Sheikhupura
In 1607, Mughal Emperor Jahangir laid the foundation of a new city near the older town of Jandiala Sher Khan. He named this settlement Jehangir pura after himself. The Emperor's autobiography, Tuzk-e-Jahangiri, records this early name for the town. Later, the city adopted its current name from Jahangir's nickname Shekhu, which his mother had given him during Akbar the Great's reign. This location served as a royal hunting ground for the Mughal Emperor. Within the center of the new city, Jahangir erected the Sheikhupura Fort in 1607. The fort remains situated in the city's center today.
Between 1607 and 1620, the Emperor built Hiran Minar as a monument to his beloved pet deer named Mansiraj. The tower stands as Sheikhpura's most renowned site within the region that once served as a royal hunting ground. The structure was constructed specifically to honor the memory of the animal. Historical accounts describe the area surrounding the tower as a place where the Mughal Emperor frequently hunted. The minaret itself dates back to the early 17th century and remains a significant landmark in the district.
During British colonial rule, the area fell under the administration of Raja Dhayan Singh. Bhatti possessions seized by Sikhs were restored when the British established their control. Initially, the large area between the Chenab and Ravi rivers formed a single district with Sheikhupura serving as its first headquarters until 1851. The region around Sheikhupura attained official District status in 1919. M.M.L. Karry became the first administrator for this newly designated district. This transition marked a shift from earlier Mughal governance structures to British administrative frameworks.
On the eve of Partition, Sikhs comprised 19% of the district's population despite the Muslim majority. The city was spared large-scale rioting that engulfed Lahore earlier in 1947. Sikh residents remained trapped in the city until the 31st of August 1947 because they had not made arrangements to leave. Fierce violence erupted in the city during communal riots between Sikhs and Muslims. An estimated 10,000 people were killed in Sheikhupura between the 16th of August and the 31st of August. The city's Sacha Sauda refugee camp hosted upwards of 100,000 Sikh refugees who fled nearby Gujranwala and other surrounding areas earlier that year.
Quaid-e-Azam Business Park and Rachna Industrial Park are two industrial areas currently under development in Sheikhupura. The government of Pakistan declared the former industrial area a special economic zone. These zones play a role in regional economic development as satellite towns near Lahore. The city serves as an industrial center for the province of Punjab. It is located about 38 km northwest of Lahore while bordering Sialkot, Gujranwala, Nankana Sahib and Kasur districts. This strategic positioning supports ongoing commercial expansion across the region.
The overall literacy rate of Sheikhupura stands at 43.6% according to recent data. Following this figure, several notable educational institutes operate within the city including Government Graduate College for Boys and Government Graduate College for Girls on Civil Lines. Hajvery University operates a campus here alongside the University of Central Punjab. Other institutions include Punjab College of Science, Beaconhouse School System, and The City School. The population recorded 280,263 people in the 1998 Pakistan Census before rising to 473,129 by the 2017 Census.
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Common questions
When did Mughal Emperor Jahangir found the city of Sheikhupura?
Mughal Emperor Jahangir laid the foundation of Sheikhupura in 1607 near the older town of Jandiala Sher Khan. He initially named this settlement Jehangir pura after himself before it adopted its current name from his nickname Shekhu.
What is the historical significance of Hiran Minar in Sheikhupura?
The Emperor built Hiran Minar between 1607 and 1620 as a monument to honor his beloved pet deer named Mansiraj. This structure stands as Sheikhpura's most renowned site within the region that once served as a royal hunting ground for the Mughal Emperor.
When did Sheikhupura attain official District status under British rule?
The region around Sheikhupura attained official District status in 1919 with M.M.L. Karry becoming the first administrator for this newly designated district. Initially, the large area between the Chenab and Ravi rivers formed a single district with Sheikhupura serving as its first headquarters until 1851.
How many people were killed during communal riots in Sheikhupura in August 1947?
An estimated 10,000 people were killed in Sheikhupura between the 16th of August and the 31st of August 1947. Sikh residents remained trapped in the city until the 31st of August 1947 because they had not made arrangements to leave before fierce violence erupted.
Where is Sheikhupura located relative to Lahore and other districts?
Sheikhupura is located about 38 km northwest of Lahore while bordering Sialkot, Gujranwala, Nankana Sahib and Kasur districts. This strategic positioning supports ongoing commercial expansion across the region as an industrial center for the province of Punjab.