Pun: ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ Ludhiāṇā
‘Town of the Lodhis’ – City/District, Punjab
From Lodhi and Skt: ayana→ana, ‘place’, ‘abode’.’way’
Ludhiana was founded in 1480 CE by members of the Lodi dynasty, who sent two Afghan chiefs, Yusaf Khan and Nihang Khan, to establish control over the region during the reign of Sikandar Lodhi (r. 1489–1517). Originally called Lodi-ana, the name evolved into Ludhiana. The Lodi dynasty was an Afghan royal family that ruled the Sultanate of Delhi (1451 -1526)
During the Mughal period, Ludhiana grew into an important administrative center. It later became a strategic location during the rise of the Sikh Misls and came under Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule in the early 19th century. After the Anglo-Sikh Wars, it became a major British cantonment and railway hub.
Ludhiana played a crucial role in India’s freedom movement, with strong participation in the Ghadar Movement and Indian National Army (INA) activities.
Today, Ludhiana is known as the Manchester of India, being Punjab’s largest city and a major industrial center, especially in textiles, hosiery, bicycle manufacturing, and agriculture machinery. It is home to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), which played a key role in India’s Green Revolution.
For related place names see Indian Place names and Punjab place names.