Written by: Mahnaz Shujrah
Posted on: September 07, 2021 | 
| 中文
Sheikhupura Fort (credits to Aown Ali)
Cities are often named after famous personalities, such as Abbottabad (named after James Abbott) or Faisalabad (named after King Faisal). The case of Sheikhupura is interesting; it comes from “Sheikhu”, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s nickname for his son Salim. The very same Sheiku who renamed himself Jahangir, became emperor in 1605 and later brought “Sheikhupura” on the map.
Sheikhupura city itself is not very old, but the district it lies in, is historically significant. Sheikhupura district lies within the Rechna Doab, which is part of the Upper Indus Plain. Here also lies Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the first Guru of Sikhism, making it one of the most important holy sites for the Sikhs. It is 50 kilometers from Sheikhupura city, and was officially a tehsil of Sheikhupura district until 2005, when it was made a separate district.
Sangla Hill
Sangla Hill, a historically famous location, is 75 kilometers from Sheikupura. This area was the capital of Punjab in ancient times, and there are remnants of historic buildings that Alexander the Great passed through during his conquests. Another important city, Sharaqpur, which came into being in 1091, and is now famous for the Darbar of the saint Hazrat Mian Sher Muhammad Sharaqpuri. Narangmandi is also an important hub of the area. This area used to lie on an ancient trade route in Punjab, and it continued to be important even during the colonial period after the network of railways was laid. It is known as “mandi” (marketplace) because the best rice is produced here and exported to the rest of the world.
Sharaqpur Sharif darbar
The most iconic landmark of Sheikhupura city is Hiran Minar. This was built during the reign of Emperor Jahangir. Jahangir had an eye for art and a passion for hunting. Hence, he added several structures within the Lahore Fort, and many gardens across Lahore, where he would stop and rest while heading towards Kashmir for his expeditions. Sheikhupura was known for its dense forests and abundance of wildlife game.
The story goes that Hiran Minar was made in memory of Jahangir’s antelope, Mansaraj. The idea of a memorial tower can be derived from the ancient concept of victory towers. Akbar was the other Mughal who famously created the Elephant Tower in Fatehpur Sikri, which is said to be the direct inspiration for Hiran Minar. Opposite the minar (minaret), there is a baradari situated in the center of an artificial pond. This baradari surrounded by water is also linked to the ancient concept of the mythological significance of the Lotus flower and Mount Meru, as all three places signify beauty, rebirth, centrality, and perfection. It is most likely inspired by the tomb of Sher Shah Suri located in Bihar, India.
Baradari at Hiran Minar (credits to Aown Ali)
The basic structures of the Sheikhupura Fort were also built during the reign of Emperor Jahangir, but the fort was upgraded and brought into use during Sikh rule. Maharaja Ranjit Singh granted the fort to his wife, Datar Kaur, who was the mother of the crown prince Kharrak Singh. She lived in the fort until she died in 1838. It was Datar Kaur who refurbished the fort and built an additional haveli, which was decorated with detailed frescos. After the British annexed Punjab in 1849, Rani Jindan, the last wife of Ranjit Singh, was placed under house arrest in the fort. The fate of the fort was not unlike those who occupied it, Mughals, Sikhs and the British, whose empires collapsed. The fort stands derelict and decaying, in desperate need of conservation.
Fresco on the walls of the Fort (credits to Aown Ali)
During colonial rule, Sheikhupura underwent changes which formalized its local government and altered its social and economic structures. From1600 to 1757, export of cotton and silk was the primary activity, facilitated through East India Trading Company. From 1757 to 1860 taxation levels soared, and hence Sheikhupur’s economy took a hit. From 1860 till the time of Partition, the British directly administered the area by establishing the British Board of Administrators. Basic industrialization was brought to several districts in colonial India, one of which was Sheikhupura.
The interior walls of the Fort (credits to Aown Ali)
On November 1st, 1919, the Governor of Punjab approved the creation of Sheikhupura as a separate district. This was considered a necessary step because the law and order situation in the area was deteriorating. With the creation of a new district, the British administration improved. However, as anti-colonial sentiments rose, the British turned Sheikhupura into a garrison town in order to maintain control.
Today Sheikhupura falls within the top twenty most populous cities of Pakistan, suffering from the consequences of overpopulation. On a brighter note, the government recently inaugurated Pakistan’s first “smart forest” in Sheikhupura. The forest will be monitored and maintained through surveillance systems and sensors. It is hoped that the revival of the natural environment will help combat the effects of pollution in Sheikhupura. The city holds immense historical significance and a unique identity within Punjab. Efforts should be made to preserve its monuments and safeguard the city from the damage inflicted by industrial pollution.
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