Fazilka

Fazilka is a city and a municipal council in Punjab, India. In 2011, it was made the headquarters of the newly created Fazilka district. The Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline or TAPI gaspipeline project going from Turkmenistan will have its last station in Fazilka.

History

The municipality of Fazilka was formed with Punjab Government notification no. 486, on 10 December 1885. The town was added to the Ferozepur district in 1884. On 27 July 2011, Fazilka was declared a District by Government of Punjab with Gazette Notification No. 1/1/2011-RE-II(I)/14554.

Fazilka, like many towns situated on the Indo-Pak border, has suffered difficulties dating back to the time of Partition in 1947. The Radcliffe line, the border recommended by departing British colonial authorities, divides natural resources, houses and people. The River Satluj, which is a common source of water, is currently a border between the two countries.

Before partition, 50% of Fazilka population was Muslim. All of them left India for Pakistan in 1947. Most of the villages around Fazilka are dominated by Muslim families, mainly the Bodla, Watto, Sahoo Rajpoot,kalya Rajpoot and Chistis clans.