Kasur

قصُور
—  City  —
Kasur
Country	Pakistan
Province	Punjab
District	Kasur District
Area
• Total	3,995 km2 (1,542 sq mi)
Elevation	218 m (715 ft)
Population (2007)
• Total	288,181
• Density	595/km2 (1,540/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+5)
Calling code	049
Number of Union councils
Website	Government website

Kasur (Urdu: قصُور‎), (Punjabi: قصور), the capital of Kasur District in Pakistan. Kasur is located adjacent to the border of Ganda Singh Wala between Pakistan and India, and is a tourist attraction because of the daily occurring Flags lowering ceremony. Kasur district is surrounded at north by Lahore, at east and south by India, at southern west Depalpur tehsil of Okara district and at northern west Sheikhupura district.

History

According to the great ancient Hindu scripture, the Ramayana, Lord Rama had a son named Kusha who was believed to be the ruler of a kingdom centered at Kasur in ancient times - and it is said the present city was founded by, and derives its name from Kush - whose twin brother "Lava" founded the nearby Lahore city. There are lot of archeological evidences all over ancient India (including Pakistan) that celebrates the life of Rama and his people including his sons Lava and Kush. Some critics argue that the mention of Kasur occurred only approximately 2,000 years ago. However there is no evidence in this argument and also appears to carry some ulterior motive. According to the critics, rather than being founded by Kusha 7,100 years ago, it is likely that the town was founded at a much later date and named after the deity.

In 997 CE, The savager Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he savaged the Shahis in Kabul in 1005, and followed it by the destroying northern Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints. Under Mughal rule, the city flourished and was notable for commerce and trade. After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh invaded and occupied Kasur.In Kasur campaign one of sardar of Maharaja Ranjit Singh ,General Gurmukh Singh Lamba took the fort of Morada from the grand son of Ahemmed Shaha Abdali,where sardar was wounded by the spear thrust and was granted Jagir of fifty thousand in Kasur in 1807 Pujab Chief- sir Lepel Griffen

Under the British Raj, the irrigation canals were built that irrigated large areas of the Kasur.

The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs were forced to migrate to India while the Muslim refugees Muhajir people from India settled in the Kasur.

Language

For more information, see Punjabi dialects.

Dialects of Punjabi

As per the 1998 census of Pakistan, Punjabi language is spoken by 95%. Punjabi dialects spoken in the city are

• Majhi or Standard (Majority)
• Malwi (Migrated people from Indian)

Other Languages include:

• Urdu being national language is spoken and understood.
• English is also understood and spoken by the sizable educated people.

Notable people

• Bulleh Shah, Punjabi poet
• Noor Jehan, singer and actress
• Basit Jehangir Sheikh, former MPA, Kasur District
• Sahibzada Ahmad Raza Khan Kasuri, former MNA
• Sardar Asif Ahmad Ali, former Foreign Minister (PPPP) and Now divert to Tehreek Insaf
• Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, former Foreign Minister and now Leading Member of PTI
• Sardar Tufial Khan Mayo, former Member National Assembly And Punjab Assembly
• Bakhtiar Mahmood Kasuri, politician and founding member of PTI
• Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, A Hindustani classical vocalist, from the Patiala gharana (Born in Kasur, later migrated to India after partition)

Agriculture

The main crops in Kasur are wheat, corn, potato, sugar cane and turmeric. Turmeric fields of Chhanga Manga and Noor Pur are unique agricultural features of Pakistan.

External links

• Government website