town, southeastern Punjab state, northwestern India. It is located some 16 miles (26 km) west and slightly north of Patiala. Nabha (founded 1755) was the capital of the princely state of Nabha, established in 1763 and composed of 12 scattered territories claimed by a member of the Sikh Phulkian family. In 1807–08 the raja gained British protection against threatened encroachments by Ranjit Singh. During the Indian Mutiny (1857–58) of the Bengal army, the raja was loyal to the British and was rewarded by grants of territory. In 1948, after India became independent, Nabha joined a union of five Phulkian states, which eventually merged into Punjab state.

The town of Nabha is a trading centre for millet, wheat, gram (chickpeas), cloth fabrics, and sugar. Cotton ginning, wool carding, hand-loom weaving, and embroidery are also done there. The town has a college. Pop. (2001) 62,000.