Jhang

Jhang (Punjabi, ur, ), ) is the capital city of Jhang District, in the central portion of the province of Punjab, Pakistan. Situated on the east bank of the Chenab river, it is the 18th largest city of Pakistan by population.

The historical name of the city and district is Jhang Maghiana.

The locality also includes the Shrine (Darbar) of Pir Abdul Rehman hrine of Sultan Bahu and Heer and Ranjha's Tomb.

Etymology

The historical name of the city and district is Jhang Maghiana.

The word Jhang is derived from the Sanskrit word ''jāṅgala'' which means rough or forested terrain, the word Jungle also sharing the same root. In context, the term Jhang was derived from the Sanskrit word ''jāṅgala,''. Jhang Maghiana was the historic name of the locality.

History

Greeks army led by Alexander encamped here in Jhang and stayed some time to make preparation to proceed ahead, several local tribes like Vains, Longs, Nauls and Noons are described to be the descendants of the Alexander's army men.

Muhammad bin Qasim conquered nearby city of Multan, so area of Jhang came under Arabs for few centuries. Then town of Jhang became part of Multan province of Mamluks ruled by different rulers.

The history of Jhang is the history of the Sial tribe.

Jhang was built in 1288 by Maharaja Rai Sial, a Rajput chief and founder of the Sial Tribe.

Jhang and its nearby areas came under Langah Sultanate of Multan which was independent from Delhi Sultanate.

The Sial tribe, his kin, ruled this district ever since until the last Sial ruler of Jhang, Ahmad Khan (1812 to 1822) was defeated by Ranjit Singh after fierce fighting.

Under the collective rule of the Sial Khans of Jhang and other Sial sub-tribes such as the Rajbana and Bharwana, in the zenith of their power, the Sial country of Jhang extended up to the Muzafargarh boundary in the south, and the entirety of Chiniot, Kamalia and Kabirwala . The territory extended to parts of Bhakkar and Sargodha. The Garh Mahraja and Ahmadpur Sial were added to the possessions of the Rajbana Sial tribe who drove out the Baloch tribes to the Thal and defeated the Nawab of Multan by the mid 17th century.

Under the British Raj, the towns of Jhang and Mighiana, lying apart, became a joint municipality, then known as Jhang-Maghiana.Jhang-Maghiana article in the ''Imperial Gazetteer of India''
v. 14, p. 134.

Maghiana lies on the edge of the highlands, overlooking the alluvial valley of the Chenab, while the older town of Jhang occupies the lowlands at its foot.

Geography

Jhang is situated at the East bank of Chenab which has confluence with Jhelum at Trimmu Barrage near the town of Athara Hazari. The city was endangered in the 2014 floods but it was not flooded as the flood water was redirected towards Athara Hazari. there are three river in jhang such as chenab river jhelum river and river ravi is also touch with the boundary of District Jhang near ahmad pur sial.

Demographics

The population of city in 1998 Census of Pakistan was recorded as 293,366. According to the 2017 Census of Pakistan, the population of city had risen to 414,131 with a growth of 41.17% in 19 years.

Administration

Jhang Saddar is the administrative center of Jhang Tehsil (a subdivision of the district). The tehsil itself is divided into 55 Union councils.Tehsils & Unions in the District of Jhang – Government of Pakistan

Education

* Virtual University of Pakistan (Jhang Campus)
* Lahore College for Women University (Jhang Campus)
* University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (Jhang Campus)
* Government Post Graduate College
* Chenab College Jhang
* University of Jhang
* Punjab Group of Colleges
* Superior Group of Colleges
* Dar-e-Arqam Schools