Hafizabad (Urdu حافظ اباد) is a city and capital of Hafizabad District located in Punjab, Pakistan. It is the 31st largest city of Pakistan.
History
Ancient
Hafizabad is an old city of Punjab, Pakistan. In 327 BC, during Alexander’s invasion of Punjab, the territory of the Sandal Bar was reported to be a well populated area. Large cities were located in this territory, and a lot of sub states were organised here under the presidency of maharajas and rajas.
In the 6th century, Hafizabad was visited by the famous Chinese traveler Xuanzang. He moved to Sangla and stayed one night in a town, then called Jaipura, which was located near the village of Koriala.
Medieval
At the beginning of the 7th-century Rajput kingdoms dominated Eastern portions of Pakistan and northern India. In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he conquered the Shahis in Kabul in 1005, and followed it by the conquests of some western Punjab region. Eastern Regions of Punjab from Multan to the Rawalpindi in the north (Including region of present-day Hafizabad) remained under Rajput rule until 1193. The Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire later ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominately Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Punjab region. During the Delhi Sultanate period, a big city was situated at the site of the present village of Mehdiabad. But afterward, this territory became unpopulated and jungle-like because of a shortage of water and Afghan incursions. This situation persisted until Mughal Emperor Akbar’s period. Hafizabad was formerly a place of some importance and is mentioned in the Ain-i-Akbari as the headquarters of a Mahal. Hafiz, the founder, was a favorite of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
Independence
The predominantly Muslim population supported the Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while Muslim refugees from India settled in the Hafizabad. Most of the refugees have since settled and intermarried into the local population.
Geography
Location
Hafizabad is 30 miles (48 km) away in the west from Gujranwala. Connection with the city is by Gujranwala Road or Hafizabad Road. On the Wazirabad – Faisalabad Railway Section, Hafizabad is the eighth railway station. The distance to the city of Wazirabad is 37 miles (60 km). Basically it is an agricultural city. Since the construction of an interchange near Sukheke Mandi, Hafizabad is now just 22 kilometres away from the M2 motorway.
Climate
The district climate is hot during summer and during winter is cold. The Eastern has the proximity of rainfall than the western part. The monsoon season is from July to September. Fertile soil allows the cultivation of high-quality rice. The average per month rainfall is between 50–75 millimeters.
Rivers
The Chenab River originates in the snow-covered central range of the Himalayas. It receives numerous smaller streams from the lower hills which depend upon rainfall. It breaks out from a rocky gorge in the hills, six miles (10 km) to the north of Bajwa District. Mostly people from Hafizabad take bath in that river.
Sialkot flows downward from Marala Headwork and enters Hafizabad District near Kot Kkamer, a village of Hafizabad Tehsil. It forms a natural boundary between Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad districts. Another very famous place is Head Sagar Complex in which an Irrigation Canal is passing over a link canal. It is a very common and interesting place for new visitors in Hafizabad.
Industry
A major portion of the country’s rice exports is from Hafizabad, which is sometimes referred to as the Land of Rice or City of Rice. Cotton power loom (weaving) is the second largest industry of Hafizabad. It is linked directly with the cotton market in Faisalabad and businessmen from Faisalabad deal directly with the cotton industry in Hafizabad. It plays an important role in the development of Hafizabad. This industry has been badly affected by the energy crisis.
Before the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the per-annum income of Hafizabad just from the rice was 15 million. Peshawar, Agra, Mithra, Calcutta, Karachi, and Sukker were Hafizabad’s main clients. Up to 23 rice mills were there until the independence of Pakistan.
Agriculture
The following types of rice are cultivated in Hafizabad: Basmati 385, Basmati 386, Super Karnal, 1121 Sella, Ery Nine, Erey Six, Super Fan, and KS 282. White Pearl Rice is a famous rice brand of Hafizabad. Hafizabad and Jalalpur Bhattian grain market is considered to be the biggest grain rice export centers of the country.
Livestock
Hafizabad richly diversified district in the livestock population. According to the last Cattle Census, there are 57321 Buffaloes, 210033 Cattle, 25112 Sheep, 122215 Goats, 2885 Horses, 47197 Asses, 2806 Mules, 346 Camel, and 456865 Domestic poultry.
There are Two Artificial Insemination Centers one at Tehseel Hafizabad and the other at Tehseel Pindi Bhtian. There are six working Civil Veterinary Hospitals at Hafizabad, Pindi Bhattian, Jalalpur Bhattian, Sukheke Mandi, Vanike ,Kaleke Soianwala. there are nine working Civil Veterinary Dispensaris at Wachke, Kot Sarwar, Dhunni, Madhrianwala, Chak Bhatti, Thatha Khairumatmal, Kot Nakka, Wadror and Ghubrika. Besides all this there are Civil Veterinary Centers at village level.
There are two Mobile Veterinary Dispensaries at Hafizabad and Pindi Bhatian Tehseel respectively.
District Livestock Department is headed by District Office Livestock with two Deputy Livestock Officers viz Breed Improvement and Animal Health. There are Two Additional Principal Veterinary Officers, One Senior Veterinary Officer, and eighteen Veterinary Officers.
Source: Wikipedia