Dera_Ghazi_Khan

Dera Ghazi Khan

Dera Ghazi Khan (ڈیرہ غازی خان) is located in Dera Ghazi Khan District, Punjab, Pakistan. Dera Ghazi Khan is one of the most populous cities in Southern Punjab and it is the largest district in Punjab in terms of area, being approximately 5,306 square miles in extent.

Languages

Saraiki is the main language spoken in this region. But few other languages that are spoken include

History

The city was founded at the close of the 15th century and named after Ghazi Khan, son of Haji Khan, a Balochi chieftain, who had declared independence from the Langhi Dynasty Sultans of Multan. Together with two other Deras i.e. settlements, Dera Ismail Khan and Dera Fateh Khan, it gave its name to Derajat. Derajat eventually came into the possession of the British after the Sikh War in 1849 and was divided into two districts: Dera Ghazi Khan and Dera Ismail Khan. After the partition of India, many of the city's Hindu residents settled in Derawal Nagar colony of Delhi, India. The district of Rajanpur was later carved out of the Dera Ghazi Khan district. Some of them also settled in various part of India, including Bhiwani, Delhi, Jhansi, Ranchi, Ambala and Haridwar.

Dera Ghazi Khan was founded in 15th century by Ghazi Khan a Tribal Sardar of Mirani tribe. The old city of Dera Ghazi Khan was situated at the distance of 10 miles towards east of the present city. In 1908, the old city of Dera Ghazi Khan was abolished due to heavy flood in the river Indus. Resultantly the existing city of Dera Ghazi Khan was came into being in the year 1910. The city is divided into different blocks. The British ruler established colonial system in the continent and declared D.G.Khan as district in the year 1849. General Court Land was appointed as first Deputy Commissioner of this District. Keeping in view the rapidly increasing population of the area and deteriorating law and order situation district D.G.Khan was divided in two districts i.e. D.G.Khan and Rajanpur. Presently there are two revenue sub division of the District. A tribal belt/political area spread along with western side of the District.

Historical Growth

Dera Ghazi Khan is situated on the western bank of the Indus river. It was founded by a Balouch ruler, Haji Khan Mirani,so called Mirrani Balouch,in 1476; he named the town after his son Ghazi Khan Mirani.Now Ghazi Khan's descendents are living in block #16 & 44. In those days, game abounded near Dera Ghazi Khan and the fields were green. Haji Khan Mirani was a great cattle owner and was attracted to the site by the plentiful supply of grass. It was known as "Dera Phoolan Tha Sehra" due to plenty of gardens and kastori canal, supplied by the Indus river.

In 1909-10, this cradle of Mirani civilisation was flooded away by the Indus. Before it was swept away, there was a population of about 23,731 in 1910. The present town was built 10 miles from the old town. It was laid out on a grid pattern comprising 66 blocks with wide long roads and streets. Two open spaces were planned in each block for social gatherings. Some of these have been encroached upon.

The population of the new developed town in 1911 was 18,446. This 2.22% decrease of population was due to dislocation of population which resulted from the erosion of old town.

In the year 1913, the Municipal Committee came in to existence. At that time, the area of the town was very small. Physical growth continued and now the area was about 4 square miles. The major growth of the town has taken place during post 1947 period. The town has largely spread to the north and south; it could not expand to the west due to the danger of hills torrents as the town was affected by the hill torrents in 1955. However, growth has also taken place in the eastern side. Almost all of the new developments in north and east of the planned town are haphazardly built.

The development in the town from 1947 to 1958 remained slow, due to lack of transportation and communication facilities. There was only a boat bridge on river Indus in winter season and steamer service for summer season which linked Dera Ghazi Khan with the rest of the Punjab. Taunsa Barrage on river Indus was completed in 1953 and the pace of development gained momentum. During the last 5 years, 72 industrial units were established. Ghazi Textile mills is another attempt to establish a heavy industrial complex in order to raise the economic base of the town. Main Political Figures: Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari (Former President of Pakistan), Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa (Former Governor of Punjab), Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari (Former IT & Telecomm Minister)

Writers

These are siaiki and Urdu writers of Dera Ghazi Khan

'Noor Muhammad Sael Siraiki poet
'Aziz Shahid These collections of his poetry are famous.Phul Sarmi de.and Man Derya te
'Ramzan Talib Siraiki poet
'Qazi Razi His books Multani Qaeda(primer)and Gul-i-Anar are famous
Ghulam Hussain Zaer Siraiki poet No published collection
'Kaif Ansari Urdu poet.Two collections of his poetry has been published .Kis ne dekha mera chira.Zanjeeroon ka Noha
'Muhsin Naqvi Urdu poet . Band-i-Qaba is his first collection of poetry
'Nadeem Jafri Urdu poet .Khana-i-Zanjeer is his collection of poetry
'Shafqt Kazmi Urdu poet .Hasrat kada and Daghi-hasrat are his books .He was pupil of Hasrat Mohani and teacher of Muhsin Naqvi
'Sarwar Karbali Siraiki poet.His two Siraiki collections has been published after his death.Naghme nok Sanan de and Sijh da Seena
Amer Faheem Jagdi Akh da Khab is his first collction of Siraiki fictions
Muhammad Ali Khan (a.k.a. Ali Khan) (born in Dera Ghazi Khan) is a Poet (First Urdu Poet whose complete book Kya Kami Thi is on-line since 1998) and free-lance journalist based in USA.

Geography and climate

The climate of the town is dry with scanty rain fall. The winter is not very cold and the climate is hot during the major part of the year, but it is very hot in summer. The temperature during summer is usually about 115 F. While during winter season the mercury goes down as far as 40 F.The direction of the winds being North-South through out the year. Due to barren mountain of Koh-Suleman and sandy soil of the area. The summer season of the district usually touches the highest point of temperature. However the winter season of the district remained medium level.

Administration

As well as being district capital - Dera Ghazi Khan is also the capital of Dera Ghazi Khan Tehsil, an administrative subdivision of the district. The town of Dera Ghazi Khan is itself administratively subdivided into seven Union Councils.. The city Nazim, equivalent to a mayor, is Maqsood Ahmed Khan Leghari.

Historical Places

Tomb of Ghazi Khan The tomb of Ghazi Khan was built in the beginning of 15th century. This seems like the tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam in Multan. This is present in the Mulla Qaid Shah Graveyard. Its main gate is from eastern side and two small doors are in side of north and south. In it there are 11 graves, which are of the family of Ghazi Khan. Every side of the tomb is 13 feet and 3 inches from inner side and which are conical minarets from out side. Its circular distance from the earth is 17 feet and half. The half diameter of the conical minarets remains 34 inches on the highet of 19 feet. There are 28 ladders from northern side in the internal side. The Graveyard came into being due to the tomb of Ghazi Khan. This is the oldest building of the city Dera Ghazi Khan. Shrine of Pir Adil The shrine of Pir Adil is also the old building of the city. It is situated in northern side of City D.G.Khan at the distance of 25 km. Lots of people from different areas are always use to come at the time of fair. Church Yard In front of central jail there is a residential colony named Canal Colony. The church yard is situated in the northern side of the colony. This is the unique church yard which is situated in the walls on its four sides. This church yard could not spread because of minority of the Christian in the local area. This was came into being in the year 1910. Shah Bagh Mosque After the destruction of the old Dera Ghazi Khan when the people of Dera Ghazi Khan shifted in the new city. This is the first Mosque where they performed their first Jumma Namaz. It is in the Block 7.In the city people performed their first Jumma Namaz behind the Mutawali of the Mosque named Syed Bagh Ali Shah. So this is the first and old mosque of the city. Jamia Masjid This is the biggest Masjid of the city. Which was constructed in year 1916.There is a large pool in the Masjid which is used for making ablution. It has a big hall for saying prayer whose length is 100 feet and width is 45 feet, in which 3000 men can say their prayer at one time. Its courtyard is also big in which 10,000 men can say their prayer. The minarets of the Masjid are 85 feet high in which there are 100 ladders. Masjid Fazal-e-Haq After the Jamia Masjid Block # 3, this is the biggest and oldest Masjid of the city. In which 8000 people can say their prayer at one time. This is situated in the Block 28. Its beginning stone was kept by Maulvi Fazal Haq (Marhoom) who died in the year 1965.Who is buried in the courtyard of this Masjid. Tomb of Sakhi Sarwar Tomb of Sakhi Sarwar is situated 40 km far from D.G.Khan City. Lots of People from all over the Punjab and also from other provinces use to come here at the time of fair. This is the one fair of the District D.G.Khan that always held approximately for one month.

Shrine of Hazrat Shah Ali Ahmad Qadri The shrine of Ali Ahmad Qadri (also known as Qadria Darbar)is located near railway station. He was the sajjada nasheen of Hazrat Shah Kamal Qadri Kaithaly, He migrated from Kaithal (india) and died in 1962. His Urs is held on the first saturday of November every year.Lots of people from different parts of Pakistan come to the Urs.

Parks of the city

D.C Garden This garden is so old. It is the sign of English rulers. Its area is 81 canals and 3 marlas. Divisional Public School and Wild Life Park was also the part of DC Garden. Although it is administrative and residential area but it has natural greenery same like past. D.G.Khan administration has made the D.G.Khan officers club, where the officers use to play games like squash, badminton, and tennis. It has the beautiful building in this area. Govt. employees, advocates, politicians, journalists ,and the local people are also the member of this club. Company Bagh This is called the second garden of the city. East Indian Company made the company bagh in every district. This is known as company bagh. Its area is 162 canals and 12 Marlas. In 1948 a friends club was made in this area. Company bagh is used to play Football, Hockey, Volley Ball, Badminton, Table Tennis and for other games. Ghazi Park This is the one of the beautiful parks of the city. This is also known as Behari Park. It is only one park of the city where the entrance is not with out ticket Taunsa Barrage Taunsa Barrage is situated in the northern side of the city D.G.Khan at the distance of 60 km. It is worth seeing place. It is also a good picnic point. Many school trips and families use to go for recreation.

The River Bank of River Indus The western bank of the river Indus is so beautiful. It is a peaceful and charming picnic point for the peoples of D.G.Khan. From here the view of the river is looks like most beautiful. It is also known as the name of GHAZI GHAT. Ghazi Ghat welcomes the people of upper Punjab before entering in the city D.G.Khan.

Zoo D. G. Khan has also the Zoo. It is the good place for recreation. It has many types of animals and birds. Its entrance is without any ticket. It is also known as wild life park. It is controlled by the Department Deputy Warden.

Sangam Chowk

on the south tip of the city there is a chowk which is called Sangam Chowk it is because Dera Ghazi Khan city is in the centre of Pakistan and on this Chowk you can take to every provincial capital road. Shopping Centres The following shopping Markets/Centres are situated in City D.G.Khan:

Grain market of district D.G.Khan is well renewed in the south Punjab. Most of the farmer and traders of the region are affiliated with the grain market. Wheat, Cotton, and Rice are the major crops of the area
Rani Bazar is another important business center situated in city D.G.Khan. All kinds of jewelry and beautiful dresses of ladies are available in this market. Mostly ladies purchase their needy articles from this market.
Cloth Market is another business centre of the city and situated in Saddar Bazar near Committee Gollai.
Electronic Market falls within the middest of the city i.e round the Gollai Committee. All kinds of electronic items ever remained available in this market.
Medicine Markets is situated near Civil Hospital D.G.Khan. All kind of medicine are available from the market.
Vegetable and Fruit Market is situated within the area near the Faridi Bazar. A huge quantity of Apples, Khubani, Aalobukhara and other kind of vegetable are being brought in this market from Bluchistan and thereafter the same are being supplied to the other district of Punjab Province.

Mobile Market is a big mobile market in heart of Dera Ghazi Khan. Every type of mobiles and mobile related shops are in this area.

Sports

D G Khan has a very beautiful cricket ground and city's own hockey club running under the supervision of Friends Club.

Business and Industry

Two prominent employers in Dera Ghazi Khan are the D.G.Khan Cement Company and the Al-Ghazi Tractor Company. It is considered that these companies, along with various other flour mills, companies in the cotton, chemical, textile industries, as well as rice, sugar, and ghee mills, form the backbone of the Pakistani economy.

Transport

Dera Ghazi Khan is well connected with the country by a wide network of roads, railways and airways.

Also there is an airport, situated 20 KM away from city, on Sakhi Sarwar Road called Dera Ghazi Khan Airport (DEA). It provides weekly 6 flights, 1 for Lahore, 1 for Islamabad and 4 for Karachi. Only flight to Lahore is done by Fokker, the rest of flights are conducted by Boeing 737. PIA is the only airline operating in this area.

Dera Ghazi Khan Airport (DEA) is suitable only for Fokkers and small jets, e.g. Boeing 737. More technical data about this airport is available at Dera Ghazi Khan Airport

Education

Dera Ghazi has a literacy rate of 40 percent. It also has five government-run colleges; three for boys, and two for women.

Colleges

There are 2 Degree Colleges for boys, one Commerce College, 2 Colleges for Girls, Divisional Public College, and a Government Institute of Technology.

Universities

There are sub-campuses of BZ University Multan and University of Education, and UAF College of Agriculture (constituent college of University of Agriculture Faisalabad). Other prominent educational organisation is Allama Iqbal Open University Centre.

Health Facilities

In D.G Khan, there is a big civil hospital called the Divisional Headquarters Hospital, along with many private hospitals. The number of beds is being doubled from 250 to 500. There is also an ICU for emergency patients that has been recently constructed, along with an upgrade to the cardiology ward. There is also a government medical college under construction.

The Rich Agricultural Land

Dera Ghazi Khan is a rich agricultural land with cotton, wheat, sugar, cane, rice, tobacco being the major crops grown. Dera Ghazi Khan is also well known for its dates. The district is now connected by railroad with other parts of the country including Multan, Lahore, Karachi and Quetta. The railway was built by the British before the partition of India.

References

"How Pakistan Made Nuclear Fuel" by Munir Ahmad Khan, former chairperson of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission: Islamabad The Nation 7 February 1998, page 7 [Pakistan: Article on How Pakistan Made Nuclear Fuel : FBIS-NES-98-042 : 11 Feb 1998].