Sahiwal Division

Sahiwal Division (Punjabi, Urdu: ساہیوال‎) is one of the nine Divisions of Punjab province, Pakistan.

Sahiwal Division

ساہیوال
Division
Location of Sahiwal (in red) in Punjab, Pakistan and (inset) Punjab in Pakistan.
Coordinates: 30°39′52″N 73°6′30″E
Country Pakistan
ProvincePunjab
CapitalSahiwal
Established2008[1]
Districts3
Government
 • TypeDivisional
 • CommissionerAli Bahadur Qazi
Area
 • Total10,302 km2 (3,978 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)[2]
 • Total7,380,386
 • Density720/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
 Combined population of all Districts of Sahiwal
Main language(s)
 • Urdu, English, Punjabi
Time zoneUTC+5 (PST)
Postal code
57000
Dialling code040[3]
Websitewww.sahiwal.gov.pk

It was formed by merging parts of Lahore Division and Multan Division and took its name Sahiwal from the district and city of the same name, which in turn are named for the Sahi Clan of the Kharal tribe, the traditional inhabitants of the area. In 2008, Sahiwal Division was reorganised into three districts: Sahiwal District, Okara District and Pakpattan District. The city of Sahiwal is the capital of Sahiwal Division. In 1998, the population of Sahiwal was 6,271,247. The population rate of growth was 1.92 percent per annum.[4]

About 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Sahiwal is Harappa, an ancient city of the Indus Valley civilisation. About 28 miles (45 km) west of Sahiwal, at Kamalia township, is the site of Malli, a city captured by Alexander the Great in 325 BCE. Alexander stayed in this region of Punjab for two years in a time of frequent military conflict.[5]

Location
Boundaries of Sahiwal Division

Sahiwal Division is located at about 30.6 degrees north latitude and 73.1 degrees longitude in east central Pakistan in the Punjab region. It lies on the Pakistan national highway N-5 about halfway between Lahore and Multan. Sahiwal division is bordered by Faisalabad Division to the west; Lahore Division to the north; Bahawalpur Division and India to the east; and, Multan Division to south.

Sahiwal division lies on the floodplain of two rivers. Ravi River lies to the west; and, Satluj River lies to the east. The dry Khushak Bias also passes through the Sahiwal Division, separating the Sahiwal District from the Pakpattan District.

Almost 28,956 acres of the division is forested.

The Sahiwal Division lies 500 ft (150 m) above sea level.

Administration
Okara Public Park

Sahiwal Division consists of three districts and seven tehsils.

Division Districts Tehsils
Sahiwal Sahiwal Sahiwal
Chichawatni
Okara Okara
Depalpur
Renala Khurd
Pakpattan Pakpattan
Arifwala

Sahiwal is one of the nine divisions of Punjab, Pakistan. In 2008, after Pakistan national elections, the new democratic government restored the former tier of divisions and appointed Commissionaires for each division.

Sahiwal Division was formed in an area of 10302 km2. Its three districts are Sahiwal District, Pakpattan District and Okara District, each governed by a District Coordination Officer. Sahiwal District has two tehsils; Sahiwal and Chichawatni. Towns in these tehsils include Qadirabad, Yousafwala, Iqbal Nagar, Kassowal, Noorshah, Gogera, Malkahans, Harappa and Ghaziabad.

History

Indus Valley civilisation

Harappa, an archaeological site in Sahiwal Division, which takes its name from a small nearby village has revealed remains of a typical Indus Valley civilisation (3300 BCE - 1300 BCE) fortified Bronze Age city.[6] In about 1900 BCE, the Indus Valley civilisation began to decline. The population may have moved away due to changes in the environment. Jim G. Shaffer and Diana A. Lichtenstein (in Erdosy 1995:139) stated that: "This shift by Harappan and, perhaps, other Indus Valley cultural mosaic groups, is the only archaeologically documented west-to-east movement of human populations in South Asia before the first half of the first millennium B.C.."

Ecological factors that may have been involved in the decline include drying up of the Ghaggar-Hakra River and increased aridity in Rajasthan. The Indus River also began to flow further east and floodings occurred.[7]

Shaffer (as cited in Bryant 2001:192) suggested: "There were no invasions from central or western South Asia. Rather there were several internal cultural adjustments reflecting altered ecological, social and economic conditions affecting northwestern and north-central South Asia".

Alexander the Great
Surrender of King Porus to Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great (356 BCE - 323 BCE) came to the Sahiwal region in 326 BCE. He conquered reigning local leaders such as King Porus. During his Mallian Campaign of 326 BCE, Alexander followed his retreating opponents, the Mallians, to the city of Multan. The village of "Malli" in Kamalia Tehsil, is reminiscent in name.

Ashoka

Following Alexander's departure from the region, the Punjab region was ruled by Ashoka (reign about 260 BCE to 232 BCE) of the Maurya Empire. After the decline of the Maurya dynasty, the Sahiwal region was ruled by invading forces including the Muslims, Mongols, and Lodhis.

Mughal

From about 1524 CE, the Sahiwal region fell under the rule of the Mughal Empire. Sher Shah Suri (1486 - 1545), extended a road from Delhi to Multan, the Great Trunk Road . Where the road passes through Gogera, it is known as the Kakhan Wali Sarak.

Sher Shah Suri also constructed a fort at Shergarh, in Okara District. The Mughals' dominance in the Sahiwal area continued to 1739 CE.

Sikh

From the time of the decline of the Mughal Empire, Sahiwal fell under the rule of the Sikh Empire. However, as well as the Sikh Nakkais there were powerfulMuslim tribes such as the Kharrals, Sials, Wattus, and Hans in the Sahiwal region.

Between 1804 CE and 1810 CE, Maharaja Ranjit Singh held most of the Sahiwal area. However, the Nawab of Bahawalpur, on the payment of tributes to Ranjit Singh, held a strip of territory along the Sutlej river. Ranjit Singh resumed rule of this territory when Nawab defaulted on his payments. After Ranjit Singh's death in 1839 CE, the Sikh Empire declined.

British
British troops crossing the Sutlej river, Punjab, 10 February 1846

From 1845 CE to 1849 CE, Sahiwal was embroiled in the Anglo-Sikh wars. In 1847, Sahiwal came under control of the British East India Company. In that year, a British revenue officer was sent to Sahiwal to collect land taxes. In 1849, the Sahiwal district was formed with its headquarters in Pakpattan. In 1852, the district was expanded to include an area east of the Ravi river, the "trans-Ravi portion". The district headquarters were moved to Gogera.

In 1865, a railway was opened, and the district headquarters was moved to a village on the line called "Montgomery" after Sir Robert Montgomery, a colonial administrator.[8] In 1979, Montgomery was renamed "Sahiwal".

Indian Rebellion 1857

During the Indian rebellion of 1857, there was an uprising of the Jat clans in Sahiwal. On 26 August 1857, prisoners rioted in an attempted jailbreak. Rai Ahmad Khan Kharal, leader of a local Kharral Jat clan, was detained at Gogera. He escaped, then was apprehended, then was released on bail, together with some other local leaders.[9]

In September 1858 Khan led an insurrection in the Neeli Bar district. He held the jungles of Gogera and had some successes against the British forces. Kamalia Tehsil was sacked. General Sir Crawford Chamberlain (1821 - 1902) moved north from Multan with a small force. At Chichawatni he was besieged for days. The uprising continued for three months. Along with his companions, Murad Fatiana, Shujaa Bhadroo, and Mokha Wehniwal, Khan killed Lord Berkley the Commissioner for Gogera. Several minor actions followed in the open field, until the rebels, driven from the plain into the jungles, were defeated and dispersed. The British troops then inflicted severe punishment on the insurgent clans, destroying their villages, and seizing large numbers of cattle for sale.[9]

The insurrection was centered in a wide area including Ganji Bar, Neeli Bar and Sandal Bar. The arena of conflict was bordered by the Sutlej river, the Ravi River and Chenab River. The area was thickly forested and suitable for resistance actions. For instance, Major Crawford Chamberlain was ambushed at Chichawatni.

Partition of India

Prior to 1947, Sahiwal was part of the Lahore Division of the Punjab Province of India. Then, with the Pakistan Movement for independence came the Partition of India. Sahiwal's minority Hindu and Sikh populations migrated to India. Muslim immigrants from India arrived. Sahiwal became a part of Pakistan. In 2008, the Sahiwal region, after a few changes in borders, became a "division".

Climate

In the Köppen climate classification, Sahiwal has a Semi-arid climate. More precisely, it is intermediate between a Desert climate (BW) and a Humid subtropical climate.

Temperatures in Sahiwal vary between hot and very hot in summer and are mild in winters. In May, June and July, temperatures increase to maximums between 40 and 50 °C. In winter months, the temperature falls to minimums between 5 and 10 °C.

Sahiwal lies on the edge of the Thar Desert at a low altitude and so, wet seasons are warm and dry seasons are cool. Sahiwal is also affected by the monsoon. Precipitation is very heavy in the monsoon, and dry during the rest of the year, with few or no months bringing moderate levels of precipitation.

The annual average rainfall in Sahiwal is approximately 349 mm.[10]

The soil in Sahiwal is fertile. The vegetation is short and scrubby. The land supports grasses, shrubs and some forests.

Economy

The economy of Sahiwal Division depends on agriculture and associated industries. The largest crop is wheat, followed by cotton.

Agriculture

Because there are nearby rivers, Sahiwal is a fertile zone within Punjab province. There is a canal irrigation system. Sahiwal is cultivated for the production of food. A number of types of crops are grown. This is possible because across Sahiwal there is some variation in climatic conditions. Crops farmed in Sahiwal include: wheat, sugarcane, cotton, tobacco, rice, mustard seed and maize. Plants such as rapeseed are grown for production of vegetable oil. Vegetables are cultivated including potato, onion, cauliflower, peas, carrot, turnip and Okra. Fruits grown in Sahiwal include citrus, guava, orange, lemon, mango, dates, jambul, jujube and mulberry.

Sahiwal's sandy region near the dry bed of the Dias river are used for growing cotton and peanuts. Areas in Yousuf and Arif are used to grow corn.

Forestry

Archaeologists suggest that the forests have been present in Sahiwal area since the times of the Indus Valley civilisation. Sculptures, stamps and seals depicting the animals such as bull, elephant, zebra and rhinoceros have been found. These are the animals of a humid subtropical climate.

Sahiwal has 28,956 acres (117 km2) of forested land. Some are in Chichawatni and Okara.[11] Trees in Sahiwal include:

Cattle
Main article: Sahiwal Breed
Sahiwala bull

The Sahiwal cattle breed, a dairy breed of Zebu or "humped cattle" is grown in the region. This cattle breed is tick resistant, heat tolerant and resistant to external and internal parasites Due to their heat tolerance and high milk production, Sahiwal cattle are grown in other Asian countries, African nations such as Kenya, Burundi, Somalia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria and Caribbean nations such as Jamaica, and Guyana.[12][13][14][15][16]

Other livestock types that are grown in Sahiwal include sheep, and goat. Fish and poultry are also in abundant.

The Nili-Ravi is a breed of domestic water buffalo native to the Sahiwal area.

Industry

Sahiwal's industry is cantered around products and services for its agriculture. Some industrial entities in Sahiwal include Mitchell's Fruit Farms Limited, Montgomery Biscuits and Sweets Factory, Engro Foods Limited, rice mills, sugar mills for example, Ittefaq Sugar Mills Limited, and Baba Farid Sugar Mills Limited, pharmaceutical suppliers, tobacco processing units, cotton ginning and pressing units, flour mills, fertilizer companies for example, Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited, vegetable ghee and cooking oil processing units, textile factories, soap and detergent factories, paper and paper board factories, poultry feed suppliers, seed processing units and tanneries.

Education

The average urban literacy rate of Sahiwal Division (Sahiwal, Okara, and Pakpattan) is 60.7 percent. The average rural literacy rate is 33.8 percent.[17]

Institutions

Other notable schools are Ad Alta School Sahiwal, Beaconhouse School System, BloomField Hall, The City School, Army Public School, Sahiwal, Army Public School, Okara, Government College For Women, Sahiwal, Government High School, Sahiwal, Government Mahmoodia High School, Sahiwal, Comprehensive School, Sahiwal, Government Pilot Higher Secondary School, Government Immamia College, Muhammadan Law College, Sahiwal, Multan Law College, Sahiwal, Government Commerce College, The Educators, Punjab Group of Colleges and The Limit Group of Colleges, Okara.

Libraries

Sahiwal Division has following libraries;

  • Government Jinnah Public Library, Sahiwal (established 1989)
  • COMSATS Sahiwal Library
  • Government Post Graduate College Sahiwal Library is the largest library in Sahiwal Division.
  • Sahiwal Public library (Library Bazm-e-Adab-o-Fikr) is the oldest library of Sahiwal.

Other libraries are Baldia Library, Government College for Women library, Zila Council Library and District Bar Library.

Demography
Interior of Sunni Mosque at Main Road Tariq Bin Zyad Colony, Sahiwal

At the time of the 1998 Census in Pakistan, the population of Sahiwal Division was 6,271,247. The population density was 608 people per square kilometre. Forty-seven percent were female. Seventy-five percent lived in an urban environment. The urban literacy rate was 60.7 percent. The rural literacy rate was 33.8 percent.

The Sahiwal population includes a small proportion of indigenous people living in pastoral communities. Another proportion are people whose ancestors moved to the area and were allotted lands by the British in about 1849. The Abadkar people were forcibly removed to Sahiwal from other areas of Punjab (especially the east) after the building of the irrigation canal system in Sahiwal. These people became sharefarming tenants of state-owned farms. In 1998, fourteen percent of the Sahiwal Division's population had come to the area in 1947 as a result of the partition of India.

Religion

Islam is the predominant religion in Sahiwal. In 1998, over 98.7 percent of residents in Sahiwal identified as Muslim. Islam was brought to the area by Muhammad Bin Qasim (695 CE - 715 CE) and Fariduddin Ganjshakar. Prior to Independence, most Muslim people in Sahiwal supported the All-India Muslim League and the Pakistan Movement.

Language

Punjabi is the first language of most people in Sahiwal (95%).While, Raangri (2.8%)and Urdu(2%) are also spoken.

Notable residents

Central Jail Sahiwal

The first jail in Sahiwal was the Gogera jail. Prisoners of war were housed there during India's First War of Independence. In 1873, the jail was moved to Sahiwal township and named "Central Jail, Sahiwal".

People who have been housed at the jail include: Jawaharlal Nehru, Zafar Ali Khan, Abul Kalam Azad, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Habib Jalib, Abdul Qayyum Khan and Agha Shorash Kashmeeri.

Twin cities

Sahiwal city is a twin of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, North West England. There is a direction sign in Rochdale's town centre that reads, "Sahiwal 3960 miles" and points towards Sahiwal.[20]

See also

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 April 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "DISTRICT WISE CENSUS RESULTS CENSUS 2017" (PDF). pbscensus.gov.pk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 August 2017.
  3. "National Dialing Codes". Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  4. "Punjab" Government of Pakistan Archived 2 November 2011.
  5. Razak A. Punjabi Literary History of Sahiwal in Punjabi.
  6. Harappa Archived 22 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Flam (1981, 1991) and Mackay (1938, 1943) as cited by Kenoyer in Erdosy (1995:224)
  8. Montgomery District Imperial Gazetteer of India, vol. 17 p. 410.
  9. Montgomery District Imperial Gazetteer of India vol. 17 p. 411.]
  10. Climate Profile My Weather 2 website.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. Handbook of Australian Livestock Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation,1989, third edition.
  13. Genus Bos: Cattle Breeds of the World MSO-AGVET (Merck and Co., Inc.) Rahway, N.J. 1985.
  14. Mason I. L. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. C.A.B International 1996. fourth edition p. 273.
  15. Sahiwal Cattle
  16. RCCSC Research Centre for Conservation of Sahiwal Cattle website.
  17. Education Archived 21 December 2012 at Archive.today Government of Pakistan.
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. Kibble T. W. "Muhammad Abdus Salam, K. B. E. (29 January 1926 – 21 November 1996)" in Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society November 1998, Vol. 44 p. 386 - 401.
  20. UK Parliament 1991.
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