Hasan Abdal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hasan Abdal
حسَن ابدال
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The Panja Sahib Gurudwara dominates the skyline of Hasan Abdal
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 Hasan Abdal
Location in Punjab, Pakistan
Hasan Abdal
Location in Pakistan
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| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province | Punjab |
| District | Attock District |
| Elevation | 308 m (1,010 ft) |
| Population
(1998)
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| • Total | 37,789 |
| • Estimate
(2007)
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54,200 |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
| Calling code | 057 |
| Number of towns | 1 |
| Number of Union councils | 2 |
Hasan Abdal is a city in the Attock District of Punjab Province in Pakistan. It is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Islamabad, which is the capital city of Pakistan. Hasan Abdal is also the main town of its sub-district, called Hasan Abdal Tehsil.
This city is very important for Sikhs because it is home to the Gurdwara Panja Sahib. This is one of the most sacred places for Sikhs, making Hasan Abdal a key pilgrimage spot. The city also has ties to the 16th-century Mughal Emperor Akbar. Many old buildings in the town, like the Mughal Gardens of Wah, Hakimon ka Maqbara, and the Tomb of Lala Rukh, were built during Akbar's time. Hasan Abdal is also close to Taxila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient Hindu and Buddhist ruins.
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Where is Hasan Abdal?
Hasan Abdal is located near the border between northern Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. In the past, it was a starting point for Mughal army trips to the northwestern frontier.
Today, Hasan Abdal is a busy crossroads. It sits where the Karakoram Highway meets the M1 Motorway. This makes it a key location for travel and trade. As part of a big project called the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Hasan Abdal area will be the end point for CPEC's Western Alignment. Also, a new road, the Hakla–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, will start here.
A Look at Hasan Abdal's History
A famous Chinese traveler named Xuanzang visited this area in the 7th century. He wrote about a special spring near Taxila that is now believed to be the spring at Gurdwara Panja Sahib.
The town is mentioned in an old book called Ain-i-Akbari. It talks about a vault built there where Hakim Abu’l Fath is buried. The book also mentions that Emperor Akbar visited Hasan Abdal on his way back from Kashmir.
William Finch, who traveled through India between 1608 and 1611, described Hasan Abdal as a "pleasant town." He noted its small river and many clear ponds where you could see fish with golden rings in their noses. He said the water was so clear you could see a penny at the bottom.
Hasan Abdal was an important base for the Mughal emperors when they sent armies to the northwest. Emperor Jehangir also mentioned the town in his writings, calling it Baba Hasan Abdal. He stayed there for three days and praised the city's beautiful spring. Many Mughal kings stopped in Hasan Abdal on their journeys to Kashmir.
The name Hasan Abdal comes from a folk story about two people: a Gujjar named Hasan and a holy man named Abdal. Abdal asked Hasan for some milk. When Hasan gave it freely, Abdal asked how he could thank him. Hasan said they needed more water. So, Abdal struck the nearby hills, and two streams of water sprang out, creating the springs of Hasan Abdal.
Raja Man Singh built the beautiful Wah Gardens nearby during Emperor Akbar's rule. These gardens had different levels. Emperor Shah Jahan rested at Wah Gardens during his trips to Kabul. Emperor Aurangzeb even stayed in the town for over a year starting in 1674. He was there to stop a rebellion by local tribes. His presence helped convince many local Pashtun tribes to stop fighting and join the Mughals.
Gurdwara Panja Sahib
In 1521, Guru Nanak, who founded the Sikh faith, came to Hasan Abdal. A Gurudwara (Sikh temple) called Panja Sahib was built where he stayed. It has a special rock that many believe has the handprint of Guru Nanak. The word "Panja" means "hand" or "paw." There are different stories about how the handprint got there.
City Connections and Roads
Hasan Abdal is located near where the Karakoram Highway (which goes northwest) meets the M1 Motorway (which connects to places northwest and southeast).
As part of the huge China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, the Karakoram Highway will be improved. Hasan Abdal will be the starting or ending point for the Western Alignment of CPEC. Also, a new motorway, the Hakla–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, will begin near the village of Hakla, connecting Hasan Abdal to Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Learning and Schools
Hasan Abdal has several public primary schools. It also has separate high schools for boys and girls, and higher secondary schools for boys and girls. There is also a college for women. Many private schools also operate in the city, like Trends School and Presentation Convent High School, which opened in 1956.
Cadet College Hasan Abdal
Cadet College Hasan Abdal was the first Cadet College in Pakistan. It was started by the government of Punjab because General Muhammad Ayub Khan, who was the head of the Pakistan Army at the time, wanted a school to prepare students for military academies.
The college began in April 1954. In 1960, a special board was set up to manage the college. Hugh Catchpole was the first Principal (head teacher) of the college. He served there for four years. He loved the college so much that he was buried there after he passed away.
The college is located about 48 kilometers (29 miles) from Rawalpindi and Islamabad. It is in a natural setting near where the National Highway and Grand Trunk Road meet.
Nature and Environment
Hasan Abdal used to be a very peaceful and beautiful place. It was surrounded by clear freshwater springs and orchards full of Loquat fruit trees. Even though the city's population has grown a lot, some of its natural beauty, mentioned in old stories, has managed to remain.
