Hafizabad
| Hafizabad | |
|---|---|
| City and tehsil | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Region | Punjab |
| Union councils | 25 |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC+6) |
| Area code(s) | 0547 |
Hafizabad (Urdu: حافظ آباد ) is a city and tehsil of Hafizabad District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is situated at 32° 4′ N. and 73° 41′ E.
Ancient History
Hafizabad is an old city. In 327 BC, when Sikandar-e-Azam attacked Hindustan, the territory of the Sandal Bar (where Hafizabad is now located) was a populated area. Big cities were located in this territory, and a lot of sub states were organized here in the presidency of Maharajaz and Rajaz.
In the 6th century, when the famous Chinese tourist Hewang Sayan came here, the area was backward but not empty. Then the tourist moved to Sangla; he stayed one night in one good town then called Jai Pura, which was located near the village Koriala.
Medieval History
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. Durong the Delhi Sultanate period a big city was situated at the site of the present village of Mehdiabad. But afterwards this territory became unpopulated and jungle-like because of a shortage of water and Afghan incursions. This situation persisted until Mughal Emperor Akbar's period. Hafizabad was formerly a place of some importance, and is mentioned in the Ain-i-Akbari as headquarters of a Mahal. Hafiz, the founder, was a favourite of emperor Mughal Emperor Akbar.[1]
Legend of King Akbar
According to one legend, Mughal Emperor Akbar came to the present-day site of Hafizabad on a hunting trip. The King lost his company as he was busy hunting. This territory was a jungle-like area and there was nothing to eat or drink. The Akbar felt thirsty and wanted to drink some water. Suddenly he was astonished to see smoke. He followed the smoke and found a cottage, and in the cottage there was a man named Sarmast, a Muslim Sufi. The Akbar told him about his thirst and asked for some water. Sarmast had no water, but he called up a grazing deer and milked it to serve the Akbar with milk. The Akbar drank the milk and told the Sarmast that he was a king and said, "Please ask me for the thing you want. I will give you whatever you want." Faqir Sarmast asked him to build a town for his pupils. The Mughal Emperor Akbar promised and ordered the current Hakim, named Hafiz Meerak, to construct a city there.
Hafiz Meerak did as the Mughal Emperor Akbar ordered. The town, Hafizabad, took its name from his name. One source says that Akbar wanted to name the town Akbarabad, but the name Hafizabad became popular until the Akbar knew about its creation. Akbar also remained the name same as Hafizabad. Historians think that this city came into being between 1556 – 1570.
Sikh and British Periods
After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh invaded and occupied Hafizabad. The Muslims faced severe restrictions during the Sikh rule. In 1846 Hafizabad came under the supervision of British colonial rule, when a settlement of land revenue was effected under order from the provisional government at Lahore. The Jat Muslim Tarar family was made Sardar of Hafizabad city by the British Government during the mid-19th century. The main population was located where an old church is now located.
Independence
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 Hafizabad. Most of the refugees have since settled and inter-married into the local population.
Politics
Geography
- Latitude of Hafizabad: 32,0667 (32°4′0.120″N)
- Longitude: 73,6833 (73°40′59.880″E)
- Altitude: 207 m
- Population 2012: (398922)(city population)
Hafizabad is 30 miles (48 km) away in the west from Gujranwala. Connection with the city is by Gujranwala Road or Hafizabad Road. On the Wazirabad – Faisalabad Railway Section, Hafizabad is the eighth railway station. The distance to the city of Wazirabad is 37 miles (60 km). Basically it is an agricultural city. Since the construction of an interchange near Sukheki, Hafizabad is now just 22 kilometers away from the M2 motorway.
Rivers
The Chenab River originates in the snow-covered central range of the Himalayas. It receives numerous smaller streams from the lower hills which depend upon rainfall. It breaks out from a rocky gorge in the hills, six miles (10 km) to the north of Bajwat, Distt.
Sialkot flows downward from Marala Headwork and enters Hafizabad District near Kot Kkamer, a village of Hafizabad Tehsil. It forms a natural boundary between Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad districts.
Industry
Major portion of the country's rice exports are from Hafizabad, which is sometimes referred to as the Land of Rice or City of Rice. Cotton power loom (weaving) is the second largest industry of Hafizabad. It is linked directly with the cotton market in Faisalabad and businessmen from Faisalabad deal directly with the cotton industry in Hafizabad. It plays an important role in the development of Hafizabad. This industry has been badly affected by the energy crisis.
Before the partition, the per-annum income of Hafizabad just from rice was 1.5 Crore. Peshwar, Agra, Mithra, Calcutta, Karachi, and Sukker were Hafizabad's main clients. Up to 23 rice mills were there until the partition of India.
The following types of rice are cultivated in Hafizabad: Basmati 385, Basmati 386, Super Karnal, 1121 Sella, Ery Nine, Erey Six, Super Fan, and KS 282. An other very famous place is Head Sagar Complex in which an Irrigation Canal is passing over a link canal. Its very common and interesting place for new visitor in Hafizabad.
Mosques
The city of Hafizabad has many mosques.Notable mosques include Jamia Masjid khizra Al maruf Masjid barneyan wali Mohalla Garhi awan,Jamia Masjid Makki Jallalpure Road,Jamia Masjid Tehsil wali Fawara Chowk, Markazi Jamia Masjid Qadeem Vanekay Road, Shabir Shah Masjid, Masjid-e-Sadiqia, Jamiya Masjid Haneef Sheir Pura, Eid gah Masjid, Masjid-e-Abu Hanifa, Sidiqia Masjid college road.Dar us Sunnah Railway Station, Masjid Khooh Wali Misri Khan,Masjid Tayiba Gujranwala Road,Masjid Kdimiayan Waniky road,Masjid Al-fatah, Markazi Jamia Masjid Jamalay Mustafa Kot Hassan Khan with electic automatic door. imam Bargha ward number1. Markazi imam bargha fawara chowk, Darbar-e-Hussain and Masjid Anwar-e-Madnia Mollah Kashmir Nagar.Jamiah masjid Nooraani garhiawan.Masjid Yahya sahib wally. Masjid Nasrullah sahib wally. Jamiah Masjid Subaidar wali Kasoki road.Ahmadiyya Jamaat Khana mulana mairaj ud din sb wali bukken kalan,Masjid Bilal husain pura.Jamia Masjid Mubarak jamia masjid sher-e-rabani kassoke road Jamia Masjid Al-Bader mohala bahawal pura shaqri kassoki road hafizabad, Masjid Amna Madrian wala road mohalla Amna Abad(Tajpura),jamia masjid cheshtia qadria (mohallah dhab wala)
Sports
Hafizabad is very famous in sports,Most famous game is Horse tent pigging best rider of District(Malik Muhammad Akram Awan of Kot Hassan Khan and his nephew Malik Jahagir Maqbool Awan a young rider and a Kabadi Player)volleyball shooting(Rai Noor Muhammad Kharal known as Noori from Thatha Hashmat and Tariq Iqbal From Kotishaq are famous player of volleyball Shooting), cricket (Prince Abbas Alvi), hockey (Muhammad Javed Olympian 1999), kabadi from Kot Hassan Khan (Muhammad Shfiq Awan Hafizabadi a very yong best kabader of Punjab)etc.SOCCER(FOOTBALL) Sikandar Hayat from Kot Ishaq is one of the renowned Footballer of the District, whose famous single leading goal made it possible for M.H.Sufi Foundation school to win Division championship for the first time. He is the only player from district hafizabad who got training from German coach Mr Hoggler, a camp which was organized by Pakistan Football Federation. MR. KHALID GORAYA from VENIKE TARAR is a well known for its coaching services for Football.
Education
Over a period of time many new schools and colleges have been established in the district and over all education standard has improved. Recently a new school system has emerged in the with the name Centurion which is a great milestone in the field of education. Among all the educationists Maj(r)Hasan Raza Awan has worked tremendously to raise the standard of education in the area.
Colleges
Farabi Law College Affiliated with University of the Punjab, M.H.SUFI foundation college kot ishaq, Govt. college for Boys, Now upgraded renamed as Govt. College Hafizabad, Govt.Islamia Degree college for Women, Punjab college of commerce, Superior college Hafizabad, Muslim College hafizabad, Hafizabad College of Commerce, Hafizabad college of Business Studies, Grw road Hafizabad, Justice law college Dakkhana road hafizabad, The Management Club 1st Floor Usman Plaza Fawara Chow Hafizabad. Causeway College Hafizabad For -Boys & Girls
Schools
Sir Syed Scholars INN, District Public Schoool, Grammar Model School, Misali Public School, Abdali Public School, Crescent Modal School, M. H. Sufi Foundation School, Beaconhouse school system,Brooksfield School System, Allied School System, The Readers School,
References
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Coordinates: 32°04′N 73°41′E / 32.067°N 73.683°E