Rahim Yar Khan

Rahim Yar Khan
رحیم یار خان
—  District Headquarter  —
Coordinates:
Country Pakistan
Province Punjab
District Rahim Yar Khan
Area
 • Total 22 km2 (8.5 sq mi)
Population
 • Estimate ({{{pop_est_as_of}}}) 353,203(2,011)
Time zone PST (UTC+5)
Calling code 068
Number of towns 4
Number of Union councils 8

Rahim Yar Khan ( رحیم یار خان) is a city in South Punjab, Pakistan. Rahim Yar Khan is the capital city of Rahim Yar Khan District as well as the tehsil of the same name. The city itself is administratively subdivided into 9 Union councils.[1] According to the 1998 census, the city population was 233,537 with an annual growth rate of 3.50%. As of in 2009, it is around 340,810. The area of Rahim Yar Khan City is about 22 Square Kilometre.

Contents

History

Alexander Era

Alexander was the warrior and conqueror when he entered Multan the City which is known by its Saints. He Appointed One of his Famous General Phillipos to Rule the Area. Rahim Yar Khan and Neighboring Cities Came under Alexander Successors Rule. His Rule was Spread from the City of Multan Till Sukkur (then known as Poros) He was Challenged by Raja Poros in the Battle of Poros and got defeated. With this the Alexander Era Came to an End.

Buddhism Era

The Buddhist Empire was headed by Asoka. During his quest of power he invade almost whole of the subcontinent. His influence in this area is still unknown to many but it is believed that Rahim Yar Khan was the Part of His Empire before 493 A.D.

Rai Dynasty

Rai Dynasty belongs from the Sindh and they came into power around 493 A.D. Raja Divaji of Rai Dynasty was the Ruler. He Developed the System of Districts and Towns in his era. Rai Dynasty Ruled almost 150 yrs in the surrounding area including Sindh and Current Cities like Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan.

Brahman Era

Brahman’s Era is widely recognized by one of its strongest Kings Raja Dahir, But Brahmans came into power after the Death of King Rai Sahiras II of Rai Dynasty. Brahman Chach Married his widow and came into power. The Brahman Chach belonged to the current known city of Chachran Shariff. The Last Ruler of Brahman Era was the Strongest Raja Dahir. Raja Dahir was Over Thrown by Arabs.

Arabs and Islamic Era

Arabs were trading to the Far East in that era. It is a known history that Raja Dahir people attacked some of the Arabs Merchants and their Ships. This gives a change to the history of subcontinent the Caliph of Baghdad Hajaj Bin Yusuf Sent his commander Mohammad Bin Qasim to free the Arab merchants from Raja Dahir. Mohammad Bin Qasim entered in this area to free the people but his invasion continues and travels to South and north of Punjab till Multan and beyond. Arab ruled the land from 712 A.D till 871 A.D. Islam flourishes as a religion in their era. The Arab Ruling families at that time was Abbasids and Umayyad in the Arab World and their Kingdom was stretch from Subcontinent to Spain.

Yemini Dynasty

Yemini dynasty is of Turkish origin and included large extent of Persia and Northern India. Mahmud of Ghazni was the crowned ruler of this empire though it was founded by Sebuktigin. Sebuktigin's son Mahmud, expanded the empire that stretched from the Oxus River to the Indus Valley and the Indian Ocean and in the West too. Mahmud Invade the Somnath Temple and after that Appointed Karamatian people to the Thrown. The Yemini Dynasty in Subcontinent was under the influence of Abbasid Caliph Abdul Abbas Al Hakim. In 1366 AD Amir Sultan Ahmed II migrated from the Egypt to Subcontinent and settled in the Derawar Fort Area. They were succeeded by Moguls and Ghauris.

Duddees Influence

In 1540, Duddees (Daudpota Family of Pakistan) a well-known tribe rose to considerable power in the eastern part of Bahawalpur. Amir Bahadur Khan Abbasi, the chief of Daudpota then came to power him and his descendants wielded small principalities of Bahawalpur State into a united kingdom. Amir Muhammad Mubarik Khan I, Abbasi who came to power in 1702 was an able commander and leader. Throughout his reign he had to fight many battles against Kalhoras. He abdicated in 1723 A.D., in favor of his son Sadiq Mohammad Khan I. Sadiq Mohammad Khan I (1723–1746) was killed in a battle with Khuda Yar Khan Kalhora. Amir Mohammad Bahawal Khan I, (1 746-1 949) ascended the throne in 1746. During his short rule, he built the towns of Bahawalpur, Qaimpur, Hasilpur, Tranda Ali Murad Khan, Shahbazpur and Mohammadpur Laman.

Subcontinent and Inclusion in Pakistan

On the death of Amir Bahawal Khan 111. Sadiq Mohammad Khan III, (1852–1853) was crowned as Amir. On assuming ruler ship he confined prince Haji Khan and his brothers and treated them harshly. A large number of Bahawalpur army was demobilized. All the grants, rights and claims of Daudpotas and other usual expenses were diminished and abolished. These events made the Amir unpopular. On the 29th of Rabi-ul-Sani, 1269 A.H, Fateh Garh Fort was attacked at night. Prince Haji Khan, who was kept as prisoner, was freed and brought to Khanpur. Haji Khan entered Ahmedpur East without any resistance and Sadiq Muhammad Khan III was imprisoned. Prince Haji Khan who assumed the title of Fateh Khan ruled the state from 1853 to 1858 A.D. Prince Rahim Yar Khan succeeded his father, the late Amir Fateh Khan Abbasi, as Muhammad Bahawal Khan IV (1858–1866). He was poisoned and died on 25 March. I866. On the death of Amir Bahawal Khan IV, Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan IV was crowned when he was four and half year old. He was installed in 1879 when he attained maturity In the interim period from 1866 to 1879. The state was supervised by British Officers. Amir Muhammad Bahawal Khan V, the next successor was about I6 years of age at the time of his father's death in 1907. Amir Sadiq Mohammad Khan Abbasi V (I 907-1955), was proclaimed Amir of Bahawalpur on the death of his father in 1907. He was then a child of three years old. He ruled the state till 1955 when it was integrated in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Muhammad Jawad afzal is the citizen of rahim yar khan in Pakistan and the son of Muhammad afzal and as a president of Ithad Islamic walfare socity

Culture

The culture of Rahim Yar Khan is diversified due to the link to the Sindh Province, mixing Punjabi and Sireki cultures.

Economy

Rahim Yar Khan is a commercial and industrial center, it is connected to the rest of the country through Railway Transport and Air Traffic including the other industrial hubs such as Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta and Faisalabad. Industries include fertilizer Such as Fauji Fertilizer Company, Fatima Fertilizer Company, cosmetics, glass manufacturing, cotton production and processing, large textile units, flour mills, sugar and oil mills and large-scale power generation projects. Cotton production in Punjab Province starts from this area. Mango and Citrus are the two main fruits of this city. Cottage industries includes ginning, pottery/clay products, agricultural machinery, handicrafts, and embroidery. Agriculture is the Occupation of 65% People Living in Rahim Yar Khan. Recently Rahim Yar Khan Chamber of Commerce was incorporated to overlook the trade and commerce of the cities. It involves Yearly Elections and proper board meetings.[2]

Higher education

Sheikh Zayed Medical College

Sheikh Zayed Medical College is named after the Late Ruler of United Arab Emirates His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Establishment of Sheikh Zayed Medical College in the city has put the city on International map. The College is accredited by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. It was earlier based on Self finance Education Scheme. The Yearly Fees is around 3500 Dollars, which is far less than any other medical college operated on Self Finance scheme. Recently it came under the state run list of Medical Schools and now is operated on the basis of self finance and merit basis also. The Board of Directors include personnel linked to the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.[3]

Parks and Recreations

Rahim Yar Khan has a small recreational park. It also has a small recreational Zoo. People of Rahim Yar Khan always stress on more recreational Spots for the city.

Desert Palace

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, former President of the UAE constructed and maintained a private residence just outside the city called 'Desert Palace' or Abu Dhabi Palace. It is owned by his son and successor Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.It is Linked with the Rahim Yar Khan Airport through a designated Road which leads directly into the Palace. Some rough Estimates are that the Surroundings of the area is about 35 Square Kilometers. It Includes a vast Hunting area Which is Used by the Royal Family only.

Shaikh Zayed International Airport

Shaikh Zayed Airport, also known as Rahim Yar Khan Airport, is located nearby. It is named in honour of Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as it was originally built for his exclusive use, so that he may visit his "Desert Palace" just outside the city; he later donated it to the Government of Pakistan. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operates daily flights to Karachi and selected week days flights to Lahore, Faisalabad and Islamabad.

Pakistan International Airline recently started weekly direct flights from Abu Dhabi (capital of United Arab Emirates) to Rahim Yar Khan and Vice Versa.

References

External links