Chiniot District
| Chiniot District ضلع چنیوٹ | |
|---|---|
| District | |
 | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Punjab |
| Division | Faisalabad Division |
| Capital | Chiniot |
| Established | February 2, 2009 |
| Government | |
| • District Coordination Officer | Irshad Ahmed |
| Population (1998) | |
| • Total | 965,124 |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
| Number of Tehsils | 3 |
Chiniot District (Urdu: ضِلع چِنيوٹ), became the 36th district of the Punjab province of Pakistan in February 2009.[1] At an earlier time it was a tehsil of Jhang District.
History
Chiniot region was agricultural region with forests during the Indus Valley Civilization. The Vedic period is characterized by Indo-Aryan culture that invaded from Central Asia and settled in Punjab region. The Kambojas, Daradas, Kaikayas, Madras, Pauravas, Yaudheyas, Malavas and Kurus invaded, settled and ruled ancient Punjab region. After overunning the Achaemenid Empire in 331 BCE, Alexander marched into present-day Punjab region with an army of 50,000. The Chiniot region was ruled by Maurya Empire, Indo-Greek kingdom, Kushan Empire, Gupta Empire, White Huns, Kushano-Hephthalites and Shahi kingdoms.
In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he conquered the Shahis in Kabul in 1005, and followed it by the conquests of Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Punjab region.
After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh invaded and occupied Narowal District. The Muslims faced severe restrictions during the Sikh rule. The British took over Chiniot District in 1848.
The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslim refugees from India settled in the Chiniot District.
"Chiniot" name is from Chandan Khan sister of Malik Machchhe Khan, Raja of Chiniot, a khokhar rajput clan. Mari tappa (founded raja badal khan khokhar rajput)was not then populated, but andheri was flourishing, and north of it lay the dhaular, or abode of Rani chandan, which was called chandniot, now chiniot. Or some say its name is based on as , literally "OT" (Behind/Across) of "CHIN-ab river" ,hence Chiniot. According to Sir Denzil Ibbetson. Panjab Castes, A glossary of tribes and caste of Punjab by H.D.ROSE.Chiniot was known for its master crafted furniture, not only in Pakistan, but all over the world. Its highly special and master craft Jharokhas are known in the whole country. Sheikh, Janjua, Sayed, Sial, Qazi, Japaa, Bala, Chadhar, Haral,Glotar, Sangha, Khokhar, Lali, Sipra, Nesoana, Rehan, wallahRai and Khundowaa tribes are leading tribes [2]
On 2 February 2009, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif formally approved the creation of Chiniot as the 36th district of Punjab province on the behaf of Molana Ilyas Ahmed Chinioti.[3] Calls for Chiniot to be made a district date back to 2005, when a movement was a launched to elevate the former tehsil to district level. The movement died down when the public were assured the next Nazim would be from Chiniot – however this was not to be the case.[4]
Rana Tahir-the maiden DCO Chiniot along with Mr Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, raised the flag of Pakistan on DCO office on the fine morning of 1 July 2009. The efforts of Rana Tahir in giving a proper developed outlook to the infant district will find a place in history and cannot be over-emphasized. Mr Dilmeir Khan appointed as first district accounts officer and Mr Fayaz Sunbal was appointed as First DPO Chiniot.
Language
Punjabi is the native language of majority people. Urdu is also spoken.
National ground
Most of the villages in the district some known havily bata, Ayoub ngar, nalka ada, Chmra more. These villages were planned mostly along canal banks to distribute the population evenly. ayoub ngar is also famous for national cricket ground and famous team of national ground is ALI CC. The capton of Ali cc is ABUBAKAR ALI BATA. the team players are Saqib khan, Asad ullh bata, Raza shah, m.Ali, Nasir Ali, Qaisar, Bilal Hmza, Sna Ulah, Farooq, Usman, Mujahid.
Satellite town
Election commission office, Sui Gas office, Post Office, Hockey Ground, Excise and taxtation office, Zakat distribution office, Deaf & Dumb School are located in Satellite Town.thatta fateh ali is the most popular village of chiniot.
Nalka Adda (Hussain Abad)
This area is situated at about 47 km away from Chiniot city and about 10 km from tehsil Bhowana and almost boundary town of Chiniot district. This area is in moza Thatta Muhammad Shah. In Hussainabad there are two private schools and one bank which is mcb bank. Hussainabad is the centre of trade for the villagers. On every Saturday, a cattle mandi take place. Hussain Abad is developing rapidly after bhowana. The honourable personality of this village is Syed Nazar Abbas who is famous for his honesty. In this moza there are several villages, which are:
1. Riazwala
This area is about 1.5 km from Hussainabad. This is on the name of a famous saint Sakhi Haji syed Riaz Hussain, whose sharine is situated in Wara Sadaat. This area is famous for its records corps. There is one basic health centre and primary school for boys and girls separately.
2. Kandiwal
Kandiwal is the 1st union council of the distt Chiniot. The famous folk singer Sanam Marvi is also a resident of Kandiwal.
3. Aliabad
There is one Middle school of boys and no any English medium school in the area. This whole area is under the influence of Sardars which are the landlords. The Sardars and Landlords do not want any development for the education of local people because do not want people to be educated and often patronage the thieves.
4. Ratta Pur Bala
It has fertile lands with small holdings. Important crops grown are wheat, rice, sugarcane, and maize. There are primary Schools for boys and girls. The entire village consists of only one caste "Balla". Most people of the village are illiterate. There are three tomb of "Olia-e-Kram". Most famous tomb is "Bava Syed Jhulan Shah". Annual Oras and Mela is continuing from Last 100 years. Malik Dilmer Khan Bala was first District accounts officer belong to this village.
5. Sheikhan City
Adda Sheikhan is situated 44 km away from District Chiniot. It contain fertile soil mostly useful for large scale production of wheat, rice, barley, cotton, vegetables and fruits. It has become the hub of trade, commerce and education. There are primary and middle schools for boys and girls at government level but some private schools such as Jinnah cadet school, Alqamar model school and Science system school are providing quality education in enhancing people's morale. There are also two Schools of religious thought, Jamia Imam -Ul- Asr(as) and Madrassa Qamr ul Uloom providing people the education of Quraan -o- Hadith and Fiqh. Adda Sneikhan produces many people having high education and research in different subjects and sharing there roles in different government institutions. Many famous personalities visit this area. Annual religious processions like Ashura and Eid meelad-un-Nabi are celebrated and both Shia and Sunni participate together which shows the intra-faith unity of local people. Recently, it has become the part of Chiniot District. But Adda Sheikkhan is not provided with any development program from Chiniot District the Chief Minister Shehbaz Shareef announce funds for different projects so people are worry about the negligence of this area. The authorities are not taking any attention to this area in case of any development as the area containing almost 30000 population and about 45 villages are connected for livelihood, business, education and trade but there in no infrastructure for these activities. The population want the urgent release of funds for construction of Government High schools for Boys and Girls and also for sewerage system because the area has right if merit is included. 6.Moza Sarrowala. Sarrowala is situated 44 km away from District Chiniot. It contain fertile soil mostly useful for large scale production of wheat, rice. It has become the hub of trade, commerce and education. There are Primary and middle school for boys and girls at government level.
Fauna and flora
The fauna and flora of the district include: Jand trees (Prosopis spicigera), Karir (Capparis aphylla), Beri (Ziziphus jujuba), Van (Salvadora abeoides), Kikar (Acacia arabica), Shisham (Dalbergia ) and Aak (Calotropis hamiltoni) are found within the district.[5]
Architecture
The Omar Hayat Mahal (also known as Gulzar Manzil), is a 19th-century palace in Chiniot. (Badshahi Masjid) it was built by Nawab Saad Ullah Khan. It has same architecture as Shahi Masjid Lahore. Nawab Saad Ullah was minister in the cabinet of the Mughal Empire.
References
- ↑ Archive | Your Source of News on the World Wide Web. Dawn.Com. Retrieved on 2011-11-04.
- ↑ TMA Chiniot Website. Tmachiniot.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-04.
- ↑ Chiniot gets district status: Rs500m for infrastructure. Dawn. Retrieved on 2011-11-04.
- ↑ Jhang nazim's choice sparks row in party. Dawn.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-04.
- ↑ Punjab Portal. Pportal.punjab.gov.pk (2008-08-26). Retrieved on 2011-11-04.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coordinates: 31°43′12″N 72°58′48″E / 31.72000°N 72.98000°E