Chishtian

Chishtian
—  City  —
Chishtian
Shrine of Sufi Saint Taj Sarwar Chishti
Chishtian Location in Pakistan
Coordinates: 29°48′N 72°50′E / 29.8°N 72.833°E / 29.8; 72.833Coordinates: 29°48′N 72°50′E / 29.8°N 72.833°E / 29.8; 72.833
Country	Pakistan
Province	Punjab
District	Bahawalnagar District
Tehsil	Chishtian Tehsil
Elevation	511 ft (155 m)
Time zone	PST (UTC+5)
- Summer (DST)	+6 (UTC)
Area code(s)	063

Chishtian (Urdu: چشتیاں) "The City of Love" is located in Bahawalnagar district of the Punjab Province of Pakistan. The city is situated at 150 meters above sea level. It was a sub-division of Bahawalpur Division, which was part of Bahawalpur State.

The language spoken in the city include Punjabi. There are several mills and factories located in Chishtian.

Founding

Chishtian city was founded by Sufi saint Taj Sarwar Chishti around 1265 CE (574 Hijri, Islamic calendar). The town is called Chishtian because of the word Chishti in his name. He was grandson of Sufi saint Fariduddin Ganjshakar of Pakpattan.

Pilgrimage site

Hazrat taj Sarwar made this place his adobe about seven centuries ago and spread Islam to the Hindu population of area. Later on, he embraced martyrdom and was buried there. He was one of the earliest Muslim saints in the subcontinent. Later, about 250 years ago, the great saint of Chishtia silsla (one of the spiritual chains of Sufism) Khawaja Noor Muhammad Maharvi was born in the neighbouring place called Mahar Sharif and emerged as a great Sufi from the same land.

Both saints' tombs are in the old city. Poorani (Old) Chishtian is so called because in the first quarter of the 20th century a new planned Chishtian was built just two kilometers southeast of Poorani Chishtian. Many followers come every year to visit their tombs and create a spiritual scene.

Economy

The Grain Market of Chishtian is a business hub of the area. Chishtian is surrounded by small industries and huge agricultural farms. A sugar mill also operates in vicinity of the city. The city is also popular because of his cotton crop. A paper mill, many cotton factories and ice factories and a few flour mills are working in Tehsil Chishtian.

Chishtian is connected with the world by metalled roads, railroads, telephone (PTCL Code: 063), mobile services available in Pakistan, and Pakistan Post (Postal Code: 62350).

Politics

The oldest, powerful feudal families of Chishtian are Chishtis, Sahibzadas, Bhaderas and Lakhwaras along with other Johiya Malkeras & Matyana families. These castes are original natives of Chishtian and are called Riyastis or Saraikis.

Geographical location

Chishtian is surrounded by large industrial and agricultural cities such as Vehari, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Hasilpur, Bahawalpur, Fortabas, Haroonabad, and Minchanabad.

The settlement scheme, which was planned and implemented by Nawab of Bahawalpur in the first quarter of the 20th century had given an opportunity to Punjabis to come and settle there. As a result the Arian, Jutt, Rana and Sayyed families are in significant number in the City of Chishtian and in the villages settled along the canals of Tehsil Chishtian. Satluj River passes beside the city.

Gallery

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  Chishtian city was founded by Sufi saint Taj Sarwar Chishti in year 574 Hijri (Islamic Calendar), around the year 1265

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  Shrine of Khawaja Noor Muhammad Maharvi is also located in the old Chishtian.

References

External links