Abohar, India

Living on the India-Pakistan border comes with both opportunity and complexity in this agricultural powerhouse of 145,302 residents. A mere 98 miles from Lahore, Pakistan, Abohar stands as Punjab's citrus capital, producing 60% of the state's kinnow (a citrus fruit) output from its surrounding agricultural belt.

This border city's strategic importance dates back to Mughal times when it served as a pargana under the Sarkar of Sirhind. Historical ties include being the hometown of Firoz Shah Tughluq's mother and evolving into a significant horse breeding and cotton trading hub during British rule. Today, Abohar functions as a crucial connector between Punjab and Rajasthan, positioned 300 kilometers southwest of Chandigarh and 373 kilometers northwest of New Delhi. The population maintains a Hindu majority with a substantial Sikh minority, primarily communicating in Punjabi, Bagri, and Hindi.