Gujranwala History, Pakistan

Gujranwala is one of the most populous cities in the province of Punjab, Pakistan.  With population of approximately 2 million, its fifth largest city in Pakistan. Historical and archeological findings indicate that the city of Gujranwala has been inhabited since antiquity. According to the historians, the first settlers in this area were Khanpur Shansi. Jat and Gujjar are also amongst the early settlers in this area. Initially, it was known as Khanpur. A mound is discovered near the modern village of Asarur indicates the ancient settlement in this area.

Under Mughal and British Rule, the city of Gujranwala flourished and prospered. The city was named Gujranwala after Gujjar tribes who dominated the population of the city in 16th century. Other small neighboring towns and suburbs near Gujranwala are Gakhar mandi, Wazirabad, Gujrat, and Amenabad. Sikhs occupied the province of Punjab after the death of Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir in 1707. After Sikhs came into power in the 18th and 19th centuries, Gujranwala became the center of politics, trade and agriculture.

Gujranwala served as the capital of Sikhs Empire until Lahore became the center of Power. Sikh Leader Ranjit Singh born here and he selected Gujranwala a center of his Empire. After the death of Ranjit Singh in 1840, the Sikh Empire was disintegrated.  In 1849, the area was occupied by the British.

A railway station was established in Gujranwala before the independence of Pakistan. The railway station is situated on the Grand Trunk Road. A major railway line was laid in Gujranwala to link it with the major cities of Punjab including Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujarat and Multan etc.

It made the commercial trade between Gujranwala and other cities of Punjab very easy. In the following year the railway line expanded and connected with different cities of British India including Calcutta, Amritsar, Delhi and Karachi.

After independence in 1947, Gujranwala emerged as a major city of Punjab. It became the center of Agriculture, Trade and Manufacturing. Many industrial units were established in this city. In 1970s and 1980s, the city of Gujranwala witnessed a major industrial development.

Some of the major industries which were established in this area include Agriculture, Utensils, ceramics, pottery, leather, textile, tanning, electric fan and silk etc. Gujranwala produces a variety of foods including melon, sugarcane, rice, barley, wheat and cotton etc. Gujranwala is famous in all over the Pakistan for its traditional food including chicken karahi, barbeque and mutton karahi etc.