Doraha is a city and a municipal council in Ludhiana district  in the state of Punjab, India.

Demographics
 India census, Doraha had a population of 39999. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Doraha has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 74% and, female literacy is 66%. In Doraha, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Political, historical and background

Doraha is a small town of Punjab in district Ludhiana.  The 6th Sikh Guru Sh. Hargobind Ji had visited this area. There are four historical Gurudwaras in Doraha  known as:  Gurudwara Damdama Sahib, Ber Sahib, Sarai Sahib, and Bauli Sahib.

Amongst the early setllers of Doraha were Er. Gurbaksh Singh Katani. A man who worked  towards education in rural areas. He was one of the founder members of Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana . Khalsa school for girls in Doraha, Member of Nankana Sahib Education Trust, Founding member of https://gnmsss.in Guru Nanak Senior Secondary School,http://gnncdoraha.edu.in/ Guru Nanak National College Doraha. He did his Engineering in early 1900s from Lucknow University, his major aim was to arm yourself with education as a tool against the oppressive British Regime. A prominent member of Akali movement. The first iron and steel rolling mill with the name of Mangat Industries was established by him. A visionary who was of the thought process that Punjab, India can only progress if we get quality education in the rural areas and give them employment. A devoted Sikh he became Officiating President of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. His association with Freedom movement brought him close to people like J. R. D. Tata, Tara Singh (activist), Baldev Singh, Rajendra Prasad Gurbax Singh Sibia of Sangrur. Er. Gurbaksh Singh Katani was mentor of Parkash Singh Badal who later went his separate way.  His grand son is S. Jogeshwar Singh Mangat is carrying his legacy forward by serving on board of various educational institutions.  His two son in laws who settled in Doraha, S. Chanan Singh Gill and Dr. Ishwar Singh were also active in various social activities, helping in taking the family legacy forward to spread education.    

Other prominent people from this town are Kidar nath Sharma of Picadily group of companies, his son Venod Sharma is a prominent politician.This area has given two Chief Ministers. First was Gian Singh Rarewala and the other was Beant Singh Ji Kotli. His son Tej Parkash Singh M.L.A., Ex-Tpt. Minister Punjab, is looking after the area. Mihan Singh Gill was minister in the Govt. of Gian Singh Rarawala,Bhag Singh M.L.A., Smt. Nirlep Kaur M.L.A., Sadhu Singh Ghudani M.L.A., Malkit Singh Dakha, Kuldip Singh Mangewal, Former Chairman Verka, all belong to this city.

Lakhvir Singh Lakha ( Payal ) President Of Youth Congress, Inderpreet Singh Mangewal, Dr. Virender Singh Mangewal are upcoming leaders of the region.

Late Sardara Singh was also a M.C. of Doraha. He was a very good-natured person. He also developed the area in which he was a M.C.  recently.  

Doraha is part of the Payal Assembly Constituency.

Education

Doraha city is the educational hub of the nearby villages and has many institutions which offer education from primary to graduate degree courses. Khalsa Girls School was one of the first Girls School in this area , this was run under the leadership of Er.Gurbaksh Singh Katani. The schools include Dashmesh Model Senior Secondary School, Guru Nanak Model Senior Secondary School, Mehta Gurukul Public School, Doraha Public School, Mount Litera, Saraswati Model Senior Secondary School, Aryaputri Pathshala, Kidzee and many more. Doraha College of Education (DCE) and Guru Nanak National College. Guru Nanak National College is the first institute of higher education in Doraha. It was founded by Dr. Ishwar Singh in 1974. Before this college, the boys and girls of the town and nearby villages went to Khanna and Ludhiana for higher education.

Business
The majority of population in Doraha is self-employed.

The first highway outlet of McDonald’s opened its operation on 25 March 2002.

References

Cities and towns in Ludhiana district
Ludhiana district