| پاکپتن شريف | |
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| Pakpattan | |
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پاکپتن شريف
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Punjab |
| Government | |
| • MNA | Salman Mohsin |
| • MPA | Ch.Javed ahmad,Dr.Farrukh Javed, Mian Mansab Dogar |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
| Calling code | 57400 |
Pakpattan (Urdu: پاکپتن) is the capital city of the Pakpattan District in the Sahiwal Division in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Pakpattan is one of the ancient cities of Pakistan. It is the city that has the shrine of the well-known Sufi of all times, Baba Fareed. Pakpattan is located 190 km from Lahore and is very close to Sahiwal (about 45 km).
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Pakpattan is the ancient Ajoodhun or Ajj-u-dhan, which probably derived its name from the [Yaudheya] tribe (the modern Johiyas). Before it was named as Ajoodhun, some believe that it was called 'Katora'. Old city prior to Saint Farid was sacred to Hindu religion. Old city is established on a big mound called DHAKI meaning "something hidden'. This Dhaki is on higher altitude than the area around, there were gates to enter in the city. It is said that city was destroyed seventeen times in the history by great warriors. All times then after destruction a new city was built on the ruins of old city, because of this a big mond made up. From a very early date it was a place of importance, as the principal ferry across the Sutlej River and the meeting-place of the great western roads from Dera Ghazi Khan and Dera Ismail Khan. The city was on the way to Multan State and Delhi Sultanate. All warriors were travelling from Multan to Dehli or Dehli to Multan were crossing this city. This city was important in the line of defence all the times. A road called "Dehli Multan Road' road was constructed by Sher Shah Suri. The Landmarks of Dehli Multan Road are still in use by Punjab Road Transportation Department. Anybody can read the mileage of Dehli and Multan at any time in all over the area, only present in modern times in this area. The fort defending the city was once captured by Sebüktegin in 977–78 and by Ibrahim Ghaznavi in 1079–80.[1]
According to Firishta, an old writer and historian, in 1079 its fort was conquered by Ibrahim Ghaznavi/Ibrahim Bin Masaud Ghaznavi.[2] The town owes its sanctity and modern name, 'the holy ferry', to the shrine of the great Muslim Sufi Fariduddin Ganjshakar Shaikh-ul-Islam, Farid-ul-Hakkwa-ud-Din, Shakar Ganj (1173–1265) which was visited by old great traveller and historian Ibn Batuta in 1334. The town was besieged by Shaikha; the Khokhar, in 1394, and in 1398 was visited by Timur, Mughal Emperor who spared much of the inhabitants as had not fled, out of respect for the shrine of the saint. It was the scene of two of Khizr Khan's victories over generals of the Delhi 1401 and 1405. The shrine of Baba Farid attracts crowds of followers, its sanctity being acknowledged as far as Afghanistan and Central Asia. The urs (death anniversary) of Saint Baba Farid is observed every year in Islamic/lunar month of Muharram, that lasts for ten days. Hundreds of thousands pilgrims and visitors come every year to pay homage to this great Saint. The principal event of urs is crossing of gate that called Bahishti Darwaza (Gate of Heavens). Followers believe by crossing this gate all of your sins are pardoned and one becomes neat and clean again. Some critics say it is unholy to cross this gate with this intention but believe its sanctity. Critics argue it is good to cross this gate with resolution not to do sins in future life. This "Gate To Heavens' remains open ten consecutive nights after sunset to sunrise and padlocked during the day time. This gate is padlocked all the year except these ten days.[1]
During British rule Pakpattan Town was headquarters of the tehsil of the same name in Montgomery District, 29 miles south-east of Montgomery station on the North-Western Railway. The municipality was created in 1867, the population in 1901 was 6,192. During the ten years ending 1902-3 the income averaged Rs. 7,200, and the expenditure Rs. 7,000. The income in 1903-4 was Rs. 8,400, chiefly derived from octroi; and the expenditure was Rs. 7,300.[1]
According to the Imperial Gazetteer of India:
| “ | Pakpattan is a town of some commercial importance, importing wheat, cotton, oilseeds, and pulses from the surrounding villages, gur and refined sugar from Amritsar, Jullundur, and the United Provinces, piece-goods from Amritsar, Delhi, and Karachi, and fruits from Afghanistan. The exports consist principally of cotton, wheat, and oilseeds. The town has a local manufacture of silk lungis and lacquer-work. It contains a vernacular middle school and a dispensary. From 1849 to 1852 it was the head-quarters of the District.[1] | ” |
King Balban and Mughal King Akbar along with his son came themselves. Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh had much respect for the Saint Fareed and always was sending money and gifts for shrine and its caretakers. Mian Nawaz Sharif (Ex. Prime Minister) and Benazir Bhuto (Ex. Prime Minister), Musharaf (Ex. President of Pakistan) also visited the shrine of Baba Farid ud Din Ganj-e-Shakar.Main politicians of pakpattan are mian ghulam muhammad manika, mian ahmedraza manika, chaudhry javed ahmed muhammad shah khagga dewan azmat said muhammad chisti mian irfan adil bhandara(pmL/N)
In Pakpattan and surrounding areas many urs and mela(s) are celebrated every year such as urs of Baba Farid and mela of Chan pir etc. Urs of Baba farid attracts more than 500,000 people every year between 1st to 10th of Moharram (Islamic month of Hijri Calender), so is the case with mela Chan pir which is held every year in the beginning of summer in the outskirt of Pakpattan, at Chan pir (Located in south side of city about 3 km far where shrine of Chan Pir and Sakhi Ghulam Qadir. The village is named Chan Pir or Basti Sakhi Ghulam Qadir). It is also remarkable that a local Poilitician Dewan azmat Said Muhammad Chishti Ex MPA and Tehsil Nazim arrange an national level Dewan Ghulam Qutub-ud-Din Memorial Tent Pegging competition.In this competition thousands of people all around the country participate.This competition is liked by the Villagers as well as citizens living in cities.
It was renamed Pak Pattan (meaning "Clean Land" in old Punjabi) after arrival of Sufi Saint Baba Fareed whose shrine is located here - today people come all over the world to pass through a gate called "Bahishti Darwaza" or Heavens Gate to the shrine from the 1st of Muharram to 5th of Muharram every year. Hazrat Baba Fareed, a great personality of India was married out with the daughter of the King of that era,Ghayyas-ud-din Balban. The founder of the Sikh Faith Guru Nanak had reverence to Baba Fareed and hence Sikhs also come here to pay tribute. In 1770 after a battle between Mobarak Khan II of Bahawalpur and Hari Singh, it was agreed that "the neutral town of Pakpattan, held by a Muslim saint of eminence, should be the common boundary"[3]
Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar died on 5th of Muharram 664 A.H. corresponding to 17 October 1265 C.E. He was buried in Pakpattan (135 miles (190 km) approx. off Lahore).
Baba Farid settled down in a place very next to his current shrine. Once this place was marked with a tall flag that can be seen from the entrance of the main mosque of the shrine. He started preaching the Hindus about Islam. In a short time, a huge number of Hindus in the region embraced Islam. Those who did not, became ardent followers of Baba Farid and often visited him to seek spiritual guidance.
His shine was quite old by 1990s. Government of Nawaz Sharif, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan ordered the development of a large complex with a grant of RS40 Millions. Due to changes of the government, the project faced several delays and continues until today. As a part of the project, the old historical mosque was demolished despite opposition by the Department of Archaeology and Museums to preserve the old historical mosque. During the 1990s, the old 'Hujra' (the praying room) of Baba Farid's dearest pupil and son-in-law Khwaja Makhdoom Alauddin Ahmed Sabir was also renovated by the government. The new 'Hujra' is an imitation of the design of the original 'Dargah' of Khwaja Makhdoom Alauddin Ahmed Sabir in Kaliyar Sharif (Roorkee). Ganj Shakar Trust Hospital Pakpattan is serving the needy and poor people under the aegis of local NGO Baba Fareed Ganj Shakar Educational And welfare trust, Pakpattan.
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