Punjab state is geographically divided into three major regions called Majha, Malwa and Doaba. This division of Punjab is basically due to the rivers Satluj, Beas and Ravi flowing through the land of Punjab.
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In the historical times, it was not easy to cross the rivers and hence the areas divided by rivers were considered as separate regions. The regions were often ruled by different rulers or kings. The interaction between the people living in these geographically separated areas was limited. Due to this, there is a difference between the language and culture of the people living in these regions.
Note that the regions Malwa, Majha and Doaba span over the parts of historic Punjab region which includes today’s Punjab (India), Haryana, Himachal Prades and Punjab (Pakistan), but this article will mainly focus on the details that are relevant to today’s state of Punjab in India.
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਦੋ ਮੁੱਖ ਦਰਿਆ ਸਤਲੁਜ ਅਤੇ ਬਿਆਸ ਇਸ ਧਰਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਤਿੰਨ ਮੁੱਖ ਭਾਗਾਂ ਮਾਝਾ, ਮਾਲਵਾ ਅਤੇ ਦੋਆਬਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੰਡਦੇ ਹਨ। ਪੁਰਾਣੇ ਸਮਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਰਿਆਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਰ ਕਰਨਾ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ ਹੋਣ ਕਾਰਨ, ਦਰਿਆ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਵੰਡੇ ਗਏ ਖੇਤਰ ਵੱਖਰੇ ਇਲਾਕੇ ਗਿਣੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਸਨ। ਇਹਨਾਂ ਇਲਾਕਿਆਂ ‘ਤੇ ਅਕਸਰ ਵੱਖਰੇ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਰਾਜ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਸੀ। ਦਰਿਆ ਪਾਰਲੇ ਇਲਾਕਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਸੀ ਤਾਲਮੇਲ ਘੱਟ ਹੋਣ ਕਾਰਨ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਇਲਾਕਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਬੋਲੀ, ਸਭਿਆਚਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਰੀਤੀ-ਰਿਵਾਜਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਫ਼ਰਕ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
| Area of Punjab | Location | Language | Demonym |
| Majha | Between Ravi and Beas | Majhi | Majhi or Majhel |
| Malwa | South of Sutlej | Malwai | Malwai |
| Doaba | Between Sutlej and Beas | Doabi | Doabia |
Majha Area in Punjab
Majha region mainly covers the area between Beas and Ravi rivers. The area on the north of Sutlej, after the confluence of Beas and Sutlej at Harike in Tarn Taran district, extending upto the Ravi river is also part of the Majha region. The literal meaning of the word Majha means ‘in the middle’ or ‘at the center’. This area was in the middle (or central part) of the historic Punjab region, hence giving it the name Majha. The Majhi dialect of Punjabi language is the main language of this region.
The people of this region are given the demonym ‘Majhi’ or ‘Majhel’. This area includes a major region of Pakistan’s Punjab, extending upto Jehlum river and here we will mainly talk about the region within Punjab state in India. The area between Beas and Ravi rivers is also called as Bari Doab.