Pind Dadan Khan
| Pind Dadan Khan | |
|---|---|
| City | |
|
Tilla Jogian viewed from Jalalpur Sharif | |
  Pind Dadan Khan | |
| Coordinates: 32°35′16″N 73°02′44″E / 32.58778°N 73.04556°ECoordinates: 32°35′16″N 73°02′44″E / 32.58778°N 73.04556°E | |
| Country |
 Pakistan |
| Province | Punjab |
| Government | |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
| Postal code | 49040 |
| Number of Union councils | 1 |
Pind Dadan Khan, a City in Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan, is the capital of Pind Dadan Khan Tehsil, which is an administrative subdivision of the district.[1]
Location
It is located at 32°35'16N 73°2'44E[2] on the bank of River Jhelum, about 28 kilometres east from the M2 motorway. Pind Dadan Khan lies 6 km south of Khewra Salt Mine (or Mayo Salt Mine) and 28 km east of the Lillah-Toba interchange of M2 motorway.
History
During British rule, it became the headquarters of the subdivision and tehsil of the same name in the Jhelum District of the British Punjab. It was on the Sind-Sagar branch of the North-Western Railway. The municipality was created in 1867[3] and most of the income collected by the British authorities was by octroi.
The population according to the 1901 census was 13,770. It was formerly the dépot to which salt was brought from the Mayo Mine, from which it was carried across the river to the railway; but the bridging of the Jhelum at Haranpur and the extension of the railway to Khewra have by-passed.[3] In earlier days, brass vessels were made in the town and there was a considerable weaving industry. Embroidered luugis were often sold at high prices. Boat-building was a source of skilled employment, and river boats of Pind Dadan Khan make were in request throughout the whole course of the Jhelum. However, after the construction of Mangla Dam to strengthen the irrigation system of the country as part of the Indus Basin Project, there is now diminished water flow in the river Jhelum except during the flooded season. Manufactured products included glazed pottery of a deep red color, ornamented with black patterns and remarkably strong and of good quality was a speciality of the town, as well as stout leathern riding-whips made after English patterns. Nandana a village near Pind Dadan Khan is the place where Abu al Rehan Muhammad Alberuni came and he established a laboratory there which is still present there. Alberuni calculated the diameter of earth in that laboratory during his lifetime, now the laboratory seriously needs some interest by the govt of Pakistan as it is not look aftered and the building is vanishing day by day. if soon necessary care will not be given there will be no sign of great work by Alberuni[3] However, skilled artisans have left the area.
Education
During the colonial era the town had a high school. Within the city limits of Pind Dadan Khan, there are one government degree college for boys and one government degree college for girls already established and running. There is also one College of Technology under construction in the government sector. Furthermore, University of Engineering and Technology Texla has acquired a big chunk of land, on nominal price, from the local farmers but yet no class has been started. Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan Govt High School for boys is the oldest school in the whole district as it was built in 18th century, after creation of Pakistan the school was renamed at the name of Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan son of Raja Dadan Khan. Raja Ghazanfar him self was a political leader during Pakistan movement and was an active member of Pakistan Muslim League.There is a small campus of Punjab Schools and Colleges in private sector. There are many high schools. Raj Baksh Trust high School delivered excellent results by outstanding performance since her establishment by Brigadier Muhammad Ashraf Retired, a living legend. Fauji Foundation School and Educators School is also maintained by the municipality.
Health care
A Government dispensary (now Tehsil Headquarter Hospital) is maintained by the municipality.[3]
Dominant source of income
Agriculture is the usual source of income.
Population
Approximately 35,000 people reside in this town.
Languages
The language spoken in Pind Dadan Khan tehsil is not typical Punjabi. It is a blend of wanhari, pothohari and lunhari with close similarity to saraiki. With economic and educational development and due to effect of interaction of local population with surrounding language belts, some people have deviated from their traditional accent which is close to Punjabi. Language change is also affected by local population migrating to urban centres and adopting the urban dialects thus deviating from the local language. Local language when spoken in its true accent is sweet and soft and reflects tones of love and affection. Urdu is also spoken but not as often as local language. (Rewritten by Gulzar Ahmed Khwaja, a patriot Pindochi in April 2016).
Railway Station
There is a small railway station, which facilitates inexpensive travel.
