Gujrat is a district of Gujranwala Division in Punjab Province of Pakistan. The city of Gujrat is the capital of the district. It is situated 160 km from Islamabad on the bank of Chenab River on Grand Trunk Road (G.T. Road), also known as “Jernaili Sarak”. The district is administratively divided into three tehsils (subdivisions); Gujrat, Kharian and Sarai Alamgir.
Gujrat was a walled city and the Fort was located within the walls. There were four gates to enter in the city. Please read the details of these gates in a subsequent paragraph of this article. Later a Circular Road was built around the walled city.
Gujrat has a unique distinction that three Nishan-e-Haider recipients; Major Raja Aziz Bhatti, Major Muhammmad Akram and Major Shabbir Sharif, hail from this District.
There are many historical buildings and ruins in and around the historical city of Gujrat. The tombs of Sain Karam Ellahi (Kanwaan Wali Sarkar), Shahdaula Peer and Shah Hussain are also located here. Sohni, heroine of a popular folk story Sohni Mahiwal, also hailed from Gujrat.
The city is well-known for its industries, such as; electric fans, pottery, wooden furniture and shawls, etc.
Brief History: Gujrat was founded by Raja Bachhan Pal Gurjar in 460 BC. The city’s Raja Porus fought bravely with Alexander, the Great at the bank of the Jehlum River. Mughal emperor Jahangir died at Gujrat while returning from Kashmir. The news of his death was kept secret to avoid any rebellion. His abdominal organs were buried in Gujrat. To this day, an annual festival is held commemorating this event, commonly known as “Mela Shah Jahangir”.
Gujrat was controlled by the Sikhs from 1756 to 1846 before it was annexed by British. Two major battles between British and Sikh armies were fought in this district; the Battle of Chillianwala and the Battle of Gujrat.
Official Website of TMA (Tehsil Municipal Administration) Gujrat:
Video of Gujrat City. Please see a short video about Gujrat.
The Gujrat Fort. The Gujrat Fort was constructed in 1587 by the Mughal emperor Akbar. The Fort reflects the beauty of Mughal architecture.
Another View of Gujrat Fort
Gates of Gujrat. In old times, Gujrat city was located within four gates. At night, the gates were closed and nobody was allowed to enter inside the city. The names of these main gates are; the Shah Daula Gate (Shahdaula Darwaza, named after famous saint Kabiruddin Shahdoula Daryai) ) in the East, Dhakki Gate (Dhaki Darwaza) in the West, Sheeshiyan Wala Gate (Shishianwala Darwaza, which was famous for the glass work carved on its roof) in the North and Shah Faisal Gate (Shah Faisal Darwaza. Its old name was Kalri Gate, named after a small village Kalra) in the South. The Sheeshiyan Wala Gate was famous for the glass work carved on its roof. However, Professor Sharif Kunjahi, a local historian, argues that the word “Shishi” is a Scandinavian word for graveyard. Hence, there would have been a graveyard near the gate and the name stuck to it with the passage of time.
Names of two more gates also strike the memory chord namely; Kabli Gate and Timbal Gate. I am not sure whether these are some separate gates or alternate names of some of the gates mentioned above. The learned visitors of this Post are requested to clear this doubt.
Gujrat Railway Station:
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