Kasur District

History

In ancient time, Kasur was known for its education and fish. The history of Kasur is more than 1,000 years.Kasur region was agricultural region with forests during the Indus Valley Civilization. The Vedic period is characterized by Indo-Aryan culture that migrated from Central Asia and settled in Punjab region. The Kambojas, Daradas, Kaikayas, Pauravas, Yaudheyas, Malavas and Kurus migrated, settled and ruled ancient Punjab region. After overrunning the Achaemenid Empire in 331 BCE, Alexander marched into present-day Punjab region with an army of 50,000. The Kasur region was ruled by Maurya Empire, Indo-Greek kingdom, Kushan Empire, Gupta Empire, White Huns, Kushano-Hephthalites and Shahi kingdoms.

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 Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of the Punjab region.

The Mughal Empire ruled Kasur for 200 years. After and during the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikhs took over the Kasur District. The agriculture lands were given to leaders and supporters of the Sikh army. Most of the Punjab region was annexed by the East India Company in 1849, and was one of the last areas of the South Asia to fall under British colonial rule. During the British Raj, the irrigation canals were built that irrigated large areas barren lands of the Kasur District.

The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslim refugees from India settled in the Kasur District.

Demography

According to the 1998 census, Punjabi is the most widely spoken first language (88%), whereas Urdu was the first language of 6.2% of the population. The district is unusual in that Urdu accounts for a greater proportion of speakers in rural (7.3%) than in urban areas (2.6%).

Development

The Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal was built in Kasur district increasing the agricultural development of the area. There has been commercial and industrial development but the area remain mainly agricultural. Pakistan Army built Cantonment area for an infantry brigade in the district.

There are schools, colleges and camps of University of Punjab in Kasur district.

Administrative divisions

The district is administratively subdivided into 5 tehsils and 166 Union Councils:

Physical features

The district is bounded by the Ravi River in the north-west and river Sutlej in the south-east. Whereas the old course of Beas River bifurcates the district into two equal parts locally known as Hither and Uthar or Mithan Majh. Both of the areas have a height differential of approximately 5.5 meters. The natural surface elevation of the district is 198 meters above the sea level, having a general slope from north-east to south- west. Whereas the east and west ends of the district comprise the flood plains of the rivers Satluj and Ravi, characterized by breaching of looping river Channels braided around meander bars. Kasur district is attached with Lahore from east, attached with Nankana Sahib from north, attached with Faisalabad from west and attached with Okara and India from south.

Topography

Topographically speaking, Kasur District lies between the river Satluj which flows along its boundaries with India and river Ravi which flows its boundary with Sheikhupura District. The districts may be divided into two parts, a low lying or riverine area along the two bordering rivers and upland, away from the rivers. The riverine area is generally inundates during monsoon season. The water level in this area is higher than in the upland. The soil is sandy. The upland is flat plains sloping from north-west to south-west. The general height of the area is from 150 to 200 meters above the sea level.

Flora

Flora of the district has been greatly modified by human agency of the old open forests of small trees and shrubs; there remains only a few Rakhs or portions of forest which are kept as gazing ground for cattle etc. Amongst trees the most important are Kikar (Acacia arbica), Shisham or Tahli (Dalbergia sissoo), Beri (Zizyphus jajaba), Toot (Morus marlaccae), Sharin (Albizzia lebbek, Dharek (Malia azerdaracb), Phulahi (Acacia modesta), and Nim (Melia indica), Piple (Ficus indica) are planted for shade.The growth in Rakhs is composed mainly of three kinds of trees Jand (Prosopis spicigera), Karril (Capparis aphylla), and van or Jal (Salvadora obeoides). Occasionally pelu (acacia Loucophhloea) and Farash (Tamarix articulate) are also found. Pilchi (Tamarix gallio) is found on moist sandy soil along the rivers and is used for wicker-work, basket making etc.

Fauna

Wolf and jackal are the only wild animals of any importance. The former being met with occasionally in the low land wastes of Chunian Tehsil but jackal are found every where. Changa Manga reserve a thick forest is the only area in which a few Nelgai, pig, peafowl and here are found.

Places of interest

Kasur is adjacent to the border. It is a major tourist attraction because of the famous guard changing ceremony. Kasur is also famous for Kasuri Methi Kasuri Fish Kasuri Andrasy. The city is also the resting place of Sufi poet Bulleh Shah. Kasur is famous for its very spicy fish, a sweet dish called Andrassay, Falooda and Kasuri Methi.

The following are places of interest in the district:

Qadiwind is a historically significant to the Sikh religion. After the independence in 1947 the Sikhs there emigrated to East Punjab in India. Punjabi writer Baba Sohan Singh Sital was a resident of this village. His house and garden area was allotted to Muslim refugees from Mewat who came as part of independence. The majority population consists of Meo or Mewatis who migrated to Pakistan from Rajasthan in 1947.

Notable people

Tribes and Clans

Dugars,[Meo] Sayed, Dhudhi, Kamboh, Arain, Jatts, Alizai Pathans Ansari, Gujjars, Sheikhs, Dogars, and Malik. Muhammad Hussnain Famous Punjabi poet/saint Baba Bulleh Shah's Pir or Murshid Shah Inayat Qadiri also belonged to Arain tribe of Kasur and isburied in Lahore.