Ludhiana, city, northwestern India, in an irrigated farm area of Punjab State. It is located on a former bank of the Sutlej River (south of the river's present course) and is an important transportation, commercial, and manufacturing center. Products include steel, textiles, hosiery, sewing machines, bicycles, and farm machinery. Punjab Agricultural University (1962) is here. Ludhiana was founded in the late 15th century and grew as an industrial center after India gained independence in 1947. Population (1991) 1,042,740.
