Kasur District
Kasur District or Qasur District (Urdu :ضلع قصور) is one of the districts in the province of Punjab, Pakistan It came into existence on 1 July 1976. Earlier it was part of Lahore District.
The district capital is Kasur city, the birth city of the Sufi poet Bulleh Shah, well known in that region as well as in the whole of Pakistan. The total area of the district is 3,995 square kilometres.
Population
According to the 1998 census, the total population of the district is 2,376,000. Of this 95.4% are Muslims, 4.4% are Christians while the rest are Ahmadis, Hindus and scheduled castes. 22.78% of them lived in the urban areas.
Administration
The district is administratively subdivided into 3 tehsils and 113 Union Councils:
Physical features
The district is bounded by the Ravi River in the north-west and river Sutlej in the south-east. Whereas the old course of Beas River bifurcates the district into two equal parts locally known as Hither and Uthar or Mithan Majh. Both of the areas have a height differential of approximately 5.5 meters. The natural surface elevation of the district is 198 meters above the sea level, having a general slope from north-east to south- west. Whereas the east and west ends of the district comprise the flood plains of the rivers Satluj and Ravi, characterized by breaching of looping river Channels braided around meander bars.
Topography
Topographically speaking, Kasur District lies between the river Satluj which flows along its boundaries with India and river Ravi which flows its boundary with Sheikhupura District. The districts may be divided into two parts, a low lying or riverine area along the two bordering rivers and upland, away from the rivers. The riverine area is generally inundates during monsoon season. The water level in this area is higher than in the upland. The soil is sandy. The upland is flat plains sloping from north-west to south-west. The general height of the area is from 150 to 200 meters above the sea level.
Flora
Flora of the district has been greatly modified by human agency of the old open forests of small trees and shrubs; there remains only a few Rakhs or portions of forest which are kept as gazing ground for cattle etc. Amongst trees the most important are Kikar (Acacia arbica), Shisham or Tahli (Dalbergia sissoo), Beri (Zizyphus jajaba), Toot (Morus marlaccae), Sharin (Albizzia lebbek, Dharek (Malia azerdaracb), Phulahi (Acacia modesta), and Nim (Melia indica), Piple (Ficus indica) are planted for shade.The growth in Rakhs is composed mainly of three kinds of trees Jand (Prosopis spicigera), Karril (Capparis aphylla), and van or Jal (Salvadora obeoides). Occasionally pelu (acacia Loucophhloea) and Farash (Tamarix articulate) are also found. Pilchi (Tamarix gallio) is found on moist sandy soil along the rivers and is used for wicker-work, basket making etc.
Fauna
Wolf and jackal are the only wild animals of any importance. The former being met with occasionally in the low land wastes of Chunian Tehsil but jackal are found every where. Changa Manga reserve a thick forest is the only area in which a few Nelgai, pig, peafowl and here are found.
Tribes and Races
The district is home to a large number of tribes, the important one being the Kasuri Pathans, Rajputs(including Ranghar), Jats, Dogar, Gujar, Meo, Khokhar, Kamboh, Kashmiri, Arain, Mughal, Sayyid and Punjabi Sheikh.
After the partition of British India in 1947, the refugees from East Punjab settling in this district also belong largely to these tribes and castes.
Major Tribes
Kasuri Pathan
see main article Punjabi Pathans
The city of Kasur has always been associated with the Pathans (or Pashtuns), and indeed Kasur was important Pathan principality, ruled by the Khesgi nawabs. They still form an important element in the city.
Arain
According to some traditions, they are descendants from the group of Ummayad(Arab) soldiers from Areeha (Jericho, Palestine) who accompinied Muhammad bin Qasim and were called by their Arabic name "Areehai", which changed to Arain by the usage in local tongues. The Arains hold thirty villages between Kasur and the Sutlej. There is also a group of 11 Arains villages south of Chunian town, and 16 more, including Khudian, in the rest of Chunian Tehsil.One of the big name was Sardar Muhummad Hussain of gunja kalan EX member of national assembly.He had been the member of assembly for about 32years.He was one of the founder of Pakistan.Government of pakistan had given him the gold medal for founder of Pakistan.
Rajputs and Ranghar
Rajput are an important tribe, and including within this category are the Roas or Ranghar, (Muslim Rajputs originally from Haryana, India). Rajputs are settled throughout the district. They are said to be descendents of the ancient Indian Kshatryas.
They own group of four villages on the Kasur Raiwind road, five along the Chunian Tehsil border, seven others in the different parts of Kasur tehsil. In Chunian, there is a group of nine on the Okara District border to the south of Chunian town, seven around Khudian, and some ten isolated villages towards the south.
Bhatti, Chauhan, Panwar, Khokhar and Varya Rajputs are important clans with in the district. The Rajput are scattered through out the district.
Jats
Jats make an important element, and the Kasur Manjha is a region historically associated with the Jats. The Sidhu and Sandhu are important clans with in the district.
Meo
The Meo or sometimes pronounced Mayo are tribe that originates from Gurgaon in Haryana as well as Alwar and Bharatpur in Rajasthan, the region is known as Mewat. The came as refugees after the partition of India.
Gujar
The tribe claims descent from the ancient Gurjaras. Their villages are found mainly in the riverain parts of the district, along both the Ravi and Sutlej.
Kamboh
They form an important element in the city of Kasur. They also own four villages to the south and west of Kasur (eg. Kacha Pacca), and about nine in Chunian.
Dogar
An important tribe, especially on the banks of the Sutlej River. There are twenty three villages along the bank of the Sutlej, and four isolated villages between Kasur and the Katora canal. In Chunian tehsil, there are thirty Dogar along the bank of the Sutlej.
Punjabi Shaikh
The town of Kasur is home an important community of Punjabi Shaikhs, known as the Kasuri Shaikh. Most of them are good businessmen and have made as name in the field of leather in Pakistan. The Khateek are an important branch of the Shaikhs.
Others
There are artisans of various professions and trades also. They are known as Moeens. They include blacksmiths, carpenters, potters, leather makers, shoe makers, barbers, weavers, and masons. The Moeens are generally paid in kind at the time of each harvest. These workers are found from any caste, creed, culture and religion.
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Places of interest
Shrine of Baba Bulleh Shah, Kasur City
Ganda Singh Wala Border, Pakistan-India Border.
Balloki Headworks
Changa Manga Forest, near Chunian Town
Translation
The phrase "Kasur District" occurs as such in the following languages: English, Simple English.
Translation in Western Panjabi: ضلع قصور.
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