Chiniot, the city behind the Moon

Chiniot

Chiniot (Urdu: چِنيوٹ‎; Punjabi: چنیوٹ) could be a town and also the body headquarter of Chiniot District, in the

state of geographic region, Pakistan. settled at the bank of the watercourse Chenab with the heads of little rocky hills, it is

known throughout Pakistan for its involved picket furnishings and design.

Geography

Chiniot town lies on Latin Quarter of the Chenab watercourse amidst little rocky hills. it's settled at the intersection of

the Faisalabad-Sargodha and Lahore-Jhang roads. it's 158 kilometres north-west from Lahore and thirty eight kilometres
North of city. Chiniot town is cover a vicinity of ten sq. kilometers with a mean elevation of 179
meters (587 ft). Chiniot is found at a Latitude of: thirty one.7200 and a line of longitude of: seventy two.9789.

Chiniot lies on the Latin Quarter of watercourse Chenab, with the rocky hills at the northern facet between the watercourse and city. On the opposite facet of watercourse, the Ahmadi Muslim headquarters of Pakistan Rabwah) town is found. In the center of watercourse a (Committed) worship center (or Chilla Gah) of a good Muslim's Sufi Bu Ali Shah of Iran Qalandar is located

Mohallas & cities

Chiniot town is quickest growing town of geographic region. folks area unit commencing from conjuncted population. cities area unit here bolow:- 1-Qader abad 2-Karam abad 3-Tohid Abad 4-Qasim city 5-Satelite city 6-Rashid Abad 7-Ghafoor Abad 8-Usman Abad 9-Lahori Gate etc

Climate

Climate of the Chiniot changes each day as shown in monthly chart. Annually climate of Chiniot most at thirty.2 °C and minimum at nineteen.2 °C is being recorded.

Economy

The vital product of Chiniot includes silk, cotton, wheat, sugar, rice, milk, pottery, and wooden-furniture etc. Chiniot is that the name of leading industrial areas of Pakistan once Lahore and city. It contains several of rice and flour mills. it's a Pakistan leading sugar trade Ramzan Sugar Mills on Jhang road that could be a nice increasing economy of Chiniot. On the opposite facet Madina Sugar Mills conjointly placed in Chiniot, by that Chiniot's economy increase okay.

Banks with branches in Chiniot embody Muslim depository financial institution, United Bank restricted, Allied Bank restricted, Zarai Taraqiati Bank restricted, The Bank of geographic region, commercial bank of Pakistan, Askari Bank restricted, Bank AL Habib, Bank Alfalah and Habib Bank restricted (HBL).Soneri Bank restricted (SBL)

Culture

Islamic occasions

In Chiniot folks celebrate monotheism occasions with nice arrangements. As on twelve Rabi' al-awwal, 1440th birthday celebration of the monotheism Prophet Muhammad, folks of Chiniot organized 63-maund cake, one among the biggest cakes within the world.[7] That operate was organized within the Darbar Aalia gully Aziz Sharif. Urs of Hazrat Mian Rehmat European at khoi mian rehmat European (Icharwal)

Furniture

Chiniot is world illustrious for its exotically lapidarian and brilliantly lacquered furnishings. Chinioti craftsmen and artisans have for hundreds of years lapidarian flowers and geometric pattrens onto polysaccharide fibres. Masons from Chiniot area unit thought to possess been utilized throughout the development of Taj Mahal and Golden Temple,[8] each currently in Asian country.

Despite the information and century recent traditions utilized in Chinioti woodmaking, the Pakistani government has created very little effort to push and market its Punjabi furnishings trade. a scarcity of coaching|education} and training centres in Chiniot means trendy operating techniques area unit seldom used. the shortage of laptop assisted  style (CAD) conjointly is a hindrance to trendy producing. Rather it wants a minimum of one technical university in situ to contend the gloabal updation.

Furniture creating in Chiniot forms a significant a part of Pakistan's secondary trade and is additionally essential to the Punjabi regional economy. Internationally, Chiniot competes with the foremost electronic equipment furnishings trade of Italy that is understood everywhere the globe. The carving sort of Italy and Chiniot is that the same however the furnishings here is a lot of sturdy.

Sport

Cricket is that the most well liked sport in Chiniot. There command several tournaments in Chiniot of cricket among totally different cricket clubs of Chiniot. In some tournaments outside cricket groups may participate that tournaments. A cup and a few money prize is proclaimed on the ultimate of tournaments, that area unit given to the Winning team. soccer is additionally vie in Chiniot. different fashionable sports in Chiniot includes Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton, Tennis, Kabbadi, and racing.

Cuisine

Chiniot is noted for its food dishes, particularly "Kunna" (goat meat burnt in associate degree stuff pot. This pot is domestically known as kunna once that dish name is famous).

Politics

In politics Chiniot has all parties members like PML (N), Muttahida Qaumi Movement, PML (Q), UPPP and PTI and plenty of others. Most outstanding and robust party is Pakistan Peoples Party. PML (N) wasn't terribly robust party in Chiniot however since once Mian Shahbaz Sharif president of this party and chief minister of geographic region came in Chiniot and gave it the standing of a neighborhood this party became a robust party in Chiniot.

Politicians in Chiniot area unit principally from tribal sheik or Syed family.

Notable folks of Chiniot are:

Aftab Ahmed Vohra, a notable and winning bourgeois of Pakistan, creation Chairman of the Pak Asian country Trade Promotion committee, Former vice chairman of The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and trade
Mian Muhammad Mansha, third richest person in Pakistan, owner of the MCB Bank restricted and Nishat cluster.
Mian Habib Ullah, Ex Minister, President of FPCCI, Ambassador to Cyprus
Sheikh Omar Hayat, owner of Omar Hayat Mahal
Qaiser Ahmed tribal sheik, politician and Ex Chairman of chamber of commerce urban center
Nasir Chinyoti, a illustrious stage drama comedy actor
Saqlain Anwar Sipra, politician in Bhawana
Syed Inayat Ali Shah of Iran, politician (MNA)
Muhammad Masood Lali, politician (MPA)
Sheikh Kaiser Mehmood,great temperament of chiniot,General Secrtory Overcease (PML,N)
Maulana Ilyas Chinioti, politician (MPA)
Wazir Khan, a court doctor in Mughal Empire, illustrious for the Wazir Khan place of worship, Lahore.
Sheikh Shamas Din Wadhavan Chakkan walay owner of Shamas Din ki Haveli placed at Poran Palad& variety of villages.
Sheikh Mian Mahmood Javed Ihsan CEO of IHSAN Pakistan Pvt. Ltd.

Masjid Bu ali Kalander near Chiniot, Punjab

Tube Well near Chiniot, Punjab,

 Conglomorate (Kirana Hills) near Chiniot, Punjab



 Rocky Hills inside the river Chenab near Chiniot



Chiniot – the name is enough to start the furniture lovers, travelers and cautiously curious dreaming. Antiquity is the first message of the town. And, international quality furniture “made in Chiniot” is collectors delight with potentials for marketing all over the world.
On the bank of River Chenab in area called Sandal Bar, Chiniot town is an exotic place in the foot of series of hillocks that seem to be man made rather than evidence of old mountains.The town is very ancient. It was inhabited before the time when Alexander of Macedon came in the South Asia and was principal city during the rule of White Huns. Chinese explorerHiuen Tsiang visited it.Alberuni has mentioned inKitabul-Hind that Chiniot was one of the there most important places in this part of the world.

Chiniot suffered much from the Durrani inroads during the last half of the eighteenth century and also during the troubles of I848because it remained the scene of constant fierce struggle among the leaders of local factions. As per the local legend, portion of the wall, surviving in situ, had been built during Hellenic period. The veracity of the wall’s association with Alexander the great is yet to be proven though. But the sit does give evidence of its distant 

past.

During the Mughal era, Chiniot produced many intelligent personalities and talented artisans who occupied positions in the Mughal courts, Nawab Saad Ullah Khan and Nawab Wazir Khan held the post ofPrime Minister of India and the Governor of Lahorerespectively during the rule of King Shah Jehan.

Artisans of Chiniot have instinctive good taste and they have achieved a distinctive excellence in woodwork. Masons of the town are said to have been employed during the construction of Taj Mahal at Agraand Golden Temple at Amritsar. Special type of furniture with brightly lacquered woodcarving is made in Chiniot and is famous all over the world.

What this internationally acclaimed craft of the town needs is an institutional patronization and extensive efforts for international marketing? Made in Chiniotfurniture is already being shipped to different countries but so far there are very little marketing efforts being made for this purpose. It can be a potent source of earning foreign exchange if attention is paid to and earnest efforts are made. Sadly, the trained incompetents responsible for export promotion do not see this and the unique potentials are not being taped yet. The first exhibition of Chinioti furniture in Islamabad last year was attended by large number of people from all walks of life. Particularly foreigners appreciated the furniture for its style, solidity and the cost.

Apart from furniture, there are more attractions for any visitor to this off the beaten track tranquil town. A towering architectural masterpieceShahi Mosque, which was built during rule of Mughal King Shah Jehan by Nawab Saad Ullah Khan in 1655, is still functional. It resembles the Shahi Mosque Delhi that was also built under the supervision of Nawab Saad Ullah Khan. After the invasions of British, the city lost its old glory and importance. However, the historical buildings and their ruins are scattered in and around the city, reflect its wonderful past.

Another such building is theUmar Hayat Palace commonly known as the Gulzar Mahal. Attracting local and foreign tourist, it is known for its beauty and legendary tales attached to it. The palace is said to have been built by Sheikh Umar Hayat, a rich merchant whose family originally migrated to Chiniot from India.

Legend has it that in a village fair atPanda Haitian, Umar Hayat fell in love with a performer girl and married. She bore him a son and a daughter.Umar Hayat grew particularly fond of his son whom he named Gulzar - a rose garden or a sign of happiness. It was for his son that Umar Hayat decided to construct a wonderful palace and name after him. Umar Hayat could not see the palace completed and later his sonGulzar died mysteriously in the palace in the early hours of his marriage night.

A different tale reveals that the construction of the palace was a result of rivalry between Umar Hayat and Elahi Baksh – a famous artisan of the time. The latter taunted the Umar Hayat by saying that his artistic abilities were superior to all the wealth in the world. Infuriated,Umar Hayat counter claimed that his money would last long enough to buy all the possible feats skilled artisans could offer.

The result of the challenge was the creation of Gulzar Manzil. The construction of the palace started in 1923 and Umar Hayat lavishly spent his wealth. According to one account, the supervision of the construction was assigned to Syed Hassan Shah who gathered famous artisans and carried out day and night work for ten years. Elahi Baksh and Rahim Baksh did the wood carving, for which the palace is known. Both were masters of the art. The Punjab District Gazetteers reads:

“The house built by Sheikh Umar Hayat is a sort of wonder.”

The imposing building is a work of art. The woodwork, the stucco work, inlay of bricks, use of marbles and floral design in the roof, stairways and balconies are living memories of the glories of the Mughal period. Very elaborate and extensive woodwork in the palace speak of the craftsmanship of the artisans who perfected it beyond amazing limits. One has to possess a sensibility shaped in granite not to be moved after seeing the woodwork even today.

The palace originally had six stories including a basement. Two of the upper stories decayed and had to be demolished in 1978. Remains of the building are in the care and custody of Auqaf. Presently it is in public use and houses a library section and a small museum.

Chiniot, a market town in the expanses of Punjab bears a prosperous look. Chiniot has every thing necessary for development – hard working and talented people, fertile land, water, communication infrastructure and clean healthy environment. The furniture industry can be converted into important source of earning though efficient ‘marketing mix’. Given chance Chiniot can be a nice and rich little city of the future.

Photo Credits: Photos for this article have been taken from flickr.com. Clicking on the photos will take you to their source and larger image sizes.

The old bridge at river Chenab, Chiniot

The Annual Partriges show of Chiniot



Chiniot Furniture



Umar Hayat Mahal

Hindu Temple of Chiniot

The Shahi Mosque of Chiniot was built in 1655 and its construction was started in1646. This spectacular Mosque or Masjid is replica of few Mughal constructions in the region like Shahi Mosque of Dehli and Laal Qila ( Red Fort) of India. The theories suggest that this Mosque was also built by the great Mughal emperor , Shahab-u-Din Shahjehan under the supervision of Saadullah Khan, who was the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.