The great sufi saint of Sialkot, Imam Ali-ul-Haq, better known as Imam Sahib, lived here during the 13th century AD, during the reign of Feroz Shah Tughlaq (of the Tughlaq Dynasty). He is reputed to have converted a majority of the local population to Islam. Another renowned scholar of Sialkot was Mullah Abdul Hakim who is known in the Middle East as Fazil Lahori. The Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, had him weighed in gold once and in silver twice. He is buried in Sialkot near the old Power House (Bijli Ghar).
Sialkot is the birthplace of the Muslim philosopher, scholar and poet, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, as well as the famous Urdu poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
One of the founding fathers of the Islamic Rupublic of Pakistan, Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi, also hailed from an area near this city. It was due to his association with the city that the famous Sialkot Convention was held here.
Another prominent figure from Sialkot was the eminent philosopher Professor William Lilly who taught at the Murray College, Sialkot and spent most of his working life there. His book on ethics remains a classic. Professor William Lilly and Dr. Muhammad Iqbal used to act as examiners in philosophy for Punjab University. The famous Indian journalist, Kuldip Nayyar, is the son of Dr. Gurbakhsh Singh who was from Sialkot and used to practice medicine in the city’s Trunk Bazar. The famous Indian politician, Gulzari Lal Nanda, also came from Sialkot. The first foreign minister of Pakistan and a world-famous jurist, Chaudhry Zafarullah Khan, belonged to tehsil Daska, Sialkot.
Dr. Qamar Tabish (1930 - 2001), a multi-dimensional personality, better known as a physician, mystic poet, scholar and painter who contributed a lot to the Urdu and the Persian poetry, religion and painting hailed from Sialkot. He is also remembered as a great devotee of Mohammad (peace be upon him) - the Prophet of Islam.
In the Civil Service of Pakistan, a few names distinguishly surface which belonged to Sialkot. Ejaz Naik, Secretary Commerce, Niaz Naik, Secretary Foreign Affairs and Riaz Naik, Chairman CBR.
Sialkot is not only famous and internationally recognized for its sports industry, the world-famous sports legends like Zaheer Abbas, Ejaz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, Shehnaz Sheikh and Manzoor Junior also hail from this city.
The British laid the foundation of the Sialkot Cantonment in 1849 which was completed in 1852. For establishing the Sialkot Cantonment, the British Commander-in-Chief, Sir Lord Napier, surveyed and selected the area between the seasonal streams, Bher Nala and Palkhu Nala, from the point of view of defence. He also laid the foundations of the Brigade Headquarters. The Area Command laid its foundation in 1852 under the leadership of Major General Angulas. Sheikh Ghulam Qadir and Seth Rai Bahadur laid the foundation stone for the Clock House (Ghanta Ghar) in the Sadar Bazar. Murray College, Sialkot was established in 1889.
The Alexandra Bridge, where the North-Western Railway crossed Chenab at Wazirabad on its way to Sialkot, was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1876. The railway branch from Wazirabad to Sialkot was extended to Jammu in 1890. The Sialkot-Narowal railway line was opened in 1915.
Paris Road used to be a fashionable area of Sialkot where rich and fashionable Hindus once lived. The most wonderful residence on Paris Road belonged to the famous Hindu barrister, C. Roy, which was converted to the official residence of the sessions judge in Sialkot after the formation of Pakistan. At the farthest end of the Paris Road, near the seasonal stream, Bher Nala, there were two enormous homes, both owned by Hindus, which were taken over by the government and turned into the official residences of the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police after the partition of British India.
The Connelley Park (named after a British deputy commissioner of Sialkot) was converted to Jinnah Stadium (by another deputy commissioner of Sialkot, Mr. Waqar Ahmed) in 1979 which was formally inaugurated in 1984 by the deputy commissioner of Sialkot at that time, Mr. Ismail Qureshi.
The famous roundabout of Sialkot, Iqbal Chowk, has been variously known in the past as Drumman-wala Chowk. Some other famous roundabouts are Samaj Chowk, Beri Wala Chowk, Shahab Pura Chowk, China Chowk, and Anwar Khawaja Chowk.
The old city has a fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and crowded bazaars. Down a small side street in the old part of the city is the shrine of Hazrat Imam Ali-ul-Haq (Imam Sahib). The path leading to the tomb is often lined with numerous prostrating pilgrims. The mausoleum complex is a maze of narrow corridors leading to several shrines of pirs (saints). The tomb of Imam Ali-ul-Haq is to the right, through a mirrored gateway tiled with Koranic inscriptions and geometric designs. The courtyard is a fascinating place to sit and absorb the atmosphere. To the rear is a small graveyard where drumming, devotional singing and dancing takes place. The market outside is very photogenic and a large flat roof at the entrance to the shrine offers a panoramic view of the deals being struck. On a low hill in the centre of the old city are the few remains of the Sialkot Fort. The shrine of the pir (saint) Muradala Shah is also on the hill.
Other places of interest include the tombs of the great Muslim scholars, Mian Abdul Hakim on Khadim Ali Road and Muhaddith-e-Sialkot, Sheikh-ul-Hadith-wa-Tafseer, Hafiz Muhammad Alim, in Jamia Hanfia near Do Darwaza (the name of one of the gates of the once walled city). Also of interest is the former residence of Dr. Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938) which has been turned into a small museum containing some of his personal belongings and named Iqbal Manzil (Iqbal House).
Another welknown "Sufi" Headmaster Master Inayat Ullah Choudhary(1905-1974) migrated from Lyallpur (Khushab) and settled in Sialkot after marrying a local Religious leader's daughter during 1921. He took part in Pakistan moment and was one of close friend of Khawaja Safdar an other famouse sons of Sialkot nodoubt,services of these few dediated sons of Sialkot for Pakistan moment are unforgetable.
In 1930, the tehsils of Rayya Daska and Pasrur were split up and parts of these were amalgamated in the Gujranwala district. In 1859, Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Sialkot were placed in the new division of Sialkot. But in 1884, Gurdaspur along with Amritsar again became a part of the Lahore division.
In 1991, the tehsils of Narowal and Shakar Garh (which was tehsil Shankar Garh in district Gurdaspur before partition) were split up and formed into a new district of Narowal.
During the Second Kashmir War in 1965, the Lahore-Sialkot region was attacked by the Indian Army which, despite overwhelming numerical superiority managed only to capture some outlying areas in the sector. The people of Sialkot came out in full force to support the troops of the Pakistan Army to repel the invasion by India. In fact, the armoured battles in the Sialkot sector (especially, the Battle of Chawinda), in 1965, were the most intense since the Second World War. In 1966, the Government of Pakistan awarded 'Hilal-e-Istiqlal' to the citizens of Sialkot, Lahore and Sargodha for their courage and bravery during the 1965 war between Pakistan and India.
Again, during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the region witnessed bitter battles, most importantly, the Battle of Basantar in the Sialkot-Shakar Garh area. The major Indian counter-offensive came in this area where, two Pakistani tank regiments, equipped with obsolete Patton tanks, confronted the Indian First Armoured Corps, which was equipped with the then more modern British Centurion tanks. Again, the Pakistan Army and the people of Sialkot earned a mark for their valor in defending against such numerical odds.
The Sialkot Dry Port was set up in Sambrial (home-town of Dr. Muhammad Iqabl's mother) between 1985 and 1986.
Sialkot is the birthplace of the Muslim philosopher, scholar and poet, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, as well as the famous Urdu poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
One of the founding fathers of the Islamic Rupublic of Pakistan, Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi, also hailed from an area near this city. It was due to his association with the city that the famous Sialkot Convention was held here.
Another prominent figure from Sialkot was the eminent philosopher Professor William Lilly who taught at the Murray College, Sialkot and spent most of his working life there. His book on ethics remains a classic. Professor William Lilly and Dr. Muhammad Iqbal used to act as examiners in philosophy for Punjab University. The famous Indian journalist, Kuldip Nayyar, is the son of Dr. Gurbakhsh Singh who was from Sialkot and used to practice medicine in the city’s Trunk Bazar. The famous Indian politician, Gulzari Lal Nanda, also came from Sialkot. The first foreign minister of Pakistan and a world-famous jurist, Chaudhry Zafarullah Khan, belonged to tehsil Daska, Sialkot.
Dr. Qamar Tabish (1930 - 2001), a multi-dimensional personality, better known as a physician, mystic poet, scholar and painter who contributed a lot to the Urdu and the Persian poetry, religion and painting hailed from Sialkot. He is also remembered as a great devotee of Mohammad (peace be upon him) - the Prophet of Islam.
In the Civil Service of Pakistan, a few names distinguishly surface which belonged to Sialkot. Ejaz Naik, Secretary Commerce, Niaz Naik, Secretary Foreign Affairs and Riaz Naik, Chairman CBR.
Sialkot is not only famous and internationally recognized for its sports industry, the world-famous sports legends like Zaheer Abbas, Ejaz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, Shehnaz Sheikh and Manzoor Junior also hail from this city.
The British laid the foundation of the Sialkot Cantonment in 1849 which was completed in 1852. For establishing the Sialkot Cantonment, the British Commander-in-Chief, Sir Lord Napier, surveyed and selected the area between the seasonal streams, Bher Nala and Palkhu Nala, from the point of view of defence. He also laid the foundations of the Brigade Headquarters. The Area Command laid its foundation in 1852 under the leadership of Major General Angulas. Sheikh Ghulam Qadir and Seth Rai Bahadur laid the foundation stone for the Clock House (Ghanta Ghar) in the Sadar Bazar. Murray College, Sialkot was established in 1889.
The Alexandra Bridge, where the North-Western Railway crossed Chenab at Wazirabad on its way to Sialkot, was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1876. The railway branch from Wazirabad to Sialkot was extended to Jammu in 1890. The Sialkot-Narowal railway line was opened in 1915.
Paris Road used to be a fashionable area of Sialkot where rich and fashionable Hindus once lived. The most wonderful residence on Paris Road belonged to the famous Hindu barrister, C. Roy, which was converted to the official residence of the sessions judge in Sialkot after the formation of Pakistan. At the farthest end of the Paris Road, near the seasonal stream, Bher Nala, there were two enormous homes, both owned by Hindus, which were taken over by the government and turned into the official residences of the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police after the partition of British India.
The Connelley Park (named after a British deputy commissioner of Sialkot) was converted to Jinnah Stadium (by another deputy commissioner of Sialkot, Mr. Waqar Ahmed) in 1979 which was formally inaugurated in 1984 by the deputy commissioner of Sialkot at that time, Mr. Ismail Qureshi.
The famous roundabout of Sialkot, Iqbal Chowk, has been variously known in the past as Drumman-wala Chowk. Some other famous roundabouts are Samaj Chowk, Beri Wala Chowk, Shahab Pura Chowk, China Chowk, and Anwar Khawaja Chowk.
The old city has a fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and crowded bazaars. Down a small side street in the old part of the city is the shrine of Hazrat Imam Ali-ul-Haq (Imam Sahib). The path leading to the tomb is often lined with numerous prostrating pilgrims. The mausoleum complex is a maze of narrow corridors leading to several shrines of pirs (saints). The tomb of Imam Ali-ul-Haq is to the right, through a mirrored gateway tiled with Koranic inscriptions and geometric designs. The courtyard is a fascinating place to sit and absorb the atmosphere. To the rear is a small graveyard where drumming, devotional singing and dancing takes place. The market outside is very photogenic and a large flat roof at the entrance to the shrine offers a panoramic view of the deals being struck. On a low hill in the centre of the old city are the few remains of the Sialkot Fort. The shrine of the pir (saint) Muradala Shah is also on the hill.
Other places of interest include the tombs of the great Muslim scholars, Mian Abdul Hakim on Khadim Ali Road and Muhaddith-e-Sialkot, Sheikh-ul-Hadith-wa-Tafseer, Hafiz Muhammad Alim, in Jamia Hanfia near Do Darwaza (the name of one of the gates of the once walled city). Also of interest is the former residence of Dr. Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938) which has been turned into a small museum containing some of his personal belongings and named Iqbal Manzil (Iqbal House).
Another welknown "Sufi" Headmaster Master Inayat Ullah Choudhary(1905-1974) migrated from Lyallpur (Khushab) and settled in Sialkot after marrying a local Religious leader's daughter during 1921. He took part in Pakistan moment and was one of close friend of Khawaja Safdar an other famouse sons of Sialkot nodoubt,services of these few dediated sons of Sialkot for Pakistan moment are unforgetable.
In 1930, the tehsils of Rayya Daska and Pasrur were split up and parts of these were amalgamated in the Gujranwala district. In 1859, Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Sialkot were placed in the new division of Sialkot. But in 1884, Gurdaspur along with Amritsar again became a part of the Lahore division.
In 1991, the tehsils of Narowal and Shakar Garh (which was tehsil Shankar Garh in district Gurdaspur before partition) were split up and formed into a new district of Narowal.
During the Second Kashmir War in 1965, the Lahore-Sialkot region was attacked by the Indian Army which, despite overwhelming numerical superiority managed only to capture some outlying areas in the sector. The people of Sialkot came out in full force to support the troops of the Pakistan Army to repel the invasion by India. In fact, the armoured battles in the Sialkot sector (especially, the Battle of Chawinda), in 1965, were the most intense since the Second World War. In 1966, the Government of Pakistan awarded 'Hilal-e-Istiqlal' to the citizens of Sialkot, Lahore and Sargodha for their courage and bravery during the 1965 war between Pakistan and India.
Again, during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the region witnessed bitter battles, most importantly, the Battle of Basantar in the Sialkot-Shakar Garh area. The major Indian counter-offensive came in this area where, two Pakistani tank regiments, equipped with obsolete Patton tanks, confronted the Indian First Armoured Corps, which was equipped with the then more modern British Centurion tanks. Again, the Pakistan Army and the people of Sialkot earned a mark for their valor in defending against such numerical odds.
The Sialkot Dry Port was set up in Sambrial (home-town of Dr. Muhammad Iqabl's mother) between 1985 and 1986.
