There existed a natural jungle nearly a century ago
which contained natural vegetation like Berry, Acacia, Mango, Ficus, Banyan,
Rosewood, Bulrush, thorny bushes and so on. With the arrival of Muslims, the
Date Palm was introduced to the Jungles of Machhiwara. In the British era,
Eucalyptus was grown in this region to overcome the dampness. The Poplar trees
are being grown these days at large scale in this area. The wild beast like Monkey, Rabbit, Hare,
Mongoose, Deer, Jackal, Nilgai, Boar, Squirrel, Porcupine, Tortoise, Monitor,
Stag, Rat and Frog etc were found in the Jungle of Machhiwara a few decades ago
who are now extinct. The reptiles like Snake and leech were common. Sometimes
the presence of Panther and Tiger was also noticed in this region. The Birds
like Peacock, Dove, Pigeon, Crow, Sparrow, Lark, Stork, Magpie, Cuckoo,
Nightingale, Bat, Duck, Wood-pecker, Wood-pie, Owl, Eagle, Partridge, Quail and
Lapwing etc are found in this region. However, Sparrow is now rarely seen.
The Jungles of Machhiwara has a mythical background.
In the north of Machhiwara, a temple is located namely Shivala Brahmchari
temple at the bank of Charan Ganga. According to Hindu philosophy, this temple
is a unique in Punjab and there are only two such temples in India. As per
ancient scriptures, this temple bears all the five elements that a Shiv temple
should have. This temple has a panchmukhi Shivling which was installed by Five
Pandavs who spent a night thereat in the Jungles of Machhiwara during their
exile. It was new-moon on next morning of Monday. Pandavs used to wash Shivling
with the holy water of river Ganga on that day. Pandavs established a Shivling
and worshiped Ganga. The Ganga appeared and blessed that place stating that she
would come into view for two and half moments daily and do away with miseries
of devotees. The outcome of bathe taken at that place would be equal to that
done at river Ganga. Pandavs constructed two and half steps of stair at the
bank of Charan Ganga for the purpose of Dropti’s bathe. Those set of steps are
now no longer exist. Since ancient times, a number of Hermits have been
worshiping lord Shiva at that temple. A holy man served that place after
practising celibacy in the company of his three disciples. Thereafter, the
temple is known as Shivala Brahmchari Temple.
The Jungles of Machhiwara has a historical
significance too. In the Jungles of Machhiwara, there were two historical
mounds i.e. the mound of Tangu and the mound of Bali Beg. Sher Shah Suri
humbled the Mogul ruler Humayun and forced him into exile. Humayun returned
with renewed vigour to regain his territory. In 1555, Sikandar Suri, a relative
of Sher Shah Suri, sent 30000 soldiers under the command of Tatar Khan and
Haibat Khan to obstruct Hamayun. On the other hand, Mogul forces were fit for
the occasion under the command of Bairam Khan. A fierce battle took place at
the mound of Tangu in the north of Machhiwara. Mogul forces secured victory and
Humayun regained his kingdom. At present, there is the office of co-operative
society in the mound of Tangu. Another mound namely the mound of Bali Beg is
located in the east of Machhiwara. The mound of Bali Beg has also historical
significance. Bali Beg was chief of this area. He had a castle which was built
at the southern bank of river Sutlej at a mound. Akbar succeeded his father at
the age of fourteen. Bairam Khan, a distinguished general, became his regent.
Bairam Khan defeated Hemu at Panipat in 1556 and secured the throne of Akbar.
However, at a later date, Bairam Khan became rebellion. Bairam Khan, who was a
relative of Bali Beg, took shelter in the castle of Bali Beg. The forces of
Akbar traced Bairam Khan out. A battle took place between the forces of Akbar
and Bairam Khan which caused the destruction of that castle. At last, Bairam
Khan lost the battle. That mound was named after Bali Beg.
Machhiwara, which is now known as Machhiwara Sahib, is
located at the southern bank of river Sutlej. At sometime in the past, river
Sutlej used to flow to the north of Machhiwara. This river diverted its flow
during 1783-85. At present, this river flow 9-10 km away to the north. After
its diversion, the valley of Sutlej is called ‘Bet’. The region to the south of
Machhiwara is called ‘Dhaha’. There is alluvial soil in the ‘Bet’ whereas the
soil of ‘Dhaha’is sandy. The area of ‘Bet’ is much lower than that of ‘Dhaha’.
From Chamkaur Sahib to Ludhiana, the southern bank of river Sutlej is clearly
visible. A canal namely Sirhind canal was dug to the south of Machhiwara during
a period 1862-1882. The strips of jungle were planted alongwith both banks of
this canal. After diversion of river Sutlej, it was replaced with drainage
namely ‘Budha Nala’. It flows to the north of Machhiwara. It was dug from an
area near Chamkaur Sahib in 1920. It flows via Ludhiana and falls into river
Sutlej near village Gorsia Kadar Bakash to the west of Ludhiana.
There was a garden owned by two Masand brothers Gulaba
and Punjaba where Gurudwara Charan Kanwal Sahib is now situated. A natural
stream flows parallel to ‘Budha Nala’ in the ‘bet area’ which is known as
‘Charan Ganga’. In the past, Charan Ganga was a dividing line between river
Sutlej to the north and the Jungle of Machhiwara to the south. Charan Ganga is
created with dampness of river Sutlej. It rises from an area near village
Sahejo Majra. It touches north-east of the mound of Bali Beg and flows in front
of Gurudwara Charan Kanwal Sahib and falls into ‘Budha Nala’ near the cottage
of Naths. It used to be natural habitat of a number of small fishes when it was
pollution-free a few years ago. But now it is fully polluted.
The Jungle of Machhiwara used to be called the jungle
of Lakhi before arrival of Guru Gonind Singh Ji in 1704 AD. There is no Jungle
worth mentioning nowadays. However, some remains of natural vegetation can be
seen in a grave-yard located to the North-East direction of Govt Girl School.
At present, a jungle is planted at the front yard outside Gurudwara Charan
Kanwal Sahib and at the adjoining common land of Municipal committee by the
SGPC workers and some social workers. In addition to it, the south-west of
Garden of this Gurudwara Sahib is being converted into a jungle by planting
extra trees and bushes that have native and foreign origin. Although effort to
reforest is praiseworthy yet natural beauty of local vegetation is far from
restoration.
