Chishtian

Chishtian Shareef (Punjabi,Urdu: چشتیاں‎) is located in Chishtian Tehsil of Bahawalnagar district of the Punjab province of Pakistan. The city of Hazrat Qibla e Alam Khawaja Noor Muhammad Maharvi RA. The city is situated at 150 meters above sea level. It was a sub-division of Bahawalpur Division, which was part of Bahawalpur State. Chishtian Mandi name is common among old aged persons due to the grain market, the economical hub of the city. The city is also called as Chishtian Shareef, name due to the presence of shrines of Sufi saints.There are several mills and factories located in Chishtian.

History

In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he conquered the Shahis in Kabul in 1005, and followed it by the conquests of Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Punjab region.
Chishtian city was founded by Sufi saint Shaikh Khawaja Tajuddin Chishti around 1265 CE (574 Hijri, Islamic calendar). The town is called Chishtian because of the of Sufi Chishti Order. He was grandson of Sufi saint Fariduddin Ganjshakar of Pakpattan.
The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947 many Muslim refugees from India settled in Chishtian.

Pilgrimage site 

Shaikh Khawaja Tajuddin Chishti made this place his abode about seven centuries ago and spread Islam to the local population of area. Later on, he embraced martyrdom and was buried there. He was one of the earliest Muslim saints in the South Asia. Later, about 250 years ago, the great saint of Chishtia silsla (one of the spiritual chains of Sufism). Khawaja Noor Muhammad Maharvi was born in the neighbouring village, Mahar Sharif and was a famous Sufi.
Both saints' tombs are in the old city. Poorani (Old) Chishtian is so called because in the first quarter of the 20th century a new planned Chishtian was built just two kilometres southeast of Poorani Chishtian. Many followers come every year to visit their tombs and create a spiritual scene.

Economy

The Grain Market of Chishtian is a business hub of the area. Chishtian is surrounded by small industries and huge agricultural farms. A sugar mill also operates in vicinity of the city. The city is also popular because of its cotton crop. A paper mill, many cotton factories and ice factories and a few flour mills are working in Tehsil Chishtian.
Chishtian is connected with the world by metalled roads, railroads, telephone (PTCL Code: 063), mobile services available in Pakistan, and Pakistan Post (Postal Code: 62350)

Politics 

The oldest, powerful feudal families of Chishtian are Sahibzada and Chisti(of Mahar Shareef), Mirza( of mehmoodabad), Bhadera(of Niaza abad), Lakhwera (of shahr farid), along with other Johiya Malkera families, Malik. These castes are original natives of Chishtian and are called Riyastis or Saraikis. Others famous castes are Jutt and Araian, Jutt caste have a several sub castes (Goth) same like Goraya,Ghukkher(Raja), Randhawa, Gill, Cheema,, Chatha and others so many Goth of Jutt.And domintant sub castes (Goth)of Araian are Jatala and Ramy. Arain are called Chaudhry there.

NGO's

There are some NGO's working for the welfare of Chishtian. One of them is Matyana Welfare society. Moulana Tariq Matyana President of this NGO. Anjuman-a-Tajran(reg.708).SIRAJ-UL-MUNIR BADAR is president of this Anjuman. Minhaj Welfare Foundation. This NGO is working a lot for the welfare of Chishtian.

Geographical location 

Chishtian is surrounded by large industrial and agricultural cities such as Vehari, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Hasilpur, Bahawalpur, Fort Abbas, Haroonabad, and Minchanabad.
The settlement scheme, which was planned and implemented by Nawab of Bahawalpur in the first quarter of the 20th century had given an opportunity to Punjabis to come and settle there. As a result the Arian, Jutt, Rana and Sayyed families are in significant number in the City of Chishtian and in the villages settled along the canals of Tehsil Chishtian. Satluj River passes beside the city.

Industries

There is a main industry is Adam Sugar Mills Ltd. And in some other industries there are Chishtian Floor Mill, and some Cotton factories and a Paper mill

Gallery