Bathinda district is situated in the southern part of Punjab and is the heart of Malwa region. The district gets its name from the district headquarters town of Bathinda. It was also called “Bhatti Vinda” and “Bitunda” which finally came to be known as Bathinda. Old Fort stands witness to its historical importance. The town was conquered by Maharaja Ala Singh (near about 1754 AD) and since then it was under the regime of erstwhile princely state of Patiala. With the dawn of independence and merger of Patiala and East Punjab states into PEPSU, Bathinda got the status of a full-fledged district.
Bathinda is one of the largest cities of Punjab and is developing rapidly in economic, social, educational and political fields. Moreover, world class real estate developers are opening up a row of shopping malls and residential colonies in the city while Mittal Mall, City Centre & Peninsula Mall are already running. As a result of recent expansion, the district is now receiving great attention in setting up of educational institutes. The Punjabi University Patiala has established regional centers at Bathinda and Talwandi Sabo. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Govt. Polytechnic, Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences & Research and newly setup AIIMS are already functioning at Bathinda for imparting degree and diploma courses for engineering and medical students respectively. There are also some degree colleges running science, commerce and humanity courses. International food outlets like KFC, Mcdonalds, CCD, Subway have been opened in Bathinda. It is having Asia’s largest Army cantonment and an Air Force station at Bhisiana.
From the industrial point of view, this city has two thermal plants, National fertilizers Limited, Ambuja Cement, Bathinda Chemicals, Vardhman Polytex, Verka Milk Plant etc. The city has come into prominence with the establishment of Guru Gobind Singh Refinery Limited. It is a huge investment project with active involvement of famous industrialist and Steel King Lakshmi Niwas Mittal. Courtesy big Lakes, Malls, Airport, Chetak Park and a Mini Zoo Bathinda has come on the tourist map.