HISTORY OF CHINIOT PUNJAB PAKISTAN

Chiniot is the famous city of Punjab that has recently been given the state of a district. The word Chiniot is the combination of “CHAN (moon)”, “OT (behind)” that collectively means “Behind the Moon”. At first this Chiniot city was the part of Jhang city but recently it has been separated. This ancient city was initially a Chinese village, in another tale it has been believed that this beautiful city was named after an emperor’s daughter who was very found of hunting. For more about the history and geography of Chiniot, see the following Urdu article

Chiniot Library and Museum,

The palace originally had six stories including a basement. Two of the upper stories decayed and had to be demolished in 1978. Remains of the building are in the care and custody of Auqaf. Presently it is in public use and houses a library section and a small museum. Chiniot, a market town in the expanses of Punjab bears a prosperous look. Chiniot has every thing necessary for development – hard working and talented people, fertile land, water, communication infrastructure and clean healthy environment. The furniture industry can be converted into important source of earning though efficient ‘marketing mix’. Given chance Chiniot can be a nice and rich little city of the future.

Furniture of Chiniot City

What this internationally acclaimed craft of the town needs is an institutional patronization and extensive efforts for international marketing? Made in Chiniot furniture is already being shipped to different countries but so far there are very little marketing efforts being made for this purpose. It can be a potent source of earning foreign exchange if attention is paid to and earnest efforts are made. Sadly, the trained incompetents responsible for export promotion do not see this and the unique potentials are not being taped yet. The first exhibition of Chinioti furniture in Islamabad last year was attended by large number of people from all walks of life. Particularly foreigners appreciated the furniture for its style, solidity and the cost.

Apart from furniture, there are more attractions for any visitor to this off the beaten track tranquil town. A towering architectural masterpieceShahi Mosque, which was built during rule of Mughal King Shah Jehan by Nawab Saad Ullah Khan in 1655, is still functional. It resembles theShahi Mosque Delhi that was also built under the supervision ofNawab Saad Ullah Khan. After the invasions of British, the city lost its old glory and importance. However, the historical buildings and their ruins are scattered in and around the city, reflect its wonderful past.

Complete History of Chiniot

Chiniot – the name is enough to start the furniture lovers, travelers and cautiously curious dreaming. Antiquity is the first message of the town. And, international quality furniture “made in Chiniot” is collectors delight with potentials for marketing all over the world. On the bank of River Chenab in area called Sandal Bar, Chiniot town is an exotic place in the foot of series of hillocks that seem to be man made rather than evidence of old mountains.

The town is very ancient. It was inhabited before the time when Alexander of Macedon came in the South Asia and was principal city during the rule of White Huns. Chinese explorerHiuen Tsiang visited it.Alberuni has mentioned inKitabul-Hind that Chiniot was one of the there most important places in this part of the world. 

Chiniot suffered much from the Durrani inroads during the last half of the eighteenth century and also during the troubles of I848because it remained the scene of constant fierce struggle among the leaders of local factions.  As per the local legend, portion of the wall, surviving in situ, had been built during Hellenic period.  The veracity of the wall’s association with Alexander the great is yet to be proven though. But the sit does give evidence of its distant past.

Artisans of Chiniot have instinctive good taste and they have achieved a distinctive excellence in woodwork. Masons of the town are said to have been employed during the construction of Taj Mahal at Agra and Golden Temple at Amritsar. Special type of furniture with brightly lacquered woodcarving is made in Chiniot and is famous all over the world. During the Mughal era, Chiniot produced many intelligent personalities and talented artisans who occupied positions in the Mughal courts, Nawab Saad Ullah Khan and Nawab Wazir Khan held the post of Prime Minister of India and the Governor of Lahore respectively during the rule of King Shah Jehan.

History of Chiniot

 Chiniot is the famous city of Punjab that has recently been given the state of a district. The word Chiniot is the combination of “CHAN (moon)”, “OT (behind)” that collectively means “Behind the Moon”. At first this Chiniot city was the part of Jhang city but recently it has been separated. This ancient city was initially a Chinese village, in another tale it has been believed that this beautiful city was named after an emperor’s daughter who was very found of hunting. For more about the history and geography of Chiniot, see the following Urdu article