The old name of Punjab was Sapta Sindhu, meaning "Land of Seven Rivers," as mentioned in the Rigveda. These seven rivers were the Saraswati (now extinct), Sindhu (Indus), Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.

Punjab shares its borders with 3 states and 1 Union Territory:

1. Haryana (to the south)
2. Rajasthan (to the southwest)
3. Himachal Pradesh (to the northeast)
4. Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir (to the north)

In addition, it shares an international border with Pakistan to the west.

The Sirhind Canal carries water from the Sutlej River. It is one of the oldest and largest irrigation canals in India, constructed during the British era in 1882.

Zaman Shah, the ruler of Afghanistan, confirmed Maharaja Ranjit Singh as the Governor of Lahore in 1799 after Ranjit Singh successfully captured the city.

According to the 2011 Census of India, Ludhiana is the most populous district in Punjab.