Jhang


Jhang is the capital city of Jhang District in central Punjab, Pakistan. Situated on the east bank of the Chenab River, it is the 14th most populous city in Pakistan.

Etymology

The historical name of the city and district is Jhang Sial, literally meaning the "terrain of the Sials". The word Jhang is derived from the Sanskrit word jāṅgala which means rough or forested terrain; the word Jungle also shares the same root.

History

The city of Jhang was built in 1288 by Rai Sial, a chief of the Sial tribe. The Sial tribe ruled this region ever since then until the last Sial ruler of Jhang, Ahmad Khan was defeated by Ranjit Singh after fierce fighting.
Under the collective rule of the Sial Khans of Jhang and other Sial sub-tribes such as the Rajbana and Bharwana, in the zenith of their power, the Sial territory of Jhang extended up to the Muzafargarh boundary in the south, and the entirety of Chiniot, Kamalia and Kabirwala. The territory extended to parts of Bhakkar and Sargodha. The Garh Mahraja and Ahmadpur Sial were added to the possessions of the Rajbana Sial tribe who drove out the Baloch tribes to the Thal and defeated the Nawab of Multan by the mid 17th century.
Under the British Raj, the towns of Jhang and Mighiana, lying apart, became a joint municipality, then known as Jhang-Maghiana.

Geography

Jhang Sadr is located at 31.27 latitude and 72.33 longitude and is situated at an elevation of 158 meters above sea level.
Jhang is situated at the east bank of the Chenab River which has confluence with Jhelum at Trimmu Barrage near the town of Athara Hazari. The city was endangered in the 2014 floods but it was not flooded as the flood water was redirected towards Athara Hazari. Maghiana lies on the edge of the highlands, overlooking the alluvial valley of the Chenab, while the older town of Jhang occupies the lowlands at its foot.

Demographics

The population of city in 1998 Census of Pakistan was recorded as 293,366. According to the 2017 Census of Pakistan, the population of city rose to 414,131 with a growth of 41.17% in 19 years.

Religion

Administration

Jhang Saddar is the administrative center of Jhang Tehsil. The tehsil itself is divided into 55 Union councils.

Notable people

Scientists

Jhang has one sister city: