Dinga

Dinga is a city of Gujrat District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It lies between the rivers Jhelum and Chenab. The main highway that runs from Lahore to Rawalpindi is about 27 km northeast of Dinga. Dinga is about 100 km from the border that separates Pakistan and India, the city is famous in Pakistan for meethi saunf (sugar-coated aniseeds).

History

Dinga is an historical town. In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin. He conquered the Shahis in Kabul in 1005, and followed it by the conquests of Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the Punjab 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 Gujrat District. During the period of British rule, Gujrat District increased in population and importance.

The actual name of that town was Deen Gha (hub of Islamic education) but with the interval of time during the British empire its name became Dinga. Many people say that the name of this city called on a Gurjar family, the Dinga family. Nowadays you see Dinga names in other areas like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh provinces. There is evidence that this town was established in the 16th century, by Choudhry Muqeem Khan. He came from the nearby village of Bhalaisranwala and laid the foundation of a settlement. He started raiding the Dacoits who at the time which were a persistent danger and established both peace and order.