Faisalabad
Formerly known as Sandal, and Layellpur, Faisalabad is the third-largest city in Pakistan. It is situated 137 km from Lahore and it is connected to the country through a motorway, railways, and an airport.
A Brief History of Faisalabad
It was a deserted area. Its settlement plan was drawn up in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Its urbanization was initiated in 1890. And in 1906, the settlement plan of the city was completed.
This uncultivated area was an open pasture. In 1982, this area came under cultivation due to the construction of the various canal. In 1985, the foundation of the city was laid.
It was named “Lyallpur Pur” after the name of the Governor of Punjab Sir James B Layal. Its design was made by Desmond but the final design was put into practice by the famous town planner Sir Ganga Ram. He was given a plot of 5 acres as a gift.
The map of Faisalabad is a duplication of the British Flag Union Jack. There is a clock tower in the center and 8 Bazaars or markets are established around the circle. They are linked to each other through a round Bazaar.
Earlier, there was a well at the place of Clock Tower. Its construction was done under the supervision of Gulab Khan, who belonged to the family of architects who built the Taj Mahal Agra.
The clock was given by a watchmaker in Bombay. In 1910, a railway line was established. And in 1920, the first colony named Daglas Pura was established. The industry was revolutionized after 1930. The Lyall Pur Cotton mill was completed in 1934. This city progressed by leaps and bounds as time passed.
Today’s Faisalabad
At the time of the creation of Pakistan, its area was 3 square miles and now it is the third-largest city in Pakistan. In 1997, it was named after King Faisal of Saudi Arabia.
On 1st July 1982, it become the capital of the Division. It is also the third-largest hub of trade and industry in Pakistan. At the time of the creation of Pakistan, there were about two dozen small and big factories. At this time, they have reached thousands of industrial units.
Faisalabad has the largest textile industry in Pakistan. That’s why it is called the Manchester of Pakistan. Besides textile, there are other factories of the different industrial departments. They are playing a major role in the economy of Pakistan.
Some Famous Places to visit in Faisalabad
This rapidly developing country has many worth watching sites such as
1- Faisalabad Agricultural University
2- Jinnah Garden
3- Clock Tower Faisalabad
4- Gat wala or Gutwala Park
5- Lyallpur Museum Faisalabad
6- Faisalabad Arts Council
7- Hockey Stadium
8- D- ground
9- Darul Ehsan of Sufi Barkat
It is located on the left side of Sahiyanwala Interchange on Faisalabad Pindi Bhattian Motorway.
10- The Holy Place of the Quran Mahal
11- Sindbad
12- Ganga Ram
The village Chak# GB-591 of Tehsil Jaranwala of district Faisalabad is famous as the “Ganga Ram”. Renowned architect and civil engineer Sir Ganga Ram belonged to this village.
It is said that he was the landlord and owner of the village. He made this village a model village.
At the end of the nineteenth century, the latest machinery was introduced for the development of the agriculture sector. A heavy-duty motor was imported from Lahore through rail for Gogera Branch Canal. This canal water was used for irrigation.
There was a facility of railway line till Bachiyana. But there was no proper track from which the motor can be taken between Bachiyana to Gangapur. At that time, Sir Ganga Ram ordered the building of a narrow railway track between Bachiyana and Gangapur.
And the motor was brought to Gangapur through a horse trolley. After the installation of the motor, this trolley was used by people as local transport.
About after 100 years, this horse trolley track was closed due to its poor physical condition and economic issues.
At last, on 9th March 2010, this rare horse trolley was again started, and nowadays it is known as Ganga Ram.
To enjoy this unique ride, you have to go to Bachiyana from Jaranwala.
Ganga Ram built the Lahore Museum, National College of Arts, General Post office, Mayo Hospital Lahore, Aitchison College, Ganga Ram Hospital, Hailey College of Commerce, and many other buildings and welfare agencies.
He started a campaign for the marriage of widow Hindus. He established an association for this purpose. This association has arranged the marriage of 39,500 widows in 18 years.
Mirza Sahiba
Mirza Khan was a handsome young man of the Kharal tribe situated near the river Ravi. He was the son of the chief of village Dana Abad, Tehsil Jaranwala district Faisalabad.
The maternal uncle of Mirza had two sons (Ameer and Sher) and a daughter named Sahiba. Sahiban was a sculpture of beauty. At a young age, Mirza and Sahiban used to study in the same institution. They fell in love with each other.
Their love story became popular among the villagers. When Khewa Khan came to know about it, he called the elders of the tribe. They decided to marry Sahiba to another man according to society’s norms.
They engaged Sahiban to a prosperous young man Tahir Khan. According to some folk tales, it was that Chanda tribe that turned into Chiniot City.
The day of marriage arrived. Everyone in the family was happy. But the Sahiban was gloomy. She sent a message to Mirza through his servant Kamoo.
When Mirza came to know about Sahiba’s marriage, he got miserable. He rode on his faithful mare Bukki and reached Sahiba’s village.
He stayed at her aunt’s home. He changed his appearance and flee away with Sahiba. On their way, he felt exhausted and slept on the knees of Sahiban.
Sahiba thought that if his brothers there chasing them, Mirza will kill them with his excellent skill in archery. She hung his arrow and bow on the tree. Their uncle first came to know about their escape.
He took Sahiban’s brothers with him and chased them in the Jungle. She heard the voice of horses around her. She awakened Mirza. He got up and searched for his arrow and bow. Suddenly, an arrow stuck in his chest and he died. She was shedding tears wrapped around him when an arrow pierced her too.
In this way, both of them left this world. Renowned Historian Asif Khan has set the era between 1625 to 1676 as Mirza Sahiba Era.
Wind Up Lines
Faisalabad is a masterpiece of rich history, culture, and traditions. Clock Tower, the village of Mirza Sahiban, and Lyell Pur Museum are witnesses to its glorious past. In addition to this, it is a center of Pakistan’s textile industry thus playing a key role in the economy. It has many shopping sites, recreational places, and food courts making it a good spot for tourists
