History
Madras, Pauravas, Yaudheyas, Malavas and Kurus invaded, settled and ruled ancientPunjab region. After overrunning the Achaemenid Empire in
331 BCE, Alexander marched
into present-day Punjab region with an army of 50,000.
The Chiniot region was ruled by Maurya Empire, Indo-Greek kingdom, Kushan Empire, Gupta Empire, White Huns, Kushano-Hephthalites and Shahi kingdoms.
In
997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi,
took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire
established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he conquered the Shahis inKabul in
1005, and followed it by the conquests of Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became
predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Punjab region.
The
town has some historical places like Dilkusha Bagh which is believed to be
a Mughal era garden and is attached to Humayun; but historical facts do not verify it. Humayun never
came here. On his retreat to Iran, he went to another Bakhar in Sindh to
seek help from Mahmood Khan. But this path or route taken was rejected by
Major Henry Raverty as the possible retreat
of Humayun.
The old town was walled and had gates as Tavela gate and Imamanwala gate. The only remaining gate Jinnah Gate (formerly King Gate) was built in British period in the name of Mr. King the then Deputy Commissioner. There are remains of a handera (tomb) near Sheikh Raoo bridge, which is believed to be burial place of Bakhar Khan, the founder of the city. The present police station was originally a Baloch fortress. Some 30 years ago a branch of River Indus flowed past the town. West side of the town was green and pleasant.
After
the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh Empire invaded and occupied Bhakkar district. The
Muslims faced restrictions during the Sikh rule TheBritish took over Bhakkar District in 1848.
Thal Canal
During British rule, the district was a tehsil of Mianwali District, the population according to the 1891 census
of India was 119,219 which had risen to 125,803 at the 1901 census. In addition
to the headquarters Bhakkar (population, 5,312), the tehsil contained and 196
villages. The land revenue and cesses amounted in 1903-4 to Rs 1.7 lakhs.
Places of interest are Mankera and Muhammad Rajan,
at the latter of which is the shrine of Pir Muhammad Rajan, who died there on a
pilgrimage.[2]
The
predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated
to India while the Muslim refugees from India settled
in the Bhakkar District.
The
main city center is consist of Mandi Town, King gate (markets and shopping
centers), Chimni Muhalla (the oldest area in Bhakkar city), Iron Market,
Gulshan-e-Madina Town, Officers Colony, Iqbal Town (old name Housing scheme 1)
(Farrukh Hasan), Canal Avenue, new developed Green Town, Dhandla Muhalla,
Gadola, and Aalam Abad. The adjacent city area Mandi Town is the developed area
of the city with entire facilities. The population of city area mostly speak
Saraiki, Urdu and Punjabi.The business in the city is major source of income
for the population and mostly business activities are connected with capital
of Punjab, Lahore.
