Jhawarian

Jhawarian is a town located near the Jhelum River in the District Sargodha, Tehsil Shahpur, Punjab, Pakistan.

History
The town’s origins go back six hundred years, to the time when it was established by the Bhatti Rajput tribe, who came from Pindi Bhatian. The agricultural possibilities of the place and the proximity of the river made it suitable for settlement. During the Second Anglo-Sikh War, a British force supported by Tiwanas warriors defeated the Sikh Army during the Battle of Chachran, near Jhawarian. The British-allied victory was supported by Malik Sahib Khan Tiwana, who assisted a British major in defeating the Sikh army near Jhawarian. The battle occurred not many years after Sikh Empire leader, Ranjit Singh, had captured neighboring villages around Jhawarian. Later, a Police Station in the town was established by the British administration of Punjab in the early 20th century.

Prior to Partition, Jhawarian had been a vibrant home for diverse communities, including Hindu families, for generations. The town had a Arya Samaj temple, funded by local Hindus. During partition, the entire Hindu and Sikh population of Jhawarian was driven out of the town. Around the same time of the massacre of 441 Hindu and Sikhs in neighboring Bhera, Muslim mobs looted Hindu homes in Jhawarian as the families fled the violence. Fleeing Hindu and Sikh families were safely evacuated from Jhawarian to Sargodha under the assurance of Khan Bahadur "Sardar" Leghari, the Deputy Commissioner of the Sargodha district.

Riaz Basra, an infamous Anti-Shia militant who co-founded the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, hailed from Jhawarian as his home village. Following his killing by police or Shia militants in 2002, Basra was buried on the outskirts of Jhawarian with 20,000 people and a heavy police presence in attendance.

In 1931, the population of Jhawarian was 5,905. 4,231 were Muslim, 728 were Hindu, and 154 were Sikh. In post-partition 1951, the population of Jhawarian was 6,241, all who were Muslim.

Location
Jhawarian is located on the Sher Shah Suri Highway, between Shahpur and Behra, and three kilometers from Kalra Estate.

Kalra Estate
Malik Sahib Khan established an estate at Kalra. He had received this from the British in reward for his meritorious services during the Great Revolt of 1857. Malik Umar Hayat Tiwana, had succeeded to the estate as a minor just over twenty years later. He was elected member of the Council of State of India and His son Malik Khizar Hayat Tiwana, served as the Premier of the Punjab Province of British India between 1942 and 1947. Umar Hayat Tiwana also designed an estate flag. It was a red, green and saffron tricolour on which were set a crescent and star. In 1912 Lord Hardinge visited the Stud farm at Kalra. Umar Hayat Tiwana built mosques and temples on his own estate, ensuring freedom of religious practice and worship for all people according to their faith. Non-Muslims held key positions within the Kalra estate, as exemplified by the Hindu head accountant and deputy manager. Numerous shops owned by Hindus. In the outlying villages, Sikhs invariably served as Kardars. By the 1930s, the Kalra estate's population had reached approximately five thousand, with Awans, Sials, and Gondals constituting the majority.

Kalra estate was administrated by the Court of Wards from March 1879 to 1895. During this period James Wilson and Malcolm Hailey served as administrators.

Culture
This town is home to a mainly Punjabi population and Islam is the main religion. There are many mosques and shrines in this town. Jamia Masjid Kalan is the largest mosque of the town. It has enough space for about 2500 people to pray at the same time.

Language
Punjabi is the language of most of the population, but a fair number of people speak Urdu as well.

Economy & Agriculture
Jhawarian has transformed into a thriving commercial center where you can find markets and shops that have all the necessities for everyday living. Additionally, it has a number of schools and colleges, as well as a hospital and a police station.

Jhawarian is a major agricultural town. The town is a major producer of wheat, rice, sugarcane and cotton.

Financial and Public Services
This town has branches of five major banks, including NBP, UBL, HBL, MCB, and Meezan Bank. Additionally, a Nadra and a Pakistan Post office are located within the town, providing convenient access to essential government services.

Villages near Jhawarian

 * Birbal Sharif
 * Chak Musa
 * Ghangwal
 * Hayat Pur
 * Kalra
 * Khurshaid
 * Kot Abbas
 * Kot Bhai Khan
 * Kot Pehlwan
 * Kotli Awan
 * Kot Kamboh
 * Kudh Lathi
 * Mankey Wala
 * Megha Kadhi
 * Sedal