Mughal Emperor Jahangir built Sheikhupura in 1607 to honor his pet deer named Mansiraj. He commissioned the Hiran Minar minaret between 1607 and 1620 as a monument to the animal rather than a deity or ruler. The city was originally a royal hunting ground designed to protect the emperor during leisurely excursions.
Nawab Kapur Singh founded the Singhpuria Misl in the region that is now the Sheikhupura district. Born in 1697 into a Virk Jat family, he emerged as a pivotal figure in the Sikh community during the early-to-mid 18th century. His leadership reshaped the political geography of the area and challenged Mughal authority.
The district attained official status in 1919 with M.M.L. Karry serving as its first administrator. The area between the Chenab and Ravi rivers initially served as the district headquarters until 1851. British administration restored Bhatti possessions that had been seized by the Sikhs during this period.
An estimated 10,000 people were killed in Sheikhupura between the 16th of August and the 31st of August 1947. Fierce violence erupted in the city during communal rioting between Sikhs and Muslims. The Sacha Sauda refugee camp hosted upwards of 100,000 Sikh refugees who had fled nearby areas.
The 2017 Census recorded 473,129 residents in Sheikhupura. This figure represents an increase of 68.82% in just 19 years from the 1998 figure of 280,263. The city has transformed into a thriving industrial hub with the Quaid-e-Azam Business Park and the Rachna Industrial Park.