Multan District
| ضِلع مُلتان | |
|---|---|
| District | |
| Multan District | |
| Country |
 Pakistan |
| Province | Punjab |
| Headquarters | Multan |
| Government | |
| • Commissioner Multan Division | Capt. (Retd.) Asadullah Khan |
| • District Coordination Officer | Zahid Saleem Gondal |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3,721 km2 (1,437 sq mi) |
| Population (August,14 2014) | |
| • Total | 6,933,841 |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
| Number of Tehsils | 4 |
Multan District (Urdu: ضِلع مُلتان), is a district in the Punjab province of Pakistan. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan it had a population of 3,116,851 (1.315 million or 42.2% in urban areas).[1][2][3] Its capital is the city of Multan.The district of Multan is spread over an area of 3,721 square kilometres.
Location
Multan District is surrounded by the Khanewal to the North and North East, the Vehari to the East and Lodhran to the South. The Chenab River passes on its Western side, across which lies Muzaffargarh.
History
Multan District 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 overrunning the Achaemenid Empire in 331 BCE, Alexander marched into present-day Punjab region with an army of 50,000. The Multan was ruled by Maurya Empire, Indo-Greek kingdom, Kushan Empire, Gupta Empire, White Huns, Kushano-Hephthalites and Shahi kingdoms.
In 712 A.D. Muhammad Bin Qasim conquered the Multan, made Muslim governance and the region became the part of Umayyad caliphate. After Muhammad Bin Qasim, 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 Empire invaded and occupied Multan District. The Muslims faced restrictions during the Sikh rule. During the period of British rule, Multan district increased in population and importance.
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 Multan District.
Language
Following are the demographics of the Multan district, by spoken language:
- Punjab province local people different dialects: 96%
- Other: 4%
Inhabitants of District speak a great variety of Punjabi dialects, although few of these dialects are called as separate language “Saraiki”, but because of good and loving nature of people there is no distinction or hate among different dialects and have a mix culture of Great (North and South) Punjab..
- Multani dialect (Local dialect spoken by 52% of district population)
- Majhi dialect ( Standard Punjabi dialect spoken by 25% of district population specially in cities and border area with Khanewal district)
- Raangri (18% population speaks this dialect a mixture of Rajasthani, Urdu & Punjabi and specially spoken in cities)
- Riasti (1% population near Border area with Bahawal pur and Lodhraan districts)
Other Languages include:
- Urdu is mother tongue of few people but being national language is spoken and understood by the sizeable population.
- English is also understood and spoken by the educated elite.
Tribes and Clans
Arain the desandants of Umayyad Arab soldiers who arrived with Muhammad Bin Qasim, Rajput, Jatt, Sheikh, Balouch, Syed, Gujjar, Niazi, Abbassi, Koreja, Naich, Chachar, Qureshi, Mahar, Khokhar. Arain tribe has a large population in the district. One Arain group is known as Multani Arain and the other Punjabi speaking Arain groups came and settle in the district from central and eastern Punjab in 1930s. Multani Arains speak Saraiki (Multani) and they are residing in Multan region since the time being of Muhammad Bin Qasim 711 A.D.
Administration
Khanewal District was created in 1985 by taking Kabirwala Tehsil and Mian Channu Tehsil from Multan District. Multan District currently has four tehsils:
- Multan City
- Multan Saddar
- Shujabad
- Jalalpur Pirwala
References
- ↑ "Multan District at Glance". Population Census Organization, Government of Pakistan. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ↑ "Punjab-Population of Urban Places 1901-98". Urban Resource Centre. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
- ↑ "Pakistan: General Information". Geohive. Geohive. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
External links
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