Jump to content

Sargodha

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Webkami (talk | contribs) at 15:22, 21 May 2007 (Undid revision 132427928 by 202.83.169.218 (talk) please consider other advertising methods). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Template:Pakistani Cities

Sargodha (Urdu: سرگودھا) is located in Punjab, Pakistan.

A city of northeast Pakistan west-northwest of Lahore. It is an agricultural trade center with varied industries. Population: 542,000. Sargodha, city (1998 pop. 455,360), Punjab province, Pakistan, on the lower Jhelum Canal. It is a center for trade in cotton and other agricultural commodities. Sargodha has manufactures in hosiery, textiles, chemicals, and soap. The telephone dialing code for: Sargodha, Pakistan The country code is: 92 The city code is: 048

Etymology

There are several theories as to the origins of the name. It may be derived from the Sanskrit 'svargadhaama', meaning 'heavenly abode'[citation needed]. Other theories suggest that the name Sargodha is derived from that of a Hindu loca, Godha.[citation needed] Also it is believed that there was an old pond in the middle of the town where an old hindu monk or sadhu (GODHA) used to live. Well in Hindi language the word for pond is "SER" . Since the town had modest population people would refer the place as SERGODHA, the place where that famous Sadhu resided next to the pond.

A bit from History

Sargodha is one of three "planned cities"in Pakistan(other two are *Faisalabad and (Capital of Pakistan) *Islamabad) Just over a century back, there was a well owned by a hindu named "Goodha",well was known as "Gool Khuuh"(round well), and travellers used it as a resting place. When the wheel of time turned the well was eventually out of use and a market evolved around it There is a market at the place where "Gool Khuuh" used to exist and a grand mosque above the market and it is known as "Goal Chowk", which is the center of downtown Sargodha today. Sargodha was a small town in early British Raj but due to its geophysical location British Royal Air Force set up an airport here which took greater importance after partition for the Pakistan Air Force. Shahpur which is now a tehsil of district sargodha was the district at that time. Most part of the tehsil Sillanwali and Kirana Pahari region were part of district Jhang and were included later during British Raj in district Sargodha.

Role of Sargodha in 1965 Pakistan India War.

File:HILAL-E-ISTAQLAL1a.jpg
Pakistani Postage Stamp of the Flag Awarded to Citizens of Lahore, Sialkot and Sargodha after 1965 Pakistan India War.

In 1966, Pakistan Government had awarded the citizens of Lahore, Sialkot and Sargodha for their bravery in the 1965 Pakistan India War which started on September 06, 1965. when the Indian Army troops suddenly attacked Pakistan and crossed the border in the early morning of September 6, 1965, using several armoured and infantry divisions. The Indian Army Chief and high official announced that they will have dinner in Lahore Gymkhana Club. But all there dreams were changed to a nightmare, when Pakistan's brave soldiers and citizens became a wall of resistance against them at the famous BRB canal. During this 17 days war, the character of citizens of Lahore proved themselves as formidable and undefeatable through their bravery.

On 07.09.1965, the Indian Army attacked with over 1,000 armed tanks at Sialkot sector at Chawinda, where the biggest tank battle after 2nd world war was fought. All Indian plans were turned into shambles by men from Pakistan Army who laid down their lives and devastated India's armour might. It was here that the legend of a fight between men and steel took place, where men defeated the metal and machine. This also where the legend started that Pakistani soldiers tied bombs with their bodies lay in front of the Indian tanks and gave their lives to save Pakistan. Pakistan captures many Indian tanks intact and most of the Indian tanks were changed in the scrap.

On the very day, the Indian Air Force attacked with all its might at Sargodha Air base (main Pakistan Air Force base of that time) with their latest Jet Migs which they had acquired from the USSR. By the grace of Almighty Allah (God) and the bravery and skills of Pakistan Air Force most of Indian planes were destroyed. Seeing this bravery of the Citizens of Lahore, Sialkot and Sargodha, the Government of Pakistan awarded the cities and citizens of Lahore, Sialkot and Sargodha with the flag name "HILAL-E-ISTAQLAL" which is one of the highest civilian awards.

Demographics

Sargodha is the eighth largest city of Pakistan, 175 kilometres northwest of Lahore, in Sargodha District. It is called Shaheenõ Ka Shahar (A City of Eagles), having Pakistan Air Force Operational and Central Command Air Base, and an Army Garrison. It is an agricultural city, wheat, rice, and sugar cane being its main crops. Also it is famous for its Kinow Oranges.


Divisional Headquarter

Sargodha is a divisional headquarter of the Sargodha Division. Sargodha division has following districts:

  1. Sargodha District
  2. Khushab District
  3. Mianwali District
  4. Bhakkar District

Tehsils of Sargodha

Sargodha District is further divided into the following major Tehsils.

  1. Sargodha
  2. Sillanwali
  3. Bhalwal, Ali Pur Noon,Bhera,Lilyani.
  4. Sahiwal
  5. Kot Momin
  6. Shahpur Sadar,Jhaweryaan.

Sargodha is connected to other major cities of Pakistan by motorways through Pindi-bhatian Interchange for Lahore and Bhalwal Interchange for Islamabad/Peshawar.

Communications

Dialing Code: NWD 048 ISD +9248xxx xxxx Postal Code: 40100

Media

  • Radio Pakistan Sargodha (FM Band)
  • FM Sunrise (96 Mhz) Most popular, also plays Indian and western music
  • Pakistan Television Islamabad Center terrestrial transmissions at VHF and UHF band routed from Sakesar rebroadcast center.
  • Cable tv transmissions via cable service providers.

Print Media

Local News papers include:

Internet service providers

  • Earth2link Wireless and internet provider compony
  • WOL World Online
  • Brain net
  • Paknet
  • Wave Net
  • Cybernet
  • Pioneer
  • sky linker

Mobile Phone Operators

WLL Operators

  • PTCL-V (Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd.) [2]
  • Worldcall Wireless (Worldcall Telecom Ltd.)
  • GO CDMA (TeleCard Ltd.) [3]

skylinker telecom

Schools, colleges and Universities

  • University of Sargodha (formerly Government College, Sargodha)
  • Jamia Miftaah-ul-uloom (Chowk Satellitetown)
  • Govt. Junior Model School (Satellitettown D-Block)
  • Ambala Muslim College
  • Government Degree College for Women
  • Government College for Women, Farooq Colony
  • Govt. Comprehensive High School
  • Govt Ambala Muslim High School(the most beautiful college of sargodha)
  • Progressive Public School/College.
  • F.G. Public School, Mela mandi Road
  • Suffah College
  • Combat Commanders School of PAF.
  • PAF Public School Sargodha
  • Fazaia Inter College Mushaf (formerly Air Base Intermediate College Sargodha, ABICS)
  • Fazaia Model Inter College, PAF Base Mushaf
  • Divisional Public School
  • Army Public School and College
  • Punjab College of Information and Technology,
  • Quid-e-Azam Law College
  • Govt. Model High School No. 1.
  • Govt. Central Model High School New Satellite
  • F.G. Model School New Cantt.
  • Punjab College of Commerce
  • Beacon House School System
  • Superior Science College (Faisalabad Road)
  • Al-Basharah College of Technology (City Road
  • Govt.Polytechnic Institute P.A.F Road
  • Govt. postgraduate college of commerce(Faisalabad road)
  • The Punjab Girls High School (Qainchi More)

Shaheenon Ka Shahar (city of Eagles)

Sargodha city is also called a city of Eagles or 'Shaheenon Ka Shahhar'. Sargodha with its PAF airbase was a hub in 1965 India Pakistan Air war hence this name was officially adopted. Some people believe that it is because of the second largest Pakistan Airforce Airbase while some believe that M.M. Alam flew his fighter plane from Sargodha base & destroyed nearly 12 fighter jets of India during the air war.

Citrus Fruit

Sargodha is famous for production of citrus fruit: kinnu (a type of orange), malta, and grapefruit. The soil is very receptive to citrus fruit and Sargodha arguably produces the best quality kinnu in the world. Per acre yield of kinnuis arguably the highest in the world. Demand for kinnu of Sargodha is highest in domestic fruit markets, especially from Tehsil Sillanwali followed by a narrow margin by kinnu of Kot momin.

Recreation and Sports

Although recreational activities are limited, but two major recreational parks, Joy Land in Jinnah Garden (Company Bagh), and Rehmat, a Park in Satellite Town, provide a space for enjoyment and recreation. A cricket stadium adjacent to the university was developed and ODI match between PAK & W. Indies was played here in 1980s but according to the new rules of ICC it is not suitable for today's international cricket. The city is also famous for large scale sports activity in cricket, hockey, kabaddi and volleyball. Muhammad Hafeez (Chanda), Naveed Latif & Misbah-ul-Haq also belongs to Sargodha. An annual seasonal spring festival "Mela Mandi", a tradition of Punjab is organized during the month of march.

Shopping in Sargodha

A decade before, shopping in Sargodha was limited to the bazaars like Ameen Bazaar, Kachehri Bazaar, Urdu Bazaar, Anarkali Bazaar. But now, the city's development is in progress and this has also provided the citizens with a good scope of shopping by the establishment of shopping centers like:

  • Pace
  • Shaheen Shopping Mall (Satellitetown Block-C)
  • Aziz sons (Satellitetown Block-B)
  • Abdullah Centre (Satellitetown Block-C)
  • Paragon
  • Jaspal Plaza (Satellitetown Block-A)
  • Q-mart (Umar Park)
  • Trust Plaza
  • Kachehry Bazar
  • New Anar kali Bazar (Satellitetown Block-A)
  • Subhaan Plaza
  • Shama Plaza (Railway Road)

Hotels and Restaurants

  • PC (Pak Continental)
  • AFC
  • Al Maida
  • SOLO
  • Khawaja Broast
  • Shan Broast
  • Kirana Bar
  • Q's Restaurant
  • Zam Zam Snack Bar
  • Style Broast
  • Lahore Broast
  • Red onion
  • Holiday International Inn , University Road , Sargodha
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sargodha&oldid=132454065"