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Kasur

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Kasur is a major city located in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It serves as the headquarters for the Kasur District. The city sits south of Lahore and near the border with India. It also borders the Lahore, Sheikhupura, and Okara districts. By population, Kasur is the 16th largest city in Punjab. It is also the 24th largest city in the entire country of Pakistan. The city is an aggregation of 26 fortified hamlets. These hamlets overlook the alluvial valleys of the Beas and Sutlej rivers.

Mazar Shah Kamal Chisti - Kasur
Mazar Shah Kamal Chisti - Kasur

The name Kasur comes from the Arabic and Persian word *qasur*. This term means "palaces" or "forts." Some legends suggest the city was founded by Prince Kusha from the Ramayana. He reportedly named it Kashawar, similar to how Lahore was named Lahawar. However, historical records suggest a different origin. Most historians date the city to 1525. At that time, it was established as a fortified settlement. This history of defense is reflected in its very name.

Many different empires have controlled this region throughout history. During the Indus Valley civilization, it was an agricultural area with many forests. Later, the Maurya, Kushan, and Gupta empires all ruled the land. A Chinese pilgrim named Xuanzang visited in 633 AD. He described a place filled with mosques, tombs, and ruins. In 1005 CE, the Ghaznavid dynasty took control under Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni. This period introduced Islam to Northern Punjab. Sufi missionaries were later sent to the region to preach. This helped make the Punjab region predominantly Muslim.

The city we recognize today was shaped by the Kheshgi tribe. These Pashtuns migrated from Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1525. They built several small forts known as *kots*. This created a town made of about twelve fortified hamlets. The Mughal Emperor Akbar ordered the construction of 12 *mahallahs*, or abodes. These were named after the heads of various Pashtun families. Under Mughal rule, Kasur became a famous center for commerce and trade. It was also the home of the famous Sufi poet Bulleh Shah.

Refugee at Balloki, Kasur during partition of India
Refugee at Balloki, Kasur during partition of India

Political shifts continued to change the region for centuries. The Durrani Empire captured Kasur after the Mughal Empire declined. Later, the Sikh Empire captured the city in 1807 during the Battle of Kasur. In 1846, British Company forces occupied the city during the First Anglo-Sikh War. During the British Raj, engineers built irrigation canals to water the district. The year 1947 brought massive change during the Partition of British India. Hindu and Sikh minorities migrated to India. Meanwhile, Muslim refugees migrated from India to settle in Kasur.

Star and Crescent
Star and Crescent

Today, Kasur is a vital industrial hub for Pakistan. It is most famous for its leather tanning industry. This industry involves processing animal hides into leather. Kasur is home to one-third of all tanning in Pakistan. It is also a massive market for collecting and trading hides. To support the region, a large gas pipeline was built. Known as the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline, it connects Karachi to Kasur. This project was a collaboration between Islamabad and Moscow. It is a 1,122-km high-pressure pipeline.

The environment in Kasur is quite distinct. The area sits in a subtropical thorn woodland biome. It is also part of the deserts and xeric shrublands ecoregion. The climate is classified as hot semi-arid. This means the weather can be very extreme. The summer lasts from April to September, with June being the hottest month. The winter lasts from November to February. Rainfall occurs during the monsoon season and in the winter months. However, water logging and salinity have affected some parts of the district. This has made the underground water brackish, which means it is salty.

Christian cross
Christian cross

Kasur is a diverse place with many different people. As of 2023, the population reached 510,875 people. Most residents speak Punjabi, which is spoken by 88.64% of the population. Urdu is the second most common language at 6.10%. The population is mostly Muslim, but there are Christian and Hindu minorities. Many different tribes live here, including the Rajput, Jats, and Pashtuns. The city is also known for its many artisans, such as weavers and blacksmiths. Visitors often come to see the hilltop shrine of Shah Kamal Chisti.

Mazar Shah Kamal Chisti - Kasur
Mazar Shah Kamal Chisti - Kasur
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File:Mazar Shah Kamal Chisti - Kasur.JPG
Mazar Shah Kamal Chisti - Kasur.JPG
File:Refugee at Balloki, Kasur during partition of India.jpg
Refugee at Balloki, Kasur during...
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File:Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg
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File:Christian cross.svg
Christian cross.svg
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