History of Gujrat

History of Gujrat, a city in Punjab Pakistan

Gujrat is an ancient city which was founded by zRaja Bachhan Pal Gurjar in 460 BC, according to a British historian. Historical consensus is that it existed in the time of Alexander the Great (known as Sikandar-e-Azam in Pakistan), and that the city’s Raja Porus put up a fierce challenge to Alexander’s invasion at the bank of the JehlumRiver. The establishment of Gujrat City was realized early in the 1900 century after the British Empire and in support of regional land lords (e.g.,Daswandi Khan of Daswandi Pura).

During the Mughal period Mughal royalty would travel through the district en-route toKashmir. When King Jahangir died while he was returning from Kashmir, the news of his death was not released to avoid any unrest in the empire. As such, his abdominal organs were taken out and buried in Gujrat.

Two main battles between British and Sikh armies were fought in this district: the “Battle of Chillianwala” and“Battle of Gujrat”. Only after winning the battle of Gujrat on 22 February, 1849the British declare victory in Punjab.

According to Britanica, the city lies just north of the Chenab River and is connected withLahore and Peshawar via theGrand Trunk Road. The present city, which lies on the site of a succession of earlier cities, developed around the fort built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1580. In 1867 it was incorporated as a municipality. A battle fought there in 1849 broke Sikh power and permitted British annexation of the Punjab.

The area in which Gujrat is situated lies between the Chenab and Jhelum rivers and marks the northern limits of the Punjab plains. TheLowerJhelum Canal irrigates some 1,250 square miles (3,200 square km) under wheat, millet, and legume cultivation. A mound at Mung (Mong) has been identified as the site of Alexandria Nicaea, the city built by Alexander the Great on the field of his victory over Raja Porus in the 4th century B.C.

There are many historical buildings and ruins in and around Gujrat. The Grand Trunk Road commonly abbreviated as GT road built by emperorSher Shah Suri also passes from Gujrat. The road still exists today, along with its period stone wall. The villages Gorala, Kunjah, Jalalpur Jattan, Mangowal and Kathala Chenab are historic villages, they gives many popular persons like poets. Most of the people in these villages are Jutt Warraich. Other main tribes are Gujar, Jutt, Syed, Khokhar and Jutt Gondal. The nearby towns of Shadiwal, kalra kalan Tanda, Adowal, Amra Kalan, Kotla,Bangial, Dinga and Kunjah have historical buildings and ruins. The village Kurree Sharif is famous for the shrines of saints and mazar of Malik Jusrus, the forefather of Maliks (Khokhars) of Punjab.