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    Sheikhupura Through History

    Written by: Mahnaz Shujrah
    Posted on: September 07, 2021 | | 中文

    Sheikhupura Fort (credits to Aown Ali)

    Cities are often named after famous personalities, such as Abbottabad (named after James Abbott) or Faisalabad (named after King Faisal). The case of Sheikhupura is interesting; it comes from “Sheikhu”, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s nickname for his son Salim. The very same Sheiku who renamed himself Jahangir, became emperor in 1605 and later brought “Sheikhupura” on the map.

    Sheikhupura city itself is not very old, but the district it lies in, is historically significant. Sheikhupura district lies within the Rechna Doab, which is part of the Upper Indus Plain. Here also lies Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the first Guru of Sikhism, making it one of the most important holy sites for the Sikhs. It is 50 kilometers from Sheikhupura city, and was officially a tehsil of Sheikhupura district until 2005, when it was made a separate district.

    Sangla Hill

    Sangla Hill, a historically famous location, is 75 kilometers from Sheikupura. This area was the capital of Punjab in ancient times, and there are remnants of historic buildings that Alexander the Great passed through during his conquests. Another important city, Sharaqpur, which came into being in 1091, and is now famous for the Darbar of the saint Hazrat Mian Sher Muhammad Sharaqpuri. Narangmandi is also an important hub of the area. This area used to lie on an ancient trade route in Punjab, and it continued to be important even during the colonial period after the network of railways was laid. It is known as “mandi” (marketplace) because the best rice is produced here and exported to the rest of the world.

    Sharaqpur Sharif darbar

    The most iconic landmark of Sheikhupura city is Hiran Minar. This was built during the reign of Emperor Jahangir. Jahangir had an eye for art and a passion for hunting. Hence, he added several structures within the Lahore Fort, and many gardens across Lahore, where he would stop and rest while heading towards Kashmir for his expeditions. Sheikhupura was known for its dense forests and abundance of wildlife game.

    The story goes that Hiran Minar was made in memory of Jahangir’s antelope, Mansaraj. The idea of a memorial tower can be derived from the ancient concept of victory towers. Akbar was the other Mughal who famously created the Elephant Tower in Fatehpur Sikri, which is said to be the direct inspiration for Hiran Minar. Opposite the minar (minaret), there is a baradari situated in the center of an artificial pond. This baradari surrounded by water is also linked to the ancient concept of the mythological significance of the Lotus flower and Mount Meru, as all three places signify beauty, rebirth, centrality, and perfection. It is most likely inspired by the tomb of Sher Shah Suri located in Bihar, India.

    Baradari at Hiran Minar (credits to Aown Ali)

    The basic structures of the Sheikhupura Fort were also built during the reign of Emperor Jahangir, but the fort was upgraded and brought into use during Sikh rule. Maharaja Ranjit Singh granted the fort to his wife, Datar Kaur, who was the mother of the crown prince Kharrak Singh. She lived in the fort until she died in 1838. It was Datar Kaur who refurbished the fort and built an additional haveli, which was decorated with detailed frescos. After the British annexed Punjab in 1849, Rani Jindan, the last wife of Ranjit Singh, was placed under house arrest in the fort. The fate of the fort was not unlike those who occupied it, Mughals, Sikhs and the British, whose empires collapsed. The fort stands derelict and decaying, in desperate need of conservation.

    Fresco on the walls of the Fort (credits to Aown Ali)

    During colonial rule, Sheikhupura underwent changes which formalized its local government and altered its social and economic structures. From1600 to 1757, export of cotton and silk was the primary activity, facilitated through East India Trading Company. From 1757 to 1860 taxation levels soared, and hence Sheikhupur’s economy took a hit. From 1860 till the time of Partition, the British directly administered the area by establishing the British Board of Administrators. Basic industrialization was brought to several districts in colonial India, one of which was Sheikhupura.

    The interior walls of the Fort (credits to Aown Ali)

    On November 1st, 1919, the Governor of Punjab approved the creation of Sheikhupura as a separate district. This was considered a necessary step because the law and order situation in the area was deteriorating. With the creation of a new district, the British administration improved. However, as anti-colonial sentiments rose, the British turned Sheikhupura into a garrison town in order to maintain control.

    Today Sheikhupura falls within the top twenty most populous cities of Pakistan, suffering from the consequences of overpopulation. On a brighter note, the government recently inaugurated Pakistan’s first “smart forest” in Sheikhupura. The forest will be monitored and maintained through surveillance systems and sensors. It is hoped that the revival of the natural environment will help combat the effects of pollution in Sheikhupura. The city holds immense historical significance and a unique identity within Punjab. Efforts should be made to preserve its monuments and safeguard the city from the damage inflicted by industrial pollution.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021









    Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir



    Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir, 27 October 1947, when Indian military troops forcibly occupied Kashmir illegally, claiming a fraudulent ‘Instrument of Accession’ which never existed as documented by eminent British historian Alastair Lamb! Kashmir & Palestine are examples of illegal occupation & continued Resistance to Repression! There are so many commonalities in Kashmir & Palestine: both under brutal military occupation of foreign powers, both are facing an indigenous, popular, spontaneous & widespread Resistance & Uprising, both are in violation of UN Resolutions which haven’t been implemented, both are witnessing an attempted change in the demographic balance, both are facing the use of rape as a weapon of war, both are testimony to double-standards & hypocrisy of Western powers on human rights & fundamental rights, and both conflicts have an element of racism and Islamophobia, while enduring peace, security and stability will remain elusive in both regions, South Asia & Middle East, until these issues are resolved in accordance with popular aspirations.