Sialkot History, Pakistan

Sialkot, Pakistan – History

Sialkot is one of the most popular industrial cities of Pakistan. Different sources claim different historical backgrounds of Sialkot. Most reliable sources indicate that the history of Sialkot dates back to 327 BCE. Historical findings and antiques indicate that this area also has links of Greek and Persian origin.

Sir Alexander Cunningham has also discussed the antiques and archeological wonders of Sialkot. Sialkot is also mentioned in some ancient scriptures and oral traditions. Some historians believe that the city of Sialkot is founded by Raja Sul or Sálá. Sul’s Epic was discussed by the people of subcontinent for a long time.

A popular stream in Sialkot “Aik Nala” has also been discussed in Upanishads. During 1500 - c. 200 B.C.E, Sialkot was the capital of Madras. In the early days of its history, the region of Sialkot was inhabited by Yahars or Yirs. In the historical books, Sialkot has also been mentioned as Sagala.

According to the Greek and Persian historians, Sialkot was one of the wealthiest states of this region. In the Indo-Greek Kingdom, Sagala, (Sialkot) was the capital of the region. It has also acted as one of the capitals of Indo-Greek Empire.

According to popular Punjabi folk-lore, Sialkot was re-founded by Raja Sáliváhan. In the reign of Raja Sáliváhan, the region of Sialkot was fortified by a fort named Sialkot Fort. After the death of Raja Sáliváhan, his sons Puran and Rasalu ruled over the region for many years. After the reins of Puran and Rasalu, there are no significant historical accounts of Sialkot.

Sialkot History- Muslim Rule

In 1185, Sialkot became a part of the Muslim Empire. Mughal Emperors ruled Sialkot for many years. After Mughals, Sialkot came under the reign of Afghans.

In 1748, Afghan ruler Ahmed Shah Durrani ruled over the four districts of Punjab including Sialkot, Gujarat, Pasroor, and Daska. He let Sialkot the part of the Afghan Empire. In 1748, Ahmad Shaw Durrani conquered Sialkot and let it under the Afghan Empire.

After the Afghan Rule, Sialkot came under the reign of the Sikhs who ruled over it for 40 years. Raja Ranjit Singh was the ruler of this region between 1797 and 1810. Sialkot was captured by the British after Anglo-Sikh in 1849. Sialkot is also a birthplace of many famous dignitaries including a famous poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal. After independence in 1947, many immigrants from the neighbouring towns of Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Pathan Kot and Gurdaspur settled in Sialkot and soon it became an important industrial center of Pakistan.