Dera Ghazi Khan

Last updated

Dera Ghazi Khan
ڈیرہ غازی خان
University Building, D.G. Khan.jpg
D.G. Khan International Airport 1.jpg
Ghazi khan tomb 3 DG khan - Shrine of Mullah Qaid Shah.jpg
Clockwise from top: Universal University Dera, Shrine of Ghazi Khan, for whom the city is named, Dera Ghazi Khan International Airport
Pakistan Punjab location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Dera Ghazi Khan
Pakistan location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Dera Ghazi Khan
Coordinates: 30°1′59″N70°38′24″E / 30.03306°N 70.64000°E / 30.03306; 70.64000
Country Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Province Flag of Punjab.svg Punjab
Region Derajat
Division Dera Ghazi Khan
District Dera Ghazi Khan
Tehsil Dera Ghazi Khan
Established1474;551 years ago (1474)
Foundation of New City1910
Government
  TypeMunicipal Corporation
  MayorNone (Vacant) [1]
Area
[2]
   City
70 km2 (30 sq mi)
  Metro
11,294 km2 (4,361 sq mi)
Elevation
123 m (404 ft)
Population
 (2023) [3]
   City
494,464
  Rank 23th, Pakistan
  Density7,100/km2 (18,000/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+5 (PST)
  Summer (DST)+6
Postal code
32200
Dialling code 064 [4]
AcronymDGK
Website dgkhan.punjab.gov.pk

Dera Ghazi Khan, [a] abbreviated as D.G. Khan, is a city in the southwestern part of the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is the 16th most-populous city in Punjab and the 23rd in Pakistan, as of 2023. [5] Lying west of the Indus River in the region of Derajat, it serves as the headquarters of its eponymous district and division.

Contents

History

Foundation

Dera Ghazi Khan is named after a Dodai chieftain Ghazi Khan, son of Haji Khan Mirani. It was founded at the end of 15th century when Baloch tribes were invited to settle the region by Shah Husein, the second Langah Sultan of Multan. Rao Kelana, a powerful Bhati Rajput ruler of Pugal in the 15th century invaded Dera Ghazi Khan and defeated the Balochs. [6] Dera Ghazi Khan was part of Multan province of the Mughal Empire between the 16th and 18th centuries. [7]

Khushal Singh Jamadar, Military Officer of Sikh Empire Jamadar Khushal Singh. Watercolour by a Company artist, Punjab, ca.1865.jpg
Khushal Singh Jamadar, Military Officer of Sikh Empire

Fifteen generations of Miranis ruled the area till the 19th century. In the beginning of the 19th century, Zaman Khan was the ruler of Dera Ghazi Khan under Kabul. The area was invaded by the Sikh Army from Multan under the command of Khushal Singh, general of Ranjit Singh in 1819 and thus Dera Ghazi Khan came under the Sikh rule. [8]

Post independence

After the success of the Pakistan Movement, which led to the independence of Pakistan in 1947, many Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while many Muslim refugees from India settled down in the Dera Ghazi Khan District. Many Hindus and Sikhs from Dera Ghazi Khan settled in Delhi and founded Derawal Nagar along with the migrants from Dera Ismail Khan. [9]

Geography and climate

Dera Ghazi Khan is located at 30'03" N and 70'38" E. The overall climate of the city is semi arid. The winter is mild and dry, but it is very hot and rainy in summer. The average high during summer is about 107 °F (42 °C), while during winter the average low is 40 °F (4 °C). The prevailing wind direction is north–south. Due to the barren mountains of Koh-Suleman and the sandy soil of the area, windstorms are common in the summer. During summer, the temperatures are generally amongst the highest in Pakistan. Fort Munro, located on the edge of Punjab province, has relatively cooler weather. In winter, scattered snowfall has been reported in high elevated areas of Koh e Sulaiman.

Climate data for Dera Ghazi Khan
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)25.0
(77.0)
30.0
(86.0)
35.0
(95.0)
38.0
(100.4)
42.0
(107.6)
46.0
(114.8)
44.0
(111.2)
42.0
(107.6)
40.0
(104.0)
38.0
(100.4)
32.0
(89.6)
22.0
(71.6)
46.0
(114.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)20.3
(68.5)
22.1
(71.8)
26.9
(80.4)
33.5
(92.3)
38.7
(101.7)
41.5
(106.7)
38.5
(101.3)
37.4
(99.3)
36.7
(98.1)
33.4
(92.1)
27.7
(81.9)
21.9
(71.4)
31.5
(88.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)12.2
(54.0)
14.7
(58.5)
19.9
(67.8)
26.0
(78.8)
30.9
(87.6)
34.2
(93.6)
32.7
(90.9)
31.9
(89.4)
30.2
(86.4)
25.3
(77.5)
19.1
(66.4)
13.6
(56.5)
24.2
(75.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)4.2
(39.6)
7.3
(45.1)
12.9
(55.2)
18.5
(65.3)
23.1
(73.6)
26.8
(80.2)
26.9
(80.4)
26.4
(79.5)
23.8
(74.8)
17.3
(63.1)
10.5
(50.9)
5.3
(41.5)
16.9
(62.4)
Record low °C (°F)−2.2
(28.0)
−2.0
(28.4)
4.0
(39.2)
9.5
(49.1)
14.4
(57.9)
17.5
(63.5)
18.6
(65.5)
19.5
(67.1)
15.8
(60.4)
8.0
(46.4)
2.2
(36.0)
−2.8
(27.0)
−2.8
(27.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)10.0
(0.39)
17.5
(0.69)
34.8
(1.37)
11.7
(0.46)
7.2
(0.28)
48.4
(1.91)
99.9
(3.93)
97.5
(3.84)
67.6
(2.66)
4.8
(0.19)
2.1
(0.08)
19.8
(0.78)
421.3
(16.58)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 222.2206.8234.3259.2290.1247.7241.3261.1271.1283.2249.7220.42,987.1
Source: NOAA (1961–1990) [10]

Civic administration

Dera Ghazi Khan Municipal Corporation is administratively subdivided into seven Union Councils. [11] The city is also the headquarters of Dera Ghazi Khan District and administrative capital of Dera Ghazi Khan Division.

Education

Colleges

University of Education, Dera Ghazi Khan campus UE DG Khan.jpg
University of Education, Dera Ghazi Khan campus

Technology and specialization

Universities

The government has established a state-of-the-art Ghazi University in Dera Ghazi Khan since 2011 near airport. For this purpose 1000 acres of land has been acquired for the next 50 years requirement of the university. The foundation stone for Ghazi University and Ghazi Medical College was laid in December 2011. [16] The Govt. Postgraduate College, FAU Agriculture College and Ghazi Medical College will work under this university. Vice Chancellor of Islamia University Bahawalpur Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed has given additional charge of Ghazi University v.c since 11.06.2014. The Virtual University of Pakistan has established its campus here since 2004 which is providing both campus based and distance learning education primarily based on IT tools and technology. Another prominent educational organisation is the Allama Iqbal Open University campus. The government has approved Akhuwat University of Engineering and Technology in Dera Ghazi Khan since 2012.. [17] Mir chakar khan rind university of technology.

Demographics

Based on the surveys of 2004–2005, Dera Ghazi Khan district is considered one of the twenty poorest districts of Pakistan with about 51% of its population living below the poverty line. [18]

Population

Historical populations of Dera Ghazi Khan city. [19]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
195135,909    
196147,105+2.75%
197272,343+3.98%
1981102,007+3.89%
1998190,542+3.74%
2017399,064+3.97%
2023494,464+3.64%
Sources: [20]

Religion

Religion in the city of Dera Ghazi Khan
ReligionPopulation (1901) [21] Percentage (1901)Population (1941) [22] Percentage (1941)
Islam Star and Crescent.svg 13,29518,810
Hinduism Om.svg [b] 9,98812,989
Sikhism Khanda.svg 165157
Jainism Jain Prateek Chihna.svg 143106
Christianity Christian cross.svg 14037
Others40
Total23,87132,139

Transport

Airport

Dera Ghazi Khan International Airport is located near the city. It carries both domestic and International Flights.

Culture

Fairs and festivals

Cuisine

Notable people

Press and media

Daily Jang is published from Dera Ghazi Khan [25] along with many local newspapers in Urdu, Saraiki and Balochi languages. The Daily Kasak is also published in the city.

Bibliography

Notes

  1. Punjabi/Urdu: ڈیرہ غازی خان
  2. 1941 census: Including Ad-Dharmis

References

  1. "Administrators appointed: Dissolution of local govts notified". Dawn (newspaper). 1 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  2. "D.G.Khan | Punjab Portal".
  3. "DISTRICT WISE CENSUS RESULTS CENSUS 2017" (PDF). pbscensus.gov.pk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  4. "National Dialing Codes". Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited. Archived from the original on 9 November 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  5. "Pakistan: Provinces and Major Cities - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  6. Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa & Company. p. 551. ISBN   978-81-291-0890-6 . Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  7. Dasti, Humaira Faiz (1998). Multan, a Province of the Mughal Empire, 1525-1751. Royal Book. ISBN   978-969-407-226-5.
  8. Latif, Syed Muhammad (1891). History Of The Panjab. Calcutta Central Press Company Limited. p. 419. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
  9. "Colonies, posh and model in name only!". NCR Tribune. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  10. "Dera Ghazi Khan Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (FTP). Retrieved 16 January 2013.[dead ftp link](To view documents see Help:FTP)
  11. "Tehsils & Unions in the District of D.G. Khan – Government of Pakistan". Nrb.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  12. "CADGK – College of Agriculture, D. G. Khan". University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  13. "Indus International Institute". Indusdgk.edu.pk. 11 December 2011. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  14. "Leading News Resource of Pakistan". Daily Times. 17 October 2008. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  15. Jafri, Owais (11 December 2011). "Dera visit: Sharif lays medical college's foundation – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  16. "Punjab Assembly: Ghazi University Bill among eight passed". The Express Tribune . 4 January 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  17. "Cabinet approves provision of land for 2 universities". The Express Tribune, 22 February 2012. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  18. Haroon Jamal (June 2007). Income Poverty at District Level: An Application of Small Area Estimation Technique (PDF) (Report). Social Policy and Development Centre. pp. 15–18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  19. "Pakistan: Provinces, Major Cities & Urban Areas – Statistics & Maps on City Population". Citypopulation.de. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  20. "Population by administrative units 1951-1998" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  21. "Census of India 1901. [Vol. 17A]. Imperial tables, I-VIII, X-XV, XVII and XVIII for the Punjab, with the native states under the political control of the Punjab Government, and for the North-west Frontier Province" (PDF). 24 October 2023. JSTOR   saoa.crl.25363739.
  22. "CENSUS OF INDIA, 1941 VOLUME VI PUNJAB PROVINCE". p. 36, 37.
  23. Census of India, 1911, Vol. XIV, Punjab, Part I Report, by Pandit Harkishan Singh Kaul, 39
  24. "Sohan Halwa a gift of saints' city". Dawn.com. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  25. "Daily Jang Urdu News | Pakistan News | Latest News – Breaking News". Jang.com.pk. Retrieved 8 September 2013.