Gujranwala facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gujranwala گوجرانوالہ
Metropolis
From top, left to right: Nishan-e-Manzil, UCP Gujranwala, Jinnah Interchange flyover, Mall of Gujranwala
Nickname(s):  City of Wrestlers
Gujranwala Location in Pakistan
Country	Pakistan
Province	Punjab
Division	Gujranwala
District	Gujranwala
Tehsil	Gujranwala City, Gujranwala Saddar
Autonomous towns	7
Union councils	19
Government
• Type	Metropolitan Corporation
Area
• City	240 km2 (90 sq mi)
• Metro	3,198 km2 (1,235 sq mi)
Elevation	231 m (758 ft)
Population  (2017)
• City	2,027,001
• Rank	5th, Pakistan
• Density	8,450/km2 (21,900/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+5 (PKT)
Postal code	52250
Area code(s)	055

Gujranwala is a big city in Pakistan. It is the capital of the Gujranwala Division. People often call it the "City of Wrestlers" because of its strong wrestling tradition. It is also famous for its delicious food.

Gujranwala is the 5th largest city in Pakistan by population. Only Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi are bigger. The city was founded in the 18th century. This makes it newer than many ancient cities in the northern Punjab region.

From 1763 to 1799, Gujranwala was the capital of the Sukerchakia Misl state. A "Misl" was a group of Sikh warriors who controlled different areas. It is also the birthplace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He was the founder of the Sikh Empire.

Today, Gujranwala is Pakistan's third largest industrial hub. Only Karachi and Faisalabad are bigger. It helps the country's economy a lot, adding 5% to 9% to Pakistan's national income. Gujranwala is part of a special area in Punjab. This area has many factories and is known for its industries.

Along with Sialkot and Gujrat, Gujranwala forms the "Golden Triangle." These cities are known for making goods that are sold to other countries.

What's in a Name?

The name Gujranwala means "Abode of the Gujjars" in the Punjabi language. It was named after the Gujjar tribe, who live in northern Punjab.

Some local stories say the town was named after a Gujjar man. His name was Choudhry Gujjar. He owned a special water wheel that supplied water to the town. However, it is more likely that the name comes from "Serai Gujran." This means "inn of Gujjars." It was a village near what is now Gujranwala's Khiyali Gate.

A Look at History

How Gujranwala Started

Gujranwala was founded by the Gurjar people in the 18th century. Its exact beginnings are not fully clear. Unlike older cities like Sialkot and Lahore, Gujranwala is a newer city. It might have started as a small village in the mid-1500s.

People used to believe its first name was Khanpur Sansi. But new studies suggest it was probably Serai Gujran. This village was mentioned by different writers during the 18th-century invasions by Ahmad Shah Durrani.

The Sikh Era

The birthplace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire.

The interior of the Sheranwala Baradari.

After the death of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1707, Mughal power became weak. Invasions by Nader Shah and later Ahmad Shah Durrani caused a lot of trouble in Punjab.

By the late 1700s, the Sikh Misls became powerful. These were independent groups of Sikh chiefs. Charat Singh, a leader of the Sukerchakia Misl, built a fort in Gujranwala between 1756 and 1758.

In 1763, Charat Singh made Gujranwala the capital of his Misl. His son, Maha Singh, took over after him. Maha Singh expanded the lands his father had controlled.

Ranjit Singh, Maha Singh's son, was born in Gujranwala in 1780. He later became the founder of the Sikh Empire. Gujranwala was his first capital when he became powerful in 1792.

His famous military leader, Hari Singh Nalwa, was also from Gujranwala. Hari Singh Nalwa built a tall mud wall around the city. He also created the city's street plan that is still used today. Gujranwala remained the capital until 1799. That year, Ranjit Singh captured Lahore and moved the capital there. This made Gujranwala less important for a while.

Jind Kaur, the last queen of Ranjit Singh, was born in Gujranwala in 1817. By 1839, Gujranwala had about 500 shops. It was also surrounded by beautiful gardens. Hari Nalwa Singh's garden was known for its many exotic plants.

British Rule

Estcourt Clock Tower, also known as Ghanta Ghar, was built in 1906.

Gujranwala's rail station dates from the British era.

The British Empire took control of the area in 1848. The city then grew quickly. Gujranwala became a municipality in 1867. New city gates were built in 1869. A new clock tower was built in the city center in 1906.

Christian missionaries came during British rule. Many churches and schools were built. The first Presbyterian Church opened in 1875. A theological seminary was started in 1877. A Christian technical school opened in 1900.

The North-Western Railway connected Gujranwala to other cities by train in 1881. A major Sikh college, Gujranwala Guru Nanak Khalsa College, was founded in 1889. The Khanki Headworks were completed in 1892. This helped water 3 million acres of land. In 1901, Gujranwala had a population of 29,224 people. The city continued to grow under British rule.

In April 1919, protests happened in Gujranwala. This was after a tragic event in Amritsar. The city's railway station and other buildings were damaged. British planes even fired on protestors from the air.

Before the Partition of British India in 1947, many different religious groups lived in Gujranwala. Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs lived in different parts of the city. Hindus and Sikhs owned most of the city's businesses and properties.

After Partition

Tomb of Maha Singh, father of Ranjit Singh.

After Pakistan became independent in 1947, many people moved. Gujranwala saw a large number of Muslim refugees arrive. These were people fleeing from areas that became part of India. They mainly came from cities like Amritsar, Patiala, and Ludhiana.

The arrival of so many refugees changed Gujranwala a lot. By March 1948, over 300,000 refugees had settled in the Gujranwala District. Many settled in areas that used to be home to non-Muslims.

New neighborhoods were quickly built. Satellite Town was created in 1950 for wealthier refugees. D-Colony was built in 1956 for poorer refugees. Model Town was built in the 1960s. The city also saw strong industrial growth. In 1947, there were only 39 factories. By 1961, this number grew to 225.

Gujranwala's economy kept growing in the 1970s and 1980s. New projects continue to be built. These include a long flyover, which is like an elevated road. The nearby Sialkot International Airport also serves the region. It was Pakistan's first privately owned airport. New universities have also been built. The Sialkot-Lahore Motorway, opened in 2020, passes near Gujranwala.

City Layout

Brandreth Gate in old Gujranwala.

The Civil Lines neighborhood has many buildings from the British colonial era.

Painting of Acharya Atmanand ji Samadhi, Gujranwala

Gujranwala's oldest parts were planned by Hari Singh Nalwa. This happened after Ranjit Singh made Gujranwala his capital in 1792. The city was laid out in a grid pattern. Streets and markets crossed each other at right angles. The old city was surrounded by a tall mud wall and a fort.

The old city centers around the Shahi (Royal) Bazaar. It has many old places of worship for Hindus and Sikhs. The Hindu Devi Talab temple was once famous for its large water-tank. The Sikh Gurdwara Damdama Sahib is also important. It is linked to a Sikh saint named Baba Sahib Singh Bedi.

Gujranwala also had a Jain community. The samadhi (a memorial place) of Jain Acharya Atmaramji is in the city. It is now being restored.

The city grew quickly under British rule. It expanded outside its old walls. New markets were built in a radial pattern, spreading out from the old city. Some old buildings were replaced. For example, the Haveli (mansion) of Sardar Mahan Singh was torn down. It was replaced by a public square called Ranjit Ganj.

The Civil Lines neighborhood was built for European residents. It was about a mile north of the old city. This area had large houses, green lawns, and tree-lined streets. The city's Presbyterian Church was built here in 1875. The Christian Technical Training Center followed in 1900. Some wealthy Hindus and Sikhs also settled in Civil Lines.

After Pakistan's independence, the city continued to grow. Much of this growth has been unplanned. This is due to weak rules about building and property.

Where Gujranwala Is

Gujranwala is in the middle of the Rechna Doab. This is a strip of land between the Chenab River to the north and the Ravi River to the south. Gujranwala is also part of the Majha, a historic region of northern Punjab. The city is built on flat plains. There are no hills or mountains nearby.

Gujranwala is in the Rechna Doab region of Punjab, marked in grey.

Gujranwala is 226 meters (744 feet) above sea level. It shares borders with Ghakhar Mandi and other towns. The provincial capital, Lahore, is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) south. Sialkot and Gujrat are to its north. Gujrat connects Gujranwala to Bhimber, Azad Kashmir. Sialkot connects it to Jammu.

About 160 kilometers (100 miles) southwest is Faisalabad. To its west are Hafizabad and Pindi Bhattian. These towns connect Gujranwala to Jhang, Chiniot, and Sargodha.

Climate and Weather

Gujranwala has a hot semi-arid climate. This means it's usually hot and dry. The weather changes throughout the year. In summer (June to September), temperatures can reach 36 to 42°C (97 to 108°F). The coolest months are November to February. Temperatures can drop to an average of 7°C (45°F).

The most rain falls in July and August. This is when the monsoon season arrives in Punjab. During other months, there is little rain.

People of Gujranwala

Gujranwala is the 5th largest city in Pakistan by population. Since the 2000s, its population has grown by about 3% each year. This growth is expected to slow down to 2.51% by 2035.

The table below shows the different religious groups in Gujranwala City over time.

Religious groups in Gujranwala City (1881−2023)

Religious group	1881		1891		1901		1911		1921		1931		1941		2017		2023
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Islam	11,820	51.65%	14,049	52.45%	15,525	53.12%	16,398	55.64%	20,622	54.43%	33,241	56.61%	45,904	54.3%	2,272,402	96.65%	2,762,265	96.78%
Hinduism	9,114	39.83%	9,909	36.99%	10,390	35.55%	8,547	29%	11,669	30.8%	16,958	28.88%	24,378	28.83%	104	0%	482	0.02%
Sikhism	1,396	6.1%	2,020	7.54%	2,181	7.46%	3,200	10.86%	3,571	9.43%	5,879	10.01%	11,016	13.03%	N/A	N/A	87	0%
Jainism	413	1.8%	522	1.95%	700	2.4%	713	2.42%	683	1.8%	978	1.67%	1,343	1.59%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Christianity	N/A	N/A	284	1.06%	428	1.46%	614	2.08%	1,342	3.54%	1,660	2.83%	1,893	2.24%	76,598	3.26%	89,897	3.15%
Zoroastrianism	N/A	N/A	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	3	0%
Judaism	N/A	N/A	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Buddhism	N/A	N/A	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ahmadiyya	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	1,901	0.08%	1,275	0.04%
Others	141	0.62%	1	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	11	0.01%	209	0.01%	122	0%
Total population	22,884	100%	26,785	100%	29,224	100%	29,472	100%	37,887	100%	58,716	100%	84,545	100%	2,351,214	100%	2,854,131	100%

Economy and Industry

Gujranwala is home to a wide variety of industries.

Gujranwala is Pakistan's third largest industrial center. It is behind only Karachi and Faisalabad. Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Gujrat City are sometimes called the "Golden Triangle." This is because they are rich and make many goods for export.

The city's industries employ up to 500,000 people. Gujranwala's economy makes up 5% of Pakistan's total economy.

As of 2002, there were about 6,500 small and medium factories. There were also 25,000 small home-based businesses. These make many different products. Gujranwala is a main center for making and exporting bathroom fixtures. It has over 200 companies that do this. More than 60 companies make car parts.

The city is also known for making electric fans. About 150 businesses are involved in this. Gujranwala is Pakistan's third largest center for iron and steel. This is because of its long history with metalworking. The city has also been a center for making hosiery (socks and tights) since 1947.

Other things made in Gujranwala include:

• Textiles, clothes, and yarn
• Rice and plastic products
• Cutlery, coolers, and heaters
• Farm tools and equipment
• Carpets and glass goods
• Surgical tools and leather products
• Machines for military use
• Home appliances and motorcycles
• Food products

The areas around Gujranwala grow a lot of wheat. They produce more wheat per acre than the national average. Gujranwala District is also the best region in Punjab for growing rice.

In 2010, the World Bank ranked Gujranwala as the 6th easiest city in Pakistan for doing business. It was ranked second best for getting building permits. In the 2010s, power shortages slowed the city's growth. But by the end of 2017, electricity supply improved greatly. This helped the country's exports grow.

Getting Around

Hospital road and Sialkot road, Church road, Gujranwala

Road Travel

Gujranwala Flyover

Gujranwala is on the old Grand Trunk Road. This road connects Peshawar to Islamabad and Lahore. The Grand Trunk Road also leads to the Afghan border. From there, you can go to Kabul and Central Asia.

The Sialkot-Lahore Motorway connects Gujranwala to Lahore. This motorway passes east of the Grand Trunk Road. It ends near the Sialkot International Airport. There are plans to extend this motorway further north.

Train Travel

Gujranwala railway station

The Gujranwala railway station is a stop on Pakistan's main railway line. This line is called Main Line-1. It connects Gujranwala to the port city of Karachi and to Peshawar.

The entire Main Line-1 railway track is being upgraded. This will allow trains to travel at 160 kilometers per hour (100 mph). Currently, trains travel at 60 to 105 km per hour (37 to 65 mph).

Air Travel

Gujranwala does not have its own airport. People use airports in nearby cities. The Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore offers flights to many parts of the world. Gujranwala is also served by the nearby Sialkot International Airport. This airport opened in 2007. It was Pakistan's first privately owned commercial airport. It offers flights to the Middle East and within Pakistan.

Public Transport

Gujranwala has a small public transport system called a city tour. Its routes mainly run along the Grand Trunk Road. They go from Wazirabad to Kamoke. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Careem also became available in Gujranwala in 2017.

How the City is Run

Gujranwala and its surrounding areas became a district in 1951. The Gujranwala Development Authority was created in 1989. Its job is to plan for the city's growth and building projects.

Currently, the city is managed by the City District Government Gujranwala (CDGG). It is also managed by the Gujranwala Metropolitan Corporation. In 2007, the city was divided into 7 smaller municipalities. These include Aroop, Kamonke, and Wazirabad Towns.

In December 2019, the Gujranwala Municipal Corporation was upgraded. It became a Metropolitan Corporation under a new local government law.

Learning and Education

University of Punjab, Gujranwala Campus

In 2008, the adult literacy rate in Gujranwala city was 73%. For young people aged 15–24 in the whole district, it rose to 87%.

The Gujranwala Theological Seminary was founded in Sialkot in 1877. It moved to Gujranwala in 1912. The Army Aviation School of the Pakistan Air Force moved to Gujranwala in 1987.

Many higher education institutes are in the city, such as:

• University of Sargodha, Gujranwala Campus
• University of Central Punjab, Gujranwala Campus
• GIFT University, Gujranwala
• University of the Punjab, Gujranwala Campus

Sports and Recreation

Gujranwala has the Jinnah Stadium. This stadium can hold 20,000 people. It has hosted matches for the 1987 Cricket World Cup and the 1996 Cricket World Cup.

Images for kids

• 

  The birthplace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire.

• 

  The interior of the Sheranwala Baradari.

• 

  Estcourt Clock Tower, commonly known as Ghanta Ghar, was built in 1906.

• 

  Gujranwala's rail station dates from the British era.

• 

  Tomb of Maha Singh, ruler of the Sukerchakia Misl and father of Ranjit Singh.

• 

  Gujranwala is in the Rechna Doab region of Punjab, marked in grey.

• 

  Brandreth Gate in old Gujranwala.

• 

  The Civil Lines neighbourhood has many buildings that date from the British colonial era.

• 

  Painting of Acharya Atmanand ji Samadhi, Gujranwala

• 

  Gujranwala is home to a wide variety of industries.

• 

  Hospital road and Sialkot road, Church road, Gujranwala

• 

  Gujranwala Flyover

• 

  Gujranwala railway station

• 

  University of Punjab, Gujranwala Campus

See also

In Spanish: Gujranwala para niños