Chiniot

Chiniot (Urdu: چِنيوٹ‎; Punjabi: چنیوٹ) is a city and administration headquarter of Chiniot District, in the state of Punjab, Pakistan. Located between the heart of river Chenab with the heads of small rocky hills, it is known for its wooden furniture architecture which has a great attraction in all over the world.

Name and etymology

"Chiniot" derives from the Punjabi, Chan and ote, means "Moon" and "behind", compound to mean "Behind the Moon". Its name mean also used as "Behind the Moon without light".

Geography

Chiniot city lies on left bank of the Chenab River inside the small rocky hills, giving a tourism sight and a great attractions for tourists. It is located at the point where Faisalabad-Sargodha road and Lahore-Jhang road meetup each other. It is 158 kilometres in the Northwest from Lahore and 38 kilometres in North of Faisalabad. Chiniot city is spread over an area of 10 square kilometres with an average elevation of 179 meters (587 ft). Chiniot is located at Latitude: 31.7200 and Longitude: 72.9789.
Chiniot lies on the left bank of river Chenab, with the rocky hills at the northern side between the river and city. On the other side of river, Chenab Nagar (previously Rabwah) city is located covered with the rocks is a great sight. In the center of river a (Committed) worship center (or Chilla Gah) of a great Muslim's Sufi Bu Ali Shah Qalandar is located.

Neighborhoods

Chiniot comprises many small towns and villages. Villages are mostly named as "Chak No."for example Chak No. 127 jb Bhatti Wala,(jb refers to Jang Branch Canal) which is a village planned and established by English engineers during the colonial period of British empire. These villages were planned mostly along canal banks to distribute the population evenly. Generally, its neighbours include Faisalabad, Bhawana, Lalian, Chenab Nagar (or Rabwah), Pindi Bhattian, and Aminpur (or Aminpur Bangla). The Bhawana is the richest one in terms of educated and employed human resource, a lot of which is holding high offices in the national bureaucracy. Aminpur is famous rest house built by British empire before independence of Pakistan at bank of Jhang Branch Canal. Faisalabad is a name known for its economy wise and industrialist place which has great role in the increase of economy of Chiniot.

Climate

Climate of the Chiniot changes every day as shown in monthly chart. Annually climate of Chiniot maximum at 30.2 °C and minimum at 19.2 °C is being recorded.

[hide]Climate data for Chiniot (1961-1990)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	19 (66)	22 (72)	27 (81)	33 (91)	39 (102)	19 (66)	35 (95)	35 (95)	34 (93)	32 (90)	27 (81)	21 (70)	28.6 (83.5)
Average low °C (°F)	8 (46)	11 (52)	16 (61)	20 (68)	25 (77)	28 (82)	27 (81)	27 (81)	25 (77)	20 (68)	14 (57)	9 (48)	19.2 (66.5)
Precipitation mm (inches)	18 (0.71)	35 (1.38)	24 (0.94)	13 (0.51)	17 (0.67)	48 (1.89)	82 (3.23)	87 (3.43)	43 (1.69)	9 (0.35)	11 (0.43)	12 (0.47)	399 (15.7)
Source: My Weather

Demographics

According to 1998 census, the population of Chiniot was 9,65,124 (included urban 1,72,522). According to 2010 estimated census, urban population of Chiniot is 2,01,781. Languages spoken in Chiniot are Punjabi and Urdu. Literacy of Chiniot is about 65%.

Tribes

Chiniot city has people with different ethnicity which are known for their professional works.Sheikh is also a famous tribe in Chiniot,they are the wealthiest family in Chiniot, some are working of furniture, some are landlords and some of them have other businesses.Syed is also a most common family in Chiniot, and have villages with their own names.

Other families and tribes of Chiniot includeDhera,Langah,Mufti (Makhdoom Qureshi), Walla Rai, Lali, Janjua,(koli chadhar), Marath, Aarbi, Aheer, Arain, Awan, Makhdoom, Baloch, Bata, Bhatti, Bhutta, Butt, Chadhar, Bhowana, Chishti, Chohan, Chughtai, Daher, Durrani, Galoter (malik), Goraya, Gujjar, Rehmani, Hanjra, Haral, Hashmi,Harya Jappa, Bala, Dhamraia, Jatt, Kharal, Kalru, Kullah, Khokhar, Laday, Lohar, Malik, Lakhesar, Marral, Mona, Mughal, Mumbarr, Malah Mahr Lalera, Naul, Kullah, Nakokara, Nissowana, Panwar, Pathan, Pirjha, Qazi, Rao, Rajput, Saharan, Saidhen, Salara, Samore, Sandhu, Sangha, Sangra, Syed, Shaikh, Sial (Mohdokana), Sipra, Tamimi, Tarkhan, Thabal, Thaheem, Waseer, Wassi, Mahlara, and Mangal.Noonare, Qureshikamangar {sadhu}, Mahr Sial (Master Allah Ditta Kay), KALUS, [[Lona-Chadhar]

History

After independence of Pakistan in 1947, many Muslims of East Punjab and Haryana settled in Chiniot. During the Mughal era, Chiniot produced many intelligent personalities and talented artisans who occupied positions in the Mughal courts, Nawab Saad Ullah Khan and Nawab Wazir Khan held the post of Prime Minister of India and the Governor of Lahore City respectively during the rule of King Shah Jehan.

Sardar Jassa singh Bhangi a Chief of this area ruled Chiniot for a great period of time.

Economy

The important products of Chiniot includes silk, cotton, wheat, sugar, rice, milk, pottery, and wooden-furniture etc. Chiniot is the name of leading industrial areas of Pakistan after Lahore and Faisalabad. It contains many of rice and flour mills. It has a Pakistan leading sugar industry Ramzan Sugar Mills on Jhang road which is a great increasing economy of Chiniot. On the other side Madina Sugar Mills also situated in Chiniot, by which Chiniot's economy increase very well.

Banks with branches in Chiniot include Muslim Commercial Bank, United Bank Limited, Allied Bank Limited, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, The Bank of Punjab, National Bank of Pakistan, Askari Bank Limited, Bank AL Habib, Bank Alfalah and Habib Bank Limited (HBL).

Education

The education of Chiniot increasing day-by-day, with it literacy of Chiniot is also increasing. As education is must in today life for a person, government of Chiniot has a great care of it and developing educational institutions and upgrading the old ones.A lot of intelligent students of chiniot getting education in world best institutes out side the country .Uk Australia Malaysia.China

Institutions

Educational institutions (colleges) in Chiniot includes ICON Group of Colleges,[4] Punjab College, Chenab College, Din College,[5] Masoomeen College, Govt. Degree College, Govt. Islamia College, Govt. Institute of Commerce, Pak Poly-technique College, University of Higher Education, Takbeer College and Future Star Science and Commerce Academy. High schools in Chiniot includes Govt. Islamia High School, Govt. High School,Govt High School Jhanb (An Honorable School, Govt High School Ahmad Abad, Govt. Islah High School, Govt. Girls High School, and Govt. M.T.B High School. Govt. High School Chak 14 jb Muradwala and GHS Langar Makhdoom[6]

Chiniot has also some religious institutions include Maraqaba Hall, Idara-e-Markazia Dawat-wa-Arshad, Faizul-ul-Aloom, Jamiya Masjid Farooqia, Jamia Islamia Imdadia,Darbar bava syed jhulan shah bukhari, Masjid Noor, Jamia Noor-ul-Anwar-ul-Quran, and Madrasa Fateh Aloom.

Libraries

Chiniot government has given library facilities to its residents especially for students. As after the death of Sheikh Omar Hayat, his palace "Omar Hayat Mahal" was converted into the library by the government of Pakistan.

Health and care

Chiniot's government is also responsible for its people's health and care which the do. Welfare institutions in Chiniot includes Anjuman Imdad-e-Mareezan, Edhi Welfare Centre, and Human Rights and Welfare Council Reged chenab officer Club Road Chiniot (President Shaukat Ali Azad Advocate High Court )Pakistan Social Association (R)Islamabad (Punjab)President Shaukat Ali Azad Adv .District Anti T B Association Chiniot President DCO and Gen Sec Shaukat Ali Azad adv, Health care centres in Chiniot are Ali Hospital, District Headquarter Hospital (D.H.Q.H), Fatima Memorial Hospital, Fazal-e-Umar Hospital Rabwah, Islamia Hospital, Lillah Hospital, Noor ul Ain Rabwah, Subhan Hospital, T.B Clinic, Yousaf Zubaida Hospital & Tahir Heart Institute Chenab Nagar. Dr Muhammad Aslam Ranhawa is Executive District Officer Health, Dr Munir Ahmad Malik is District Officer Health Chiniot. One DHQ, two THQ, three RHCs, 36 BHUs, 2 MCH centres, 1 GRD, 15 RDs are in the district. There are 44 vaccinators who provide daily EPI outreach services to children up to the age of 11 months. Chartable Ialamiaand Lillah hospitals are also imparting free health care services.

Transport and communication

Chiniot is very well-connected with rest of Pakistan by a main highway and a rail line. The nearest international airport is Faisalabad International Airport, which is 48.5 kilometres from Chiniot. Chiniot has a railway track passing from it since 1927 for the easiest and cheapest way of transportation. Chiniot railway is a main source of transporting the furniture from Chiniot to the rest of Pakistan. And it is a main source of importing the woods for furniture from all over the Pakistan. Chiniot Railway Station was built in 1927 during British empire was a great step for the help in economy of Chiniot. Khatm-e-Nabuwat Chowk is the main place of and main intersection between GT roads connecting large cities of Pakistan. Chiniot Bridge is crossing over Chenab river on the Chiniot-Sargodha road.

Famous Bus Body Workshop

Zaffar Punjab Bus Body Maker faisalabad road chiniot. PTCL # 047-6332548 http://www.bus-and-coach-photos.com/picture/number9116.asp

Culture

Islamic occasions

In Chiniot people celebrate Islamic occasions with great arrangements. As on 12 Rabi' al-awwal, 1440th birthday celebration of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, people of Chiniot arranged 63-maund cake, one of the largest cakes in the world.[8] That function was arranged in the Darbar Aalia Wadi Aziz Sharif.Urs of Hazrat Mian Rehmat Sahib at khoi mian rehmat sahib(ICHARWAL)

Furniture

Chiniot is world famous for its exoticly carved and brightly lacquered furniture. Chinioti craftsmen and artisans have for centuries carved flowers and geometric pattrens onto cellulose fibres. Masons from Chiniot are thought to have been employed during the construction of Taj Mahal and Golden Temple,[9] both now in India.

Despite the knowledge and century old traditions employed in Chinioti woodmaking, the Pakistani government has made little effort to promote and market its Punjabi furniture industry. A lack of vocational education and training centres in Chiniot means that modern working techniques are rarely used. The lack of computer aided design (CAD) also serves as a hindrance to modern manufacturing. Rather it needs at least one technical university in place to compete the gloabal updation.

Furniture making in Chiniot forms a vital part of Pakistan's secondary industry and is also essential to the Punjabi regional economy. A great example of this art is Omar Hayat Mahal which is completely wooden made palace in Chiniot.

Sport

Cricket is the most popular sport in Chiniot. There held many tournaments in Chiniot of cricket among different cricket clubs of Chiniot. In some tournaments outside cricket teams can also participate that tournaments. A cup and some cash prize is announced on the final of tournaments, which are given to the Winning team. Football is also played in Chiniot. Other popular sports in Chiniot includes Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton, Tennis, Kabbadi, and Horse racing. And the most Populer cricket club is Prince cricket Club in Chiniot And the Captain is Ch.Rizwan Jhana Prince And the Player of this team is Abubaker Prince, Ibraheem Prince, Bilal billi Prince, Ismat Pathan, Shani Prince, Tajamal Prince, Majeed Goga Prince, Iyaz Jaja Prince, Zubair Prince, Rehman Banva(92) prince And Ghaznfer Gajjo Prince. There are other good players who show there abilities in the Hard Ball cricket are. Malik Azhar Danish(Cap. Shaheen C.C), Malik Asif Ali(vice Cap. Shaheen C.C), Malik Manzar Abbas and Hafiz Malik Muhammad Abubakar.

Cuisine

Chiniot is noted for its food dishes, especially Kunna (goat meat cooked in a pot).

Politics

In politics Chiniot has all parties members like PML (N), MQM, PML (Q), PPP and PTI and many others. Most prominent and strong party is Pakistan Peoples Party. PML (N) was not very strong party in Chiniot but since when Mian Shahbaz Sharif president of this party and chief minister of Punjab came in Chiniot and gave it the status of a District this party became a strong party in Chiniot.

Politicians in Chiniot are mostly from Sheikh or Syed family.

Notable people

Notable people of Chiniot are:

• Justice Muhammad Amir MalikFormer Judge Lahore High Court
• Dr Abid Yasin Doctor and member of the Yasin family (MBBS)
• Maolana Manzoor Ahmad Chinioti, Safeer Katme NabowatEx MPA.
• [ Sheikh Mohammad Haneef.famous as MAMA HANEEF Member Majlis-e-Shoura [Ex MPA]]
• Mian Muhammad Mansha, 1st richest person in Pakistan, owner of the MCB Bank Limited and Nishat Group.
• Mahar Qaisar Iqbal Marath DCO
• Mian Habib Ullah, Ex Minister, President of FPCCI, Ambassador to Cyprus
• Sheikh Omar Hayat, owner of Omar Hayat Mahal
• Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, politician and Ex Chairman of chamber of commerce karachi
• Asif Butt, MQM Leader
• Nasir Chinyoti, a famous stage drama comedy actor
• Saqlain Anwar Sipra, politician in Bhawana
• Syed Inayat Ali Shah, politician (MNA)
• Muhammad Masood Lali, politician (MPA)
• Hassan Kamran Butt, politician
• Maulana Ilyas Chinioti, politician (MPA)
• Malik Muhammad Arshad,prominent educationist and principal of Dar-E-Arqam School network in Satelite Town Chiniot.
• Ch. Muhammad Ahmad Sandhu
• Syed Noor ul Hassan Shah, politician, Ameer Jamaat Islami, Chiniot
• Mahar Muhammad Naveed Haral
• Mian Haji Fazal Karim Vohra, Member of All India Muslim Leuge
• Wazir Khan, a court physician in Mughal Empire, famous for the Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore.

Malik Farakh Sultan Nissoana , landlord of ichrwal haji ghulam ali. owner 'of; jada 'jewlers in muslim bazar chiniot