PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(5): 7564-7574

ISSN: 1553-6939

EVOLUTION OF HAFIZABAD DISTRICT A CASE IN

HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY

Dr Imran Khan
Postdocs Scholar, Department of Geography, University of the Punjab Lahore
Email: [email protected]
PROF.DR. SAFDAR ALI SHIRAZI
Head of the Department of Geography, University of the Punjab Lahore
Email: [email protected]

ABSTARCT
The study of the evolution of Hafizabad in the context of historical geography is very important in the new
trends of research. Taking these aspects of geography in mind to make research in the historical geography of
Hafizabad has become a significant study that will evaluate the many diverse features of the district Hafizabad. This
study will explain the evolution of Hafizabad District as it has historical and geographical importance and special
reference with the politico historical changes in the Punjab and Indian subcontinent. Hafizabad remained an
important area and administrative unit since the days of Mughal Emperor Akbar and played an important role, so the
research work on the historical evolution of this district will be a unique work.
Keywords
Evolution, Hafizabad, Historical Geography, Punjab, Society, Tribes.

INTRODUCTION
Geography is highly interdisciplinary, so very important to highlight the importance
looking at the different disciplines of of this area. There is no lasting political
geography that are relevant to the current formation whose origins cannot be found a
study on district Hafizabad one of them is combination of powers, a kind of armature
the historical geography that is relevant in which other territories might build
discipline to the current study as it is a themselves up like soft parts around
discipline of geography that explores how skeletons' bones. Geographers are
geographical phenomena have evolved over particularly interested in the origin of such
time. For interior administrative reasons, all boundaries because it aids in identifying
countries are subdivided into different units their structural common features in a given
or districts. They form a hierarchy in most ‘state. The political areas surrounding these
states, with roles and obligations 'cores' were established in accordance with
increasingly becoming more complex. There the time's political, economic, and
isn't a single small provincial state that administrative needs.
hasn't had its germinal, geographical Hypothesis; the area of Hafizabad district
beginning. To study the germinal, has played an important role as an
geographical beginnings of Hafizabad is administrative unite of the Indian

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subcontinent since the Mughal rule and it range of post-structuralistic theorists,

has the potential to serve in some capacity in including Michel Foucault, have developed
the future. new historical geographies of space, power,
(Nisbet, 1874), provided an important and social order. A broad range of literature
material that is available in the Gazetteer of was consulted, including dairies, historical
Gujranwala district that was compiled in accounts, settlement records, books, and
1874 on the order of the British government. other related materials about the Hafizabad.
The material in compiling this gazetteer has Objectives; the objective of this study is to
consisted of the already compiled gazetteer look into the political and historical
of Mr. F. Cunningham and Settlement processes that have led to the development
Reports about the Gujranwala district. A of Hafizabad as a district. The shifting
draft Gazetteer of Gujranwala that is locations of political centers in Hafizabad
referred above of Mr. F. Cunningham who over time is an important historical aspect,
was a Barrister-at-Law was compiled and this situation can be useful in achieving
between 1870 and 1874 but the draft of the the objective of this research work.
gazetteer of 1884 was compiled in only one Findings
year as per the orders of that time Pimprama core
government. Gazetteer of 1884 has extra When alexander the great marched in the
notes on certain points that were supplied by Pakistan region, he crossed the Jhelum and
that time’s district officers and another defeated the Porus at Bhera. Porus was
addition in this new gazetteer was the restored as king of the area Between Chenab
utilization of the report on the Census of and Jhelum river and when Alexander
1831. Major Nisbet’s Settlement Report of crossed Chenab and marched towards the
Gujranwala was an important part of the Ravi river he was passing through the area
gazetteer of 1884 that is used in this study as in which Hafizabad is located and here he
Hafizabad was Tehsil of Gujranwala district left his General Coenus to look after his
in 1884 and this was again revised in 1894- force which was busy in collect corn and
95 with some correction and additions. This other items from People of the area. Forces
work was reviewed and republished with of Alexander looted the areas between
features of geographical important areas and Jhelum and Chenab that include Hafizabad
races. This work is very important for this before further marching towards the Ravi
study so the review of work is produced in River. In the area between Chenab and
this part of the study. Jhelum rivers, Alexander faced another king
Research Methodology Porus who was an enemy of King Porus who
This research mainly relies on archival accepted the sovereignty of Alexander.
records to explore historical places and It means during the Alexander march in
environments, while observational evidence Pakistan, there were two Porus one ruling
and, particularly, tools like Geographic (Jech Doab) are between Chenab and
Information Systems are also indispensable Jhelum rivers and another ruling (Rachna
means. Under the charismatic impact of H. Doab) area between Chenab and Ravi rivers.
C. Darby, this term historical geography has Porus of Jech Doab was marching as an ally
been more commonly used. (Darby and of alexander in Rachna Doab when Porus of
Williams 2002). From the mid-1980s on, a Rachna Doab listened to the news of the
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surrender of Porus of Jech Doab and Cunningham theory Alexander in his

restoration to his thrown by Alexander. expeditions had a habit to march back in
Porus of Rachna Doab offered surrender of such areas where people after defeat or
his army and land but when he listened submission rebelled against him. So when
about the restoration of Porus of Jech Doab, he crossed Hydraotes (Ravi) and listened to
he fled the area because he had enmity with the new of assembling of tribes to rebelled
the Porus of Jech Doab. Alexander marched against him in the city of Sangala he re-
against him toward the river Ravi and crossed the Hydraotes (Ravi) and on the
established garrisons all over the area of second day reached Pimprama (Asarur near
Rachna Doab in which Hafizabad exists Khankah Dogran) after taking rest here he
nowadays. He dispatched his General Marched toward Sangala (Sangala Hill
Hephaestion with two brigades of the army Town in Nankana Sahib District) and
and advised him to conquer the land of reached in one day march.
Rachna Doab and hand it over to Porus of There are no signs of these two cities in any
Jech Doab. other part of India and Pakistan which were
There is Cunningham theory about the on one day journey from each other except
existence of Sangala city that was the center the Asarur as Pimprama and Sangala Hill as
of the Sangala Empire. The position of Sangala. From Ravi river, Pimprama was on
Sangala of alexander times is mentioned in two days journey and it can be Asarur
the books explaining the Expedition of according to Cunningham and Sangala was
Alexander. It is mentioned that Alexander on one day journey and it can be Sangala
the great after crossing the Acesines Hill as ruins of exact size were exited in
(Chenab) marched towards Hydraotes (Ravi) 1871 when Cunningham send an
and passed through the river Hydraotes archeological team in these areas as
(Ravi) which was not less than the Acesines Alexander Cunningham was appointed
(Chenab). When he was marching in the archaeological surveyor to the Government
area beyond the Hydraotes (Ravi) he was of India in 1861 (Cunningham, 1894: 194-
informed that there was a city named 207). If these two cities were of such great
Sangala in which an army was gathering of importance and both were between
Cathaeans or Kathain tribe to attack the Hydraotes (Ravi) and Hyphasis (Beas), these
Alexander forces. Alexander marched in the must be ruins of these cities in that area that
area with Hydraotes (Ravi) river and on the is not so far as discovered and claimed. As
second day of his march he was arrived at Alexandra razed the Sangala city to the
the city of Pimprama, further he take the rest ground and stayed in Pimprama, it mean
of the day and marched toward Sangala on Pimprama was surrendered and Sangala was
the next day.(Chinock, 1884: 310-340) It's resisted Alexander's forces.
mean Sangala was a city beyond the So Sangala and Pimprama were two cities in
Hydraotes (Ravi) and between Hydraotes Rachna Doab between 327-325 BC with
(Ravi) and Hyphasis (Beas) not between great importance and according to
Hydraotes (Ravi) and Acesines (Chenab), Cunningham theory alexander passed
whereas Sialkot and Sangala Hill are through this area which is close to current
between Hydraotes (Ravi) and Acesines day Hafizabad as Pimprama is at only 24
(Chenab). But according to the miles in the southeast from Hafizabad and
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Sangala Hill is at 34 miles in the southwest Empire started to divide into local princely
from Hafizabad. Accepting the Cunningham states. During this era, Toramana Shahi
theory it can be said that areas of District Jauvla in 493 kings of Sangala kingdom
Hafizabad were populated and culturally conquered the area and after him,
rich in the days of Alexander's attack on Mihirakula king ruled from 515 to 540 in the
Pakistan and from 200 to 400 BC this area Punjab region including the Rachna Doab,
was highly populated. After the victory Hafizabad. Sangala city in the time of
against the Porus of Rachna Doab Alexandra the great was an important center
Hephaestion erected a city in Rachna Doab of civilization and capital of Kingdom that
in which Alexander after returning from was sacked by the Alexander and areas of
other areas stayed for a while and received Rachna Doab Including Hafizabad had a lot
gifts from the allies and allowed the local of big cities as historians identified them as
people to live in and also offered scarifies cities, the remnants of these cities are spread
near the Chenab river before crossing it all over the Hafizabad District.
towards Jech Doab. Here Alexander order to Sakala or Sangala was a big city near
hand over nearly 2000 cities to King Porus current-day Sangala Hill that became an
in 324 BC as his ally in wars before that independent state when Toramana Shahi
Porus had 300 cities. After the assignation of Jauvla led the foundation of an independent
Porus by Greek General Eudemus, the area Kingdom and conquered the areas around it
of Rachna Doab including Hafizabad in 316 including Hafizabad. After eight hundred
BC was conquered by the Chandargupt years once again city of Sakala was emerged
Morya, who ruled it till 297 BC and his as the leading kingdom of Punjab in 493 AD
dynasty role the Rachna Doab till 184 BC. between Acesines (Chenab) and Hydraotes
Brihadratha the last Moryan king was (Ravi) rivers (Rein, 1970: 71). Asrur
married to Berenice the daughter of (nowadays Mian Ali village Khangah
Demetrius king of Greek. When Brihadratha Dogran) was mentioned by Hiuen Tsiang
was killed by his General Pushyamitra about 630 A D who described it as the
Shunga, in 184. Pushyamitra Shunga led the capital of Punjab and site of Buddhist origin
foundation of the Shunga dynasty and as some ruins of this religion found here. In
conquered the areas of Hafizabad as he the rule of Hazrat Abubakar Saddiqu R.A in
marched towards the west and conquered Madina; a Chines visitor Hwen Thasang
Sakala or Sangala city in 184 marched on the east side of Chenab river, he
BC.(Jayantanuja, 2007: 209) Soon after it visited the city of Sakala (Sangala) as he
he had to flee toward the China region as said that after crossing Chandrahhaga
Demetrius king of Greek attacked the areas (Chenab) river towards the east he reached a
of Pakistan and conquered the Rachna Doab city of Jayapur and went to a city named
region including Hafizabad (Tarn, 1951: Sakala. After it, another Empire of Asarur
67). emerged from the Southeastern side of
Sangala Core current day Hafizabad, and South Eastern
General Cunningham has given the theory Side of Khankha Dogran in the 6th century
that Sangla hill city in nowadays Nankan from 550 to 600.
Sahib District is a Sakala empire during the So it can be said that during the days of the
invasion of Alexandra. After 500 AD Gupta Holy Prophet of Islam, areas of Hafizabad
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were part of the Kingdom of Asarur. Hwen and later on Behram Shah of Ghazani,
Thasang mentioned the city of Tse-Kia Hunjra was a man of notables in Delhi and
which was the capital of all regions of his son Lakat reached Hafizabad region in
Punjab and Cunningham identified it as the 1120s founded his town in the current
Asarur. Asrur or current day Asrur was also days Hafizabad areas that were called
called UdamNagar or Uda Nagari by the Uskhab, exactly near village Ballo. Ruins of
local people living in 1871. Uskhab were visible near village Balo in the
Asrur Core 1870s and later on reduced in size in 2021.
During the time of Akbar the great, These remnants are under the occupation of
Pimprama was rehabilitated with the new Mamoon Jafar Tarar family of Kolo Tarar.
name Asarur after centuries of desertion by Lakat married Ruchand’s daughter and left
Ugar Shah a Dogar. Ugar Shah a Dogar built her with a son Mal (Bal). A village Ruchand
a mosque on the mound and the Shrine of is by the name of Ruchand near Ballo and
Ugar Shah was in Masrur (Khankah Dogran) Kolo Tarar. Mal searched his father in Delhi
Cunningham confirmed that people had and met with his eight half-brothers but
collected coins of Indo-Scythian era during returned to his area Hafizabad when he felt
the rains who ruled the area from 100 BC to no place in Delhi. Mal founded a city
50 AD and bricks of 18 by 10 inches in ruins Mandiala Malanwala (may be Balanwala)
spread through the 3 square miles or 15600 exactly near Dohattah Azmat. Ruin of
feet that proved Asrur as the ancient city of Mandiala Malanwala was near Dohattah
Pimprama. Asrur was a small village of 45 Azmat and only four miles in the east of
houses in 1871 when Cunningham visited Dohattah Azmat there were ruins of another
the place (Cunningham, 1882: 46) and same city in Chuntra Nauthen. It is said that later
kind of Mound with similar features of on Mal’s half-brother Dhool joined him. So
bricks and coins are existed in the suburb of Dhool and Mal or Bal were sons of Hunjra
Nauthen Village and is called Chuntra (a and the same tribes. (Nisbat, 1874: 4) Ghazi
Punjabi word for Mound) by local Malik Tughlaq rule the area during the
Randhaira Kharal tribe living exactly in Sultan Shahbudin, and Sultan Qutabudin
Nauthen (Chuntra) that is adjacent to Khiliji era and when he listened about the
Sukheki Service area of M2 motorway. murder of the last Sultan of Khliji, he raised
Chuntra is only 16 miles in the northeast of an army from Punjab and took over as
Asrur and local people still have brisk of the Sultan of Delhi. He adopted the name Ghias
same size and shape as Pimprama. If Udin Tughlaq and became sultan of Delhi
Pimprama (Asrur) existed from 400 BC to and appointed Behram as governor of
700 AD then it must have achieved a great Punjab. In this era, the Bhatti tribe came into
position in civilization. So when Chines this district in the 1320s when Udho son of
Traveler visited the area of Sakala Daraj who was the grandson of Dhir came
Narendraditya Khinkhila was ruling and and settled in Khangah Asrur near Khangah
after him, his son Yudhishthira became ruler Dogran and married in Jag and Hunjra tribes
of the areas including district Hafizabad and took land from them. Daraj had 12 sons
(Dani, Litvinsky, 1996: 169-171). In the and four of them; Dau, Lukhra, Raikumal,
12th century area of Hafizabad was well and Tajo sought land from Hunjra and Jag
populated as in the era of Sultan Arslan shah tribes.(Nisbat, 1874: 5 ) Tatar Khan
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Yousafkheli Lodi in the era of Behlul Lodhi Fojdars (Administrator) in the region that is
is important as he tried to rehabilitate it. identified as District Hafizabad nowadays.
After it all the land between the rivers Sutlej King Akbar learned that the landholders of
and Chenab was once covered by a veritable the areas in Chenab and Bihat that can be
deluge (flood) which resulted in a huge identified as Recha Doab and Jullundur
death rate and in the destruction of towns Doab had started to oppress the weak. He
and villages; for a long time then the region sends his minister Asif Khan in the area to
uninhabited; gradually it began to witness take care of the people. He appointed Zain
the habitation at places but the incessant Ul Mulak in the area of Mung, which is
raids of Mughals of Balkh and Kabul kept it Mung Rasool now a days in Mandi Bahudin.
in a state of and desolation. He sent Allah Bakash Kharal in the area of
It was at this juncture that Ram Dev took the Rasulpur as Fojdar of the area. Akbar sent
whole of Punjab on Ijara for nine lakhs of Hafiz Wali to the area between Jandala to
tankas from Tatar Khan in the reign of Lahore. In my opinion, Hafiz Wali was the
Sultan Bahlul Lodi in A. D. 1465; and,' person who led the foundation of Hafizabad
with Tatar Khan's he founded the township as before 1591 the locality named Hafizabad
of Batala on an old mound. (Habib and is never mentioned in any known document.
Nizami, 1984:1003) In the era of Khizar Hafiz Wali the Fojdar( administrator) led the
khan in Punjab and Akbar as Mughal foundation of the new city on his own name,
Emperor in the 1560s Lodi Kharal came to and in this way Hafizabad came into
Hafizabad with his four sons from Danabad existence in 1591.
currently in Syedwala in Faisalabad district In the reign of Akbar Hafizabad was raised
and settled in Sangala Hill (Tibbi) in the to the status of Mahal. Two years later
Sandal Bar region and after fights with Virk Akbar visited Hafizabad in 1593 for hunting
tribe took possession of the area and and from here he left for Lahore. Once again
encroached in Jag and Hunjra lands and Akbar visited Hafizabad in October 1597
became a permanent settler in Hafizabad in and hunted in the area and then passed on
1560s. (Nisbat, 1874; 6) After a year Akbar towards Lahore (Fazal and Beveridge,
appointed Shamsudin in Punjab and within a 1921:1096). Akbar raised the status of
year called him in Delhi and Punjab was Hafizabad to Mahal. During the reign of
handed over to Qutbudin in 1565. Mirza Akbar the great, Hafizabad was in the
Hakeem brother of Akbar attacked Punjab province of Lahore that had five Sarkars
but was expelled from Punjab by Akbar. (Districts); Sarkar Jalandhar Doaba Bheht
Akabar replaced Qutbudin with Hussain having sixty Mahals (Tehsils), Sarkar Bari
Quali Khan as the new governor of this area. Doab having 52 Mahals( tehsils), Sarkar
Meanwhile, Jalal Khan Bhatti led the Doaba Rachna having 55 Mahals (Tehsils),
foundation of Pindi Bhattian and later on Sarkar Doaba Jehat having 21 Mahals
Jalalpur Bhattian. (Tehsils), Sarkar Doaba Sindh Sagar having
Hafizabad 42 Mahals (Tehsils). Hafizabad was one of
King Akbar faced resistance from the local the 55 Mahals (Tehsils) of Sarkar (District)
tribes living in the areas of Hafizabad areas Rachna in the province of Lahore. In the
as Abdullah Bhatti of Pindi Bhattian refused year 1607 Mughal Emperor Jahangir visited
to pay tax. Akbar in 1591 appointed his Hafizabad on the 4th of April 1607 and
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stayed in the house Mir Qiaym udin karuri

for three days from Saturday to Monday and Era of chaos
left the area on 7th of April 1607 for Gujrat In the 18th century, Mughal Empire became
(Jahangir and Rogers, 1909: 91). At that weak due to internal disorder and Sikhs
time Jandiala Sher Khan, Hafizabad, and gathered their power and formed Misls
Gujrat were Praganas (Districts) of Mughal (raiders of equal ranks). Muslim tribes like
province of Lahore. Kharal, Tarar, Bhatti, Chatha of the
Shahryar son of Jahangir rebelled against his Hafizabad remained loyal to Mughal rule
brother Shahjahan in 1630 and captured the and opposed the emergence of Sikh power.
areas including Hafizabad but the rebellion Punjab after 1748 became the center of a
was crushed. This area faced drought in power struggle between Afghans, Sikhs, and
1656 in the era of Shahjahan, then emperor Mughal. Afghans attacked the Punjab and
order Syed Jalal the governor of Punjab to area including Hafizabad eight-time till
build ten open food kitchens for the people 1761. Khawja Abid Khan was governor of
of the area to meet the needs of food (Latif, Punjab who pressed the Sikhs towards
1966: 288) This draught reduced the current day Gujranwala. At Aimanabad
importance of the area of Hafizabad as near Gujranwala, his Sikh soldiers rebelled
before it flourished as thickly dotted villages against him that forced him to leave for
and towns with wells scattered all over the Hafizabad. Khawja Abid Khan was
area properly and served as Mahal of Lahore reinforced by Kharal and Chatha tribes in
Sarkar. From Akbar to the Aurangzeb era, Hafizabad.
the area of Hafizabad was well populated as Rai Ismaeel Khan Kharal and Mian Khan
villages were at two and three miles distance Chatha in 1761 were key fojdars of the
and well for irrigation was one per 12 acres Hafizabad and they reinforced Khawja Abid
of land (Morris, 1860: 22-23). Draught Khan with five hundred troops and horses
followed by floods and people left the area. and escorted him toward Sharaqpur
In the 1670s Tarar tribe left the area of (Alludin, 2006: 252). From the southwestern
Gujrat and migrated towards Hafizabad and side of Hafizabad Jhanda Singh Bhangi a
settled here permanently. This was era of Sikh of Bhangi Misl attacked the areas of
Aurangzeb Almgir the Mughal emperor. The Hafizabad and captured Pindi Bhattian and
area of Hafizabad became barren waste and suburbs and encroached in Hafizabad in
Jungle and depopulated due to mysterious 1764 but the Bhatti and Kharal as the
reasons including floods and drought. Muslims tribes continually struggled against
Looking at the tribes living in the area are them whereas from the northern side Chatha
all settlers from different regions and areas and Tarar tribes were key contenders against
as the native population left the area in the another Sikh Misl of Sukerchakia emerging
early years of Aurangzeb Alamgir. from Gujranwala in 1765.In 1752 Charhat
Hafizabad was a majority non-Muslim area Singh led the foundation of Sukerchakia
till the end of the 17th century. Rai Ismaeel Misl and he conquered the areas of
Khan Kharal got fame in the 1760s and in Hafizabad from Bhangi Misl in 1765 and
the 1850s Rai Sujjan Kharal and Chaudhary pushed the Muslim tribes of Bhatti, Kharal,
Salleh Kharal of village Sakhi were men of and Tarar in Jungles. Chahrat Singh
notables. (Nisbat, 1874: 6) appointed Bhag Singh Virk of Karyal
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Village of Gujranwala in the areas of

Hafizabad (Singh, 1963: 133-134). Singh Ahluwalia after occupying the region.
After the death of Charat Singh his son Kharal tribes of Sandal bar and Gogera
Mahan Singh captured the remaining areas region were supporting the Waseer and
of Hafizabad from Bhangi Sikh Desu Singh Wahga tribes against Bhatti tribes of
by killing him in 1782. Mahan Singh died Hafizabad which resulted in wars between
in 1890 and was succeeded by his Ranjeet Bhatti and Kharal tribes. (Haider and
Singh but after the death of Mahan Singh, Kharal, 2017)
the Muslim tribes of Hafizabad rebelled Sikh Era
against the Sikhs. It is a matter of fact that Sikh rule started with the fall of Jalapur
from 1761 to 1799 Kharal, Chatha, Bhatti, Bhattian and Pindi Bhattian in 1800. In the
and Tarar tribes continually resisted Sikhs in Sikh era, Gujranwala was raised as
Hafizabad. Randhaira Kharal tribe migrated headquarter of Sikh Misl of Sukerchakia but
from Danabad (Syedwala) in 1782 and when Lahore fall to Sikhs and Ranjeet Singh
settled in Nauthen when they killed Qamar forced the other Misls to surrender before
Singh Nakai of Nakai Misal. They under the him Gujranwala became a district that had
leadership of Qaim Kharal’s three sons; Peer three tehsils Gujranwala, Hafizabad, and
Muhammad, Faqir Muhammad, and Chakar Wazirabad. Hafizabad Tehsil had areas of
Randhaira Kharal immigrated and reached Khangha Dogran, Shiekhupura, Hafizabad,
Jangla Jagir and settled first in Udoki and Pindi Bhattian, Sukheki, Veneki, Jalalpur,
later on in Nauthen. Finally, Sikhs under the Rasulpr (Falcon, 1896: 95-96). In the era of
leadership of Ranjeet Singh started to Sikhs Hafizabad served as Tehsil as Ranjit
recapture the areas of Mahan Singh and in Singh has divided his kingdom into eight
1799 Ranjeet Singh marched towards provinces; Lahore, Jalandhar, Kangra,
Hafizabad after defeating the Chatha tribe in Jammu Kashmir, wazirabad, Multan.
Muncher. Ranjit Singh deputed Fateh Singh Hafizabad was part of Lahore province that
Ahluwalia to crush the resistance of Kharal, had seven districts or Pragnas; Lahore,
Tarar, and Bhatti tribes in the Hafizabad Amritsar, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Dina Nagar,
areas as he was busy in a fight with Chatha Gogera, and Sheikhupura. Hafizabad was
tribe. Muslim tribes in the Hafizabad area Tehsil of Gujranwala in Sikh era. Hafizabad,
defeated Sikhs a number of times but when Sharqpur, Khangah Dogran, and Gujranwala
Ranjit Singh reinforced the forces of Fateh became the tehsils of Gujranwala District
Singh Kharal and Tarar tribes dispersed in under Ranjeet Singh's rule. Sikh rule
the Jungle areas and the Bhatti tribe continued till 1849 and after it areas of
retreated towards the forts of Jalalpure Hafizabad fell to English rule. Hafizabad
Bhattian and Pindi Bhattian towns. In 1799 was divided into eight Jagirs (Fiefdoms);
Ranjit Singh as leader of Sukerchakia Misl Hafizabd and all of the jagirdars were non-
left the Lahore siege to attack these two Muslims as the property was snatched from
towns and expelled the Bhatti tribe towards the local Muslim tribes and distributed into
Jhang Sial. Hafizabad was given to Fateh non-Muslims by Sikhs.

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Administrators of Hafizabad
Name of Number Taluka Jagirdar of New Jagirdar Jagirdars under British
Taluka (Area) of holder Ranjit appointed regency in Punjab
Villages tribes Singh after 1830s to 1849.
in Taluka during settlement by
Mughals Ranjit Singh
Hafizabad 58 Kharal & Misar Mulraj Kahn Chand
Chatha Rulla Ram
Jalapur 22 Bhatti Diwan Thakar Das of Dit Mal of Amritsar
Sawan Mal Sohdara
of Alipur
Jangla Jagir 5 Kharal Diwan Launga Mal Launga Mal
including Sawan Mal
Nauthen of Alipur
Pindi Bhattian 98 Bhatti and Diwan Lauga Mal Lauga Mal
Kharal Sawan Mal
of Alipur
Chak Bhatti 21 Bhatti Raja Gulab Wazir Ratnu Dit Mal of Chak Bhatti
Tribe Singh
Rasulpur 44 Tarar and Raja Gulab Wazir Ratnu Nanak Chand
(Rampur) Kharal Singh
Tribe
Kolo Tarar 9 Tarar Ratan Amli Khan Dit Mal
Tribe Singh
Vanike 23 Tarar and Raja Gulab Wazir Ratnu Amir Chand
Chatha Singh
tribe

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After it, there were Jagirdars like Diwan British forces with help of the Pathan of
Kirpa Ram son of General Hursukh Rai of Jandiala Sherkhan and Bhatti and Tarar of
Hafizabad. (Nisbat, 1874: 88) Harsukh Rai Hafizabad. Kharral in Hafizabad followed
served in different capacities; Sub-registrar the line of Kharral in Gogera and was
Inland Revenue and DSP in the police suppressed by the quick action of Captain
department and he established village Rakh Cripps. In Hafizabad Zaildari system was
Harsukh Rai near Hafizabad city and his introduced in the 1860s by British rulers.
brother Hushnak Rai established Chani They were called police Zialdars and were
Hushnak Rai near Lakhia in Hafizbad. Lala 10 in numbers. They were paid by the
Ram Dyal was son of Hushnak Rai and was government from 100 to 150 rupees per
Lambardar and Zaildar of Hafizabad in annum. Kadir Bakhash Bhatti was Zaildar of
1860s. Lala Ram Dayal had two sons Sain Jalalpur, Rai Sajjan Kharal was Zaildar of
Das who was Kanugu of Hafizabad and Kassesey receiving 100 rupees per annum.
Mathra Das acting Zaildar of Hafizabad. Hafizabad was divided into 425 villages
Malik Muhammad Nawaz Khan Awan son having 425 Lumberdar and 310 Aala
of Malik Rehmat Khan Awan from Garhi Lumberdar and 10 Zails with Zialdars.
Awan in city Hafizabad was Darbari of Hafizabad, Vaneki, Kassesey, Pindi
British rulers in Punjab. Bhattian, Kulu Tarar, Sukheki, Jalalpur,
In British era Ramke Chatha, Thatha Manak and Kassoki,
This area came under the British empire in Nanuana, Thatha Mank, Kot Naka, Sagar,
1847 two years before the formal fall of the Khatrani were Zails in Hafizabad.
Sikh empire in connection with the regency Hafizabad, Pindi Bhattian, and Jalapure
at Lahore. In 1849 it was included as remained municipalities and were abolished
territory annexed to British Empire from between 1886 and 1890. Hafizabad became
Sikhs. In 1849 a cantonment was established a notified area in 1891. Looking at the
in Wazirabad and the area of Hafizabad was representation in 1930 Hafizabad had 10 out
included in the Wazirabad district. In 1851 of 30 elected members in district board
first regular settlement took place and in Gujranwala as it was divided into electoral
1852 new district of Gujranwala was board circles as each circle had one member
established that had Hafizabad, RasulNagar, in the district board. Zails were reduced to
and Sheikhupura as Tehsils and later on it 11, Sagar, Ramke, Nanuana were removed
included Wazirabad, Hafizabad, Sharaqpur, from Zail list of Hafizabad, and remaining
and Gujranwala as tehsils. After a year in 11 zails had 10 elected circles, as Zails of
1853 huge chunk of area 303 villages were Khatrani and Kot Naka had a single
transferred to Lahore and in 1856 another electoral circle. Looking at the educational
area of 324 villages was given to Lahore sector, the British government established
district. In 1857 Hafizabad remain peaceful ten primary schools in Hafizabad, Pindi
excluding the Kharals of the area who get Bhattian, Jalalpur, Kolo Tarar, Sukheki,
inspired by the news of the martyrdom of Lawere, Venike, Kalianwala, Ramke, Kot
Rai Ahmad Khan Kharal brought Nakka, Rasulpur, and two middle schools;
disturbance in the area. one each in Hafizabad and Pindi Bhattian
In the areas of Hafizabad Guru Mahraj area in the 1890s. (Lincoln, 936: 138) One
Singh rebelled and was hunted down by private school was Khalsa School in
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Hafizabad. Hafizabad had Arya Samaj styled leaders and rulers of whatever
School (Upadhyaya, 1940: 188). territory they could lay their hands on from
A Hindu high school was established in 1750 to 1800. After that era, Ranjit Singh
Hafizabad in 1914 (Report on Education, rises to power, as a powerful Sikh king.
1911: 176). In 1893 Khangah dogran was When he conquered Panjab, the area's
raised as new tehsil of the Gujranwala. In borders and internal administration were
1893 Hafizabad had three police stations, somewhat restored, as was the area's internal
(Pindi Bhattian, (144 villages) Hafizabad administration. In the 1760s, the area of
(145 villages) and Vanike (113 villages)), Hafizabad was fell to Sikh Misals and after
sukheki and Shamir were police chokis of it to the Sikh kingdom in 1800 and later on
Hafizabad police station. Khangha Dogran in 1849 to Britain after the Anglo-Sikh war.
had three police stations ( Khangha, Under British rule, Hafizabad become a
Sheikhupura, and Shakot) and Churkana regularly administered region. When the
(Farooq Abad) was police choki of Khangah region was taken over by the British the
police station and Manawala was choki of stability come in the areas of Hafizabad that
Shikhupura Police station. Hafizabad had an resulting in the political, social, economic
area of 877 sq miles, a population of prosperity of the area.
154034, and 402 total villages. The literacy
rate in 1909 was at 3.5 percent (GB, 2012:
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