Gujrat

Gujrat is one of the cities of province Punjab and is the capital of district Gujarat situated in Pakistan’s east. The city is located on the famous Grand Trunk (GT) Road. River Chenab flows from the southern side while River Jehlam flows from its northern side.

Its eastern neighbor is Sialkot, Jehlam situated in the North, Mandi Bahauddin in the west, and Gujranwala is located in its south. The city is spread over an area 65Km2 in length, comprising three union councils: Gujrat, Kharian, and Sarai Alamgir. Its distance from Lahore is 125 Km to the north and 170 Km to the south of Islamabad.

Three tehsils, namely Sarai Alamgir, Kharian, and Gujrat, are part of the city. The city is famous for its industry and is part of the famous golden triangle formed by the three industrial cities, including Sialkot and Gujranwala. This article contains all the information about the city, including Gujrat History.

Title	Description
Information
Location:	Pakistan
In Urdu :	گُجرات‎
City Council:	Government of Punjab
Type:	Capital of Gujrat District
Local Language Name:	Punjabi
Province:	Punjab
Coordinates :	32°34’25.67″N 74°4’44.18″E
District:	Gujrat District
Region:	Punjab
Seal:
Language
Official Language:	Urdu
Native Language:	Punjabi
Other Languages:	Urdu, Punjabi, English
Government
Type:	Government of Punjab
District Administrator:	Rai Ijaz Ahmed
District Coordination Officer:	Liaquat Chattha
Area
Total Area:	3,192 km2 (1,232 sq m
Population
Density:	640/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Total Population:	2,048,008 (1998)
Time zone
Time zone:	PST (UTC+5)
Codes
Postal code:	50700
Dialing code:	053
Vehicle registration:	Three letters beginning with G and random four numbers

Gujrat History

Raja Bachan Pal

The history of the city dates back to 522 B.C (470 A.D. Approx.). It is one of the oldest settlements of Punjab. According to a British historian, the city was discovered by Raja Bachan Pal. Traditions describe that the city existed even before the invasion of Alexander the Great. A Rajput Raja founded the city in the fifth century B.C.

Mughal Emperor Akbar

Throughout the ages, the city was also a resting place for emperors for their Royal Journey to Kashmir. Even before the Mughals, Sher Shah Suri colonized the region. When the Mughal emperor, Akbar, took over the reign, the city was further developed, and agricultural and pastoral tribes, Guggers, were asked to settle here and contribute to the region’s development.

British Control

The city name was then attributed to those Guggar tribes. British took control and annexed Punjab by defeating Sikh in a battle fought in 1849. Before 1900, the whole city was surrounded by a bastion-wall with four gates to enter or exit the city. Before partition, several educational institutions like Govt. Zamindara College and high school were built. The inhabitants of the region accepted the teachings of Sufi saints and embraced Islam. 

Agriculture

Rivers at its both sides make the land highly fertile. Irrigation is mainly through the canals originating from the rivers. Other sources include Wells, Tube Wells, Canal wells, and Canal tube wells. Cultivation of crops like wheat, millet, sugarcane, maize, fodder, and legume is abundant. 253 Hectare, approximately 25.68% of the land, is used for cultivation purposes.

Fruits and Vegetables

The farming of fruits and vegetables makes the city outskirts lush green. Tomato, Onion, Lady Finder, Tinda, Radish, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Potato, Pumpkin, Cauliflower, Chillies, Coriander, Garlic, and Brinjal are abundantly cultivated.

Fruits like Apple, Apricot, Banana, Citrus, Dates, Grapes, Guava, Mango, Plums, Pomegranate, Peach, Pear Water Melon, and Musk Melon are very famous throughout the county. Pulses like Moong, Mash, Moth are heavily cultivated here. Fodders cultivation includes Lucern, Jowar, Bajra, Maize.

To obtain oil seeds for making cooking oil, Rape Seed, Mustard, and Sunflower are also cultivated here. Live stocks like Mules, Horses, Donkeys, Camels, Bullocks, buffalos, and cows are raised to support farmers in cultivation in addition to the modern means.

Industry

When Pakistan came into existence, a reasonable portion of migrated people settled here; therefore, the population of the city was rapidly increased. To provide job opportunities for all, Punjab Small Industries Corporation was established in the city.  

Manufacturing

Fan manufacturing is the benchmark of Gujrat. Gujrat and Gujranwala produce 98% of all kinds of electrical fans for the whole of Pakistan. The fans are also exported to other countries as well. The city is also famous for its clay. Quality ceramics and pottery products are also produced here.

Shoe and furniture making industries are also thriving here. The city has attained a good name in the production and export of rice. Cotton goods, Carpets, and Brassware products are also manufactured here. Small industries produce terracotta vases, pottery art, and traditional Hukkas or the smoking pipes and Palm tree leave artifacts.

Gujrat Postal & Area Code

Area code: 053

GPO Code: 50700

Gujrat Population

According to the 2017 census, the city is fairly populated, which makes it the 20th largest city in Pakistan.

Climate

The city is located at 32°34′N 74°05′E. The climate is, therefore, mostly sunny and dry. On average, the coldest month is January, where temperatures can be recorded as high as 53°F. July is the wettest month with an average rainfall of 11.27″.

Windiest month is May with a speed of 8 mph. Annual precipitation 40.26″. The weather is 58% humid. 

Education

Well-known educational institutions of the city are:

• University of Gujrat
• Nawaz Sharif Medical College
• Punjab College of Science, Gujrat Campus
• The Superior College, Gujrat Campus
• Beaconhouse School System
• The Educators
• Lahore Grammar School
• Dar-e-Arqam Schools
• Agricultural University of Gujrat
• PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Gujrat Campus – M.I.T

Tourism 

Following are the tourist attraction sites:

• Amusement & Theme Parks
• Fun Dunya
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Rohtas Fort
• Hiran Minar Tomb
• Sher-e-Kashmir University
• Educational sites
• Ranbireshwar Temple
• Raghunath Temple
• Raghunath Bazaar
• Vaishno Devi Mandir
• Bahu Fort

Food & Culture

Being part of Punjab, people love traditional cuisines. They are fond of consuming local dishes made from wheat, rice, and meat. They love to eat hot and spicy food. People celebrate and enjoy various festivals and anniversaries.

The festivities of saints like Wengi Wali Sarkar and Kanwan Wali Sarkar are religiously observed around June and August. Punjab is a land of lovers. The famous love folktale of Sohni Mahiwal is from the same region.   

Languages

Locals can speak and understand:

• Urdu
• Punjabi
• Majhi
• English