Samundri
Samundri | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Clock Tower, Samundri | |
  Samundri Location in Pakistan  Samundri Samundri (Pakistan) | |
| Coordinates: 31°03′45″N 72°57′15″E / 31.06250°N 72.95417°E | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province |  Punjab |
| District | Faisalabad |
| Tehsil | Samundri |
| Population | |
• City | 186,371 |
| • Rank | 55th, Pakistan |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PKT) |
Samundri (Urdu, Punjabi: سمندری) is a city and headquarters of Samundri Tehsil located in Faisalabad District of Punjab province, Pakistan.[1][2][3]
It is the 55th most populous city of Pakistan, according to the 2017 census.[4]
History
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Samundri was on a major trade route during the reign of Sher Shah Suri. The present site of Samundri city was founded in 1887 as Chak No. 533 G.B. Later it was renamed as Seh Mundri because of three Hindu mandirs or temples in the area. The word Seh (سه) means Three in Persian and Mandir is a Sanskrit word for temple.
Modern
[edit]In 1887, there were three Hindu shrines in this area but now what remains, houses the Government Primary School No 4. Migration between India and Pakistan was continuous before the independence. By the 1930s Western Punjab was predominantly Muslim and supported the Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence in August 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslim refugees from Eastern Punjab in India settled in Western Punjab and across Pakistan.[5] Today Samundri is known for its contributions to Pakistan's Kabaddi team providing dozens of big names especially from Chak 176 G.B and 478 G.B. It has many Gujjar, Rajput and Jat farmers who tend to be physically strong and larger in constitution than elsewhere in the region.[6][2]
Geography
[edit]Samundri is located at 31°03'45"N 72°57'15"E (31.063, 72.954), at an altitude of 168 metres (429 ft), and is 45 km from Faisalabad, 66 km from Jhang, 30 km from Gojra, 46 km from Sahiwal and just 15 km from Tandlianwala. The upcoming Karachi-Lahore Motorway will pass through the neighborhood of Tandlianwala[2] known as Samundari Interchange Km 1016 on Samundari-Tandlianwala Road. Then it will be easily accessible from Lahore and Multan. The Post Code of Samundari is 37300.
Demographics
[edit]Population
[edit]| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 6,637 | — |
| 1961 | 9,515 | +3.67% |
| 1972 | 13,642 | +3.33% |
| 1981 | 30,849 | +9.49% |
| 1998 | 54,908 | +3.45% |
| 2017 | 156,991 | +5.68% |
| 2023 | 186,371 | +2.90% |
| Sources:[7] | ||
According to 2023 census, Samundri had a population of 186,371.
Economy
[edit]Samundri is home to a major grain, whole corn & sugar market. Sugarcane and wheat are the major crops of the area, while corn is the most-traded good locally. Rice is also grown here but, due to water shortages, fewer farmers opt to grow it. Vegetables are grown on many hectares, fulfilling 50% of the demand.
The Anarkali Bazaar is the main commercial market of the city, and the Jinnah Market is the oldest. Other markets in the city include Jamat Ali Bazaar, Katchery Bazaar, Mandi Bazaar, Nehar Bazaar, Qasim Bazaar, Kashmiri Bazaar, Sunny Plaza and Chaki Bazaar.
Samundri is also known for its custom truck painting business.
Major Banks in Samundari:
- National Bank of Pakistan
- Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited
- Habib Bank Limited (2 Branches)
- United Bank Limited
- Allied Bank Limited
- Muslim Commercial Bank Limited (2 Branches)
- Bank Alfalah
- Soneri Bank
- Meezan Bank
- Faysal Bank
- Al-Barka Bank
- Bank Al-Habib
Notable residents
[edit]- Prithviraj Kapoor (1906–1972), Indian actor
- Rao Kashif Raheem Khan (born 1970), Pakistani politician
- Mian Shahzad Arshad
(born 1979), Pakistani
Notable residents
[edit]- Prithviraj Kapoor (1906–1972), Indian actor
- Rao Kashif Raheem Khan (born 1970), Pakistani politician
- Poetic Figures
- Syed Abdul Sattar Mufti
- A distinguished poet from Samundri, Syed Abdul Sattar Mufti is known for his deep insight and spiritual expression in Urdu poetry. His work reflects simplicity, elegance, and a profound connection to human emotions and divine themes.
His poetry can be found at https://www.rekhta.org/poets/syed-abdus-sattar-mufti
- Syed Ayaz Mufti
A torchbearer of his father's literary legacy, Syed Ayaz Mufti not only contributed his own poetry but also nurtured a generation of poets. His mentorship led to the formation of a vibrant poetic community in Samundri. His poetry is available at https://www.rekhta.org/poets/ibn-e-mufti and also https://mojesukhan.com/category/%d8%b4%d8%a7%d8%b9%d8%b1%db%8c/%d8%b3%db%8c%d8%af-%d8%a7%db%8c%d8%a7%d8%b2-%d9%85%d9%81%d8%aa%db%8c/
- Students of Syed Abdul Sattar Mufti
These poets, trained and inspired by Father of Syed Ayaz Mufti, have enriched Urdu literature with their unique styles and themes:
- Naz Khiyalvi – Known for emotional and thoughtful poetry
- Bilal Kaifi – A representative of modern Urdu verse
- Iqbal Majrooh – Expresses pain and passion through ghazals
- Suleman Burq – Blends classical style with contemporary subjects
- Khalid Mehmood Altumash – Philosophical and reflective poetry
- Aslam Shehzad – Specializes in religious and devotional poetry
- Iqbal Toor & Rasheed Toor – Custodians of poetic tradition
- Hamid Nisar – Simple yet touching poetic expressions
- Asif Jalal – A rising voice among the younger generation
- Shauq Ansari – Skilled in both ghazal and nazm
- Mushtaq Basit – Active in literary gatherings and events
- Professor Ishaq Shad – A respected name in academic and literary circles
- Sharif Asim, A most melodious poet of Samundri and student of Abdul Sattar Mufti
- Religious Figures
- Maulana Abdul Rasheed
A prominent Islamic scholar who played a vital role in spreading religious education and guiding students in Islamic sciences.
- Maulana Janbaz
Renowned for his powerful sermons and deep religious insight, he awakened spiritual awareness among the masses.
- Zia-ur-Rehman Farooqi
A great religious leader who left a significant impact in both religious and social spheres.
- Sufi Noor Mohmmad - who dedicated his life for the betterment of Majid e Shokat e Islam Samundri.
- Peer Anees-ul-Mujtaba (Walton Sharif)
- A spiritual guide known for his teachings on self-purification and inner peace. His khanqah (spiritual center) has been a source of comfort and guidance for thousands.
References
[edit]
- ^ "Towns & Unions in the City District of Faisalabad (including Samundri)". Government of Punjab website. 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ a b c Muhammad Hassan Miraj (20 May 2013). "The Alexander of Samundri". Dawn. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ Two former MPAs from Samundri join PML-Q. The News International. Published 18 February 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "PAKISTAN: Provinces and Major Cities". PAKISTAN: Provinces and Major Cities (scroll down to read under title 'Towns & Municipalities' including Samundri). citypopulation.de website. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ Dube, I. &. S. (2009). From Ancient to Modern: Religion, Power, and Community in India (Hardcover). Oxford University Press.
- ^ Samthar State - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 22, p. 26. Digital South Asia Library. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Population by administrative units 1951-1998" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.[permanent dead link]
