Chiniot

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title: "Chiniot" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["populated-places-in-chiniot-district", "cities-in-punjab-(pakistan)", "chiniot-district", "populated-places-in-punjab,-pakistan"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiniot" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
name
native_name
settlement_typeCity
image_skylineFile:Chiniot montage.jpg
imagesize240px
image_captionClockwise from top: Bu Ali Qalandar Mosque besides Chenab River, exterior and interior views of Shahi Mosque, Omar Hayat Mahal
image_blank_emblemMunicipal Committee Chiniot.jpg
blank_emblem_typeMunicipal Committee logo
blank_emblem_altMunicipal Committee Chiniot
nickname
coordinates
pushpin_mapPunjab Pakistan#Pakistan
pushpin_map_captionLocation of Chiniot in Pakistan
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_namePakistan
subdivision_type1Province
subdivision_name1Punjab, Pakistan Punjab
subdivision_type2Division
subdivision_name2Faisalabad
subdivision_type3District
subdivision_name3Chiniot
government_footnotes
government_typeMunicipal Committee
leader_titleChairman
leader_nameNone (vacant)
leader_title1Vice Chairman
leader_name1None (vacant)
area_footnotestags --
elevation_m179
population_footnotes
population_as_of2023 census
population_total318165
total_typeCity
population_rank28th, Pakistan
population_density_sq_miauto
timezonePST
utc_offset+5
timezone_DSTPDT
utc_offset_DST+6
postal_code_typePostal code
postal_code35400
area_code_typeDialling code
area_code047
blank_nameDistance(s)
blank_info{{Collapsible list
titleFrom
frame_styleborder:1; padding:1;
title_style
list_styletext-align:left;display:none;
1• Lahore – 161 km
2• Faisalabad – 38 km
3• Islamabad – 283 km
4• Karachi – 1,175 km
5• Peshawar – 414 km
6• Quetta – 871 km
7• Multan – 246 km
8• Muzaffarabad – 439 km
9• Gilgit – 755 km
website
::

| name = Chiniot | native_name = | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = File:Chiniot montage.jpg | imagesize = 240px | image_caption = Clockwise from top: Bu Ali Qalandar Mosque besides Chenab River, exterior and interior views of Shahi Mosque, Omar Hayat Mahal | image_flag = | image_seal = | image_blank_emblem = Municipal Committee Chiniot.jpg | blank_emblem_type = Municipal Committee logo | blank_emblem_alt = Municipal Committee Chiniot | nickname = | motto = | image_map = | map_caption = | coordinates = | coordinates_footnotes = | pushpin_map = Punjab Pakistan#Pakistan | pushpin_map_caption = Location of Chiniot in Pakistan | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Pakistan | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Punjab, Pakistan Punjab | subdivision_type2 = Division | subdivision_name2 = Faisalabad | subdivision_type3 = District | subdivision_name3 = Chiniot | established_title = | established_date = | established_title2 = | established_date2 = | government_footnotes = | government_type = Municipal Committee | leader_title = Chairman | leader_name = None (vacant) | leader_title1 = Vice Chairman | leader_name1 = None (vacant) | area_footnotes = tags -- | area_total_km2 = | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 179 | population_footnotes = | population_as_of = 2023 census | population_total = 318165 | total_type = City | population_rank = 28th, Pakistan | population_urban = | population_metro = | population_density_sq_mi = auto | population_demonym = | population_note = | timezone = PST | utc_offset = +5 | timezone_DST = PDT | utc_offset_DST = +6 | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 35400 | area_code_type = Dialling code | area_code = 047 | blank_name = Distance(s) | blank_info = {{Collapsible list |title = From |frame_style = border:1; padding:1; |title_style = |list_style = text-align:left;display:none; |1 = • Lahore – 161 km |2 = • Faisalabad – 38 km |3 = • Islamabad – 283 km |4 = • Karachi – 1,175 km |5 = • Peshawar – 414 km |6 = • Quetta – 871 km |7 = • Multan – 246 km |8 = • Muzaffarabad – 439 km |9 = • Gilgit – 755 km | website = | footnotes = Chiniot (Punjabi, Urdu: ) is a city and the administrative headquarters of Chiniot District in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. Located on the bank of the river Chenab, it is the 28th most populous city in Pakistan.

Chiniot is known for its intricate wooden furniture, architecture, and mosques. The Shahi Mosque, Omar Hayat Haveli, Laxmi Narayan temple and the shrines of Shah Burhan and Saeen Sukh are some of the notable specimen of Chinioti architecture in the town.

History

Early

The origins of Chiniot are obscure, and historical records accurately detailing its founding unavailable. According to some accounts, the city was founded by an ancient king's daughter named Chandan, who while on a hunting expedition, was charmed by the surrounding area, and ordered the construction of the settlement of Chandaniot, alternatively spelt Chandniot, which was named in her honour. The name Chiniot, a contracted version of the original name, eventually gained favour, though the older name had been used up until at least the 1860s.

Mughal

During Mughal rule, Chiniot was governed as part of the subah, or province, of Lahore. The city reached its zenith during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, under his governor of Punjab, Wazir Khan and his Grand Vizier, Sadullah Khan, who commissioned the Chiniot's Shahi Mosque. Chiniot's artisans were renowned for their skill during the Mughal era, and were employed in the decoration of the Taj Mahal, and Lahore's Wazir Khan Mosque.

Mughal decline and Sial rule

Following the collapse of Mughal authority after the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707, the local Sial dynasty under the rule of Walidad Khan was officially granted governorship of the area on account of Khan's loyalty to the Delhi throne. Though nominally a part of the declining Mughal realm, Walidad Khan forged a largely independent state in western Punjab that controlled the region between Mankera and Kamalia. Chiniot suffered heavily during the Durrani invasion of the late 1748.

Sikh

The Sial state around Chiniot was encroached upon by Sikh chieftains in the north, and by Multani chiefs in the south, before coming under the control of the Bhangi Misl Sikhs by 1765. The Sikhs imposed an annual tribute on the Sial chief, Inayatullah Khan, which he ceased paying in 1778 before also capturing Chiniot. He died in 1787, though the city had reverted to Bhangi Sikh rule before his death.

The city suffered during the Sikh Misl states period in which the city region's Bhangis battled the Sukerchakia Misl. Chiniot was captured by Ranjit Singh in 1803, and thereafter became part of the Sikh Empire. The city was invested in Sial chief Ahmad Khan, who promised to pay tribute to Ranjit Singh's kingdom. Khan stopped paying tribute, and briefly seized full control of the region in 1808, but was decisively defeated by Ranjit Singh's forces in 1810.

British

The city came under British rule by 1849, and the city was constituted as a municipality in 1862. In 1875, the city's population was 11,999. During the British period, a vast network of canals was laid to irrigate Punjab, resulting in the creation of many new "canal colonies" around Chiniot. Chiniot's famous Omar Hayat Mahal was built between 1923 and 1935 for a businessman who made his fortune in Calcutta.

Geography

Location

Chiniot is at the intersection of the Faisalabad-Sargodha and Lahore-Jhang roads. It is 158 km northwest of Lahore and 38 km north of Faisalabad. Chiniot city is spread over an area of 10 sqkm with an average elevation of 179 m.

Rabwah city, the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Community is on the other side of the Chenab River. In the center of river a worship center (or Chilla Gah) of the Sufi Bu Ali Shah Qalandar is located.

Topography

Chiniot city lies on left bank of the Chenab River, and is located on a small rocky hill. Much of the surrounding area consists of alluvial plains, interspersed with rocky outcroppings of slate and sandstone that reach up to 400 feet in height around Chiniot.

Climate

Chiniot has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSh). The weather in Chiniot is variable.

| single line = yes | metric first = yes | location= Chiniot (1961-1990) | Jan high C = 19 | Feb high C = 22 | Mar high C = 27 | Apr high C = 33 | May high C = 39 | Jun high C = 39 | Jul high C = 35 | Aug high C = 35 | Sep high C = 34 | Oct high C = 32 | Nov high C = 27 | Dec high C = 21 | Jan low C = 8 | Feb low C = 11 | Mar low C = 16 | Apr low C = 20 | May low C = 25 | Jun low C = 28 | Jul low C = 27 | Aug low C = 27 | Sep low C = 25 | Oct low C = 20 | Nov low C = 14 | Dec low C = 9 | Jan rain mm = 18 | Feb rain mm = 35 | Mar rain mm = 24 | Apr rain mm = 13 | May rain mm = 17 | Jun rain mm = 69 | Jul rain mm = 139 | Aug rain mm = 113 | Sep rain mm = 56 | Oct rain mm = 9 | Nov rain mm = 11 | Dec rain mm = 12 | rain colour = green | source=My Weather

Demographics

Population

According to the 1998 census, the population of Chiniot Tehsil was 965,124 (included urban 172,522). According to the 2017 Census of Pakistan, the city has the population of 278,747. The language spoken is Punjabi.

Economy

The important products of Chiniot includes silk, cotton, wheat, sugar, rice, milk, pottery, wooden furniture, etc. The city's agricultural economy is largely derived from "canal colonies" established during British rule when a vast network of canals were laid to irrigate Punjab.

Chiniot is famous for his wooden furniture, and developed as a centre of woodworking given its close proximity to the Chenab River – as timber from Kashmir would be floated down the river towards Chiniot. Chiniot's artisans are renowned for their skill, and were employed in the construction of the Taj Mahal and Wazir Khan Mosque. The city's metalworkers, along with those of Lahore, were considered the best in Punjab during the British period, and Chinioti designs and were considered superior to those of Hoshiarpur or Jalandhar. Ramzan Sugar Mills is located at Faisalabad Road.

Education

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Chenab_College_Chiniot_01.jpg" caption="A side view of the building of Chenab College Chiniot"] ::

Educational institutions in Chiniot include

  • Allama Iqbal Model School, Chiniot
  • Chenab College, Chiniot
  • Govt Al Islah High School, Chiniot
  • Govt High School Inayatpur, Chiniot
  • Govt High School Salara, Chiniot
  • Govt Islamia College, Chiniot
  • Govt Islamia High School, Chiniot
  • Govt Primary School, Shareen Awan Chiniot
  • Govt Mudrassa-tul-Banat High School, Chiniot
  • Superior Group of Colleges Chiniot Campus
  • Khatam e Nabuwat Institute of Modern Sciences (KIMS) College, Chiniot
  • Masoomeen Foundation High School, Chiniot
  • Masoomeen School and College, Chiniot
  • National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (NUCES)
  • Punjab College, Chiniot
  • Superior Group of Colleges Chiniot Campus
  • Tips College, Chiniot
  • Unified P/G Science College, Chiniot

Libraries

After his death, Sheikh Omar Hayat's Haveli Omar Hayat Mahal was converted into a library by the Government of Pakistan.

Transport and communication

Chiniot is connected with the rest of Pakistan by a main highway and rail line. The nearest international airport is Faisalabad International Airport, which is 48.5 km from Chiniot.

Culture

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Chiniot’s_Shahi_Masjid_(Badshahi_Mosque).jpg" caption="The interior of Chiniot's 17th century [[Shahi Mosque]] is richly decorated with Mughal period frescoes."] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/Chinioti_Kunna_Gosht.jpg" caption="Chiniot-style 'Kunna Gosht'"] ::

Islamic occasions

In Chiniot people celebrate Islamic occasions with great arrangements. On 12 Rabi' al-awwal, 1440th birthday celebration of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, people of Chiniot arranged a 63-maund cake, one of the largest cakes in the world.

Furniture

Chiniot is known for its furniture. Chinioti craftsmen and artisans have for centuries carved flowers and geometric patterns onto cellulose fibres. Masons from Chiniot are thought to have been employed during the construction of the Taj Mahal and Golden Temple.

Sport

Cricket is the most popular sport in Chiniot. Football is also played here. Other popular sports include hockey, volleyball, basketball, badminton, tennis, kabbadi, and horse racing.

Notable people

References

References

  1. "MC Chiniot: Administrative Setup". Local Government Punjab.
  2. (31 December 2021). "Administrators’ appointments planned as Punjab LG system dissolves today". The Nation (newspaper).
  3. [https://www.citypopulation.de/en/pakistan/punjab/chiniot/7350101__chiniot Citypopulation.de] Population of Chiniot Municipal Council
  4. (24 February 2016). "These photos will take you on a magical trip through Chiniot".
  5. Steedman, E. B.. (1882). "Report on the Revised Settlement of the Jhang District of the Punjab, 1874-1880". W. Ball.
  6. (1884). "Gazetteer of the Jhanq District". Punjab Government Press.
  7. (2009). "Migration and Small Towns in Pakistan". IIED.
  8. (1992). "Journal of Central Asia". Centre for the Study of the Civilizations of Central Asia, Quaid-i-Azam University.
  9. Thahim, Abdul Razak A.. (1980). "Book on History of Ancient Arab Tribe Tamim". A.R.A. Thahim.
  10. Ali, Aown. (2015-12-03). "Umar Hayat Mahal: Chiniot's dying 'wonder'". Dawn.
  11. London, Linnean Society of. (1862). "Journal: Botany".
  12. "Climate chart of Chiniot". My Weather.
  13. "Population by administrative units 1951-1998". [[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]].
  14. Watt, Sir George. (1903). "Indian Art at Delhi 1903: Being the Official Catalogue of the Delhi Exhibition 1902-1903". Motilal Banarsidass.
  15. "Chenab College Chiniot [Official]".
  16. "GHS Al-islah Chiniot - School Info & Teachers Profiles".
  17. "GHS Inayatpur Chiniot - School Info & Teachers Profiles".
  18. "Govt High School Salara Chiniot".
  19. "Govt Islamia College Chiniot: Study for your Career Growth".
  20. "GPS Shareen Awan Chiniot - School Info & Teachers Profiles".
  21. "GGHS Madrissa Tul Binat Chiniot - School Info & Teachers Profiles".
  22. "CHINIOT {{!}} Superior Group of Colleges".
  23. "The KIMS College Chiniot".
  24. "Masoomeen Schools & Colleges".
  25. "Chiniot-Faisalabad".
  26. "Chiniot – Punjab Colleges".
  27. "CHINIOT {{!}} Superior Group of Colleges".
  28. "Unified P/G Science College and Chiniot.".
  29. (16 February 2011). "Celebration of 12 Rabi' al-awwal and in Aashora-e-Muharram, there are many Imam Barghas were regularly conducting Aashora Majalis in the respect of Shahadat e Imam-e-Hussain. Sunni and Shia Brothers are regularly participating in this occasion. They construct eight numbers of Tazia's in the honour of Imam Hussain which are very beautiful and unique". [[Dunya News]].
  30. "Punjabi".

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