Sargodha

Sargodha city is situated in the Punjab province, Pakistan. The town is the headquarters of the district and administratively organized into 59 municipalities and 60 union councils. The city is also known as The City of Eagles because the largest airbase of Pakistan airforce, PAF Base Mushaf (formerly known as PAF Base Sargodha), is located here.

The city is well-known for Kirana Hills. The town is also prominent for producing the top quality citrus and is known as California of Pakistan. The article carries every information about the city, including Sargodha History.

Sargodha History

Sargodha is a historical place that dates back to centuries. The name consists of two words; Sar (Pond) and Godha (Sadho), and it means Pond of Sadho. Historians describe a pond in the middle of the town where a Hindu sadhu Godha used to live, and later people attributed the town’s name to him.

The city was founded in 1903 as a canal-colony in by Lady Trooper. British built a military airport here for Royal Air Force (RAF) because of its strategic location on the political map. Even after the sub-continent partition, its geostrategic significance remains the same, and the Pakistan air force continues that legacy.

Geography

On the geographic coordinate system, Sargodha is located at 32°5′1″N (latitude) and 72°40′16″E(longitude), and the city is 190m above sea level. The town’s overall size is 155km² in length and is 187km west of Lahore, the provincial capital. It borders Faisalabad 91 km in the North-West.

Sargodha Climate

The climate is similar to other cities in the province of Punjab that observe all four seasons. The summers, which last for approximately 3.2 months, are hot, humid, clear. The average temperature may rise as high as 50°C. Throughout the year, the temperature may vary from 5°C to 40°C.

Winters are short and usually last for nearly three months, with an average temperature of 12°C. The rainy period approximately lasts for 8.8 months resulting in average annual rainfall of 99.06 mm.

Population

The city is home to 8,181,499 people, according to the 2017 census. It is the 12^th highest populated city in Pakistan with a population density of 4,300/km² (11,000/sq mi).

Sargodha Culture

Punjab is home to various ethnic communities. The overall Punjabi culture and heritage are dominant in the region. Nearly 80% of the local population is literate. People are well-informed and refined. They are food-lover, traditional cuisines mostly make at home, but various food streets and hotels proudly prepare them.

Khayam Chowk is a very famous food center in the town. Local people most enjoy hot spicy meals. Lassi is a favorite cold drink, and it is served to guests. People enjoy listening to local music and appreciate local artists.

Sargodha Education

Education here is flourishing, and its current literacy rate, which is 80%, is better than other parts of the Punjab province. Public and private sector institutions are growing in the city. Some of the institutions are:

• Allied School
• American Lycetuff School
• Army Public College
• Army Public School
• Beaconhouse School System
• Cornelius Law College
• Dar-e-Arqam College
• Fauji Foundation School
• KIPS Academy
• Lahore Grammar School
• PAF College
• Punjab College of Science
• Quaid-e-Azam Law College
• Root Millennium School
• Sargodha Institute of Technology
• University College of Agriculture
• Sargodha Medical College
• University of Lahore, Sargodha Campus
• The City School
• The Superior College
• University of Central Punjab, Sargodha Campus
• University of Sargodha

Sports

They are sport-lovers. There are three famous stadiums here for young people venues to demonstrate their talent :

• Sargodah Criket Stadium
• Sargodha Astroturf Hockey Stadium
• Mela Mandi Ground (general-purpose ground)

The city is the birthplace of two famous cricketers who played for the Pakistan national cricket team.

• Mohammad Hafeez
• Aizaz Cheema

Following sports are most popular:

• Cricket
• Football
• Hockey

Economy

A vast amount of vegetables, citrus, cotton, wheat, and rice are grown here. These meet the local requirements and are exported abroad to get a considerable amount of foreign exchange.

Industry

Several industrial units in the town provide employment opportunities and income sources to the locals and people of the nearby region.

• Textile Mills
• Rice Mills
• Nestle
• Shezan Food Factory

Agriculture

The region is highly conducive for cultivation. Canal coming from the river Jhelum is the primary source of water for irrigation. Several main crops are grown here, such as wheat, corn, cotton, sugarcane, and rice. The area is well-known for its lush green fruit-farms and orchards. This city is the highest producer of top-quality citrus (Kinno, Oranges) in the country.

Tourism

The best time to visit this place is from October to November. Favorite tourist spots include:

• Kirana Hills
• Jinnah Hall
• Company Bagh
• Mela Gandi Ground
• Eid Gah
• Volleyball Ground
• Gol Masjid
• River Ravi

Sargodha Languages

People can communicate through:

• Punjabi
• Shahpuri
• Urdu
• English

Travel

Motorway M-2 and a network of roads link this region with the outside cities. Several transport services all over Pakistan are functioning to bring and forth by-road travelers.

A network of railroads and railway station connect the region with the rest of the country. The railway junction is busy throughout the year and operates six trains across Pakistan daily. Airports near Sargodha:

• Sahiwal Airport (SWN), 31.29 km
• Faisalabad International Airport, Faisalabad (LYP), 85.57 km
• Mianwali Airport (MWD), 117.72 km
• Sialkot Airport, Sialkot (SKT), 166.82 km
• Dera Ismael Khan Airport, Dera Ismael Khan (DSK), 168.45 km

Sargodha Postal Code

Postal Code: 40100

Area Code:  048