Haroonabad, Bahawalnagar
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Haroonabad
ہارون آباد | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view of Haroonabad | |
 Municipal Committee logo | |
  Haroonabad  Haroonabad | |
| Coordinates: 29°36′47″N 73°08′27″E / 29.612972°N 73.1408613°E | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province |  Punjab |
| District | Bahawalnagar |
| Tehsil | Haroonabad |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Committee |
| • Chairman | Nil |
| Area | |
• Total | 772 km2 (298 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 178 m (584 ft) |
| Population (2017) | |
• Total | 142,909 |
| • Density | 366/km2 (950/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
| Number of Union councils | 22 |
| Website | MC Haroonabad |
Haroonabad or Harunabad (Punjabi, Urdu: ہارون آباد) is a tehsil (sub-district) in Bahawalnagar District of the Punjab Province of Pakistan. The town is the headquarters of Haroonabad Tehsil and administrative subdivision of the district.[2] It is the 92nd largest city of Pakistan, according to 2017 census.
History
Haroonabad Town is a tehsil headquarter and an important Mandi town of Bahawalnagar District. The history of the town is not very old. It was laid out and established as a Mandi Town under the Satluj valley project during the colonization of the region in English rule in second decade of the 20th century. Before colonization, the site of the present Haroonabad Town was known as Toba Badru Wala. The word "Toba" in the local language means "pond". It is said that there was a big natural pond to the north side of the railway station at a small distance where rain water was collected. The availability of water in this deserted area had attracted the natives. The main occupation of the natives was cattle farming and cultivation on a small scale during the rainy season. The caste of local people who lived there was "Joiya Badru". This small settlement was named as "Toba Badru Wala" because of their caste.[3]
Railway
In 1927, the branch railway line linking Fortabbas town with Bahawalnagar city was constructed. The railway station at Haroonabad town was built in the same year and was called Badru Wala Station. A grain market, a few shops and dwelling units were developed along Chaman Bazar, Railway Bazaar and Main Bazaar in the beginning. The establishment of irrigation system/canal system under the Satluj valley project in 1934 added to the agricultural production of the hinterland and provided a significant economic base to this small settlement. The construction of 3R and 4R Canals in the region brought most of the area under the irrigation system. The town began to flourish as a Mandi town rapidly due to increasing economic and commercial activities. Settlement of Rajput. Near 4R canal village, 72/4.R is located. Manj Rajpoot people live in this village. They are mostly known as Rai, Rana and also used Khâñ with their name. Their physical appearance is marked by an oval face, narrow nose and Particularly reddish complexion. They are of tall and robust stature. These people are known as very rich and famous people who are interested in land ownership. One of them is Rana Imran Khan. Who owns more than 20 per cent of 72/4R. Punjab college and Attock Petrol pump. Many of the towns such as Zabardast town, Khalid Town, Nabeel town and Fateh town all are founded by these people. They have also contributed to their charitable work such as helping wider farming communities to adopt modern agriculture. Before migrating to Haroonabud, their ancestor has fiercely fought various battles against the British. Which majority of them were hanged by the British government. On the request of Gangha Khan, Saddiq Khan seek pardon from the British government and invited them to settle in haroonabad to overcome the lawlessness caused by bandits. Rana Saddique took serious measures against bandits and Landlords, which provided them with safe heavens. As a result, Haroonabad becomes one of the peaceful city in Punjab. Significantly Ranas of 72/4R are weakened by their utmost attitude towards debauchery and purposeless. Of them, Significant proportion are uneducated and become lazy with time passage. They also have weakened their traditional approach and has become more liberal in their opinion. Disunity and overzealous attitude has caused them more harm than any good. Arain community also lives in Haronabad. which is famous for their shrewd business tactics. They are well-known businessmen and most of them are highly educated. They have a major contribution in the prosperity of the region. They have founded many towns such as Mian Town, Vital town. They are also famous for founding Vital Tea. Another caste that also yields particular influence in the region is Joye. Of which famous household families are Akuka and Laleka, which owns a significant proportion of land in Haroon Abad. With all of these castes corroboration, Haroonabad has emerged into one of the well off affluent areas of the region. The town was renamed as Haroonabad town after the name of Prince Haroon-ur-Rashid, the son of Nawab of Bahawalpur sir Sadeq Mohammad Khan V.[3]
Post 1947
At the time of the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, a large number of refugees settled here and the population of the town was substantially increased. Development of some residential colonies, establishment of social services like educational and health institutions and provision of public utilities made living conditions in the town more attractive and resulted in rapid growth.[3]
Administration
Haroonabad consists of 26 Unions which are mostly villages. The only noticeable sub-urban town is Faqirwali apart from Haroonabad city's own unions.[4]
Economy
The economy is based around agriculture, cotton being of major importance, followed by cauliflower.[5] The headquarters of two national brands of tea are also here, Vital Tea and Prime Tea.
Wastewater is not used for irrigation.[6]
References
- ^ "MC Haroonabad: Administrative Setup". Local Government Punjab. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
- ^ Tehsils & Unions in the District of Bahawalnagar - Government of Pakistan Archived 2012-02-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Haroonabad (1989-2014) Office of the Deputy Director, Regional Physical Planning Bahawalpur
- ^ Unions in Bahawalnagar District - National Reconstruction Bureau Archived 2012-02-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Ensink, Jeroen (ed.), "The Cases of Haroonabad and Faisalabad", Wastewater Use in Pakistan, Patancheru, India: International Water Management Institute (IWMI), retrieved 2008-01-17
- ^ Feenstra, Sabiena; Hussain, Raheela; van der Hoek, Wim, eds. (October 2000), "Health Risks of Irrigation with Untreated Urban Wastewater in the Southern Pubjab" (PDF), Proc. Institute of Public Health, Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan: IWMI, p. 19, retrieved 2008-01-17