History of District Sheikhupura

History of District Sheikhupura
From B.C. To Mughals
The history of Sheikhupura goes back to 100 B.C. Historical research has established the fact that Sangla or Sakala was the capital of Punjab. Few signs of the attack of Alexander on the Sanglahhill can be found in the history. Some remains of old buildings in the form of mounds can be found in the surroundings of the city which had been there before the Islam.
Sheikhupura is not such an old city but its surroundings contain an immense historical importance.
The founder of Sikhism Gurunanak could have been founded here preaching and helping the needy in Talwandi (Nankana Sahib).
An important town of Sheikhupura District Sanglahhill which is at a distance of 59km, historians has said that the famous Chinese tourist Hwen Thsang came to Hindustan (Pakistan and India) in 633A.D. during his journey he came to Rajwari from Kashmir, from here he crossed the River Chinab while moving towards south east. The he moved to She-ye-pu which could be the present Hafizabad and then he moved to Sanglahhill.
Mughals
Shah Bilawal was one of the saints from the Silsilah Qadriyah. He was the son of Syed Usman and grandson of Syed Eysah. Syed Eysah came to Hindustan from Harat along with Mughal emperor Hamayon . The king gave Sheikhupura along with surrounding towns to him. Shah Bilawal (died in 1636) was born here. NO one knows the name during that period.
The great Emperor Nor-u-Din Muhammad Jahangir laid the foundation of historical Sheikhupura. The mother of Jahangir was Hindu and she lovingly calls him Sheikhubaba. Because of this suitability, the new city was also named as Sheikhupura.
In the north east at a distance of 2.5mile, a hunting place was built. A Baradari was constructed in a pond and on its bank; Jahangir ordered to build the grave of his beloved Dear Mansraj along with a tomb. This place is now known as Hiran Minar. Jahangir granted all this area to one of his faithful Sikandar Moin after his death it was given to Irdat Khan because of his victory against the rebels in Kastawarah.
During the reign of Emperor Jahangir (1605 to 1627), Sheikhupura had the status of royal hunting ground. In Tuzke-Jahangiri, Jahangir wrote during the events in the 1607:
On Tuesday, I reside in Jahangirpura, my hunting ground. According to my order, a Minar and a grave for my deer, Mansraj, were constructed here.
Tuzkarah-ul-Sheikh-ul-Kidham is that book which has described about the Hiran Minar. This book was completed in 1057 (Hijrih). Total numbers of verses in this book are 6188. The name of writer of this book was Khawajah Surut Sigh.
Sikh's Reign
In the middle of the 18th century, Sikhs were ruling this area. In the last decade of the 18th century, Arbail Sigh and Amer Singh were the rulers of Sheikhupura. Both of these were involved in robberies in this area. People from Sheikhupura requested Maharajah Ranjeet Singh to defeat them which the maharaja accepted.
In the end both Arbial and Amer singh were forced to evacuate the Sheikhupura Fort and all their property were taken by the Maharajah. After this win, the Maharajah gave this area to Khawar Karrak Singh. After the death of Karrak Singh (1840), Rani Jandah became the ruler. She was a very clever woman. She went to under surveillance by the English in August 1847 along with her brother in Sheikhupura Fort.
In March 29, 1849 the English took hold of whole the Punjab.
Under British Rule
In the beginning, a temporary headquarter was built here but in 1851 it was transferred to Gujranwallah. People from from the surroundings of Sheikhupura have to go to Gujranwallah in order to get the justices. Due to this inconvenience, Secretary Chief Commissioner wrote to the Department of Finance that due to the long distance, Sheikhupura should be given under the District Lahore but it could not be done that.
After British rule in Sheikhupura, people started to get the basic necessities of life. Many schools and colleges were built here. In 1889, a private Post Office was built here. In April 1907, Sheikhupura and Shadrah were connected through train.
In 1920, Tahsil Sheikhupura was upgraded to District Sheikhupura. In the Beginning, courts were arranged in the Qila Sheikhupura but then in 1922, under the supervision of Sir Ganga Ram District Courts and and hospitals were constructed here.
In 1924, in the meeting of Municipal Committee, its was decided to construct a new town between the Civil Quarters and Civil Hospital. This newly constructed town was named as Gurunanakpura which was replaced with Jinnah Park after Partition.
In 1930, Muslim league was introduced here. In November-December 1931, the city was provided with the electricity.
In the 21st annual meeting of Muslim League held on March 22, 1940, seven people represented the District Sheikhupura in the meeting.