Gujranwala (Punjabi, Urdu: گُوجرانٚوالا ) is an industrial city in the north-east of the Punjab province. It is the 7th largest
city in Pakistan with a population of approximately 2,661,360 as on 24
June 2011 (Extrapolated from a population of 1,415,711 in 2006 and a
population of 2,569,090 on February 4, 2011).[1] Gujranwala is located at 32.16° North, 74.18° East and is 226 metres (744 ft) above sea level.[2] It shares borders with Ghakhar Mandi, Alipur Chatha, kamonke and some small towns and villages. Punjabi is the local language, but English and Urdu
are also common, particularly in schools and offices. Due to extensive
road and rail links the city has flourished within the manufacturing and
agricultural markets. The city is on the Grand Trunk Road, which allows logistical connections to the provincial capitals such as Peshawar and Lahore and also to the capital of Pakistan Islamabad.It is in between Lahore
and [Gujrat,Wazirabad]. its small and medium industries. Gujranwala is
known for its extensive production of sugarcane, melons and grains for
international export.Gujranwala exports one of the world's finest
quality Rice. The city has set up several commercial and industrial
centres allowing the manufacturing of ceramics,Fans,electrical
switch gears,engineering tools,Agricultural/earth moving machinery,
steel, cutlery, crockery, iron safes, metal tool, utensils,
textiles,Wollen Sweaters, sanitary Fittings and tannery
production. The city has produced some of the finest wrestlers and
bodybuilders of the subcontinent, which has resulted in the nickname
'City of wrestlers' or Phelwana da shehar in Punjabi.
Sikh Period: 1762-1849 A.D.
Sikh Period: 1762-1849 A.D.
The Sikhs established their Empire in the Punjab after the death of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir in 1707. With the death of Aurangzeb the country saw a series of rapid governmental changes that stressed it in
to the depths of anarchy. Taking advantage of this certain Charat Singh, who was the head of one of the Sikh Clans, established his stronghold in Gujranwala in 1763. Charat Singh died in 1774 and was succeeded by his son, Mahan Singh, who in turn fathered the most brilliant leader in the history of the Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It was this short scattered man, addicted to strong drink, unlettered; blind in one eye who united the Punjab under one flag. His rule stretched from the banks of the Gambian to the Khyber and from Kashmir to Multan. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the most powerful of all the Sikh Rulers and ruled over for complete 40 years. After his death in 1840 the Sikh Empire was divided into small principalities looked after by several Sikh Jagirdars. This weak situation provided a good opportunity to the British of East India Company to put an end to the Sikh strong hold in the Punjab in 1849.
to the depths of anarchy. Taking advantage of this certain Charat Singh, who was the head of one of the Sikh Clans, established his stronghold in Gujranwala in 1763. Charat Singh died in 1774 and was succeeded by his son, Mahan Singh, who in turn fathered the most brilliant leader in the history of the Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It was this short scattered man, addicted to strong drink, unlettered; blind in one eye who united the Punjab under one flag. His rule stretched from the banks of the Gambian to the Khyber and from Kashmir to Multan. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the most powerful of all the Sikh Rulers and ruled over for complete 40 years. After his death in 1840 the Sikh Empire was divided into small principalities looked after by several Sikh Jagirdars. This weak situation provided a good opportunity to the British of East India Company to put an end to the Sikh strong hold in the Punjab in 1849.
British Period: 1849-1947 A.D.The area was annexed by the British in 1849. The Deputy Commissioner of that time Sir Bernardth Rebuilt the "Sialkoti Gate" , "Lahore Gate" and "Khiyaaly Gate". A railway line was built along G.T. Road which then was moved 100 yards towards the Eastern Punjab in 1881. That railway line interconnected Gujranwala with other cities of Punjab and made the commercial trade between cities more convenient. British ruled the city until Pakistan's independence in 1947.
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