Chiniot (Punjabi / ; ; ) 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. who commissioned the Chiniot's Shahi Mosque.

Geography

Location

Chiniot is at the intersection of the Faisalabad-Sargodha and Lahore-Jhang roads. It is northwest of Lahore and north of Faisalabad. Chiniot city is spread over an area of with an average elevation of .

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.

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.

Languages

According to the 2023 Census of Pakistan, Chiniot City has an overwhelmingly Punjabi-speaking population, with Punjabi spoken by 88.93% of residents. Urdu is the second most common first language at 9.45%, Pashto third with 1.43%, and an additional combined 0.19% of people spoke other languages of Pakistan.

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. and Chinioti designs and were considered superior to those of Hoshiarpur or Jalandhar.

  • 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
  • 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 from Chiniot.

Culture

thumb|The interior of Chiniot's 17th century [[Shahi Mosque is richly decorated with Mughal period frescoes.]]

thumb|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

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  • Ilyas Chinioti, politician (member of Provincial Assembly, Punjab)
  • Manzoor Ahmad Chinioti, father of Ilyas
  • Nasir Chinyoti, a famous stage drama comedy actor
  • Muhammad Hussain, baseball player
  • Saadullah Khan, Mughal Grand Vizier
  • Wazir Khan, a court physician in Mughal Empire, famous for commissioning Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore
  • Muhammad Masood Lali, politician (member of Provincial Assembly, Punjab)
  • Mian Muhammad Mansha, businessman, owner of the MCB Bank Limited and Nishat Group
  • Syed Hassan Murtaza, politician (member of Provincial Assembly, Punjab)
  • Muhammad Nawaz, former Director General of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab)
  • Syed Anayat Ali Shah, politician (MNA)
  • Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, politician and former President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • Saqlain Anwar Sipra, politician in Bhawana

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See also

  • Bhawana
  • Lalian
  • Sheikhan

References

  • Chiniot Tehsil Municipal Administration's official site
  • Chiniot Map