Islamgarh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Islamgarh
اسلام گڑھ
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Village
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 Islamgarh
Location in Jammu and Kashmir
Islamgarh
Location in India
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| Country |  Pakistan |
| State | Azad Kashmir |
Islamgarh, which used to be called Akalgarh, is a town and village area in the Mirpur District of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It is located close to the large Mangla Dam. You can find Islamgarh about 28 kilometers northeast of Mirpur city. In 2023, about 175,651 people lived in this area.
Contents
A Look Back: History of Islamgarh
Islamgarh has a long and interesting history. Many centuries ago, powerful empires ruled this land.
Early Rulers and Empires
Around the year 997 CE, a ruler named Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi took control of a big empire called the Ghaznavids. He conquered many areas, including parts of what is now Pakistan. Later, the Delhi Sultanate and then the Mughal Empire ruled this region. During these times, many people in the Punjab region became Muslim. This was often due to the teachings of Sufi holy people.
Dogra Rule and British Times
After the Mughal Empire became weaker, a group called the Dogras took over the Mirpur District. Muslims living there faced many challenges under their rule. Later, during the time of the British Raj (when Britain ruled India), Mirpur District grew in size and importance.
After Pakistan's Independence
When Pakistan became an independent country in 1947, it was a time of big changes. This event is known as the Partition of India. Many Hindu and Sikh people moved to India. At the same time, Muslim families from India came to live in the Mirpur District.
Many people from Islamgarh also moved to the United Kingdom in the 1950s and 1960s. They went there to find new opportunities.
Islamgarh Grows into a Town
Islamgarh grew quickly over the years. Because of its fast growth, it became a "town committee" in 1979. Later, in 1998, it was made a "Municipal Committee." This means it became an even bigger and more important town. In 1998, about 15,493 people lived in the Municipal Committee area. The total area of the Municipal Committee is about 57 square kilometers.
Islamgarh's Location and Land
Islamgarh is located in a beautiful area with different types of land.
Mountains and Fertile Lands
To the north of Islamgarh, you can see mountain ranges called Pirgali. On the northwest side, there are areas of rich, fertile land. These lands are connected to the Mangla Dam. Beyond the dam, the boundaries of the new Mirpur city begin.
Impact of Mangla Dam
Before the Mangla Dam was built, Islamgarh was only about 5 kilometers from old Mirpur city. People could easily walk between the two places. However, after the dam was built, the distance became about 30 kilometers. This is because the dam created a large lake.
A main road that connects Mirpur with Dadyal and Kotli passes right through Islamgarh. There are fertile lands on both sides of this road. The main crops grown here are wheat, maize (corn), and millet.
The construction of the Mangla Dam also meant that a lot of fertile land was covered by water. Now, with the Mangla Dam raising project, more villages nearby have given up their homes and land. This includes villages like Chak Haryam and Andrah Klan.
Helping the Community: Islamgarh Welfare Trust
The Islamgarh Welfare Trust is a special organization that helps people in the local area.
What the Trust Does
This trust is a registered Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Pakistan. An NGO is a group that works to help people, not for profit. The Islamgarh Welfare Trust focuses on providing healthcare services to the community.
Their main goals are to:
- Offer healthcare services, including emergency care and services for mothers, at low prices.
- Provide free services to those who cannot afford them.
- Be open 24 hours a day.
- Offer facilities like a maternity center, eye center, ultrasound, a medical store, and ambulance services.
- Have a laboratory and X-ray services.
How the Trust Works
The trust has some great features:
- It has always helped the local people.
- It is run by dedicated volunteers who do not get paid.
- All the money donated by the public goes directly to helping patients.
- All the trust's buildings and equipment are properly registered.
- It is easy for people to get to because it's in a central location.
- A new hospital building was built on land that people donated.
There is also a charity in the United Kingdom called "British Friends of Islamgarh Welfare Trust." This group helps to raise money to support the work of the Islamgarh Welfare Trust.
