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Gujrat, Pakistan

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This article is about a city in Pakistan. For the Indian state, see Gujarat.
For other uses, see Gujrat, Pakistan (disambiguation).

Template:Infobox City Pakistan Gujrat (Urdu/Punjabi: گجرات) is a city in Pakistan and is the capital of Gujrat District and the Gujrat Tehsil subdivision in the Punjab Province[1]. A person living in Gujrat is called Gujrati.

Location

Gujrat is situated near the Chenab River, 120 km north of Lahore. Prominent nearby locations include Jhelum, Gujranwala, Kotla, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot and Azad Kashmir. The city is surrounded by many villages from which the local labour market is supplied. The major sources of livelihood of Gujrat populace are agriculture and small industries.

History

Gujrat is an ancient city which was founded by Raja Bachhan Pal Gurjar in 460 BC, according to General Cunningham, the British historian. Historical consensus is that it existed in the time of Alexander the Great, and that the city's Raja Porus put up a fierce challenge to Alexander's invasion at the bank of the Jehlum River. The establishment of Gujrat City was realized early in the 1900 century after the British Empire and in support of regional land lords (e.g, Daswandi Khan of Daswandi Pura).

During the Mughal Empire period, Mughal royalty would travel through the district en-route to Kashmir. When King Jahangir died while he was returning from Kashmir, the news of his death was not released to avoid any unrest in the empire. As such, his abdominal organs were taken out and buried in Gujrat. To this day an annual festival is held commemorating this event, commonly known as the "Festival of Jahangir".

Two main battles between British and Sikh armies were fought in this district: the Battle of Chillianwala and Battle of Gujrat. Only after winning the battle of Gujrat on 22 February 1849 did the British declare victory in Punjab.

Historic remains

There are many historical buildings and ruins in and around Gujrat. The Grand Trunk Road commonly abbreviated as GT road built by emperor Sher Shah Suri also passes from Gujrat. The road still exists today, along with its period stone wall. The village Kathala Chenab is a historic village, It gives many popular persons like poets and The Education level in Kahtala is abt 90%,Most of the people in this village are jutt Warraich, it is near the Chenab river. The nearby towns of Shadiwal, kalra kalan Tanda, Adowal, Amra Kalan, Kotla,Bangial, Dinga and Kunjah have historical buildings and ruins. The village Kurree Sharif is famous for the shrines of saints and mazar of Malik Jusrus, the forefather of Maliks (Khokhars) of Punjab.

Geography

Gujrat is an ancient district of Pakistan located between two famous rivers, the Jhelum River and the Chenab River. Because of its proximity with the rivers, the land is good for cultivation with rice and sugar cane as main crops. It is bounded on the northeast by Jammu and Kashmir, on the northwest by the Jhelum River which separates it from Jhelum District, on the east and southeast by the Chenab River, separating it from the districts of Gujranwala and Sialkot; and on the west by Mandi Bahauddin District. District Gujrat is spread over an area of 3,192 square kilometres and comprises the three tehsils of Gujrat, Kharian & Sarai Alamgir.

Famous people

Dr sughra sadaf is from a rural area of Gujrat. She is an example forall women of the area, she did phd,3 masters, she is a poet, a colmnist, Ptv Compare, and a government servant in Punjab text book board

Nawabzada Sir Fazal Ali founder of Zamindar Education society and Build Zamindar Degree College before Independce when there was no college in District Attock, Jhelum, Sargodha.

Nawabada Asghar Ali S/O Nawabzada Sir Fazal Ali Who build present Fatima Jinnaha Government College for Girls later handed over to Government of Punjab (due to Financial Difficulties) now known as Government College for Girls .

Nawab Guzanfer Gul Former Member National Assembly and founder of Fazal Ali Education Association

S M Masud Former Minister of law & Palimentry Affairs during President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's regime

Dr. Shaukat Sherazi 1st Medical Superintendent of Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital. Now Head of Sherazi Hospital Chowk Pakistan Gujrat City

Syed Humayun Mahmud Chartered Mechanical Engineer Ex General Manager Heavy Mechanical Complex Taxila Pakistan, Designed and developed the first Tractor of Pakistan `Baghban` presented to President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1977. Later designed the first low cost two wheel tractor for developing countries at the International Rice Research Institute Manila reported in News Week 1976.Designed and manufactured the first 175 c.c car of Pakistan `Natalia` reported in daily Jang 1997.

  • Famous Film Actress Sabiha Khanum wife of famous actor Musa Raza (Suntosh Kumar). Sabiha Khanum Is a daughter of famous Balo (Iqbal Begum and Mahia Mohammad Ali).

Sites of interest

Faiz-e-Illahi Manzil

The sunny palace, situated in the center of the city (Pakistan Chowk), is the hub of political activity in Gujrat. The same building has been the residence of Gul Sher and Muqrrabjaved. Over the ages, the building has influenced the political history of the city. The Gujrat Fort, now in shambles, still stands, depicting the declining glory of Mughal architecture. The fort was built by Akbar the Great Mughal Emperor in 1598-99. Morever, the Baradari, built by Raja Ranja Singh, is also a worth visiting place.

Faiz-e-Illahi Manzil (residence of the famous Chiragh Ali Hakeem Advocate and active member of Muslim league part until 1948) is another historical place, Where father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah resided for a short while.

Climate

This district has moderate climate. During peak summer, the daytime temperature shoots up to 45°C, but the hot spells are relatively short due to the proximity of the Azad Kashmir Mountains. During the winter months the minimum temperature may fall below 2°C. The average rainfall on the Kashmir border is over 100 cm; at Kharian it is 75 cm, at Gujrat 67 cm, at Dinga 50 cm and at Sarsal 48 cm.

Culture

District Gujrat produces low temperature pottery and ceramic goods, ‘Hookas’, artistic handicrafts, flower pots, "Changairian" (made from the leaves of palm and date trees), cotton mates, "Dhusse" and woollen shawls.. Sohni Mahiwal is a famous folk tale of the Punjab region. The heroine of the story, named "Sohni" (a Punjabi word, meaning "beautiful"), came from the Gujrat region. She used to meet her lover "Mahinwal" by crossing the Chenab river, sitting on a pitcher. The tale is still told to this day, and is an essential part of Punjabi culture. The anniversary of Kanwan-Wali Sarkar is celebrated with a fair in August every year, usually it rains heavily at this time.

Economy/Industry

Gujrat is also known for its clay with which Gujratis have for long produced quality pottery. The city also produces fine furniture. Over last few decades, Gujrat has also attained a name in the export of electric fans. Gujrat is also home to one of the two largest shoe manufacturing companies in Pakistan, namely Service Industries which runs a large shoe factory in the city. There are about 1,059 cottage level and small/medium/large scale industrial units operating in the district. Jalalpur Jattan is a large town of Gujrat , where several small and large textile companies have been established. Rice production and export is another major product of Gujrat. A town called Mangowal (located west of Gujrat) in particular holds over 20 rice mills. There are many other factories engaged in manufacturing of electrical goods, electric motors, shoes and rice cleaning mills. Most are cottage industries, providing employment to a large number of people and accounting, in aggregate, for more than 90 percent of the domestic market.

The story of the emergence of the electric fan manufacturing industry in Pakistan started with a few enterprising individuals in the early 1940s, struggled against all odds, and created, without government or foreign help, an efficient industry. There are now over five hundred fan factories in Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore and a few other cities. Most of the Fan Industries are in Gujrat. Some of them have been given below:

Servis Industries Limited Gujrat is a publicly traded company and it is a part of Servis Group. Its annual revenue of US $ 45 million. It is the largest manufacturer of tyres and tubes for two-wheelers, and has been the largest exporter of footwear from Pakistan for a decade. The company employs more than 4,000 people in its facilities located in Gujrat and Muridke. The company’s products are exported primarily to Germany, Italy, France and United Kingdom. Servis Industries also manufacture products for Nike and Caterpiller.

Education

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan named the region "Khita-e-Younan", or "Territory resembling ancient Greece", referring to the education available in the area of Gujrat. Several schools and colleges are located at Gujrat, including the University of Gujrat, a prominent university of the region & now launching Nawaz Sharif Medical College, Gujrat

Zamindar College for boys. Gujrat is also known for its Swedish Technical Institution, meant for high quality middle level, training institution meant for technical fields. Punjab Group of Colleges, best college of Punjab in private sector. (zark)

Transport

Gujrat, situated beside the grand trunk road and main rail line, is directly connected with the major cities of the country. The district has 1,019 kilometres of road, it is linked with Gujranwala, Jhelum, and Mandi Bahauddin districts through metalled roads. The main Peshawar - Karachi railway line passes through Gujrat district. The district is linked with Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha and Gujranwala districts through Pakistan Railway Network. SAMMI DAEWOO Express has a terminal at GT Road Gujrat and connects Gujrat with Lahore.Gujrat terminal was started on 14th of May 2004. Gujrat airport covers a wide area. This airport does not host any commercial flights. During 2005-07 a flying club started working but now it is stopped.

Universities and Colleges

campus 1(145 canal): swedish college. campus 2(150 canal): Jinah Public school, hafiz hayat]]

Hospitals

  • Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital, Bhimbher Road, Gujrat
  • Chenab Hospital, Bhimber Road, Gujrat
  • Gujrat Hospital, Bhimbher Road, Gujrat
  • Malik Haider Hospital, Jail Chowk, Gujrat
  • Dr. Cheema (Miracle Worker), Bhimbher Road, Gujrat
  • Zulfiqar Hospital, Jail Road, Gujrat
  • Life Medical Complex, Dr. Hafeez-ur-Rehman, Bhimbher Road, Gujrat
  • Bashir Hospital, Railway Road Gujrat
  • [[Kotla Hospitals,,

Family hospital,Sanan Hospital,Col Azam hospital,Dr.Iftikhar hospital,Mubeen hospital,Al muneer hospital

Shaukat Sheerazi Hospital Chowk Pakistan Gujrat run also by Dr. Irfan Shaukat

See also

References

  1. ^ Tehsils & Unions in the District of Gujrat - Government of Pakistan
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