Jhang Beautiful Historic District of Pakistan. Jhang is the capital city of Jhang District, in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. It is situated on the east bank of the Chenab river. Jhang District is situated in the central Punjab. The district Jhang is adjoined by Toba Tek Singh and Faislabad to the East, Hafizabad to the North-East, Khanewal on the South, Sargodha on the North, Khushab, Bhakkar and Layyah on the West.
District Jhang spreads over an area of 8809 square kilometers.
District Jhang is further divided in to four tehsils.
- Jhang
- Chiniot
- Shorkot
- Ahmed pur Sial
Area Jhang Beautiful Historic District of Pakistan
Most of the land is plain cultivable, except the area near the bank of River Chenab where there is a series of Kirana Hills. In the Western part, a desert area called Thal extends from the banks of the Jehlum River to the far West in the districts of Khushab and Bhakkar, while the Sandal Bar area arises from the Pabbarwala area nears the Gujranwala boundary. No cultivation was possible in this wild area in past. Later, the British Colonial Government established a canal system and the town of Lyallpur (now Faisalabad) on 975 acres of land, which is now the textile industry hub of Pakistan.
Between the Jehlum and Chenab rivers, a small area of kirana bar is also located in this district, which ends at the Ghoriwala village. The area alongside the banks of rivers Ravi, Chenab and Jehlum is called Hitthar (area in which flood water reaches), while the upland area between bars and hitthar is called Utar.
Culture
Jhang is the burial place of Heer and Ranjha, of Punjabi folklore. Punjabi folk dances such as Jhummar and Sammi are popular in this area. Jhummar is a dance for men while Sammi is for women. The famous form of folk music is known as Dhola or Jhang da Dhola. The men wear turbans and dhotis (like a kilt) though in recent years people have started wearing the national dress which is shalwar kameez. The old women still wear dhotis (skirts) but the younger women wear shalwar kameez. Tent Pagging (naiza baazi) and kabaddi are very popular among the people of Jhang.
Traditionally men wear turbans and dhotis (similar to a skirt or kilt) though in recent years people have started wearing the national dress, the shalwar kameez. Some older women also wear dhotis. When women wear dhotis, the style is referred to called “Majhla” in Jhangochi; th male style is called “Dhudder”. However, it is more common for women to wear Shalwar Qameez.
Teeyan and Trinjan was an important activity for women in which they used to weave cloth using the spinning wheels, but this trend no longer exists.
History
The area was inhabited at the time of Alexander but the present city of Jhang was built in 1288 by Rai Sial with the advice of Hazrat Shah Jalal Bukhari (his peer). Sial tribe ruled this city for 360 years. It was then destroyed by the river and re-founded during the reign of Aurangzeb. Under Central Asian Mughal rule, the city flourished and was notable for commerce and trade.
In the late 18th century, it became part of the Afghan Empire. With disarray and chaos falling internal strife in Western Afghanistan and the gradual decline of the Mughal Empire, the city was briefly taken by Ranjit Singh in 1805. Later in 1849, the British made inroads into the Punjab and added Jhang to their expanding South Asian Empire.
During British Rule the towns of Jhang and Maghiana, lying two miles apart, became a joint municipality, then known as Jhang-Maghiana.
Climate & General Soil Conditions
The climate of the district is hot and dry during summer and cold and dry during winter. The surface of the district presents three distinct levels i.e. Sand Dunes of Thal on the extreme West, low lying river valley in the centre and old Sandal Bar on the extreme East. The rivers of Jhelum and Chenab make their way through the district and Trimmu Head-works is the pint of their confluence.
Trees of jand (Prosopis spicigera), karir (Capparis aphylla), beri (Zizyphus jajaba), van (Salvadora abeoides), kikar (Acacia arbica), shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) and aak (Calotropois hamiltonit) are found in abundance in this district.
The major crops of this district are Wheat, Cotton, Rice, Sugar Cane, Maize and Grams. The main fruits are Mango, Orange and Lemon.
Famous Tourist Spots
Mazar (Shrine) of Hazrat Sultan Bahu
Born in Shorkot in 1039H, Sultan Bahu was a 17th century scholar and Sufi poet. He wrote his famous Dewan in Urdu, Persian and Punjabi and have written more than 140 books. His initial shrine was in the fort of Kergan at the bank of the River Chenab but with the river changing its course it was moved, not once but twice to its present location in Ahamd Pur Sial. People from far off places come to attend his Urs held every 7th to 10th of Muharram-ul-Haram.
Heer’s Tomb
Heer is the heroine of the famous folk story “Heer Ranjha” and her tomb lies just north of Jhang on the way to Faisalabad. An annual fair is held at her tomb.
Mehal Umer Hayat (Chiniot)
It is also known as Gulzar Manzil. This Mehal is in the old centre of the ancient town of Chiniot(Distt. Jhang) and is wrapped in mystery and silence. Facing the Mughal Fort, it was constructed in eight years(1922 A.D to 1930 A.D) at a phenomenal cost of four lac rupees. With a splendid ground floor and three story building, topped by a wooden pavilion, it encapsulated the finest traditions of local wood, fresco, jali, glass, plaster and brick work.
Other Shrines in Jhang
· Darbar Mahni Sharif : Kot Lakhnana, 6th Mile, Gojra Road, Jhang
· Hazrat Sultan Bahoo (RA) : Tehsil Shorkot, Distt. Jhang.
· Hazrat Shah Jewana (RA) : Shah Jewana, Tehsil & Distt. Jhang.
· Sial Sharif : Sial Sharif, Sargodha Road, Jhang.
· Maai Heer : Faisalabad Road, Jhang Saddar.
· Peer Hathy Wan : Jhang City
· Shrine of Athara Hazari : Athara Hazari Jhang.
· Baloki Shareef : Mochi Wala, Faisalabad Road, Jhang.
· Hazrat Shah Sadiq Nahang : Shorkot Multan Road, Jhang.
· Darber Rodoo Sultan : Garrh MahaRaja Road, Jhang.
· Darbar Peer Gohar Shah
· Peer Noor Ahmad Hashmi: Chiniot Mor, Jhang
· Darbar Mian Murad
· Peer Mirak Sial
