Rawalpindi

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History

It appears that the ancient city went into oblivion as a result of the Hun devastation. The first Muslim invader, Mahmud of Ghazni (979-1030), gifted the ruined city to a Gakhar Chief, Kai Gohar. The town, however, being on an invasion route, could not prosper and remained deserted until Jhanda Khan, another Gakhar Chief, restored it and named it Rawalpindi after the village Rawal in 1493. Rawalpindi remained under the rule of the Gakkhars till Muqarrab Khan, the last Gakkhar ruler, was defeated by the Sikhs in 1765. The Sikhs invited traders from other places to settle here. This brought the city into prominence.

Following the British conquest of the Sikhs and their occupation of Rawalpindi in 1849, the city became a permanent garrison of the British army in 1851. In the 1880s a railway line to Rawalpindi was laid, and train service was inaugurated on January 1, 1886. The need for having a railway link arose after Lord Dalhousie made Rawalpindi the headquarters of the Northern Command and Rawalpindi became the largest British military garrison in British India.

In 1951, Rawalpindi saw the murder of the first elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan, in Liaquat Garden. Today Rawalpindi is the headquarters of the Pakistani Army and Air Force.

The famous Murree Road has been a hot spot for various political and social events. Nala Lai, famous for its floods, runs in the middle of the city, dividing it into city area and Cantonment area. History describes Nala Lai water pure enough to do washing clothes but now it has become polluted with the waste water from all sources including factories and houses.

Attractions in Rawalpindi

The Ayubia National Park, Rawalpindi

The famous Murree Road

The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

It is rapidly developing into a large modern city. It has many good hotels, restaurants, clubs, museums, playgrounds. It has a number of parks, of which the largest is Ayub National Park. Rawalpindi is the nearest major city for the holiday resorts and hill stations of the Galiyat area, such as Murree, Nathia Gali, and Ayubia. It is also a common starting point for tourists visiting Abbottabad, Swat, Kaghan, Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu and Chitral.

The best way to see Rawalpindi is by wandering through its bazaars, but you should orient yourself before setting out. The city has two main roads: the Grand Trunk Road runs roughly from east to west and is known as The Mall as it passes through the cantonment; Murree Road breaks north from The Mall, crosses the railway and brushes the east end of the old city on its way to Islamabad. the two main bazaar areas are Raja Bazaar in the old city and Saddar Bazaar, which developed as the cantonment bazaar between the old city and the Mall.

The crowded alleys of the old city are home to many attractions, including Hindu and Sikh temples, Muslim shrines, and the headquarters of Pakistani hijrah (transvestite) community, said to be led by an elected queen. Their presence at births and weddings is an accepted tradition in Pakistan, as it is in India.

Ayub National Park is located beyond the old Presidency on Jhelum Road. It covers an area of about 2,300 acres (9.3 km²) and has a play-land, lake with boating facility, an aquarium and a garden-restaurant. Rawalpindi Public Park is located on Murree Road near Shamsabad. The Park was opened for public in 1991. It has a playland for children, grassy lawns, fountains and flower beds. A cricket stadium was built in 1992 just opposite the Public Park. The stadium is equipped with all modern facilities. Another attraction located near Rawalpindi is the mosque known as Faisal Masjid.

Rawalpindi cricket stadium, built in 1992, has a grass pitch, floodlights, and a capacity of 15,000. The home team is the Rawalpindi Cricket Association.

Rawat Fort is located 17 km east of Rawalpindi, on the Grand Trunk (G.T) Road leading to Lahore. Gakhars, a fiercely independent tribe of the Potwar Plateau built the fort, in early 16th century. The grave of a Gakhar Chief, Sultan Sarang Khan is located inside the fort. He died in 1546 AD fighting against the forces of Sher Shah Suri. If one dares to climb the broken steps inside the tomb, one may get a panoramic view of the plateau and the Mankiala Stupa.

Pharwala Fort is about 40 km from Rawalpindi beyond Lehtrar road. It is a Gakhar fort built it in 15th century on the ruins of a 10th century Hindi Shahi Fort. Emperor Babur conquered the fort in 1519 AD. Later, in 1825, Sikhs expelled Gakhars from this fort. Though the fort is in a crumbling state, it is still an attraction for castle lovers. The fort, being situated in prohibited area, is only open for Pakistani visitors.

Rohtas Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is 109 km from Rawalpindi. It is located about 6 km south-west of Dina Town. Going from Rawalpindi/Islamabad, you have to turn right from G.T. Road to a narrow road just before Dina Police Station and then go left until you find the dry bed of Kahan River. The fort is visible from this point. However, you have to cross the river to reach it. During rainy season, you need a four-wheel-drive to cross the river. The fort is one of the most impressive historical monuments in Pakistan. It was built by Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri, between 1540 and 1547 AD. It served as a huge fortified base for military operations against Gakhars by Sher Shah Suri. It was later used by Mughal emperor Akbar and Sikhs. Within the huge terraced rampart walls with robust bastions and twelve gates, is located another fortress, palaces and ancillary buildings (see [link])

Places to Shop

Raja Bazaar, Rawalpindi

• Ashiana Center
• Imperial market
• Rabi Center
• Bara Market/Raja bazaar
• China market
• Gulf Center
• Saddar
• Commercial market
• Dubai Plaza

Residential Areas

• Harley Street
• Westridge
• Chaklala
• Bharia Town
• Defence Housing (DHA)
• Satillite Town
• sadiqabad

Places to Stay

• Pearl Continental Hotel
• Marriott Hotels
• Shalimar Hotel
• Akbar International
• PTDC HOTELS
• TDCP Resorts/Lodges

Education

Schools and Colleges

• St Mary's Academy - private English-medium school
• Fauji Foundation College for Boys
• [F.G. Sir Syed College], The Mall, Rawalpindi
• Gordon College, Rawalpindi
• Siddeque Public Scool, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi

Universities

• Army Medical College (founded in 1977)
• Fatima Jinnah Women's University (in commemoration of Fatima Jinnah)
• Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi
• National University of Science and Technology headquarters in Rawalpindi
• College Of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering, Rawalpindi(an affiliated college of NUST)
• RawalPindi Medical College,RawalPindi
• Foundation University Medical College (FUMC) [title]

Towns in Rawalpindi

Transportation

Airport

Highways

The city is also served by two nearby six-lane expressways, M2 (Lahore-Islamabad) and M1 (Islamabad-Peshawar), which were completed in the 1990's. Somewhat further away is the famous Karakoram Highway, the world's highest international road, which connects Pakistan to China.

Public Transportation

There is also an Islamabad/Rawalpindi central railway station that allows travel to every major city in Pakistan. In addition to freight, Pakistan Railways provides passenger rail service throughout the day, with train coaches that have air-conditioning in first-class.

Events

• 14 December, 2003: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf escaped an assassination attempt when a powerful bomb went off minutes after his highly guarded convoy crossed a bridge in Rawalpindi.

• Rawalpindi was the headquarter for the relief operations during the aftermath of October 2005 earthquake that devastated northern Pakistan and parts of India and Afghanistan.

See also

• Rawalpindi conspiracy Case 1951
• Islamabad
• 2005 Kashmir Earthquake
• Punjab, Pakistan
• Islamabad International Airport
• Rawalpindi (tehsil)

External links

• [Worldisround.com - Images of Rawalpindi]
• [Pindi Plus website]

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