Gujrat, Pakistan

Gujrat is a major city located in the northern Punjab region of Pakistan. It sits on the western bank of the Chenab River. The city is positioned between two famous rivers: the Jhelum River to the northwest and the Chenab River to the east. The Chenab River serves as a natural border, separating Gujrat from the districts of Sialkot and Gujranwala. Gujrat is the headquarters for its own district and division. It is also recognized as part of the "Golden Triangle of Punjab." This title connects Gujrat with Sialkot and Gujranwala due to their industrial and export-oriented economies.

The history of Gujrat is defined by many ancient empires and shifts in power. In May 326 BC, the Greek leader Alexander fought the Battle of Hydaspes in this region. He defeated the king named Porus during this difficult campaign. Alexander was so impressed by Porus's bravery that he reinstalled him as a vassal of the Macedonian Empire. After Alexander died in June 323 BC, the area came under the Mauryan Empire. This empire was led by Chandragupta Maurya, who came from the Magadha region. Later, the Indo-Greek Kingdom took control under the rule of Demetrius I.

Successive waves of different groups shaped the political landscape of the region. In the second century CE, the Scythian invasion led by Maues established the Indo-Scythian Kingdom. Soon after, a Parthian governor named Gondophares declared independence and formed the Indo-Parthian kingdom in 19 CE. The Kushan Empire eventually invaded during the second half of the first century CE. The Kushans created a vast, prosperous empire across Central and South Asia. This period led to a significant flowering of Buddhism in the area. Between 455 and 550 CE, the Alchon Huns invaded and caused great destruction.

The name of the city is closely tied to the local Gujjar tribe. Some historians believe the name Alakhana refers to the Alchon Huns. This name may be linked to Ali Khan, a figure the Gujjar tribe identifies as their founder. During the 16th century, the Suri ruler Sher Shah toppled the Mughals. At that time, the area was known as Khwaspur, named after Khwas Khan. The Mughal Emperor Akbar later developed the city and built the Gujrat Fort. He allowed the Gujjars to settle within the fort walls. By 1605, the city was granted as a fief to Syed Abdul Kasim.

As the Mughal Empire weakened after 1707, Gujrat faced many violent invasions. In 1738, the Persian ruler Nadir Shah invaded with an army of 270,000 men. His forces crossed the Chenab River near the Shahdoula Shrine and pillaged the town. Later, the Durrani Afghans annexed the region through eight different invasions between 1748 and 1767. The city also saw intense conflict between the Gakhar Punjabi tribes and the Sikh Bhangi Misl. In 1765, Gujjar Singh led the Sikhs to capture Gujrat. Eventually, the Sikh Empire took control of the city in 1810 under Ranjit Singh.

British control began in 1849 following the Second Anglo-Sikh War. The British victory at the Battle of Gujrat on February 22 ended the conflict. Gujrat was later established as a municipality in 1867. The city has grown significantly in size over the last century. In 1881, the population was only 18,396 people. By 1921, that number had risen to 21,974. According to the 2023 census, the urban population reached 574,240. This makes it the 11th-most populous city in Punjab and the 16th in all of Pakistan.

Modern Gujrat is a diverse and educated urban center. Most residents, about 90.43%, speak the Punjabi language. Other languages spoken include Urdu at 5.91% and Pashto at 2.74%. The city is a hub for learning with several notable institutions. These include the University of Gujrat and the Punjab College of Science. The city is also well-connected by the Karachi–Peshawar Line of the Pakistan Railways. This allows the city to remain a vital part of the country's transport system. Gujrat remains famous for its industry and its place in the Punjabi folktale of Sohni Mahiwal.