Batala is a municipal council in Gurdaspur District in the Majha region of the state of Punjab, India. It is located about 32 km from Gurdaspur, the headquarters of the district. Batala ranks as the most populated town of the district with 31% of the total population of district. The provisional figures of Census 2011 ranks city as the 7th largest city in the state and first in the district of Gurdaspur with population standing at 1,56,400 persons. Batala, with history spanning over more than 350 years is known to be the second home of first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev ji. The city holds the distinction of ranking next to Ludhiana in the state of Punjab in terms of its role and importance in the parlance of industry. The city is well known for its Casting Iron and Machine Tools Industry. Batala is important place for Sikh devotees. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh religion was married here to Sulakhni, the daughter of Mul Chand Chauna in 1485. Also, it is an important place for Hindus as the most powerful god of Hindu culture Lord Shiva came here at mandir Achleshwar Dham with 33 crore devi-devtas to make happy his son Kartikeya who was sad due to his loss of race from his brother and Lord Shiva’s son Ganesha. The city also houses many religious and historical places including gurudwaras related with the marriage of Guru Nanak Dev ji like Gurudwara Dera Sahib and Kandh Sahib, apart from Achaleshwar Temple, Baradari, Shamsher Khan Tomb, Vir Hakikat Rai Samadh etc. The industrial city has high degree of rail and road accessibility and connectivity with other important urban centres of the state.