View source for Amritsar

{{short description|Metropolis in Punjab, India}}
{{about|the city|the district|Amritsar district}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Amritsar
| native_name        = {{nativename|pa|Amritsar}}
| native_name_lang   = iso 15919
| settlement_type    = [[Metropolis]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 290
| image_style =
| perrow = 1/3/2/2
| image1  = Golden Temple Amritsar Gurudwara (cropped).jpg
| caption1 = [[Golden Temple]]
| image2  = Baba Atal Amritsar (cropped).jpg
| caption2 = [[Gurdwara Baba Atal]]
| image3  =  MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH STATUE-AMRITSAR-PUNJAB-10.jpg
| caption3 = Maharaja Ranjit Singh Chowk in [[Heritage Street Amritsar|Heritage Street]]
| image4  = Another look at the obelisk which commemorates the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (27161747959).jpg
| caption4 = [[Jallianwala Bagh]]
| image5   = Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal 05.jpg
| caption5 = [[Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal]]
| image6  = Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Amritsar, Punjab,India.jpg
| caption6 = [[Ram Bagh Palace]]
| image7  = Zamzama - Front View- Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar.jpg
| caption7 = [[Gobindgarh Fort]]
| image8  =  Amritsar 9124.jpg
| caption8 = [[Partition Museum]]
}}
| image_size         = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_map          = {{maplink|display=|frame=yes||frame-width=270|frame-height=280 |frame-align=center|zoom=12|type=point|id=Q180422|marker-colour=#ffd700|title=[[Golden Temple]]
}}
| nicknames          = {{collapsible list|title=Nicknames|The Holy City|Ambarsar|Sifti Da Ghar|Guru Nagari|Golden City}}
| pushpin_map        = India Punjab#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of the city center in Punjab
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| coordinates        = {{coord|31.64|N|74.86|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flagicon image|Emblem of Punjab (India) on a white background (1).png}} [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Amritsar district|Amritsar]]
| established_title  = <!-- Established -->
| established_date   = 1574
| founder            = [[Guru Ram Das]]
| government_type    = Municipality
| governing_body     = [[Amritsar Municipal Corporation]]
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{cite web|title=Amritsar City|url=http://www.urbanmobilityindia.in/Upload/Conference/46709088-0a0e-42af-969c-9bd63bededf9.pdf|access-date=23 November 2020|archive-date=2 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702024324/http://www.urbanmobilityindia.in/Upload/Conference/46709088-0a0e-42af-969c-9bd63bededf9.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_rank          = [[List of cities in Punjab and Chandigarh|2nd in Punjab]]
| area_total_km2     = 139
| population_total   = 1159227
| population_as_of   = 2011
| leader_title1      = Mayor
| leader_name1       = Karamjit Singh Rintu ([[Aam Aadmi Party|AAP]])
| leader_title2      = Deputy Commissioner
| leader_name2       = Dalwinderjit Singh<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dalwinderjit Singh assumes charge as Deputy Commissioner Amritsar |url=https://www.punjabnewsexpress.com/news/news/dalwinderjit-singh-assumes-charge-as-deputy-commissioner-amritsar-303507 |access-date=2025-11-18 |website=www.punjabnewsexpress.com}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_metro   = 
| population_metro_footnotes = 
| population_demonym = Amritsariya, Ambarsariya,<ref>{{cite book |title=Vishveshvaranand Indological Journal |date=1981 |publisher=Vishveshvaranand Vedic Research Institute |page=66 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Fc5AAAAIAAJ&q=%22ambarsariya%22 |language=en}}</ref> Amritsari
| population_urban_footnotes = <ref name=districtcensus>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=District Census Handbook: Amritsar |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/982/download/2942/DH_2011_0315_PART_A_DCHB_AMRITSAR.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]] |access-date=9 January 2024 |archive-date=9 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109060628/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/982/download/2942/DH_2011_0315_PART_A_DCHB_AMRITSAR.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_blank1_title = Metro rank
| population_blank1  = [[List of million-plus agglomerations in India|44th]]
| timezone1          = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1        = +5:30
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code        = 143-001
| area_code_type     = Telephone code
| area_code          = 91 183 XXX XXXX
| registration_plate = PB-01 (commercial vehicles), PB-02, PB-17, PB-89
| website            = {{URL|amritsarcorp.com}}
}}

'''Amritsar''',{{efn|{{Indic Transl|pa|Amritsar|əmːˈɾɪtsəɾ}}{{audio|Amritsar.ogg|}}}} also known as '''Ambarsar''',{{efn|{{Indic Transl|pa|Ambarsar}}}} is the second-[[List of cities in Punjab, India by population|largest city]] in the [[India|Indian]] state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], after [[Ludhiana]]. Located in the [[Majha]] region, it is a major cultural, transportation, and economic centre. The city is the administrative headquarters of the [[Amritsar district]]. It is situated {{convert|217|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} north-west of [[Chandigarh]], and {{Convert|455|km|abbr=on}} north-west of [[New Delhi]]. It is {{convert|28|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} from the [[India–Pakistan border|India-Pakistan border]], and {{Convert|47|km|abbr=on}} north-east of [[Lahore]], [[Pakistan]].

According to the 2011 census, the city had a population of 1,132,383. It is one of the ten municipal corporations in the state; Karamjit Singh Rintu is serving as the [[mayor]] of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punjabdata.com/Municipal-Corporations-In-Punjab.aspx|title=List of Municipal Corporation in Punjab|website=www.punjabdata.com|access-date=28 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114190106/http://www.punjabdata.com/Municipal-Corporations-In-Punjab.aspx|archive-date=14 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Amritsar is the second-most populous city in Punjab and the most populous metropolitan region in the state, with a population of roughly 2 million. Amritsar is the centre of the Amritsar Metropolitan Region.

Amritsar is the economic capital of Punjab. It is a major tourist centre with nearly a hundred thousand daily visitors. The city has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for the [[Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana]] (HRIDAY) program of the [[Government of India]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Introduction|url=http://hridayindia.in/|website=HRIDAY official website|access-date=30 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826075658/http://hridayindia.in/|archive-date=26 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is home to the [[Golden Temple]], the holiest site and most-visited [[Gurdwara|gurudwara]] in [[Sikhism]]. The city is also known for its food, and for the manufacture of wooden [[Chessboard|chessboards]] and [[Chess piece|chess pieces]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Bagga |first=Neeraj |date=6 September 2018 |title=Permit raj checkmates chessboard industry|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/business/permit-raj-checkmates-chessboard-industry/648342.html |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |access-date=27 April 2019 |archive-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428014406/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/business/permit-raj-checkmates-chessboard-industry/648342.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The term ''Amritsar'' was previously sometimes known as '''Rāmdāspur''' after Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh guru who is credited with founding the city.<ref name="McLeod1990p28" /> The name ''Amritsar'' was often mispronounced as Ambarsar by uneducated people in rural areas; the latter name has since become a colloquial term for the city.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Indian Studies: Past and Present |publisher=Ramakrishna Maitra |year=1962 |volume=3 |pages=192 |quote=Amritsar, the principal place of Sikh worship, was not established at Ram-Raoni, but, in fact, Ram-Raoni was established near the Sikh place of worship at Amritsar (called Ambarsar by illiterate people), which had been founded by Guru Ramdas in 1574, one hundred and seventy-four years before the Ram-Raoni came into existence.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Madra |first1=Amandeep Singh |title=Sicques, Tigers or Thieves: Eyewitness Accounts of the Sikhs (1606-1810) |last2=Singh |first2=P. |publisher=Springer |year=2016 |isbn=9781137119988 |pages=86 |quote=Amritsar (q.v.), the city that includes the Harimandar Sahib Temple complex, was not established at Ram-Raoni (q.v.), as stated by Polier, which is nearby. Amritsar, pronounced Ambarsar by unlettered rural dialects of Punjab, was founded by Guru Ramdas (q.v.) in 1574, 174 years before the Ram-Raoni developed. The town had earlier been called Ramdaspur, Chakk Ramdas, or simply Chakk Guru (q.v.), and was marked as such in eighteenth-century maps of the area.}}</ref> 

==Mythology==
The [[Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal]] situated at Amritsar is believed to be the ashram site of Maharishi [[Valmiki]], the writer of the ''[[Ramayana]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 November 2016 |title=Valmiki Tirath Sthal temple-cum-panorama to be opened on Dec 1 |work=Business Standard India |agency=Press Trust of India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/valmiki-tirath-sthal-temple-cum-panorama-to-be-opened-on-dec-1-116112200989_1.html |url-status=live |access-date=17 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803194031/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/valmiki-tirath-sthal-temple-cum-panorama-to-be-opened-on-dec-1-116112200989_1.html |archive-date=3 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= |title=Ram Tirth Temple, Indian Ram Tirth Temple, Ram Tirth Temple in India |url=http://www.indianmirror.com/temples/ram-tirth.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010043925/http://www.indianmirror.com/temples/ram-tirth.html |archive-date=10 October 2016 |access-date=17 March 2022}}</ref> As per the Ramayana, [[Sita]] gave birth to [[Lava (Ramayana)|Lava]] and [[Kusha (Ramayana)|Kusha]], sons of [[Rama]] at Ramtirath ashram. Numerous people visit Ramtirath Temple,  Located 12 Km west of Amritsar on Chogawan road, dates back to the period of Ramayana, Rishi Valmiki's hermitage. at the annual fair. The nearby cities [[Lahore]] and [[Kasur]] were believed to be founded by Lava and Kusha, respectively. It is believed that during the [[Ashvamedha|ashvamedha yajna]] by Rama, Lava and Kusha caught the ritual horse and tied [[Hanuman]] to a tree near to today's [[Durgiana Temple]].{{Cn|date=May 2023}}

==History==
===Founding of Amritsar city===
[[File:Amritsar Overhead Panorama View Artwork circa 1860's.jpg|thumb|Overhead panoramic view artwork of Amritsar, {{Circa|1850s}}–1890s|left]]
In the Sikh tradition, [[Guru Ram Das]], the fourth Sikh guru, is credited with founding the holy city of Amritsar in 1574.<ref name="McLeod1990p28">{{cite book|author=W.H. McLeod|title=Textual Sources for the Study of Sikhism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7xIT7OMSJ44C&pg=PA28|year=1990|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-56085-4|pages=28–29|access-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214213114/https://books.google.com/books?id=7xIT7OMSJ44C&pg=PA28|archive-date=14 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ShackleMandair2013xv">{{cite book|author1=Christopher Shackle|author2=Arvind Mandair|title=Teachings of the Sikh Gurus: Selections from the Sikh Scriptures|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VvoJV8mw0LwC|year=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-45101-0|pages=xv–xvi|access-date=29 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305055518/https://books.google.com/books?id=VvoJV8mw0LwC|archive-date=5 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":32">{{Cite book |last=Mann |first=Gurinder Singh |title=The Making of Sikh Scripture |date=3 May 2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780198029878 |pages=9 |chapter=Table 1. Towns Associated with the Sikh Gurus}}</ref> Two versions of stories exist regarding the land where Guru Ram Das settled. In one, based on a ''Gazetteer'' record, the land was purchased, with Sikh donations, for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Louis E. Fenech|author2=W. H. McLeod|title=Historical Dictionary of Sikhism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ|year=2014|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-1-4422-3601-1|page=67|access-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305055342/https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ|archive-date=5 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to historical Sikh records, the site was chosen by [[Guru Amar Das]] and called Guru Da Chakk. The latter guru had asked Ram Das to find land to start a new town, and to create a man-made pool as its central point.<ref name="Arshi1989p5">{{cite book|author=Pardeep Singh Arshi|title=The Golden Temple: history, art, and architecture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rcmfAAAAMAAJ|year=1989|publisher=Harman|isbn=978-81-85151-25-0|pages=5–7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Louis E. Fenech|author2=W. H. McLeod|title=Historical Dictionary of Sikhism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ|year=2014|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-1-4422-3601-1|page=33|access-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305055342/https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ|archive-date=5 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> After the coronation Guru Ram Das in 1574, who faced hostile opposition from the sons of Guru Amar Das,<ref name="Mandair2013p38">{{cite book|author=Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|title=Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jn_jBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA38|year=2013|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-4411-5366-1|pages=38–40|access-date=29 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214211014/https://books.google.com/books?id=Jn_jBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA38|archive-date=14 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> he founded the town; it was named after him as "Ramdaspur". He first completed the pool, and built his new official Guru centre and home next to it. He invited merchants and artisans from other parts of India to settle into the new town with him. The town expanded during the time of Guru Arjan Dev, financed by donations and constructed by volunteers. The town grew to become the city of Amritsar. After the son of Guru Amar Das built the [[gurdwara]] [[Golden Temple|Harmandir Sahib]], the pool area developed further as a temple complex. In 1604 Amar Das's son installed the scripture of Sikhism inside the new temple.<ref name="ShackleMandair2013xv"/>

The period and achievements of construction between 1574 and 1604 are described in ''Mahima Prakash Vartak'', a semi-historical Sikh [[hagiography|hagiographic]] text likely composed in 1741. It is the earliest known document dealing with the lives of all the ten Gurus.<ref name="McLeod1990p28"/>
[[File:Ranjit Singh at Harmandir Sahib - August Schoefft - Vienna 1850 - Princess Bamba Collection - Lahore Fort.jpg|thumb|Maharaja Ranjit Singh listening to [[Guru Granth Sahib]] being recited near the [[Akal Takht]] and [[Golden Temple, Amritsar]], [[Punjab, India]]. Painting by [[August Schoefft]], 1850|alt=|left]]

In 1762 and 1766–1767, Ahmad Shah of the [[Durrani Empire]] invaded the [[Sikh Confederacy]]. He  besieged Amritsar, massacred the populace, and destroyed the city.{{sfn|Dupree|1980|p=338-339}}

===Old walled city===
[[File:Photo of an Amritsar street scene, by Felice Beato, circa 1858–59.jpg|thumb|Photo of an Amritsar street scene, by [[Felice Beato]], {{Circa|1858}}–59]]
During the reign of the [[Sikh Empire]], in 1822 Maharaja [[Ranjit Singh]] fortified the city, starting from a wall at Katra Maha Singh area.<ref name=":1" />

Among the ''Katras'' (fortified residential societies) constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh within the city were the following:<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Fauja |title=The City of Amritsar: A Study of Historical, Cultural, Social, and Economic Aspects |publisher=Oriental Publishers & Distributors |year=1978 |pages=78–82}}</ref>

* Katra Moti Ram
* Katra Kanwar Kharak Singh (also known as 'Katra Nikkai')
* Katra Fateh Singh Kallianwala
* Katra Ahluwalia<ref>{{Cite news |last=Teja |first=Charanjit Singh |date=26 August 2020 |title=Katra Ahluwalia, a glimpse of grand past, faces ravages & wrath of time |work=The Tribune |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/katra-ahluwalia-a-glimpse-of-grand-past-faces-ravages-wrath-of-time-131544 |access-date=14 July 2023 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714121032/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/katra-ahluwalia-a-glimpse-of-grand-past-faces-ravages-wrath-of-time-131544 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=28 January 2022 |title=Katra Ahluwalia: A Legacy of the Sikh-Misl Era |url=https://www.sikh-news.com/r/a/katra-ahluwalia-sikh-misl-era-10853 |access-date=14 July 2023 |website=Sikh News |language=en |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714055437/https://www.sikh-news.com/r/a/katra-ahluwalia-sikh-misl-era-10853 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>
[[File:Map of Amritsar, with the city perimeter captioned in Perso-Arabic script marking the twelve historical gates of the old city-wall, ca.1831–35.jpg|thumb|Map of Amritsar, with the city perimeter captioned in Perso-Arabic script marking the twelve historical gates of the old city-wall, ca.1831–35]]
Later, [[Sher Singh]] continued with construction of the city wall, adding twelve gates. He also had built a fort named ''Dhoor Kot''; its fortification were yards broad and 7 yards high. The circumference of the walled city was around five miles. The twelve gates constructed during this era were known as (including later renamings):<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 2019 |title=6 historical gates of Amritsar to be restored to old glory |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/6-historical-gates-of-amritsar-to-be-restored-to-old-glory/story-z3V38dtwpNsOoQTqkxo4cI.html |access-date=14 July 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714055434/https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/6-historical-gates-of-amritsar-to-be-restored-to-old-glory/story-z3V38dtwpNsOoQTqkxo4cI.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Bawa |first=J. S. |title=The Heritage of Amritsar |publisher=Faqir Singh |year=1977 |pages=45}}</ref>

# Lahori Darwaza (Lahori Gate)<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" />
# Khazana Darwaja (Khazana Gate)<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" />
# Deori Hakiman (Gate Hakeema/Darwaza Hakeema Wala)<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />
# Gilwali Darwaza – no longer extant<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />
# Darwaza Rangar Nanglian (Gate Bhagatawala) – no longer extant<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />
# Darwaza Ramgarhian (Chattiwind Gate) – later restored<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Jaiswar |first=P.K. |date=9 November 2006 |title=Ramgarhia and Ahluwalia gates to get a new lease of life |work=The Tribune |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061109/aplus1.htm#3 |access-date=14 July 2023 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714202525/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061109/aplus1.htm#3 |url-status=live }}</ref>
# Darwaza Ahluwalia (Darwaza Gheo Mandi) – was no longer extant but has since been restored<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" />
# Doburji Darwaza (Sultanwind Gate or Delhi Darwaza)<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />
# Deorhi Kalan<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />
# Darwaza Rambagh<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />
# Deorhi Shazada (Hathi Darwaza/Darwaza Sehzada)<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />
# Darwaza Lohgarh – no longer extant<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />

When the British annexed Punjab in 1849, Amritsar was a walled city. The British built a thirteenth gate in 1866 known as ''Hall Gate, Neighborhood in Amritsar, Punjab.''<ref name=":1">{{cite news |title=Gates to the grand past |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/gates-to-the-grand-past-153187 |access-date=2 February 2021 |work=Tribune |date=9 October 2020 |language=en |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130101619/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/gates-to-the-grand-past-153187 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Map of Amritsar with the locations of Sikh sites labelled, as published in the Mahan Kosh (1930).jpg|thumb|Map of Amritsar with the locations of Sikh sites labelled, as published in the ''[[Mahan Kosh]]'' (1930)]]
The British rulers would later demolish some of the walls and gates or reconstruct some.<ref name=":1" /> An entire new wall of the city was completed in 1885.<ref name=":1" /> Many surviving gates have since been renamed and no longer bear their mid-19th century names, while others have since been demolished.<ref name=":1" />

===Jallianwala Bagh massacre===
[[File:Jallianwallah.jpg|thumb|The Jallianwala Bagh in 1919, months after the massacre]]
[[File:BulletMarks.JPG|thumb|Bullet marks on the walls of the park premises]]

The [[Jallianwala Bagh massacre]], involving the killings of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of British Colonel [[Reginald Dyer|Reginald Edward Harry Dyer]], took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the [[Khalsa]] (Vaisakhi day).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Collett |first1=Nigel |title=The Butcher of Amritsar: General Reginald Dyer |date=15 October 2006 |publisher=A&C Black |isbn=978-1-85285-575-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XuQC5pgzCw4C&pg=PA263 |language=en}}</ref>

In Punjab, during [[World War I]] (1914–18), there was considerable social unrest, particularly among the Sikhs. First, they opposed the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj, a historic gurdwara near Parliament House in New Delhi. Later, they were disturbed about the activities and trials of the [[Ghadarite]]s, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, political activity had arisen during the strains of war. Two leaders had emerged: [[Mahatma Gandhi]] (1869–1948), who after a period of struggle as a young man against the British in [[South Africa]] had returned to India in January 1915 to work there for change and [[Annie Besant]] (1847–1933), head of the [[Theosophical Society of India]]. On 11 April 1916 she established the [[Indian Home Rule Movement|Home Rule League]] with the goal of autonomy for India.  In December 1916, the [[Indian National Congress]], at its annual session held at [[Lucknow]], passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".<ref>''Proceedings of the Lucknow Session of the Indian National Congress, 1916,'' cited by {{cite book|last=Pasricha|first=Ashu|title=The Political Thought of Annie Besant (Encyclopaedia of Eminent Thinkers, Vol. 25)|year=2008|publisher=Concept Publishing|isbn=978-8180695858|page=84}}</ref>

On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the [[Satyagraha]] movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence. There they were arrested and transported by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. A general strike arose in response in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marching to protest these arrests to the deputy commissioner. The crowd, however, was stopped by British colonial forces and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. The official version reported that the number of casualties were 12 dead and between 20 and 30 wounded. Based on evidence presented to an inquiry of the Indian National Congress, fatalities were reported as between 20 and 30.{{Cn|date=May 2023}}

Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of unarmed Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims gathered in the [[Jallianwala Bagh]]. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha soldiers (from the [[9th Gorkha Rifles]]) and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers (from the [[59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force)|59th Scinde Rifles]]). Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits from the Bagh and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd; the firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British government inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Welle (www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche|title=The Jallianwala massacre – when British troops killed hundreds of unarmed Indians {{!}} DW {{!}} 13 April 2019|url=https://www.dw.com/en/the-jallianwala-massacre-when-british-troops-killed-hundreds-of-unarmed-indians/a-48313295|access-date=5 January 2021|website=DW.COM|language=en-GB|archive-date=8 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108173914/https://www.dw.com/en/the-jallianwala-massacre-when-british-troops-killed-hundreds-of-unarmed-indians/a-48313295|url-status=live}}</ref> The Indian National Congress, on the other hand, estimated that approximately 1,000 people were killed.<ref name=":0" />

===Operation Blue Star===
 [[File:Statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Amritsar 01.jpg|thumb|Statue of [[Maharaja Ranjit Singh]] in Amritsar|left]]
Amritsar was a center of unrest in the late 20th century. In the 1980s, Sikh [[insurgents|militants]] occupied the Golden Temple there. Prime Minister of India, [[Indira Gandhi]], ordered [[Operation Blue Star]] (1 – 6 June 1984), an Indian military operation<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/jun/03spec.htm |title=Operation Bluestar, 20 Years On |work=Rediff.com |date=6 June 1984 |access-date=17 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803203653/http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/jun/03spec.htm |archive-date=3 August 2009 |url-status=live  }}</ref> to remove the militants from the temple. The operation was carried out by [[Indian army]] troops equipped with [[tank]]s and armoured vehicles.<ref>{{cite book| last = Ahmad| first = Ishtiaq| title = State, Nation, and Ethnicity in the Contemporary South Asia| publisher = [[Continuum International Publishing Group]]| year = 1996| page = 130| isbn = 978-1-85567-578-0}}</ref> While militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy. The government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated.<ref>{{cite book| last = Praagh| first = David Van| title = The Greater game: India's Race With Destiny and China| publisher = [[McGill-Queen's University Press]] (MQUP)| year = 2003| location = India| url =https://archive.org/details/greatergameindia0000vanp| url-access = registration| isbn = 978-0-7735-1639-7}}</ref> ''[[India Today]]'' magazine has ranked Operation Blue Star as among the Top 10 Political Disgraces in India.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gunjeet K. Sra |url=http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&&issueid=85&id=23078&sectionid=3&Itemid=1&page=in&latn=2 |title=10 Political Disgraces |publisher=Indiatoday.digitaltoday.in |date=19 December 2008 |access-date=9 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220230342/http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&&issueid=85&id=23078&sectionid=3&Itemid=1&page=in&latn=2 |archive-date=20 December 2008 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83, with 493 civilians killed, including Sikh militants,<ref name=terrorincontext>{{cite book|title=Terrorism in Context|author=Martha Crenshaw|publisher=[[Penn State Press]]|year=1995|isbn=978-0-271-01015-1|page=385}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Pritam|title=Federalism, Nationalism and Development: India and the Punjab Economy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mQLDcjhNoJwC&q=Blue%20Star&pg=PR4|access-date=29 July 2010|year=2008|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-45666-1|pages=44}}</ref> while independent estimates place the numbers upwards of 5,000 people, a majority of them pilgrims, including women and children.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Karim |first1=Afsir |title=Counter Terrorism, the Pakistan Factor |date=1991 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |isbn=978-8170621270 |pages=33–36 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QoqwQb38SQEC |access-date=10 June 2021 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072148/https://books.google.com/books?id=QoqwQb38SQEC |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the [[Sikh Reference Library]] before burning it down.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kaur|first1=Jaskaran|last2=Crossette|first2=Barbara|title=Twenty years of impunity: the November 1984 pogroms of Sikhs in India|page=16|url=http://ensaaf-org.jklaw.net/publications/reports/20years/20years-2nd.pdf|edition=2nd|year=2006|publisher=Ensaaf|location=Portland, OR|isbn=978-0-9787073-0-9|access-date=7 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119015130/http://ensaaf-org.jklaw.net/publications/reports/20years/20years-2nd.pdf|archive-date=19 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=david>{{cite book| last = Westerlund| first = David| title = Questioning The Secular State: The Worldwide Resurgence of Religion in Politics.| publisher = C. Hurst & Co| year = 1996| page = 1276| isbn =978-1-85065-241-0 }}</ref> Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 17,000 Sikhs were killed in the [[1984 anti-Sikh riots]].<ref name="SAGE">{{cite book|title=The SAGE Encyclopedia of War: Social Science Perspectives|quote=around 17,000 Sikhs were burned alive or killed|first=Paul|last=Joseph|page=433|publisher = SAGE|isbn=978-1483359885|date=11 October 2016}}</ref>

==Geography==
Amritsar is located at {{Coord|31.63|N|74.87|E}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/23/Amritsar.html |title=Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Amritsar |publisher=Fallingrain.com |access-date=17 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811181822/http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/23/Amritsar.html |archive-date=11 August 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> with an average elevation of {{Convert|234|m|abbr=}} in the Majha region of the state of Punjab in North India and lies about {{Convert|15|mi|abbr=}} east of the border with [[Pakistan]]. Administrative towns includes [[Ajnala, India|Ajnala]], [[Attari]], [[Beas City|Beas]], [[Budha Theh]], [[Chheharta Sahib]], [[Jandiala Guru]], [[Majitha]], [[Rajasansi]], [[Ramdass]], [[Rayya (Punjab)|Rayya]], [[Verka Town]] and [[Baba Bakala]].{{Cn|date=May 2023}}

===Climate===
Typically for Northwestern India, Amritsar has a [[semi-arid climate#Hot semi-arid climates|hot semi-arid climate]] (Köppen ''BSh'') bordering on a monsoon-influenced [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cwa''). Temperatures in Amritsar usually range from {{Convert|-1 to 45|C|F}}. It experiences four primary seasons: winter (December to March), when temperatures can drop to {{convert|-1|C|F|0}}; summer (April to June), when temperatures can reach {{convert|45|C|F|0}}; monsoon (July to September); and post-monsoon (October to November). Annual rainfall is about {{convert|726.0|mm|in|1}}.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Amritsar Climate Normals 1981-2010
| url = http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20(STATWISE).pdf#%5B%7B%22num%22%3A131%2C%22gen%22%3A0%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22Fit%22%7D%5D
| publisher = Indian Meteorological Department, Pune
| access-date = 31 March 2020
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20(STATWISE).pdf#%5B%7B%22num%22%3A131%2C%22gen%22%3A0%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22Fit%22%7D%5D
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The lowest recorded temperature is {{convert|-3.6|C|F}}, was recorded on 9 December 1996 and the highest temperature, {{convert|48.0|C|F|1}}, was recorded on 23 May 2013.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Amritsar Climate Normals 1981-2010
| url = http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20(STATWISE).pdf#%5B%7B%22num%22%3A131%2C%22gen%22%3A0%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22Fit%22%7D%5D
| publisher = Indian Meteorological Department, Pune
| access-date = 31 March 2020
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20(STATWISE).pdf#%5B%7B%22num%22%3A131%2C%22gen%22%3A0%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22Fit%22%7D%5D
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The official weather station for the city is the [[Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport|civil aerodrome]] at [[Rajasansi]]. Weather records here date back to 15 November 1947.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

{{Amritsar weatherbox}}Amritsar has been ranked 39th best "National Clean Air City" (under Category 1 >10L Population cities) in India according to 'Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024 Results' <ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=7th September 2024 |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |website=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024}}</ref>

==Demographics==
<!-- There was a separate article for the district, so statistics should be for the municipality only!! -->
{{see also|List of cities in Punjab and Chandigarh}}
{{Historical population
|align = center
| source = <ref name="censusindia1">{{cite web |url=http://www.populstat.info/Asia/indiat.htm |title=Historical Census of India |access-date=29 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217053707/http://www.populstat.info/Asia/indiat.htm|archive-date=17 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Dyson |first=Tim |url=https://academic.oup.com/book/3581/chapter/144864586 |title=A Population History of India: From the First Modern People to the Present Day |date=27 September 2018 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780191867484 |pages=94–122 |chapter=6 Company and Crown: c.1821 to c.1871 |volume=1 |doi=10.1093/oso/9780198829058.003.0006}}</ref>
| 1868 | 133925
| 1871 | 136000
| 1881 | 151896
| 1891 | 136766
| 1901 | 162429
| 1911 | 152756
| 1921 | 160218
| 1931 | 264840
| 1941 | 391010
| 1951 | 336114
| 1961 | 390055
| 1971 | 454805
| 1981 | 594844
| 1991 | 708835
| 2001 | 979801
| 2011 | 1159227
}}

[[File:Hamandir Sahib (Golden Temple).jpg|thumb|The Golden Temple, in Amritsar, is the holiest site in Sikhism]]

In 1871–72, Amritsar was the 11th most populous city in British India with a population of 136,000 and had a larger population than Lahore (99,000).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dyson |first=Tim |url=https://academic.oup.com/book/3581/chapter/144864586 |title=A Population History of India: From the First Modern People to the Present Day |date=27 September 2018 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780191867484 |pages=94–122 |chapter=6 Company and Crown: c.1821 to c.1871 |volume=1 |doi=10.1093/oso/9780198829058.003.0006}}</ref> As of the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]], Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,159,227.<ref name="districtcensus" /> The municipality had a [[human sex ratio|sex ratio]] of 884 females per 1,000 males and 119,592 (10.32%) of the population were under six years old, with the child sex ratio being 826 females per 1000 males.<ref name="districtcensus" /> Literacy was 83.81%; male literacy was 86.52% and female literacy was 80.76%.<ref name="districtcensus" /> The [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|scheduled caste]] population is 21.76%.

===Religion===
{{bar box
|title=Religion in Amritsar City (2011)<ref name="Religion"/>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|darkorange|49.36}}
{{bar percent|[[Sikhism]]|darkkhaki|48.00}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity]]|dodgerblue|1.23}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in Punjab, India|Islam]]|green|0.51}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.90}}
}}

According to [[2011 Census of India]], [[Hinduism]] and [[Sikhism]] are the main religions of the Amritsar city followed by 49.36% and 48.00% of the population, respectively. Christianity is followed by 1.23% and Islam 0.51%. Around 0.9% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or other religion.<ref name="Religion">{{cite web |title=Table C-01 Population by Religious Community: Punjab |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11389/download/14502/DDW03C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]] |access-date=9 January 2024 |archive-date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314224307/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11389/download/14502/DDW03C-01%20MDDS.XLS |url-status=live }}</ref>

Amritsar is the holiest city in Sikhism and about 30 million people visit it each year for pilgrimage.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar - Pilgrimage - GCSE Religious Studies Revision|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z3b42hv/revision/1 |access-date=5 January 2021 |work=BBC |language=en-GB|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108193218/https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z3b42hv/revision/1 |archive-date=8 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first1=Srishti |last1=Chaudhary |first2=Raphael |last2=Reichel |date=13 June 2023 |title=Amritsar: The Indian city where no one goes hungry |url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230612-amritsar-the-indian-city-where-no-one-goes-hungry |work=BBC |access-date=15 June 2023 |archive-date=14 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614182004/https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230612-amritsar-the-indian-city-where-no-one-goes-hungry |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ Religious groups in Amritsar City (1868−2011){{efn|1881-1941: Data for the entirety of the town of Amritsar, which included Amritsar Municipality and Amritsar Cantonment.<ref name="Census1941"/>{{rp|32}}|name="Amritsar1881to1941"}}
! rowspan="2" |[[Religion in India|Religious]]<br>group
! colspan="2" |1868<ref name="Census1868">{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25057644 |jstor=saoa.crl.25057644 |access-date=23 June 2024 |title=Report on the census of the Punjab taken on 10th January, 1868. |year=1868 |pages=66 |last1=(India) |first1=Punjab }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1881<ref name="Census1881">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25057656 |jstor=saoa.crl.25057656 |access-date=14 January 2024 |title=Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. I. |year=1881 |archive-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115015937/https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25057656 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Census1881B">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25057657 |jstor=saoa.crl.25057657 |access-date=14 January 2024 |title=Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. II. |year=1881 |archive-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115015938/https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25057657 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|520}}
! colspan="2" |1891<ref name="Census1891">{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/site/SAOA/SouthAsiaOpenArchivesSAOA/CensusReports-1891-26575632/|title=Census of India, 1891 General Tables British Provinces and Feudatory States Vol I|access-date=17 January 2023|archive-date=17 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117090448/https://www.jstor.org/site/SAOA/SouthAsiaOpenArchivesSAOA/CensusReports-1891-26575632/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|68}}
! colspan="2" |1901<ref name="Census1901">{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/site/SAOA/SouthAsiaOpenArchivesSAOA/CensusReports-1901-26575826/|title=Census of India, 1901 Volume I-A India Part II-Tables|access-date=17 January 2023|archive-date=17 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117090447/https://www.jstor.org/site/SAOA/SouthAsiaOpenArchivesSAOA/CensusReports-1901-26575826/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|44}}
! colspan="2" |1911<ref name="Census1911">{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/site/SAOA/SouthAsiaOpenArchivesSAOA/CensusReports-1911-26575903/|title=Census of India, 1911 Volume XIV Punjab Part II Tables|access-date=17 January 2023|archive-date=7 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007223437/https://www.jstor.org/site/SAOA/SouthAsiaOpenArchivesSAOA/CensusReports-1911-26575903/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|20}}
! colspan="2" |1921<ref name="Census1921">{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/site/SAOA/SouthAsiaOpenArchivesSAOA/CensusReports-1921-26575918/|title=Census of India, 1921 Volume XV Punjab and Delhi Part II Tables|access-date=17 January 2023|archive-date=17 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117090446/https://www.jstor.org/site/SAOA/SouthAsiaOpenArchivesSAOA/CensusReports-1921-26575918/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|23}}
! colspan="2" |1931<ref name="Census1931">{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/site/SAOA/SouthAsiaOpenArchivesSAOA/CensusReports-1931-26575928/|title=Census of India, 1931 Volume XVII Punjab Part II Tables|access-date=17 January 2023|archive-date=17 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117090447/https://www.jstor.org/site/SAOA/SouthAsiaOpenArchivesSAOA/CensusReports-1931-26575928/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|26}}
! colspan="2" |1941<ref name="Census1941">{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/site/south-asia-open-archives/saoa/censusofindia1941-28216851/|title=CENSUS OF INDIA, 1941 VOLUME VI PUNJAB|access-date=17 January 2023|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011130147/https://www.jstor.org/site/south-asia-open-archives/saoa/censusofindia1941-28216851/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|32}}
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="Religion"/>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[Islam]] [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]]
| 61,193
| {{Percentage | 61193 | 133925 | 2 }}
| 75,891
| {{Percentage | 75891 | 151896 | 2 }}
| 63,366
| {{Percentage | 63366 | 136766 | 2 }}
| 77,795
| {{Percentage | 77795 | 162429 | 2 }}
| 71,851
| {{Percentage | 71851 | 152756 | 2 }}
| 71,180
| {{Percentage | 71180 | 160218 | 2 }}
| 132,362
| {{Percentage | 132362 | 264840 | 2 }}
| 184,055
| {{Percentage | 184055 | 391010 | 2 }}
| 5,862
| {{Percentage | 5862 | 1159227 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|15px]]
| 49,115
| {{Percentage | 49115 | 133925 | 2 }}
| 61,274
| {{Percentage | 61274 | 151896 | 2 }}
| 56,652
| {{Percentage | 56652 | 136766 | 2 }}
| 65,117
| {{Percentage | 65117 | 162429 | 2 }}
| 58,720
| {{Percentage | 58720 | 152756 | 2 }}
| 65,313
| {{Percentage | 65313 | 160218 | 2 }}
| 98,001{{efn|name=ad-dharmi|1931-1941: Including [[Ad-Dharmi]]s}}
| {{Percentage | 98001 | 264840 | 2 }}
| 144,522{{efn|name=ad-dharmi}}
| {{Percentage | 144522 | 391010 | 2 }}
| 572,189
| {{Percentage | 572189 |1159227 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]]
| 19,267
| {{Percentage | 19267 | 133925 | 2 }}
| 13,876
| {{Percentage | 13876 | 151896 | 2 }}
| 15,751
| {{Percentage | 15751 | 136766 | 2 }}
| 17,860
| {{Percentage | 17860 | 162429 | 2 }}
| 20,357
| {{Percentage | 20357 | 152756 | 2 }}
| 21,478
| {{Percentage | 21478 | 160218 | 2 }}
| 32,009
| {{Percentage | 32009 | 264840 | 2 }}
| 58,779
| {{Percentage | 58779 | 391010 | 2 }}
| 556,431
| {{Percentage | 556431 | 1159227 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Christianity]] [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]]
| 130
| {{Percentage | 130 | 133925 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 848
| {{Percentage | 848 | 136766 | 2 }}
| 1,104
| {{Percentage | 1104 | 162429 | 2 }}
| 1,128
| {{Percentage | 1128 | 152756 | 2 }}
| 1,446
| {{Percentage | 1446 | 160218 | 2 }}
| 1,819
| {{Percentage | 1819 | 264840 | 2 }}
| 2,611
| {{Percentage | 2611 | 391010 | 2 }}
| 14,280
| {{Percentage | 14280 | 1159227 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Buddhism]] [[File:Dharma_Wheel_(2).svg|15px]]
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 133925 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 136766 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 162429 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 152756 | 2 }}
| 5
| {{Percentage | 5 | 160218 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 264840 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 773
| {{Percentage | 773 | 1159227 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Jainism]] [[File:Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg|15px]]
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 9
| {{Percentage | 9 | 151896 | 2 }}
| 143
| {{Percentage | 143 | 136766 | 2 }}
| 532
| {{Percentage | 532 | 162429 | 2 }}
| 652
| {{Percentage | 652 | 152756 | 2 }}
| 738
| {{Percentage | 738 | 160218 | 2 }}
| 604
| {{Percentage | 604 | 264840 | 2 }}
| 974
| {{Percentage | 974 | 391010 | 2 }}
| 1,143
| {{Percentage | 1143 | 1159227 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Zoroastrianism]] [[File:Faravahar.svg|15px]]
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 5
| {{Percentage | 5 | 136766 | 2 }}
| 19
| {{Percentage | 19 | 162429 | 2 }}
| 48
| {{Percentage | 48 | 152756 | 2 }}
| 58
| {{Percentage | 58 | 160218 | 2 }}
| 41
| {{Percentage | 41 | 264840 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
|-
| [[Judaism]] [[File:Star_of_David.svg|15px]]
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 136766 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 152756 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 160218 | 2 }}
| 4
| {{Percentage | 4 | 264840 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
|-
| Others
| 4,220
| {{Percentage | 4220 | 133925 | 2 }}
| 846
| {{Percentage | 846 | 151896 | 2 }}
| 1
| {{Percentage | 1 | 136766 | 2 }}
| 2
| {{Percentage | 2 | 162429 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 152756 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 160218 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 264840 | 2 }}
| 79
| {{Percentage | 79 | 391010 | 2 }}
| 8,549
| {{Percentage | 8549 | 1159227 | 2 }}
|-
! Total population
! 133,925
! {{Percentage | 133925 | 133925 | 2 }}
! 151,896
! {{Percentage | 151896 | 151896 | 2 }}
! 136,766
! {{Percentage | 136766 | 136766 | 2 }}
! 162,429
! {{Percentage | 162429 | 162429 | 2 }}
! 152,756
! {{Percentage | 152756 | 152756 | 2 }}
! 160,218
! {{Percentage | 160218 | 160218 | 2 }}
! 264,840
! {{Percentage | 264840 | 264840 | 2 }}
! 391,010
! {{Percentage | 391010 | 391010 | 2 }}
! 1,159,227
! {{Percentage | 1159227 | 1159227 | 2 }}
|}

{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Languages spoken in Amritsar city (2011)<ref name="languages"/>
|label1 = [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] |value1 = 91.12 |color1 = pink
|label2 = [[Hindi]] |value2 = 7.90 |color2 = orange
|label3 = Others |value3 = 0.98 |color3 = grey
}}

At the time of the 2011 census, 91.12% of the population spoke [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and 7.90% [[Hindi]] as their first language.<ref name="languages">{{cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Punjab (Town) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10229/download/13341/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-0300.XLSX |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]] |access-date=9 January 2024 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323160934/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10229/download/13341/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-0300.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Politics==

The city is part of the [[Amritsar (Lok Sabha constituency)]].

{|class=wikitable sortable style=width:65%;
! style="width: 15%; font-size:75%" |Constituency number
! style="width: 25%;" | Constituency name
! style="width: 15%;" |Reserved for ([[Scheduled Castes|SC]]/None)
! style="width: 30%;" |Electors (2017)<ref name=election2017>{{cite web |url=http://ceopunjab.nic.in/English/Elections/SE/VS2017/D03-Electors%20and%20Polling%20Stations%20VS%202017.pdf |title=Electors and Polling Stations - VS 2017 |access-date=24 June 2021 |archive-date=10 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110074310/http://ceopunjab.nic.in/English/Elections/SE/VS2017/D03-Electors%20and%20Polling%20Stations%20VS%202017.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{update after|2022|02}}
! style="width: 15%;" |District<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ceopunjab.nic.in/English/lpac.aspx |title=List of Parliamentary Constituencies and Assembly Constituencies in the State of Punjab as determined by the delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituency notification dated 19th June, 2006 |date=19 June 2006 |access-date=24 June 2021 |archive-date=26 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626090207/http://ceopunjab.nic.in/English/lpac.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> 
|-
|15
|[[Amritsar North Assembly Constituency|Amritsar North]]
|None
|{{formatnum:175908}}
|[[Amritsar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Amritsar]]
|-
|16
|[[Amritsar West Assembly Constituency|Amritsar West]]
|SC
|{{formatnum:179766}}
|[[Amritsar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Amritsar]]
|-
|17
|[[Amritsar Central Assembly Constituency|Amritsar Central]]
|None
|{{formatnum:135954}}
|[[Amritsar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Amritsar]]
|-
|18
|[[Amritsar East Assembly Constituency|Amritsar East]]
|None
|{{formatnum:153629}}
|[[Amritsar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Amritsar]]
|-
|19
|[[Amritsar South Assembly Constituency|Amritsar South]]
|None
|{{formatnum:148809}}
|[[Amritsar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Amritsar]]
|-
|20
|[[Attari Assembly Constituency|Attari]]
|SC
|{{formatnum:173543}}
|[[Amritsar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Amritsar]]
|}

==Tourism==
{{main|Tourism in Amritsar}}

{{div col|colwidth=26em}} 
* [[Golden Temple]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/india/articles/real-marigold-hotel-selina-scott-india/|title=The Real Marigold Hotel: What a month in India taught me about the country's poverty, history and serenity|work=The Telegraph|access-date=31 July 2018|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731150319/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/india/articles/real-marigold-hotel-selina-scott-india/|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and Heritage Street<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/amritsars-heritage-street-in-a-shambles/articleshow/65076282.cms|title='Amritsar's Heritage Street in a shambles'|work=The Times of India|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815120604/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/amritsars-heritage-street-in-a-shambles/articleshow/65076282.cms|archive-date=15 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> 
*[[Khalsa College, Amritsar|Khalsa College]]
*[[Durgiana Temple|Durgiana Mandir]] and Bada Hanuman Mandir<ref>{{Cite book|last=Raj|first=Rishi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rn-DDwAAQBAJ&q=durgiana+temple&pg=PP15|title=Jallianwala Bagh and Wagah Border|date=January 2020|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan|language=en}}</ref> 
*Mata Lal Devi Mandir, Model Town<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Minahan|first1=Robert|last2=Mandir|first2=Allen S.|date=March 2010|title=Letters|journal=Spine|volume=35|issue=6|pages=720–721|doi=10.1097/brs.0b013e3181d32398|pmid=24736511|issn=0362-2436|doi-access=free}}</ref> 
*Shri Ram Tirath and [[Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal|Valmiki Tirath]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pioneer|first=The|title=Punjab to transform 30 places as tourist attraction centers|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/state-editions/punjab-to-transform-30-places-as-tourist-attraction-centers.html|access-date=8 February 2021|website=The Pioneer|language=en|archive-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928135436/https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/state-editions/punjab-to-transform-30-places-as-tourist-attraction-centers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 
*Shivala Bagh Bhaiyan<ref>{{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Fauja|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H7ABAAAAMAAJ&q=Shivala+Amritsar|title=The City of Amritsar: A Study of Historical, Cultural, Social, and Economic Aspects|date=1978|publisher=Oriental Publishers & Distributors|language=en}}</ref> 
* Punjab State War Heroes' Memorial & Museum<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/amritsar-war-memorial-s-kargil-gallery-to-open-on-july-15/story-MGamGdZn2WfggMUVwAlYEP.html|title=Amritsar: War memorial's Kargil gallery to be thrown open on July 15|date=14 June 2018|work=hindustan times|access-date=31 July 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730235147/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/amritsar-war-memorial-s-kargil-gallery-to-open-on-july-15/story-MGamGdZn2WfggMUVwAlYEP.html|archive-date=30 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Sadda Pind<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/-sadda-pind-free-entry-ticket-for-meritorious-students/598986.html|title=Sadda Pind: Free entry ticket for meritorious students|date=1 June 2018|work=The Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183559/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/-sadda-pind-free-entry-ticket-for-meritorious-students/598986.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/heritage-project-know-real-punjab-at-sadda-pind/story-J6NOlN55BX4FIvED8TTEyO.html|title=Heritage project: Know real Punjab at 'Sadda Pind'|date=23 October 2016|work=hindustan times|access-date=31 July 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183512/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/heritage-project-know-real-punjab-at-sadda-pind/story-J6NOlN55BX4FIvED8TTEyO.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Urban Haat Food Street<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/as-punjab-govt-gears-up-to-open-lahore-like-food-street-in-amritsar-no-takers-for-existing-one/story-SoUktiQq5G1qVyScHzn4PL.html|title=As Punjab govt gears up to open Lahore-like food street in Amritsar, no takers for existing one|date=26 February 2018|work=hindustan times|access-date=31 July 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731213147/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/as-punjab-govt-gears-up-to-open-lahore-like-food-street-in-amritsar-no-takers-for-existing-one/story-SoUktiQq5G1qVyScHzn4PL.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Gobindgarh Fort]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.india.com/news/india/punjab-18th-century-gobindgarh-fort-thrown-open-to-the-public-after-completion-of-its-restoration-work-1984869/|title=18th century Gobindgarh Fort thrown open to public after completion of its restoration work|last=Dangwal|first=Sandhya|date=2 April 2017|work=India.com|access-date=31 July 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183410/http://www.india.com/news/india/punjab-18th-century-gobindgarh-fort-thrown-open-to-the-public-after-completion-of-its-restoration-work-1984869/|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Ram Bagh Palace]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/asi-lifts-photography-ban-tourists-cheer/621657.html|title=ASI lifts photography ban, tourists cheer|last=Bagga|first=Neeraj|date=16 July 2018|work=The Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183623/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/asi-lifts-photography-ban-tourists-cheer/621657.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and 
**Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum
* [[Wagah]] border<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/crowd-heads-for-wagah-border-on-long-independence-day-weekend/articleshow/59981252.cms|title=Crowd heads for Wagah border on long Independence Day weekend|work=The Times of India|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815120615/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/crowd-heads-for-wagah-border-on-long-independence-day-weekend/articleshow/59981252.cms|archive-date=15 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Gurudwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib
* [[Partition Museum]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/the-partition-museum-opening-up-about-the-pain-1.694671|title=The Partition Museum: Opening up about the pain|work=The National|access-date=31 July 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183631/https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/the-partition-museum-opening-up-about-the-pain-1.694671|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/260218/tales-of-47-move-trudeau-at-partition-museum.html|title=Tales of '47 move Trudeau at Partition Museum|date=26 February 2018|work=The Asian Age|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731213243/http://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/260218/tales-of-47-move-trudeau-at-partition-museum.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Jallianwala Bagh]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/shaheed-udham-singh-s-10-foot-high-statue-to-be-inaugurated-at-jallianwala-bagh-on-march-13/story-tegw9gevQk1G66594NlAlJ.html|title=Shaheed Udham Singh's 10-foot high statue to be inaugurated at Jallianwala Bagh on March 13|date=10 March 2018|work=hindustan times|access-date=31 July 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183411/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/shaheed-udham-singh-s-10-foot-high-statue-to-be-inaugurated-at-jallianwala-bagh-on-march-13/story-tegw9gevQk1G66594NlAlJ.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Pul Kanjri]]
* [[VR Ambarsar]], Circular Road
*[[Mall of Amritsar]], near Hyatt
*[[Jang-e-Azadi Memorial]] near [[Kartarpur, India]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/cm-opens-second-phase-of-jang-e-azadi-memorial-at-kartarpur/articleshow/63193135.cms|title=Amarinder Singh opens second phase of Jang-e-Azadi memorial at Kartarpur|work=The Times of India|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825220232/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/cm-opens-second-phase-of-jang-e-azadi-memorial-at-kartarpur/articleshow/63193135.cms|archive-date=25 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Amritsar}}

Amritsar is the second-largest city and district of Punjab. It is also one of the fastest-growing cities of Punjab.{{cn|date=August 2023}} In the mid-1980s the city was famous for its textile industry. Amritsar's trade and industry faced a blow during militancy period in 1980s, but there are still many textile mills, knitting units and embroidery factories functional in the city. It is famous for its pashmina shawls, woolen clothes, blankets, etc. Among handicrafts, the craft of the [[Thathera]]s of [[Jandiala Guru]] in [[Amritsar district]] got enlisted on [[UNESCO]]'s [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|List of Intangible Cultural Heritage]] in 2014,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/traditional-brass-and-copper-craft-of-utensil-making-among-the-thatheras-of-jandiala-guru-punjab-india-00845|title=UNESCO - Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India|website=ich.unesco.org|language=en|access-date=1 July 2019|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007132215/https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/traditional-brass-and-copper-craft-of-utensil-making-among-the-thatheras-of-jandiala-guru-punjab-india-00845|url-status=live}}</ref> and the effort to revive this craft under the umbrella of Project Virasat is among India's biggest government-sponsored craft revival programs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/age-old-craft-of-thatheras-to-get-new-life/articleshow/64715430.cms|title=Jandiala utensils: Age-old craft of thatheras to get new life|date=24 June 2018|first1=Yudhvir|last1=Rana|work=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=1 July 2019|archive-date=2 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702083822/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/age-old-craft-of-thatheras-to-get-new-life/articleshow/64715430.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Tourism and hospitality have recently become the backbone of local economy due to heavy tourist arrivals. Hundreds of small and some large hotels have sprung up to cater to the increased tourist inflow. Restaurants, taxi operators, local shopkeepers have all benefited from the tourist boom.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

==Transport==
===Air===
[[File:Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar.jpg|thumb|[[Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport]]]]
Amritsar hosts [[Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport]]. The airport is connected to other parts of India and other countries with direct international flights to cities and is the 12th busiest airport in the country in terms of international traffic.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=networkthoughts|number=1223996410070228999|title=Top 20 airports in #India by passenger traffic in 2019 International, Domestic and Total|date=2 February 2020|accessdate=22 January 2021}}</ref> It serves Amritsar and several other districts in Punjab and neighbouring states.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

===Rail===
[[Amritsar Junction railway station]] is the main station serving Amritsar. It is the busiest railway station in Indian state of Punjab and one of the highest revenue-generating station of [[Northern Railways]]. Due to high traffic at the [[Amritsar Junction railway station]], [[Indian Railways]] has planned to develop two satellite stations-Chheharta and Bhagtanwala, in order to decongest traffic at this station. As many as 6 trains would be shifted to Chheharta railway station in the first phase.<ref>{{cite news |title=City railway station all set to be decongested soon |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/amritsar/city-railway-station-all-set-to-be-decongested-soon-871380 |access-date=22 January 2021 |work=Tribuneindia News Service |date=7 December 2019 |language=en |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308202307/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/amritsar/city-railway-station-all-set-to-be-decongested-soon-871380 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation]] has also planned to make the Amritsar Junction railway station a world-class railway station on lines of the international airport based on PPP model. The project has received an overwhelming response with bids from 7 private firms, including [[GMR Group|GMR]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Wow! Indian Railways receives "overwhelming" response for Nagpur, Amritsar, Gwalior, Sabarmati station projects |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/wow-indian-railways-receives-overwhelming-response-for-nagpur-amritsar-gwalior-sabarmati-station-projects/2009006/ |access-date=16 August 2020 |work=The Financial Express |date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730035656/https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/wow-indian-railways-receives-overwhelming-response-for-nagpur-amritsar-gwalior-sabarmati-station-projects/2009006/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Road===
Amritsar is located on the historic [[Grand Trunk Road]] (G.T. Road), also known as [[National Highway 1 (India, old numbering)|NH 1]] now renumbered as [[National Highway 3 (India)|National Highway 3]]. An expressway by name of [[Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway]] at the cost of {{INR}}25,000 [[crore]] is approved under [[Bharatmala]] scheme which will cut the travel time from Amritsar to [[New Delhi]] by road from current 8 hours, to 4 hours.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nag |first1=Devanjana |title=Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway: Amritsar to Delhi in 4 hours! Phase 1 of expressway to cost Rs 25,000 crore |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/roadways/delhi-amritsar-katra-expressway-amritsar-to-delhi-in-4-hours-phase-1-of-expressway-to-cost-rs-25000-crore/1979806/ |access-date=22 January 2021 |work=The Financial Express |date=3 June 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308190518/https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/roadways/delhi-amritsar-katra-expressway-amritsar-to-delhi-in-4-hours-phase-1-of-expressway-to-cost-rs-25000-crore/1979806/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Another expressway, called [[Amritsar–Jamnagar Expressway]] is under construction which will connect Amritsar to [[Jamnagar]] in [[Gujarat]]. Additionally, [[National Highway 54 (India)|NH 54]] (Old NH15), [[National Highway 354 (India)|NH 354]] and [[National Highway 503A (India)|NH 503A]] connect Amritsar to other parts of state and rest of India.
A [[ring road]] will also be built surrounding all 4 sides of Amritsar<ref>{{cite news |title=शहर के चारों तरफ बनेगा रिग रोड हाईवे, सरकार ने दी मंजूरी |url=https://www.jagran.com/punjab/amritsar-ring-road-will-built-outside-amritsar-20457941.html |access-date=22 January 2021 |work=Dainik Jagran |date=30 June 2020 |language=hi |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308200245/https://www.jagran.com/punjab/amritsar-ring-road-will-built-outside-amritsar-20457941.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{INR}} 450,000,000 is being spent to expand the Amritsar-[[Jalandhar]] stretch of G.T. Road to four lanes. In 2010, elevated road with four lanes connected to the National highway for better access to the [[Golden Temple]] has been started.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060401/punjab1.htm |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Punjab |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |access-date=17 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920051821/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060401/punjab1.htm |archive-date=20 September 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

===Amritsar MetroBus===
[[File:ISBT Amritsar.jpg|thumb|right|Amritsar Inter State Bus Stand]]
Amritsar has a [[bus rapid transit]] service, the [[Amritsar Metrobus]] which was launched on 28 January 2019. 93 fully air-conditioned [[Tata Marcopolo]] buses are used for the service connecting places like{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} 
* [[Golden Temple]]
* [[Jallianwala Bagh]]
* [[Guru Nanak Dev University]]
* [[Golden Gate]]
* [[India Gate]], Amritsar
* [[Durgiana Temple]]
* [[Khalsa College, Amritsar|Khalsa College]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.punjabtribune.com/news/82781-navjot-singh-sidhu-launches-brts-project-full-throttle-.aspx|title=Navjot Singh Sidhu launches BRTS project full throttle|website=www.punjabtribune.com|access-date=3 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043711/http://www.punjabtribune.com/news/82781-navjot-singh-sidhu-launches-brts-project-full-throttle-.aspx|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Metro bus gets lukewarm response | website=The Tribune | date=31 January 2019 | url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/metro-bus-gets-lukewarm-response/721687.html | access-date=6 November 2019 | archive-date=6 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106082218/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/metro-bus-gets-lukewarm-response/721687.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tatamotors.com/press/tata-motors-commences-delivery-of-new-ac-buses-with-automatic-transmission-in-amritsar-for-new-brts-operations/|title=Tata Motors commences delivery of new AC buses, with Automatic Transmission in Amritsar, for new BRTS operations|website=Tata Motors Limited|date=15 December 2016|access-date=6 November 2019|archive-date=11 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711195721/https://www.tatamotors.com/press/tata-motors-commences-delivery-of-new-ac-buses-with-automatic-transmission-in-amritsar-for-new-brts-operations/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Sister Cities==

Following cities are [[Sister Cities]] of Amritsar:

*[[Bakersfield, California|Bakersfield]], [[California]], United States<ref>{{cite web|title=Sister Cities|url=https://bakersfieldsistercity.org/?page_id=22|website=bakersfieldsistercity.org|publisher=Bakersfield Sister City Project Corporation|access-date=18 February 2020|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922214234/https://www.bakersfieldsistercity.org/?page_id=22|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Sandwell]], [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]], England, United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web|title=Sandwell Economic Prospectus|url=https://cmis.sandwell.gov.uk/cmis5/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=EYiXoKQbJaKk7svJJ1%2FfLvnRltWVGfTdSYDMeQ0RcNe8X5YIbvU6wA%3D%3D&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&kCx1AnS9%2FpWZQ40DXFvdEw%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2BAJvYtyA%3D%3D=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&FgPlIEJYlotS%2BYGoBi5olA%3D%3D=NHdURQburHA%3D&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3D|website=sandwell.gov.uk|publisher=Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council|page=18|access-date=7 May 2020}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*[[Thetford]], [[Norfolk, England]], United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web|title=UK town to be Amritsar's twin city in memory of Maharaja Duleep Singh|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/uk-town-to-be-amritsar-s-twin-city-in-memory-of-maharaja-duleep-singh-616711|website=tribuneindia.com|publisher=Tribune India|date=7 July 2018|access-date=18 February 2020|archive-date=18 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218100056/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/uk-town-to-be-amritsar-s-twin-city-in-memory-of-maharaja-duleep-singh-616711|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Educational institutions ==
[[File:Khalsa College-Monumentos de Amritsar-India16.JPG|alt=|thumb|200x200px|[[Khalsa College, Amritsar|Khalsa College]]]]
<!---♦♦♦ Only add an institute to this list if it already has its own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦---> 
* [[BBK DAV College for Women, Amritsar|BBK DAV College for Women]]
* [[D.A.V College]]
* [[D.A.V Public School]]
* [[Delhi Public School Society|Delhi Public School]]
* [[Government Medical College, Amritsar|Government Medical College]]
* [[Guru Nanak Dev University]]
* [[Khalsa College, Amritsar|Khalsa College]]
* [[Khalsa College of Law]]
* [[Indian Institute of Management, Amritsar|Indian Institute of Management]]
* [[Spring Dale Senior School]]

== Medical facilities ==
* [[Dr. Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health]], a government mental hospital<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/offtrack/story/20050523-psychiatrist-turns-run-down-mental-hospital-in-amritsar-into-institute-of-repute-787585-2005-05-23|title=Psychiatrist turns run-down mental hospital in Amritsar into institute of repute|last=Vinayak|first=Ramesh|website=India Today|date=23 May 2005|access-date=14 January 2020|archive-date=13 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113093710/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/offtrack/story/20050523-psychiatrist-turns-run-down-mental-hospital-in-amritsar-into-institute-of-repute-787585-2005-05-23|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Government Medical College, Amritsar|Government Medical College]]
* [[Sri Guru Ram Das University of Health Sciences, Sri Amritsar|Sri Guru Ram Das University of Health Sciences]]

==See also==
* [[List of people from Amritsar]]
* [[Amritsar Ring Road]]
* [[Amritsar train disaster]], a major accident that occurred during Dussehra 2018
* [[Tarn Taran District]]
* Sports facilities:
** [[Gandhi Sports Complex Ground]], cricket stadium 
<!--No articles: redlinks / unlinked items should not appear in 'See also' section
** Amritsar Tennis Association, Ram Bagh, with one synthetic and eight clay courts
** Badminton Hall, Taylor Road-->

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book |title=Afghanistan |first=Louis |last=Dupree |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=1980}}

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage|Amritsar}}
{{Commons category|Amritsar}}
{{Wikiquote}}

* [http://amritsar.nic.in/ Official Website of District of Amritsar]
* [http://www.amritsarcorp.com/ Official Website of Amritsar Municipal Corporation]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150505063818/http://hridayindia.in/amritsar/ Amritsar HRIDAY city]

{{Amritsar district}}
{{Punjab (Indian state)}}
{{Portalbar|Punjab|India}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Amritsar| ]]
[[Category:Metropolitan cities in India]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Amritsar district]]
[[Category:Former capital cities in India]]
[[Category:Holy cities]]
[[Category:Populated places along the Silk Road]]
[[Category:Sikh places]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1574]]