Patiala (Punjabi: ) is a city located in south-eastern Punjab, in northern India. The city is the administrative capital of Patiala district. Patiala is located around a castle named Qila Mubarak (the Fortunate Castle). It was constructed by a militiaman, Baba Ala Singh in 1763. Patiala is a Congress-Party stronghold. In popular culture, the city remains famous for its traditional turban (a type of headgear), paranda (a kind of tasselled tag for braiding hair), salwar (a type of female trousers), jutti (a type of footwear) and Patiala peg (a measure of liquor). The first Indian astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, was born in Patiala. Patiala is located at 3020N 7623E / 30.34N 76.38E / 30.34; 76.38. It has an average elevation of 250metres (820feet). During short existence of PEPSU, Patiala served as it capital city. During the reign of Maharajas, Patiala state extended from Narnaul, Hissar in Harayana to Kandaghat and Chail in Himachal. In the 18th century, the political vacuum...
