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Gujrat (Urdu/Punjabi: گجرات) is a city in Pakistan.
It is the capital of Gujrat District and the Gujrat Tehsil subdivision
in the Punjab Province. Gujrat is situated on the bank of Chenab
River, situated about 120 kilometers (75 mi) north of Lahore, the
capital city of Punjab province, and 150 kilometers from Islamabad,
the capital of Pakistan. Prominent nearby locations include Jalalpur
Jattan, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Lalamusa and Bhimber-Azad
Kashmir. The city is surrounded by many villages and towns, which
supply significant labor to the local market.
Gujrat was founded by Raja Bachhan Pal Gurjar in 460 BC, according
to General Cunningham, the British historian. Historical consensus
is that it existed in the time of Alexander the Great, and that the
city's Raja Porus put up a fierce challenge to Alexander's invasion
at the bank of the Jehlum River. The establishment of Gujrat City
was realized early in the 1900 century after the British Empire and
in support of regional land lords (e.g., Daswandi Khan of Daswandi
Pura). During the Mughal period, Mughal royalty frequently traveled
through the district en route to Kashmir. When King Jahangir died
while he was returning from Kashmir, the news of his death was
suppressed to avoid any chaos in the empire. His abdominal organs
were taken out and buried in Gujrat. To this day, an annual festival
is held commemorating this event, commonly known as the "Festival of
Jahangir".
The Great Sikh Dynasty Ruled by a powerful Jatt Sikh family of
Dhillon Clan (1716-1811) also took control of Gujrat and for some
time it was also there capital city.
Two main battles between British and Sikh armies were fought in this
district: the Battle of Chillianwala and Battle of Gujrat. Only
after winning the battle of Gujrat on 22 February 1849 did the
British declare victory in Punjab. During the Partition of Punjab in
1947 there was a large Sikh population in Gujrat District and a
sizable Hindu Population as well. During the partition chaos some
fled their native homes and villages to the other of side of the
border. Muslims from east Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir started
arriving and crossed the border in to Pakistan; many were given land
in Gujrat District to settle.
There are many historical buildings and ruins in and around Gujrat.
The Grand Trunk Road, commonly abbreviated as G.T. Road, built by
emperor Sher Shah Suri, also passes through Gujrat. The road still
exists today, along with its period stone wall. Historical buildings
and ruins can be found in nearby towns throughout the area.
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