rania (01698)	250326
BD&PO, Nathusari (01666)	256153
XENs
PWD(B&R) Divn.I	220530	220442
PWD(B&R) Divn.II	222959	222959
P.H. Divn.I	221750	220561
P.H. Divn.II	221925	229862
Xen. Sirsa Divn.	220513	233349
Nehrana Divn.	221259	233895
Rori Divn.	220426	231347
Ghaggar Divn.	221321	233359
DHBVN City Divn.	238405	238406
DHBVN,S/U Divn.	238403	238435
Constn.Divn.II	220504	233993
Constn.Divn.III	221993	233894
SDE NH, Sirsa	220530
MC, Sirsa	220525, 220939	220324
MC, Dabwali	222623, 222732
MC Ellenabad	220352
MC, Rania	250026
MC, Kalanwali	222016
Mkt.Comm. Sirsa	220613	220419
Mkt.Comm.E/bad	220042	222132
Mkt.Comm.Rania	250317
Mkt.Comm.K/wali	222018
Mkt.Comm.Ding	254247	229022

MISCELLANEOUS
D.S.P. Office	247456, 247075	223074
Zila Parishad	247204
Rest House	247330
Surkhab	221996
Consumer Court	247800	247801
Secy. Sainik Board	247339
Secy. Red Cross	218637	234551
Civil Hospital	240102
Roadways Enquiry	220866
Railway Enquiry	220509, 131
Elect.complaint	1912, 220869, 220108
Fire Brigade	220101, 101
Police Control Room	247811, 100
Air Force Stn.	235301-304
Bar Room	247480

PHYSICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION Distance From Major Cities Latitude and Longitude Topography Climate Distance From Major Cities : Delhi : 255 Km Chandigarh : 280 Km Latitude and Longitude : The district lies between 29 14 and 30 0 north latitude and 74 29 and 75 18 east longitudes, forming the extreme west corner of Haryana. It is bounded by the districts of Faridkot and Bathinda of Punjab in the north and north east, Ganga Nagar district of Rajasthan in the west and south and Hisar district in the east. Thus it touches the interstate boundaries on three sides and is connected with its own state only in the eastern side. Topography : The terrain of Sirsa district may be broadly classified from north to south into three major types i.e. Haryana Plain, alluvial bed of Ghaggar or Nali and Sand dune tract. The characteristics of the three are briefly described below : Haryana Plain - The Haryana Plain is a vast surface of flat to rolling terrain and extends southward to the northern boundary of the alluvial bed of the Ghaggar. It covers over 65 percent of the area of the District. The elevation of the surface from east to west varies from 190 to 210 meters above the mean sea level. The most diagnostic feature of the Haryana Plain is the presence of palaeo channels which set the occurrence of sand dunes in this terrain unit apart from those in the dune tract. The plain is traversed by numerous dune complexes and shifting sands. Alluvial bed of Ghaggar - Nali : A clayey surface of almost flat, featureless plain bordered in the north and west by the Haryana Plain and in the south along the sound dune tract, is a manifestation of the misfit nature of the present day Ghaggar. Waterlogging is a serious problem in many parts of this flat surface of impervious clay of great thickness. At places, swamps support a high density of tall grass. Sand dune tract - Third tract covers the southern most part of the district. The area is northward extension of the sand dunes of Hisar District and GangaNagar District of Rajasthan. The dunes are locally called tibbas. Tibbas around Ellenabad are 9 Meters high; Naugaza Tibba at the border of Rajasthan is 17 Meters high; Tikonta tibba is some 14 Meters high and one south of Shahpuria is 13 Meters high. All tibbas are broad based transverse ridges, some more than 3 Kilometers long without a break. Linear to complex ridges, short to fairly long but narrow at the crests, and generally 2 to 5 Meters high are also present throughout the sandy stretch of the land. CLIMATE : The climate of this district is characterised by its dryness and extremes of temperature and scanty rainfall. The year may be divided into four seasons. The cold season from November to March is followed by the Summer season which lasts upto the end of June. The period from July to about the middle of September and from the middle of September to October constitute the south west monsoon and post-monsoon seasons respectively. Rainfall : Records of rainfall in the district are available for Sirsa only for sufficiently long periods. The average annual rainfall in the district is 32-53 mm. The rainfall in the district increases generally from west to east. About 72 percent of the annual normal rainfall in the district is received during the short south east monsoon period, July to September, July and August being the rainiest months. There is significant amount of rainfall in the month of June, mostly in the form of thunder showers. In the rest of the year, there is a very little rainfall. During the period 1901 to 1975, the highest annual rainfall as recorded was 327 percent of the normal in 1917. The lowest annual rainfall amounting to only 34 percent of the normal was recorded in 1920. On an average there are 20 rainy days (i.e. days with rainfall of 2.5 mm or more) in a year in the district. The heaviest rainfall in 24 hours recorded in the district was 165.4 mm on September 22, 1917. Temperature - There is no meteorological observatory in the district, so the mean meteorological conditions prevailing at GangaNagar and Hisar may be taken as representative of those prevailing in the district as general. There is a rapid increase of temperature after February. The mean daily maximum temperature during May and June which is the hottest period varies from 41.5 ºC to 46.7 ºC. On individual days the maximum temperature during the summer season may rise upto about 49 ºC. With the advance of the Monsoon into the district, by about the end of June, there is appreciably drop in the day temperature and the weather becomes cooler during the day time, but the nights are warmer than those during the summer season. With the added moisture in the monsoon air, the nights are often uncomfortable. The decrease in temperature is rapid after October and drop in temperature after nightfall is particularly trying. January is generally the coldest month with the mean daily maximum at 21.1 ºC and the mean daily minimum at 5.1 ºC. Humidity - Relative humidity in the mornings is generally high during the monsoon season and during the period December to February, it is usually 70 percent or more. Humidity is comparatively less during the rest of the year, the driest part being the summer season with the relative humidity being about 30 percent in the afternoons. Cloudiness - During the monsoon season, the sky is mostly moderately to heavily clouded. In the rest f the year, the sky is generally clear or lightly clouded. Cloudy sky prevails for brief spell of a day or two in association with passing western disturbances in the cold season. Winds - Winds are generally light in the district with some strengthening in force during the late summer and monsoon seasons. During the south-west monsoon season while winds from south-west or west are more common, easterlies and south-easterlies also blow on some days. In the post monsoon and winter season while south-westerly or westerly winds are ore common in the mornings, northlies and north-westerlies are predominant in the afternoons. In summer, winds are more common from the west or south-west in the mornings. In the afternoons they are mostly from directions between west and north-west. Special Weather Phenomena - Some of the depressions which originate in the Bay of Bengal in the south-west monsoon season, and which move across the central parts of the country reach the district during the last stages of activity and cause wide spread rain before dissipating. An occasional post-monsoon storm or depression also affects the district. Thunder Storms occur throughout the year but the highest incidence is during the monsoon season. Dust storms occur often during the hot season. Occasional fogs affect the district in the cold season.