Bajwara

Bajwara a suburb of Hoshiarpur is situated at a distance of about 3 km to the southeast of Hoshiarpur. It is located on Una-Nangal Road and is also connected with Hoshiarpur-Garhshankar Road through an approach road.

Bajwara was once thriving habitation. It occupied a very much more extended area than it does now, and tradition says that it was about 27 km in circumference. It was well known for its cloth weavers and pious Brahmins. Bajwara is said to have been founded by three immigrants from Ghazni, one of who, Baju Baora, renowned as a Singer, gave him name to the town. It is mentioned in the Ain-I-Akbari as a mahal out of 36 mahals belonging to the Hoshiarpur District. Todar Mal, Akbar's Revenue Minister, is said to have broken up the town into small divisions as a punishment to the inhabitants for not showing him due to respect.

Bajwara was well known during the Afghan period. It was the base of the Afghan against the hill chiefs. Around the town, there are many 'bassis', the headquarters of the Petty Pathan leaders, who assisted the Afghan at Bajwara against the hill chiefs.

In later times, Sardar Bhup Singh Faizullapuria, who was ousted in 1801 by Raja Sansar Chand, held Bajwara. The latter built a fort here, which was taken by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1825. Since then the town has declined and its debris has been used for road construction. The fort was utilized as a military Prison in the earlier year of the British rule but was afterwards dismantled. At present, only two of its ruined bastions are to be seen.

A fair held here once a year, at Sain Sahib temple, also known as Sarwang Sahib Temple, on Basant day. Fairs are also held at Ravidas temple in the month of January and at the Sadhu Ashram in the month of April.