Rahim Yar Khan - History

Welcome to Rahim Yar Khan City. This is my 2nd post.

History.

The city of Rahim Yar Khan is one of the few cities in the world that are still at their pioneering places since the formation like London andDamascus. It has been renamed customarily amid last 5000 years, first available (on record) name was AROR or ALOR, and then it became City of Pattan, Phul Wada, Noshehra and now Rahim Yar Khan. The ancient tower of Pattan Minarah is standing just 13 km away from city center in the south in its original form however the surrounding lands on its very verge have been allotted to army personnel and Punjabi settlers for agriculture purpose, and the water for nurturing of lands is damaging the underground pedestal of this great monument and the tower has been entering in the surface gradually. As the ruling clique or administrating authority does not belong to the area nor have any interest with the culture of thousand years old most civilized nation (of its time) of Indus Valley, they are allotting the lands to Punjabis who do not care the historical heritage, culture, traditions and living styles of inhabitants but their tummies. The monument of Pattan Minarah was the most remarkable primordial water route of great Indus valley civilization over the Ghaghra/Hacra River in the days of yore. Traditions assert that the city in the days of its prosperity extended over a hundred square miles. The ancient name of city of Pattan is Alor or Aror, which was the capital of Mousicanus, who, after a brief submission to Alexander, revolted and was crucified in 325 B.C. In the 10th century Pattan was rebuilt by the Sumras, whose capital it remained for a long time and renamed it as Phul Wada. According to legends the city of Pattan destroyed due to the wickedness of woman. Virtually two third of district Rahim Yar Khan is covered by the desert of Choulistan or Rohi.

Administratively Choulistan is divided between three districts of Bahawalpur division: Bahawalpur, Bahawal Nagar and Rahim Yar Khan. Because of its warm climate Choulistan is also the domain of most deadly snakes. In all about sixty varieties are found. (Sah-Pivna) or Breath Sucker is supposed to be the most dangerous snake and subject of curious beliefs. It is said not to bite in day time even if held in hand, but at night it crawls in a sleeper’s breast and poison its breath (by mingling its breath with that of its victim), striking him with sleepers side with its tail, so that awaking he may find no weapon to hand. People in Choulistan usually sleep with a lamp burning in the houses as Sah-Pivna is said to be a friend of light. However, the most delightful aspect of Choulistan is its bird life. The country abounds in birds, such as pigeons, peacocks, crows, mynas and larks etc. but the migrant Houbara bustards can also be found after October, which attract hankering hunters from gulf and around the world to the region.

Rahim Yar Khan is the capital city of district Rahim Yar Khan. It is striking nucleus extent city located on the south-western verge Punjab, bordering exquisite Rajasthan in south and Sindh in west. City’s population is just under three hundred thousand while district have over 3 million. Virtually 40% of people in the region are settlers from Punjab, which occupied nigh on all civil services of all level and commerce of the city, and they have been allotted massive magnitude of rural lands while the denizens are living in peasantry. The district contains four Tehsils (cities) “Sadik-a-Bad, Rahim Yar Khan, Liaquat Pur and Khan Pur” and ten sub-Tehsils (towns). Agriculture is the core source of revenue and the district has quite enormously rich cultivating lands. Cotton is the main crop of district but wheat, rice and sugar cane are also cultivated immensely. Mangoes and cotton goods are main export to the western countries and gulf. Right now Rahim Yar Khan is connected with the world by an international airport, 3rd generation of mobile phone technology and internet. It has bustling bazaars, educational institutes and health centers.

When Alexander gained victory over Multan, he appointed General Philips to rule Multan and Uch and advanced himself towards Alor. The country remained under Philips, who was afterwards driven out by Poros after the death of Alexander. This part of the country is also said to have been a part of the Buddhist Empire of Ashoka.

Authenticated history of the district begins by about 493 A.D. when Raja dynasty of Rai dynasty came to the throne. In the Rai dynasty dominions were vast, extending from Kashmir and Qanauj to Qandahar and Seistan and on the west to Mekran and a part of Debal, while on the south to Surat. Their capital was Alor and during their rule Sindh was divided into four provinces of Brahman Abad, Seistan, Chach Pur and the province consisting of Multan and west Punjab. The Rai dynasty governed Sindh for 137 years and met its fate when the king Rai Sahasi 11, allowed a Brahman Chach to gain influence in his kingdom. On the death of Rai Sahasi 11, Chach married his widow and established himself on the throne after killing the rightful heir of the Rai. After a reign of 33 years, Chach died and was succeeded by his brother Chandar who after ruling for eight years was succeeded by his nephew Raja Dahir. During Dahir’s reign some Arab carrying ships carrying merchandise were attacked and plundered by his subjects. Arabs demanded compensation and on refusal by Raja Dahir, Muhammad Bin Qasim invaded this area in April 712 A.D and conquered the whole territory up to Multan. Dahir was killed in the battle at Pawar.

The territory remained under the various governors appointed by the Abbbaside and the Umayyad from 712-870 A.D. In 871 A.D the powers of Caliphs declined and the province of Sindh slipped from their control and went under the Balkh dynasty when two principalities, Multan and Mansura (Bahawalpur Division) were founded. In 985 A.D, the Balkh ruler was over thrown by Karamatian (a Persian sect.). In 978 A.D, when Subak Tagin invaded the subcontinent, he left the territory under the sovereignty of Hamid Khan Lodhi, who ruled till 1004 A.D. When Abdul Fateh, son of Hamid Khan Lodhi, revolted against Ghaznavids and was jailed by Mahmud Ghaznavi. Fourteen years later, Mahmud again visited Multan and marched to Somnath passing through Bahawalpur territory and on his way visited Moujgarh Fort (in Bahawalpur Tehsil) on his return from the conquest of Somnath. Mahmud placed a Karamatian prince on the throne in this area. The reign of Karamatian was followed by Sumras and Samas; who ruled it for nearly 500 years. In the 1578 A.D the territory was invaded and conquered by the Ghori Sultans of Delhi, who were succeeded by the Mughals. The exodus of the Abbasids nobles of Egypt to India had already started in the reign of Muhammad Taughlak bin Ghias ud Din. This Taughlak emperor of India recognised the Abbasside Caliph, Abdul Abbas Al Hakim in Egypt and accepted his spiritual leader ship. He even got the name of the caliph inscribed on the Indian coinage of his reign. In 1366 A.D Amir Sultan Ahmed 11, Abbassi, fiftieth direct descendant from Abdul Qasim Ahmed (the first Abbasid Caliph ruled in Egypt ) migrated to India with his family and a few hundred of followers entered into South through Balouchistan and settled down in Sindh. Those Arabs who had already settled in Sindh rallied round the Amir. In the course of time the Amir’s family gradually moved north-ward losing much of the ruler of Jasilmair.

In 1540, Duddees, a well known tribe rose to considerable power in the eastern part of Bahawalpur. In the same period, Amir Channi Khan Abbassi was made Ranjhazari by Prince Murad (the son of emperor Akbar Khan the Great). After the death of Amir Mohammad Channi Khan, quarrels arose between the two sections of Abbasis, the Kalhora and Daudpota tribes. The Arab tribes settled in Bahawalpur, sided with the latter that were destined to create and rule Bahawalpur State. Amir Bahadur Khan Abbassi, the chief of Daudpota then came to power he and his descendants wielded small principalities in Bahawalpur state into a united kingdom. Amir Muhammad Mubarak Khan 1, Abbasi who came to the power in 1702, was an able commander and leader. Throughout his reign he had to fight many battles against Kalhoras. He abdicated in 1723 A.D in favor of his son, Sadiq Mohammad Khan 1, who was killed in battle with Khuda Yar Kalhora. Amir Mohammad Bahawal Pur Khan 1, (1746-1949) ascended the throne in 1746. During his short rule, he built the towns of Bahawal Pur, Qaim Pur, Hasil Pur, Tranda Ali Murad Khan, Shabaz Pur and Mohammad Pur Lamma. During his reign three canals namely Khan Wah, Qutab Wah and Wahi Qaider Dina were dug. As a result the agriculture of the state improved considerably and the people became prosperous. Amir Muhammad Mubarak Khan 11 Abbassi ( 1749-1772 ) succeeded Amir Muhammed Bahawal Khan 1 Abbassi. In 1750, he captured Marot, Jaisalmair and Mad Wala and its dependencies west of the Sutlej and Panjnad, now part of Muzaffargarh district from Nahrs. But Doma territory which belonged to Makhdum Sheikh Raju of Sit Pur was also conquered. Later a part of the country including the important towns of Dunya Pur and Kahror were occupied. In 1776, the Sikhs confederates Jhanda Singh, Ganda Singh and Hari Singh invaded the Amir’s trans-Sutlej territories but were repulsed. Pak Pattan was fixed as the boundary between Bahawalpur and the Sikh state. Amir Mohammad Mubarak Khan 11 Abbassi was an able administrator and a powerful ruler. He took keen interest in building his army. Many of the forts on the border of the state were built during his reign. He kept the Sikhs in check. Many canals on which the prosperity of the district depended were constructed during his time. Amir Muhammad Bahawal Khan II, Abbassi succeeded him and ruled from 1772 to 1809 A.D He assumed the title of Muhammad Bahawal Khan II. In 1777, the Sikh captured Multan. From 1785 to 1788, Amir had to encounter Taimur Shah, the powerful Durrani monarch of Kabul.

Bahawalpur was plundered by Durranis, the town was burnt and destroyed. The Fort Derawar was also occupied and Taimur Shah garrisoned it with troops under his general Shah Muhammad Khan Badozai, but eventually the Amir drove out the Durranis after fighting many fierce battles. In 1802 Shah Muhammad of Kabul sent a valuable Khilat and title of Mukhlis-ud-Daulla. A mint was started at Bahawalpur in 1802, where gold, silver and copper coins were made. The first treaty between Bahawalpur and the British government was affected in 1883, which remained in force till the August14th, 1947 when the state acceded to Pakistan. After Muhammad Bahawal Khan 11, prince Abdullah Khan under the title of Sadiq Muhammad Khan II (1809-1825) was proclaimed Amir of Bahawal Pur. The greater part of his reign passed in repelling the attacks of the Amirs of Sindh, in suppressing the rebellions of his own Umaras and protecting his conquered territories. On the death of Amir Sadiq Mohammad Khan II in 1825 A.D, Amir Bahawal Khan III ascended the throne in 1825 at Derawar. He ruled from 1825-1852 A.D. On his accession to the throne Amir sent presents to Maharaja sent his congratulations and some presents to Amir. As some dues for the lease of Dera Ghazi Khan had not been paid for several years, Ranjit Singh sent for a force under General Venture to expel the governor appointed there by the Amir of Bahawalpur without giving him any opportunity for parley. General Ventura occupied Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh and Multan, and they thus passed from the rule of the state. The Amir was very upset at this loss. Alliance with neighbouring states Sindh, Bikanair or Jaisalmair were out of question for they were already hostile to Bahawalpur.

Ranjit Singh sent a large force under Sham Singh Atari Wala to Kahror to invade the state on any pretext. There upon the Amir sent an envoy to the British Governor General at Shimla to invoke his intervention. Lord William Bentinck, the British Governor General, accepted the proposal and Ranjit Singh was warned not to cross the Sutlej. In 1833 Nawab negotiated a treaty of friendship and alliance with the British. In 1842 Parganas of Kot Sabzal and Ghung Bhara lost by the state in 1807, were conquered by the British from the Mirs of Sindh resorted to Bahawalpur State by Sir.
Charles Napier. In 1848 the Amir of Bahawalpur assisted the British in the battle of Multan. As a result of Bahawalpur British alliance Multan fell and was made part of the British Indian territory. On the death of Amir Bahawal Khan III, Sadiq Mohammad Khan III, (1852-1853) was crowned as Amir. On assuming rule, he confined prince Haji Khan and his brothers and treated them harshly. A large number of the Bahawalpur army was demobilized. All the grants, rights and claims of Daudpotas and other usual expenses were diminished and abolished. These events made the Amir unpopular.

On the 29th of Rabi-ul-Sani, 1269 A.H, Fateh Garh Fort was attacked at night. Prince Haji Khan, who was kept as prisoner, was freed and brought to Khan Pur. Prince Haji Khan, who was kept as a prisoner, was freed and brought to Khan Pur. Haji Khan entered Ahmed Pur East without any resistance and Sadiq Muhammad Khan 111 was imprisoned. Prince Rahim Yar Khan succeeded his father, the late Amir Fateh Khan Abbassi, as Muhammad Bahawal Khan IV (1858-1866). He was poisoned and died on the 25th March. 1866. On the death of Bahawal Khan IV, Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan IV was crowned when he was four and half years old. He was installed in 1879, when he attained maturity. In the interim period from 1866 to 1879, British Officers supervised the state. Amir Muhammad Bahawal Khan V, the next successor was about 16 years of age at the time of his father’s death in 1907. He was then a child of three years old. He ruled the state till 1955 when it was integrated in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

Meer Syed Muhammad Hussain Esq. was the 1st Tehsildar of the Tehsil Rahim Yar Khan in last quarter of 19th century. He was a land lord of the area and very famous due to his kindness. He is called a Saint of this area. He was died getting an age of more then 100 years in 1963. In the old city of Rahim Yar Khan, one of the most populated bazaar/road is on his name. He had 8 sons and 7 daughters. All his sons were big government officials during the period of Ex-State of Bahawal Pur. His elder son Meer Syed Ghulam Muhammad Shah Esq. was the Deputy Collector of Irrigation Department and he was died in 1976 at Bahawal Pur at an age of 78 years. His 2nd son Meer Syed Muhammad Tassadaq Hussain Shah Esq. was the Police Inspector and famous from his Designation as “Kaptan Sahib”. He was died in 1953 at an age of 52 years at Bahawal Pur. His 3rd son was Meer Syed Tafazul Hussain Shah Esq. and he was a Sessions Judge. He died at an age of 62 years in 1964 at Rahim Yar Khan. The 4th son was Meer Syed Ahmed Hassan Shah Esq. and he was a Land Lord and he was also died in young age at Rahim Yar Khan. The 5th son of Meer Syed Muhammad Hussain Shah Esq. was Meer Syed Tajammul Hussain Shah Esq. He was Secretary of Municipal Committee, Rahim Yar Khan. The plane of new city of Rahim Yar Khan including buildings of Town Hall was made during his tenure. He died in Karachi in 1985. Another one was Meer Syed Altaf Hussain Shah Esq. and he was also a Police Inspector. He was also died at the age of 56 years in 1968 at Rahim Yar Khan. His 7th son Meer Syed Inayat Hussain Shah Esq. was also an Official who served the Government of Ex-State of Bahawal Pur as well as Pakistan as Extra Additional Commissioner of Bahawal Pur. He is still alive and residing at Bahawal Pur. The last son was Meer Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah Esq. He was also a land lord and very famous for his social work. He died at Bahawal Pur in 1970.