Rahimyar Khan District

Infobox Pakistan district
district = Rahimyar Khan District
area = 11,880
population = 3,141,053
pop_year = 1998
density =
caption =
region = Punjab
established =
nazim = Sardar Rafique Haider Khan Leghari
naib_nazim = Husnain Zafar Warich
seats =
tehsils = 4
languages = Seraiki, Punjabi, Sindhi, Urdu and Balochi
website =

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caption = Rahimyar Khan is located in the south of Punjab.

Rahim Yar Khan district is a district in the Punjab province of Pakistan, the city of Rahim Yar Khan is the capital. The district lies between 27.40' - 29.16' north latitudes and 60.45' - 70.01' east longitudes. The Indus flows on the northern outskirts of the districts of Dera Ghazi Khan and Muzaffargarh. There is no other river, Nullah or lake in this district.

History

The Rahimyar area came under Greek control during Alexander the Great's Invasion of India, after Alexander victory at Multan, he appointed General Philipos to rule Multan and Uch and advanced himself towards Alor. This part of the country is also said to have been a part of the Buddhist Empire of Ashoka. Authenticated history of the district begins by about 493 CE, when the Raja dynasty of Rai dynasty came to the throne. In the Rai dynasty dominions were vast, extending from Kashmir and Kanauj to Kandhar and Seistan and on the west to Mekran and a part of Debal, while on the south to Surat.

During the reign of Raja Dahir some Arab carrying ships carrying merchandise were attacked and plundered by his subjects. Arsabs demanded compensation and on refusal by Raja Dahir, Muhammad Bin Qasim invaded this area in April 712 and conquered the whole territory up to Multan. Dahir was killed in the battle at Pawar. The territory remained under the various governors appointed by the Abbasid and the Ummayids from 712-870. In 871 the powers of Caliphs declined and the province of Sindh slipped from their control. Sindh went under the Balkh dynasty when two principalities, Multan and Mansura (Bahawalpur Division) were founded. In the 1578 the territory was invaded and conquered by the Ghjori Sultans of Delhi, who were succeeded by the Mughals. The exodus of the Abbasides nobles of Egypt to India had already started in the reign of Muhammad Taughlak Bin Ghiasuddin. Amir Muhammad Mubarik Khan 1, Abbasi who came to the power in 1702, was an able commander and leader. Throughout his reign he had to fight many battles against the Kalhoras. He abdicated in 1723 in favour of his son, Sadiq Mohammad Khan 1, who was killed in battle with Khuda Yar Kalhora. Amir Mohammad Bahawalpur Khan 1, (1746-1949) ascended the throne in 1746. During his short rule, he built the towns of Bahawalpur, Qaimpur, Hasilpur, Tranda Ali Murad Khan, Shabazpur and Mohammadpur Lamman. During his reign three canals namely Khan Wah, Qutab Wah and Wahi Qaider Dina were dug. As a result the agriculture of the state improved considerably and the people became prosperous. In 1776, the Sikhs confederates Jhanda singh, Ganda Singh and Hari Singh invaded the Amir"s trans-sutlej territories but were repulsed. Amir Mohammad Mubarik Khan II Abbasi was an able administrator and a powerful ruler. He took keen interest in building his army. Many of the forts on the border of the state were built during his reign. He kept the Sikhs in check. Many canals on which the prosperity of the district depended were constructed during his time.

The first treaty between Bahawalpur and the British government was affected in 1883, which remained in force till the 14th August, 1947 when the state acceded to Pakistan . On the death of Amir Bahawal Khan III, Sadiq Mohammad Khan III, (1852-1853 ) was crowned as Amir. On assuming rule, he confined prince Haji Khan and his brothers and treated them harshly. A large number of the Bahawalpur army was demobilized. All the grants, rights and claims of Daudpotas and other usual expenses were diminished and abolished. These events made the Amir unpopular. On the 29 th of Rabi-ul-Sani, 1269 A.H, Fateh Garh Fort was attacked at night. Prince Haji Khan who was kept as prisoner, was freed and brought to Khanpur. Prince Haji Khan, who was kept as a prisoner, was freed and brought to Khanpur. Haji Khan entered Ahmedpur East without any resistance and Sadiq Muhammad Khan III was imprisoned. Prince Rahim Yar Khan succeeded his father, the late Amir Fateh Khan Abbasi, as Muhammmad Bahawal Khan IV (1858-1866). He was poisoned and died on the 25th March 1866. On the death of Bahawal Khan IV, Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan IV was crowned when he was four and half years old. He was installed in 1879, when he attained maturity. In the interim period from 1866 to 1879, British officers supervised the state. Amir Muhammad Bahawal Khan V, the next successor was about 16 years old, he ruled the state till 1955 when it was integrated in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

Rahim Yar Khan was created as a separate administration district in 1932Fact|date=December 2007 (during the days of the British Raj. The district derives its name from its headquarters - the city of Rahim Yar Khan. The previous name of this district was Naushehra which was built as a castle in 1750 by Fazal Elahi Halani on the ruins of the ancient Pul-Wadda during Sumra rule in Sindh. In 1883, Nawab Sadiq Khan-IV of Bahawalpur renamed it after his son Rahim Yar Khan.

Rahim Yar khan was declared as a separate administration district in In the year 1881, the Railway Authorities desired to change the name of railway station in the name of a town called Nowshera situated in Peshawar district. Consequently in 1881 to avoid any confusion because of similar nomenclature, Nawab Sadiq Khan-IV of Bahawalpur changed the name of the sub-division Naushehra after the name of his first son crown prince Rahim Yar Khan.

Location

Rahim Yar Khan is bounded on the north by Muzaffargarh District, on the east by Bahawalpur District, on the south by Jaisalmer (India) and Ghotki District of Sindh province and on the west by Rajanpur District.

Culture dress and ornaments

The common attire in the rural area for the male is a long loose shirt hanging up to the knees, made of coarse cloth, a chadder and pagri. In the urban areas, Shalwar and a Dupatta is the dress of choice. In the Cholistan area, the women generally wear short shirts and ghagras and Dopattas. People use cheap and coarse cloth for dresses. For footwear, men in the rural areas wear locally made shoes prepared by the village cobbler (Mochi). The women of this area are very fond of wearing ornaments, both golden and silver.

Administrative divisions

The district has an area of 11,880 square kilometres and comprises four Tehsils, which contain a total of 122 Union Councils [ [http://www.nrb.gov.pk/lg_election/union.asp?district=28&dn=Rahim%20Yar%20Khan Tehsils & Unions in the District of Rahim Yar Khan - Government of Pakistan] ] :

There are three municipal committees and five town committees in the district.

Flora

The flora of the district characterizes two major ecological divisions, northern and southern. The botanical life found in the northern half is like that of the rest of the irrigated tracts at central Punjab. The human interference in the form of irrigation network has greatly damaged the natural environment. Increases in cultivation, waterlogged areas, and salinity have badly hurt plant life. Because of the increase of salinity at the surface, only salt resistant plants can survive in most of the area. The southern half of the district, characterized by sand dunes, is mostly barren. The exception is in the rainy season when multitudes of ephemeral plants come up and transform the bare land into a lush green carpet. These ephemeral plants complete their life cycles before the summer heat arrives, leaving the land bare and dry.

Fauna

The arid land, generally referred to as the Cholistan desert, has a lot of wild life. Wild cats, the Chinkara deer, a variety of pigs, jackals, foxes, badgers, porcupines, squirrels, gerbils, wild rats, mongeese, poisonous snakes, hog deer, blue bulls, ravine deer, sand grouse, wild lizards, wild egrets are among many other creatures are found in the district.

Weather

The climate of the district is hot and dry in the summer and cold and dry in the winter. The summer season is comparatively longer. It starts in April and continues until October. The winter season goes from November to March. However, the month of March and November are pleasant. Dust storms are frequent during the summer season. The average rain fall is about 100 millimetres.

Industry

The main crops of the district are cotton, sugarcane, and wheat, most of the orchards are of mangoes and citrus. The main industries of the district are textile, cotton ginning and pressing, sugar, cottonseed oil, edible oil, soap, beverage making, agricultural implement manufacturing, and fertilizer manufacturing.Cottage industry includes ginning, pottery/clay products, electric desert cooler, agricultural machinery, handicrafts,food industry, and embroidery.

Demography

According to the 1998 census of Pakistan, the total population of Rahim Yar Khan district was 3,141,053 of which 19.16% were urban [ [http://www.urckarachi.org/Population%20Table-5.htm 1998 Census of Pakistan - Urban Resource Centre] ] an intercensal percentage increase of 70.6 since March, 1981 when it was 1,841,451. The average annual growth rate was 3.2 percent during this period. The total area of the district is 11,880 square kilometres which gives population density of 264 persons per square kilometre as against 155 persons observed in 1981 indicating a fast growth rate of the district.

The main tribes are the Arain Jat, Rajput and Gujjar. They have all come from the adjoining districts of East and West Punjab . The old settlers are the Joya, Wattoo, Daudpota, Balouch, Syed and Pathan. In Cholistan area the Bohar, Lark, Bhen, who came from Arabia to preach Islam. The Jats and Rajputs came from Rajputana and Jaisalmir and converted to Islam in the reign of Feroz Shah Tughlak.

Rural/Urban distribution

The urban population was 616,582 or 19.6 percent of the total population of the district which grew at an average rate of 4.3 percent during 1981-98 and had decreased from 4.7 percent observed during 1972-81. There are three Municipal Committees and five Town Committees in the district.

Religion

The population of the district is predominantly Muslims i.e. 96.7 percent. The next higher percentage is of Hindu (Jati) with 1.8 percent, followed by Scheduled Castes 0.6 percent. While other minorities like Christians, Ahmadi etc. are very small in number. The proportion of population of Muslims is higher in urban than rural areas. Christians are mostly living in urban areas representing 1.2 percent as compare to 0.2 percent in rural areas. Ahmadis are equal in proportion in urban and rural areas.

Language

Siraiki is the predominant language being spoken in the district, representing 62.6 percent of the population, followed by Punjabi and Urdu spoken by 27.3 and 2.9 percent respectively and Sindhi by 2.0 percent while others speak Pushto, Balochi, Bravi, Dari etc.

As According to District Profile research by Jaag Welfare Movement and Published by SAP-Pakistan Saraiki is the predominant language being spoken in the district. 68.6 percent of the population speaks it. Punjabi and Urdu are spoken by 27.3 and 2.9 percent respectively. Sindhi is spoken by 2.0 percent. The rest of the population speaks Pushto, Balochi, Bravi, and Dari.(Ref. Census 1998)

Literacy and education

The literacy ratio in the district has increased from 20.0 percent in 1981 to 33.1 percent in 1998. The literacy ratio for males is 43.4 percent as against 21.8 percent for females. The ratio is much higher in urban when compared with rural areas both for male and female.

In 1998, 33.1 percent of the population was reported as being able to read at least one language. This was up from 20 percent in 1981. In urban areas, 65.0 percent of males and 48.4 percent of women were able to read. In rural areas, 37.9 percent of males, and 14.9 percent of females were able to read.

Physical features & topography

This district is divided into three main physical features i.e. (a) Riverine area. (b) Canal irrigated area and (c) Desert area which is called Cholistan. The Riverine area of the district lies close on the southern side of the Indus river mainly falling in the river bed. The canal irrigated area lies on the South and is separated by main Minchan Bund. The approximate height of the irrigated area is 150 to 200 meters above the sea level. The third part of the area called Cholistan lies in the south of the irrigated tract up to the Indo-Pak border. The surface of the desert consists of a succession of sand dunes rising at places to a height of 150 metres and covered with the vegetation peculiar to sandy tracts.

Immunization

In 1998, 65.9 percent of children were reported to have been vaccinated in the Rahim Yar Khan district. Reported as not vaccinated were 9.9 percent of children. And for 24.2 percent, it was not known whether they had or hadn't been vaccinated.

Places of interest

Rahim yar khan city

Rahim Yar Khan city is situated in the centre of the district. It is a prominent railway junction, on the main line of Pakistan Railways, between Lahore and Karachi . It is at a distance of 634 kilometres from Karachi, 566 kilometres from Lahore and 176 kilometres from Bahawalpur . Shahi Road, Railway road, Colony Gulberg road and Hospital road are the important roads in the city. Zaffar Market, New Sadiq Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar and Grain Market are the shopping centres in the city. A stadium known as Mahmud Stadium is situated at a distance of one kilometre from the city. It has a seating capacity for 15,000 persons and contains grounds for cricket, football, hockey and volley ball. There is Sadiq Club, which is located in Officers Colony and have spacious games. It has a swimming pool and vast halls. There are spacious grounds for various games. It has a swimming pool and vast halls. There are three swimming pools in the city.

UniLever Unilever, The international manufacturers of most famous brands of world like Sunsilk, Walls, Lux etc. has one of their major factories of Pakistan in Rahim Yar khan. It is located right in the city centre beside Railway Station.

Bagh-I-Bahisht. (The Garden of Heaven).

It is one of the most beautiful and biggest gardens of this area. It is 5 km far from SADIQ Abad. Its 1 st owner was Meer Syed Abid Hussain Esq. who had built this garden. The garden consists upon more than 75 acres. After his death, his only son MEER SYED Zahid Hussain Esq. reconstructed it with his full zeal and zest and brought the each and every plant from all over the world and made it the beautiful lest one of this area. After his death in 2003, his only son Meer Syed Fazal Ellahi Fazli is maintaining it with the same spirit of his father and grandfather and still improving. This garden is, although, the private but also open for the public at prescribed hours and days.

Meer Syed Zahid Hussain’s Library.

Late Meer Syed Zahid Hussain Esq. created the biggest personal library of this area which has very antique collection of books on many topics. Some books including Quran Shareef are old and hand written scripts which are very prestigious back ground. Now, his only son Meer Syed Fazal Ellahi Fazli is maintaining this library. This library is also open for public.

Fauji Fertilizer Factory, Machi Goth.

This factory is 5 km far from Sadiqabad and one of the biggest fertilizer factories in Asia . It was built by Fauji Foundation which serves retired army personnel. It was constructed in 1974 and was completed in 1979. Later on one more plant was established along with the previous one to increase the production capacity . Now Fauji Foundation owns two more plants in Karachi (Known as FFBL) and Mir pur Mathelo (known as FFC -III ).

Bhutta Wahan

It is situated at a distance of 16 kilometres in the North of Rahim Yar Khan, on the lost river Hakra. The village is said to be named after the name of Raja Bhutta who captured this locality after Raja Dahir. This village is also claimed to be the birth place of Sassi, the renowned heroine of Sassi-Pannun and of Ab-ul-Fazal and Fiazi, sons of Mullah Mubarik.

Baghla Fort

Remnants and ruins of this fort are about 34 kilometres in the south of Rahim Yar Khan city, in Cholistan area. In 1767 A.D., Ali Murad Pirjani, founder of Trinda Ali Murad Khan (a village in Thesil Rahim Yar Khan ) built this fort.

Islam Garh Fort

Islam Garh ,the old Bhinwar Fort, was built by Rawal Bhim Singh in Samabat in 1665, as the following inscription on its gate in Babri character proves "Samabat 1665 Asuj Wadi 2, Maharaj Rawal Siri Bhim Singh ji Maharaj". The Fort is situated in the Cholistan area of Tehsil Khanpur. It is 46 kilometres south east of Baghla Fort. The fort is in a dilapidated state.

Khair Garh Fort

Remnants and ruins of this fort are located, about 40 kilometres south of Khanpur Town, in the Cholistan area. In 1189 A.H. Haji Khan, son of Ikhtiar Khan built it and named it Khair Garh.

Mau Mubarik Fort

According to Tarikh-e-Murad, a fort was built by Raj Sahanas Kharor in the time of Christ as a residence for his mother. The word Mau refers to mother in local language, and the word Mubarik is attached due to the shrine of Sheikh Hakim. The fort was taken by Shah Arghun in 1525. and was also laid siege to by Mahmood of Ghazni on his way to Somnat. It was one of the six fortresses of Raj Sahasi 11. It had 20 bastions and Towers. The ramparts were about 549 meters in circumference and the walls very strongly and thickly built. Here the shrine of a saint Sheikh Hakim is of great importance, where a Hindu jogi converted to Islam at the hands of Sheikh Hakim. The descendants of both Sheikh Hakim and the Jogi are still present in the area.

Pattan Minarah

The ruins of Pattan Minar are located at a distance of about 8 kilometres in east south of Rahim Yar Khan city. It has variously been described as the remains of Asahoka period, who built it in 250 B.C. or a Buddhist monastery. Nearby the minar, remains of a fort, a mosque and some tunnels are also visible. About 110 years ago Colonel Minchin a political agent of Ex-Bahawalpur state started the excavation of these tunnels but discontinued digging for some reasons or other. According to Colonel Toy it was the capital of the Hindu kingdom in 10CE. In the mid of the 18th century Fazal Elahi Khan Halani a Daupauta chief destroyed it and used its materials in the construction of Baghla and Dingar Fort.

Mosque of Bhong

It is situated in the village Bhong at a distance of 28 kilometres from Sadiqabad and 53 kilometres from Rahim Yar Khan. It was constructed by Rias Ghazi Muhammad, a big landlord of Bhong. It has beautiful design of arts and crafts, with marble stones of various kinds and colours. It is well electrified with chandeliers of different kinds. It is a beautiful piece of architecture. Being a worth seeing religious place, tourists from far off places visit it frequently.

Palace Sultan of Abu Dhabi

It is built by Shiekh Zayad- Bin-Sultan, ruler of Abu Dhabi. It is situated in sandy desert of Cholistan at a distance of 18 kilometres south-east from Rahim Yar Khan. It has large and spacious buildings having two separate portions for ladies and gentlemen. Each portion contains rooms and chambers. There are beautiful lawns in it having different beds of flowers along the well-shaped roads. Many domestic birds like peacocks are also kept there. Sultan of Abu Dhabi visits this district for hunting and stays in this palace.

ports and festivals

Kabaddi is liked and played almost in all urban and rural areas of the districts. Besides, hockey, badminton, football, tennis, cricket, lawn tennis are played. Wrestlers of the district have position among wrestlers of the province. There is a Sports Committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner for the Organizing various Tournaments in the district. A District Sports Organizer also assist the Deputy Commissioner as Secretary of the Sports Committee in this respect. Twenty Sports Associations are working for promoting various sports in the district with the idea to prepare nursery for sports.

Hospital

The largest private hospital is established by Saeed family. Al-Saeed Medical Complex and Suryia Saeed institute of research and medical sciences(SIRMS)is world leading institute of medical research.

See also

* Rahim Yar Khan
* Shaikh Zayed International Airport
* Shaikh Zayed Medical College

References

External links

* [http://rahimyarkhan.com Rahim Yar Khan]