Padhiana

Padhiana is located in the fertile plains of Doaba, Punjab. It is bordered by Bist Doab canal on West, Khanaura village on South, and a brook (Choe) on North.

Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Phagwara cities are all within 30 km of the village.

Padhiana is a remaining legacy of Minhas Confederation of villages. Minhas Rajputs of this village are descendants of Shri Baba Kati Deo Ji (alias Kati Ji), a feudal lord of the 16th century, who was a vassal to the Jaswal Raja (King) of Jaswan. Shri Kati Deo was the younger brother of legendary, Shri Mati Deo.

The founding ancestor of this village migrated from Daroli, today Daroli Kalan, when family fortunes split. The village today has seven Pattis (family branches). Detailed record of each Minhas family is maintained by genealogists in Hardwar, Uttarakhand.

In 1815, the village became a part of Sikh empire when territories of the Raja of Jaswan were confiscated by Ranjit Singh. Few decades later, following the second Anglo-Sikh war, it was transferred to British along with other territories of Punjab.

Historical personalities of this village include Sikh warriors, Sangat Singh Ji, Uday Singh Ji, and Bachiter Singh Ji; all served in the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh Ji's army. Later, Sikh Chiefs from this village served in the army of famous Sikh leader Banda Bahadur Singh Ji, who offered them a Fief (Jagir) which lies in what is today the Patiala district of Punjab. These Chiefs later built a fort and established Bahadurgarh village in their new land. A medieval well in Padhiana, although now sealed, still exists commemorating these Chiefs, and is called Bahadargarhian Da Khoo (the well of Bahadargarh Chiefs).

A Brahman Lady's tomb commemorating her Sati stands near the village North crematory reminiscent of the medieval traditions of Padhiana gentry. The pond adjoining the crematory is called "Tal Satiwati" or, in English, "Pond of the Sati Lady".

Road: Phuglana on Hoshiarpur - Phagwara road is 4 km from Padhiana while Adampur on Hoshiarpur - Jalandhar road is 11 km.

Railway: Khurdpur railway station is 10 km.

Airport: Raja Sansi airport in Amritsar is the nearest International Airport and is about 110 km from Padhiana.

There is a bank (Punjab and sind bank), a post office, a government dispensary, and a primary school in the village. While, a high school, a degree college, an engineering college, a government hospital, and a private hospital are within 5 km of the village. Senior Secondary School, Padhiana has run for many years and students from other nearby villages also study there. Statue of Shaheed Bachiter Singh is erected in the play ground of Padhiana by village residents.

The village is 95% (Rajput) Sikh and 5% Hindu. There are 7 Gurudwaras including Gurudwara Pahari Darwaja, Gurudwara Bohra Khoo and Bhagat Ravidas Gurdwara. There is one Shiv dwala (a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva). There are also two other places of worship, 'Lakhan Da Datta', located in the village, and 'Peer Badhe Shah Ji', about 3 km from the village. There is also a "BHAGWAN VALMIK MANDIR", a "SHANI MANDIR" and a "GUGA JAHAR VEER MANDIR" This religious diversity in places of worship indicates Padhiana residents respect for all religions.

The Panchayat (village council) administers the village affairs. There are nine elected members to the panchayat, eight panch and a Sarpanch (Mayor). The members are elected for a period of four years.