Hafizabad

Hafizabad (Punjabi/Urdu: حافظ آباد ‎) is a city and tehsil of Hafizabad District in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

Ancient history

Hafizabad is an old city. In 327 BC, during Alexander's invasion of Punjab, the territory of the Sandal Bar (where Hafizabad is now located) was reported to be a well populated area. Large cities were located in this territory, and a lot of sub states were organised here under the presidency of maharajas and rajas.

In the 6th century, Hafizabad was visited by the famous Chinese traveller Xuanzang. He moved to Sangla and stayed one night in a town, then called Jaipura, which was located near the village of Koriala .

Medieval history

From the beginning of the 7th century Rajput kingdoms dominated Eastern portions of Pakistan and northern India. 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 some western Punjab region. Eastern Regions of Punjab from Multan to the Rawalpindi in north (Including region of present-day Hafizabad) remained under Rajput rule until 1193. The Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire later ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominately Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Punjab region. During the Delhi Sultanate period a big city was situated at the site of the present village of Mehdiabad. But afterwards this territory became unpopulated and jungle-like because of shortage of water and Afghan incursions. This situation persisted until Mughal Emperor Akbar's period. Hafizabad was formerly a place of some importance, and is mentioned in the Ain-i-Akbari as headquarters of a Mahal. Hafiz, the founder, was a favourite of emperor Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Hafizabad (disambiguation)

Hafizabad can refer to:

Hafizabad (Pilibhit)

Hafizabad

According to Imperial Gazetteer of India, vol. 20, page 144, issued by Government of India, Hafizabad, A city in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, established by Rohella sardar Hafiz Rahmat Khan in 1763, lies between the parallels of 28⁰64' and 29⁰53' north latitude and the meridians of 79⁰57' and 81⁰37' east longitude, Eventually imbibed the name as Pilibhit.

References

Coordinates: 29°18′N 78°37′E / 29.300°N 78.617°E / 29.300; 78.617