| Zira | |
| — city — | |
| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Punjab |
| District(s) | Firozepur |
| Population | 31,350 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
Zira is a city and a municipal council in Firozepur district in the Indian state of Punjab.
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The neighbourhood of Zira (the headquarters of the tehsil of the same name), in which there are many deserted sites, had been for many years a waste, when in 1508 Sayad Ahmad Shah came from Gugera and founded Zira Khas. He was driven out by Sher Shah Suri, during whose rule nearly all the villages of this ilawa were located. Mohar Singh was, in turn driven out by Diwan Mohkam Chand, Ranjit Singh’s General, and the ilaqa was added to the Lahore Demense. It was afterwards divided into two portions, of which the eastern portion, which preserved the name, Zira, was made over to Sarbuland Khan, a servant of the Lahore Government, and the western portion, to which the name, ilaqa Ambarhar, was given was made an appanage of Kanwar Sher Singh, son of the Punjab sovereign. At a later date, Sher Singh obtained the possession of the whole ilaqa and abolished the subdivision of Ambarhar.[1]
It is unclear when, exactly, the municipality was founded - one source indicates The Municipality Committee, Zira, was constituted in 1876[2] while another says 1867.[3]
Zira was one of the two tehsils of Punjab, (the other one being Firozpur), that was part of a controversy during the partition of India. Sir Cyril Radcliffe created the boundary between India and Pakistan just days before the partition. A draft of the Award was supposedly sent to Evan Jenkins, the provincial governor of Punjab by George Abell, Lord Mountbatten of Burma's private secretary, with a preliminary description of the Punjab boundary. This draft showed the Ferozepur and Zira tehsils being allotted to Pakistan. During partition Zira city had a Muslim majority by 51% Sikhs making up 35% and Hindus 14%. When violence erupted in most Firzopur Zira area was very quiet because most of the residents treated each other like brothers. Many Sikh residents were really close to there Muslim friends and did not want them to leave, but due to so much problems in the Firzopur area they had no choice to leave.[4]
The final version of the boundary however awarded the areas to India. This led Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, to proclaim that the Award of the Boundary Commission was unjust, incomprehensible and perverse. He, however, agreed to abide by it.[5] The dispute was settled in 1960 as part of an agreement between the governments of India and Pakistan.[6]
In 1947, at the time of partition, almost all the Muslim community who were living in "Zira" migrated to Pakistan. They settled in "Khanewal" district of Western Punjab. They engaged in farming, business and government services. Most of them named themselves as "Zeervi" (which is a sign of love to their "dharti maa"). These people always praised the good behaviour of Sikhs and Hindus at the time of partition. They remember sweet memories of Zira with tears. It reflects that how a calm and prosperous town was that prior to partition where the people lived with harmony. <ref. Muhammad Din Chaudhary, Gree Town, Khanewal, Pakistan>
The high-handedness of the British rulers in suppressing the rising tide of the freedom movement in the country with the worst type of governmental barbarity produced its reaction in the growth and spread of revolutionary activity to avenge the wrongs done to the people. Ono such incident in the Firozpur District was the Zira Bomb Case of October 1930.[7][8]
The Zira Bar Association was formed in the same year.[9]
As of 2001[update] India census,[10] Zira had a population of 31,350. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Zira has an average literacy rate of 63%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 66%, and female literacy is 59%. In Zira, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. Zira's population was 2,702 in 1853.[11]
Zira has not witnessed a revolution of development after 61 years of independence and before Independence it used to be one of the biggest trade hubs of Punjab. It used to be known that " Lahore toh baad Malwey di Zira Mandi Aaundi hain". But after independence this was forgotten in history. There has been no serious leader elected from Zira prior to 2007 so that he can take up the issues concerning his constituency. Every time there has been a trend of vendetta politics in this constituency and this proves how much illiteracy is relevant in this constituency. The government college set up here is about 5 km from the city and it offers just B.A courses in the world of modern science and technology. The students have to always travel a distance of about 30– 40 km to go to a nearest college at moga or ferozepur. The roads are always in bad shape after 8–12 months they have been built. Basic amenities lack in some areas of the town like Drinking water, Sewerage supply line, Green Belt, cleanliness of streets. There has always been a demand as Zira is more close to Moga it should be joined with Moga District but the present Badal Government attached it to Khadoor Sahib which is about 60 km from the town. This has led to a lot of agitation among the people and leaders from the government always try to console them saying it's a better deal but people don't know the after effects. Zira has a community park called Moti Bagh but it is in bad shape because it has never been allocated with funds to improve it. Many clubs like Rotary Club, Sahara Clubs are giving a helping hand to people in addressing their needs but they are not govt sponsored. They are no major industries set up by government in this area and it is rated in the top 20 backward areas of the Punjab and this has led to not generating employment among youth. This has led to many youths of the area getting into trouble by cheat travel agents who pretend that they can send them abroad but just take away all the money they have. Unemployment is a major issue in this town. In the commerce sector there are just about 8 banks and 3 Atm and this area has about 270 villages adjoining it and the needs can't be addressed by these banks but still there are no steps taken to boost the economy by encouraging private sector banks and industry to roll in. The major issue of this area is that it receives much more electricity cuts than the rest of Punjab taking an example during the summer months May–August the electricity cuts totaled to about 8–10 hours a day and even the farmers were not provided with adequate electricity. This town can be recognized that is something called "Harmony" between the communities. But still people have love in their hearts for their homes where they have families and friends living and hope someday Zira is recognized all over the world.
An ancient Jain Swetambara temple with ancient icons and wall paintings is located in Zira. The idols there are claimed to be more than 1200 years old. In 1896, A.D Vijayanand Surishwar ji Maharaj, who was also a scholar poet and social reformer of his time, performed the holy 'partishthan' ceremony at this temple. It is said that the temple is named after the 23rd Tirthankra Shri Parsavnathji Maharaj. The main idol is believed to be one of most sacred and ancient idols found anywhere. This temple underwent a total renovation process in 2006 and was reopened by huge anniversary ceremony in 108 th year of its existence by the holy Jain saint Shri Nityanand surishwar ji Maharaj and was attended by a large number of people related with Zira from all sects. This place is symbol secularism of this great town Zira. About 5 km from Zira on the NH-15 is the village of Lehra rohi Gillan. It is a birth place of the Jain Saint Shri Atmanand Surishwar ji Maharaj popularly known as Vijayanand ji Maharaj. He was the first saint for Murtipujak sect in the swetambar Jain. Interestingly, all the Jain preceptors and Acharyas (teachers) were recluses and did not have a family or maintain a place of their own. To the native villagers here, it feels like any Temple or Gurudwara for worshipping everyday. he visits made by people from all backgrounds and faiths, makes it a place where devotees learn the first lesson of communal harmony every morning. This place is planned to be constructed as a big tirath sthal for the jains.
main persnalities in zira city for cricket team icc cricket club zira 1. raj kumar dhamija 2. sanjeev kumar bajaj(sanju) 3. sonu chugh chugh spear parts 4 . joban kataria kataria rules 5. babbu bhatia
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Schools in Zira: There are about more than 100 schools in zira which includes major schools like - 1. Shri Atam Vallabh Jain Vidyapeeth 2. Doon Valley Public School 3. Sawan Mal Aggarwal School 3. Jeevan Mal Aggarwal Sen. Sec. High School 4. Ambrosial Public School 5. Shri guru hargobind sahib public school talwandi road 6. Koshal Jindal (Cashier of L.I.C Of India)
