LAHORE
Legend has that it was founded by two sons of Lord Rama
about 4000 years ago. Historically it has been proved
that Lahore is about 2000 years old. Hieun-tsang, the
famous Chinese pilgrim, has given a vivid description of
Lahore city which he visited in the early parts of the
seventh century A.D.
For 200 years, beginning from about 1525 A.D., Lahore
was a thriving cultural center of the great Mughal
Empire. Mughal Emperors beautified Lahore with palaces,
gardens and mosques. During the British regime many
monuments sprang up in Lahore which blended beautifully
with the Mughal, Gothic and Victorian styles of
architecture.
Lahore is the second largest city in Pakistan and
provincial capital of Punjab. Apart from being the
cultural and academic center of the country, Lahore is
the Mughal "show-window" of Pakistan. The origins of
Lahore are shrouded in the mists of antiquity.
Reminiscence of its hoary past are the remains of a
subterranean temple in the northern part of the Royal
fort, attributed to Lord Rama, the legendry hero of
Ramayana. Lying on the main trade and invasion routes to
the sub-continent, Lahore has been ruled and plundered
by a number of dynasties and heroes. However it touched
the zenith of its glory during the rule of Mughals. The
Mughals, who were famous as builders, gave Lahore some
of its finest architectural monuments that are extinct
today.
MULTAN
The above couple let by a Persian poet describes the
primordial environment of the historic city of Multan.
But that has changed now and not only the city of Multan
but the district itself has been transformed into a
green, fertile area. It is fact becoming an industrial
town. The city has its own charm, culture and crafts.
The origin of the name ‘Multan’ is obscure and so is the
period of its founding. It has been Mulosan pulu by
Hiuen Tsang and Alberuni called it Multana, which
ultimately came to be called Multan.
BAHAWALPUR
The founder of the state of Bahawalpur was Nawab Bahawal
Khan Abbasi I. The abbasi family ruled over the state
more than 200 years (1748 to 1954). During the rule of
the last Nawab Sir Sadiq Khan Abbasi V, Bahawalpur State
was merged with Pakistan in 1954. Bahawalpur was
formerly the capital of the state and now is the
District Divisional Headquarters of Bahawalpur division.
It is an important marketing center for surrounding
areas and is located on the crossroads between Peshawar,
Lahore, Quetta and Karachi. Saraiki is the local
language of the area. Urdu, Punjabi and English are also
spoken and understood by most of the people.
FAISLABAD
A 140 kms west of Lahore is Faisalabad. It is known as
the Manchester of Pakistan because it is famous for its
textile industry. The focal point of this cit is Ghanta
Ghar Bazaar which connects eight bazaars. Faisalabad is
connected with the rest of the country by air, road and
rail.
Cholistan,
Cholistan, a well-known desert - 30 kms from Bahawalpur,
covers an area of 16,000 sq. kms and extending up to the
Terar desert which spreads across into India. Cholistan is
derived from the word "Chalna" which means moving but
locally the area is known as "Rohi".
Sialkot
Sialkot is located 130 kms north-east of Lahore, and is
linked by road and train with the whole country. It is
internationally known for its manufacture of sports goods
and surgical instruments.
Gujranwala
Gujranwala is situated about 65 kms to the north of
Lahore. This city has developed a wide range of industries
that manufacture such products as fans, washing machines,
stainless steel items, room coolers, heaters, etc. Being
located on the historic Grand Trunk Road and on the main
railway line, it is well connected with the rest of the
country.
Chiniot
Chiniot is situated about 160 kms to the west of Lahore.
It is famous for its wood work - items such as
furniture's, decoration pieces and wood-made bodies of
trucks, buses and wagons. It is linked with the rest of
the country by road and by rail.
|
