Kharian Underground
Kharian is located almost midway between the Capital city of Pakistan, Islamabad (about 125 km) and provincial capital of Punjab, Lahore (about 145 km). The most northern parts of Greater Kharian lies in front of the beautiful foothills of the Himalaya mountains of Azad Kashmir.
Kharian is located on the Grand Trunk Road (colloquially known as the GT road). This is the road which connects Kharian, all the way from Bangladesh, through India across Pakistan and to Afghanistan. It was used during British Rule to transport goods across South Asia. The main railway line also passes through Kharian, thus providing good transportation to the northern and southern parts of Pakistan.
The closest major cities to Kharian are Jhelum (about 10 miles) and Gujrat (around 20 miles).
Since Kharian is located in the land fringed by the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, there is no shortage of irrigation water and the land is very fertile
History.
Kharian is named after Khari clan of Gurjars who used to rule this area before the advent of Arabs. Kharian region was agricultural region with forests during the Indus Valley Civilization. The Vedic period is characterized by Indo-Aryan culture that invaded from Central Asia and settled in Punjab region. The Kambojas, Daradas, Kaikayas, Madras, Pauravas, Yaudheyas, Malavas, Saindhavas and Kurus invaded, settled and ruled ancient Punjab region. After overunning the Achaemenid Empire in 331 BCE, Alexander marched into present-day Punjab region with an army of 50,000. The Kharian was ruled by Maurya Empire, Indo-Greek kingdom, Kushan Empire, Gupta Empire, White Huns, Kushano-Hephthalites and Shahi kingdoms.
In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he conquered the Shahis in Kabul in 1005, and followed it by the conquests of northern Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Punjab region.
After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh invaded and occupied Kharian in 1798. The Muslims faced severe restrictions during the Sikh rule. The entire Punjab region was occupied by the British East India Company by 1845.
The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslim refugees from India settled in the Kharian.
Demography.
The population of Kharian in 2012 is estimated to be over 30,000. The native people of Kharian are usually multilingual, the languages being Punjabi (native language), Urdu (National language of Pakistan) and English (Official language of Pakistan) as well.
Overseas Pakistani citizens of Kharian origin.
Most Overseas Pakistani people of Norway, Denmark, Italy, Spain, France, England and USA originate from villages and towns around Kharian (greater Kharian). These overseas Pakistani families, left Pakistan in the 1960s and 1970s as immigrant workers.
People of Pakistani descent in Norway, Denmark, Italy, Spain, France, England and USA are very well-settled and exhibit a high level of political participation in their new homeland,
Kharian Cantonment.
Kharian Cantonment or Kharian Cantt., is one of the largest cantonment (Army Base) of Pakistan. It was built in late 1950s with the support of USA as part of the mutual military alliance, and as an assistance to Pakistan. Its construction was supervised by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was built according to U.S standards.
During the development of the cantonment, the many villages at the construction site, were relocated by government, and land was given to these in substitute. Mosques and graveyards still remained, and can even be seen today, inside the army area.
In 1956, it was planned and construction was initiated. International companies like Gammon and Caterpillar, participated in building the Garrison. One of the market places inside cantt. area is named after that company, where they stayed during construction.
The cantonment has a lot of facilities, among which, includes, a hospitable services mess/club to provide a location for social activities, an elegant mosque and a beautiful park. There is also a busy shopping area, a well equipped military hospital (CMH Kharian) and two degree colleges, one each for girls and boys.
Kharian Cantt. is also a center for education, both national and international-level schools and colleges are available, within the premises of Garrison.
Nearby villages and towns.
Dhoria
Thutha Rai Bahadar
Jandanwala Rafaqat
Jhantla
Chak Kamal
Chak Sajawal
Kanjhal
Randheer
Mehmand Chak
Domian
Mandeer
Channan - Ghakhar
Karariwala khurd
Kolian Habib
Langrial, Gujrat
Alichak
Bahu Ghaseet Pur
Dilawarpur
Jagal
Baniyaa
Barnali
Dhunni
Hassam , Rasulpur
Bhattian
Bhaddar
((Basrian))
Bhago
Bharot Sharif
Bidder Marjaan
Dera Alam Pur Gondlan
Dillo
Ismaila Shareef
Haqiqah
Charanwala
Kharian cantt
Kotha Gujjran
Kotla Arab Ali Khan
Kakrali
Kurree Sharif
Ladian
Lamma Sharif
Miana Chuck
Mohri Sharif
Naagrian
Naseera
Bega MehrojPur
Noonanwali
Panjan Kissana
Piarah
Sahan Kalan
Sadwal Chibban
Sabour
Sarsal
Sekhupura
Sidh Gujrat
Roliyaa
Rakdand
Gulyana
Dhal Ghair
Chatta
Dhal Kaka
Sehna
Chak Bakhtawer
Sadkal
Amna Abad
Teero Chak
Guliana
Bahgwaal
Jand Sharif
Tehal
Mirza Tahir
Makwaal
Shorian
GOlra Hashim
Madina Colony
Malwana
Bhota
