Bahawalnagar (Punjabi, Urdu: بہاول نگر), is the capital city of Bahawalnagar District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The city of Bahawalnagar is the headquarter of the district and tehsil as well.[4] It is the 54th largest city of Pakistan by population according to the 2017 census. Old name of Bahawalnagar was Rojanwali/Ubbha. It was named Bahawalnagar in 1904 after Bahawal Khan V, the ruler of the Bahawalpur state comprising the present districts of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan.[5] It is 262 km (163 mi) south of Lahore and about 175 km (109 mi) miles east of Bahawalpur. It is 65 km (40 mi) far from District Pakpattan. River Sutlej passes on the northern side at a distance of about 6 miles.[6]
History
Bahawalnagar originally known as Rojhanwali[7] was a small settlement consisting of few huts and shacks. This village Rojhanwali is still in existence at a distance of about 1.5 miles north of the Railway Station. Bahawalnagar is located at the historic Delhi–Multan road constructed by Indian Muslim Emperor Sher Shah Suri.[8] The region around Bahawalnagar was part of Multan province of Mughal Empire.[9]
In the year 1895, a railway station was established and was named as Rojhanwali Railway Station. It was a junction between Bahawalnagar and Bhatinda at distance of 113 miles, now linking branch lines Amrooka and Fort Abbas. Before partition it was very busy junction. Trains used to run from Karachi to Delhi and vice versa via Bahawalnagar. Passenger trains also used to run from Bahawalnagar to Fazilka, Ferozpur. There was a loco shed and two institutes meant for recreation.[6]
In 1904 when Nawab Mohammad Bahawal Khan Abbasi IV,[10] who originally ruled over Bahawalpur State visited Rojhanwali the people asked that with His permission they want to rename the city on the name of Nawab, The Nawab allowed them with pleasure and since then the city is named as Bahawalnagar. With the advent of railways, 40–50 shops with a population of 100 dwelling units developed at existing railway bazar. Though this site was not fit for flourishing as the topographical features were not favorable and drinking water was unfit for health. With the introduction of canal system, it has become fertile area. The real achievement was Fordwah Canal which brought almost the entire district under the command of irrigation system. The town developed as colony town south of railway station.[6]
In the year 1900–1901, first police station post was established and in 1902–1903 the first primary school was established. In the year 1906 a panchayat committee consisting of nominated members was composed. 1914 Bahawalnagar was recommended as Tehsil and the police post Jweka was shifted to Bahawalnagar. A regular municipal committee was constituted in year 1922 along with many members. The Assistant Commissioner and Tehsildar were then appointed as Mir Majlis and Naib Mir Majlis.[6]
Education
Govt post graduate college Bahawalnagar is the biggest college of Bahawalnagar District
The literacy rate of Bahawalnagar is less than 25% and unemployment rate is much higher than 25%.[11]
As the literacy rate of this city is not quite enough but the government owned institutions are offering their services to increase the literacy rate. The sub-Campus of Islamia University[12] is also located in Bahawalnagar.
Sports ground
Haider Stadium is the biggest stadium of Bahawalnagar City as well as Bahawalnagar District.[13]
Demographics
The population of the Bahawalnagar MC, according to the 2017 Census of Pakistan, was 2,981,919 Punjab, Pakistan.
Administration
Bahawalnagar is the administrative center of Bahawalnagar District, one of the five tehsils or subdivisions of the district, the tehsil is subdivided into 31 Union Councils.
Climate
Bahawalnagar has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classificationBWh) with very hot summers and mild winters. Precipitation mostly falls in the monsoon season from June to August, although some rain also falls from February to April. Over the years, global climate change has affected Bahawalnagar as well as any other place on Earth and below comparison charts from Weatherbase and NOAA show the difference in rainfall and low temperatures between 1990 and 2015. The monsoon rains can be heavy and may cause floodings. Westerly waves can cause heavy rainfall and hail from November to May. Tornadoes are very rare.
Pakistan
Punjab
