Cities & Towns Punjab Amritsar City At a glance

Amritsar City Facts

The Sikh holy city, Amritsar is Punjab's second largest town and a premier tourist destination. The city was founded in 1577 by Ram Das, the fourth guru of the Sikhs. Amritsar literally means 'Pool of Nectar', derives its name from the sacred pool, Amrit Sarovar that surrounds the fabulous Golden Temple. During the turmoil of the Partition of India in 1948, Amritsar was a flash point for the terrible events that shook the Punjab. The Jallianwala Bagh here reminds the visitor of one of the most heart-rending events in the history of India. The city is an important regional market center for agricultural goods and the center for India's border security. Amritsar has various historical and religious sites.