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Agriculture |
Surroundings | History |
Subdivisions | Recognised
Institutions | Notable Areas |
Culture | Tribes |
Shrine
 Okara is a district of Punjab, Pakistan. The
Multan Road connects the district capital, Okara with the capital of Punjab
- Lahore (which lies 110 km away).According to the 1998 census, the district
had a population of 2,232,992 of which 22.84% were urban.
The name Okara is derived from Okaan, a name of a tree, the city is located
south-west to the city of Lahore and is famous for its agriculture-based
economy and cotton mills. The nearest major city from Okara is Sahiwal
(formerly known as Montgomery).
Okara has the largest storage capacity in Asia and is a fairly large
district in Pakistan in terms of population. There are famous Pakistan
military dairy farms, especially famous for their cheese situated in Okara.
These farms are of the Pre-partition or British Indian Era. Mitchels farms
also are located in the nearest town Renala Khurd in the Okara District.
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Okara on Satellite Map
Places of Interest |
Hotels |
Eating & Dining
| Parks & Gardens |
Educational Institutes |
Hospitals |
Sport Centers |
Banks |
ATM |
Fuel Stations |
CNG Stations |
Police Stations |
Shopping
/Trade
Agriculture
Okara District is famous for its fertile lands, peaceful natural environment
and green fields of potato, sugarcane, wheat, rice and maize crops. Oranges
and Mangoes orchards are famous. The area of district Okara is the gold mine
for history seekers, spiritual and curious travellers. One can find
archaeological remains of different dynasties of prehistory, Indus
civilization, Persians, Sultanates, the Mugal Empire, the Sikh Confederacy
and the British Raj.
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Surroundings
The current Government has added extra benefits to Okara District by
establishing Cadet College, Education University, Zoo and many
moreopportunities for general public.
Nearby cities are Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Depalpur, Basirpur and Haveli Lakha.
The biggest military farms group and the second biggest cantonment of
Pakistan Army are in Okara. In the west of Okara city, the Ravi goes winding
along the borders of Faisalabad and Sheikhupura districts.
The Gole Chowk (Jamia Mosque) is one of its kinds in the world which is
round in its shape. It is the busiest shopping centre of the city.
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History
The city of Depal Pur is known for the traces of an ancient castle which is
said to have been built in the times of renowned monarch Firuz Shah Tughluq
(1351-1388). The castle was surrounded by a protective wall and a khandaq
(trench), both of which are partially safe to date. The prominent features
of the castle are a beautiful Shahi Mosque, a miles long tunnel, four big
gates, narrow streets and houses built on old style with the smaller bricks,
all of which reflect the past glory of the Muslim era in the field of
architecture. In the south of Depal Pur, there flowed the river Biyas in
past and is now just a small stream and serves as the outlet, unfortunately,
for the poisonous waste coming from different factories. Traces are also
found of a long range of ruins, called dhaya in local language, which,
according to popular myth, are the remains of some unknown ancient city
which may have been engulfed by the river 'Biyas'. These ruins give a
mysterious look something like a blend of desert and tiny hills, and also
serve as the hideout for thieves and robbers.About a distance of 25 km from
Depalpur, on Haveli Lakha-Hujra Shah mukeem road, there is a famous shrine
of sufi "Baba Wali Roshan Shah" situated in village "Bunga Saleha". Every
year on 27th of Harr(Desi Month), Mela is celebated with great joyous. The
word Okara for this district was actually originated from word Okan(A lush
green tree with needle like leaves).The tree Okan gave birth to word
Okanwali(Land of Okan)which ultimately finalized into Okara.
Pre 1947 Population
The present main city was developed by the British Raj in six blocks with
all the houses in the blocks designed in a similar shape and size.Okara had
a significant Punjabi Hindu and Sikh population as well as the Muslims
before the partition of India in August 1947. The Hindus and Sikhs of Okara
left and moved to India during partition whilst Muslims from East Punjab
migrated to this area, which is near to the disputed boundary of Ferozepur.
Find more about
History of Pakistan
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Subdivisions
The district is administratively subdivided into three tehsils:
- Depalpur
- Renala Khurd
- Okara
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Recognised Institutions
Hazrat Karmanwala Shareef based in Okara is a famous and respected
Naqshbandi Tariqah with murids all over the world and is very well known for
its generosity. The murshid Sayyid Mir Tayyab Ali Bukhari holding the
authority of Tariqah is a descendant of Muhammad, through his grandsons,
Hasan ibn Ali and Husayn ibn Ali. Mir Tayyab Ali Bukhari and his elder
brother Syed Samsaam Ali Bukhari are the sons of Syed Usman Ali Shah.
Samsaam Ali Bukhari is now member of Pakistan National Assembly and acting
as Communication and Broadcasting Minister in present PPP Govt. Earlier, he
contested the elections from other party's seat and was defeated.
Karmanwala Shareef continues to successfully provide numerous benefits
specifically for the district and population at large, including a grand
project of establishing a world class Islamic University.
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Notable Areas
Renala Khurd Tehsil is mainly known for a famous fruit products company
Mitchell's and its farms. At Renala Khurd, one may visit still functional
Ganga Hydroelectric Station installed by the famous philanthropist and
engineer Sir Ganga Ram. A part of Renala Khurd is naturally deprived of the
underground sweet water. People in this part rely on canals as the main
source of irrigation, as tube -wells, unlike other parts of the district,
only pour out salty water which nothing but spoils the land.
Akhtar Abad
Akhtar abad is one of the towns in Okara district. It is located 25 km away
from Okara city on G.T road(Lahore - Multan road). The shaker mandi(Suger
Market)of Akhtar Abad is famous all over Pakistan main commision agents of
the sugar market of akhtar abad are M.Amjad Khan and M.arshad khan the name
of the town was on the name of Agha Akhtar Ali Khan who was first the
honourery majestarait and then after retirement he become the first town
NAZIM of the akhtar abad union counsil he and Barister M.Afzal khan known as
wakeel do a lot for the development of akhtar abad.
Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka
A few kilometres from Okara on the Okara-Faisalabad road there is a village
Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka. For going too the village you pass through Gogera—a
place where Rai Ahmed Khan Kharral broke famous jail during War of
Independence of 1857 and British Extra Assistant Commissioner (Lord) Berkley
was defeated and killed by the resilient locals.
The unique claim of the village to international fame is the dolls and toys
made by village women that are collectors delight all over the world. Dolls
made in the village have travelled to International Dolls Museum in
Amsterdam and also have been put on display in the "Theme-park" at EXPO 2000
in Hanover (Germany) as one of the 767 worldwide projects - an example of
thinking for 21st century. Earlier, the dolls participated in
International Toy Fair in Nuremberg. These dolls show how culture goes
beyond simple work of art and becomes collaboration among applied and
natural sciences as well as other forces that affect our lives. Mauza Akbar
is named after the name Akbar the Great (Mughal).Satghara remained the
capital during the period of Baluch leader Mir Chaker Rind.
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Culture
It is also known for the wide variety of culture reflecting the traditions
and customs of the area. Melas (fairs) in the month of 'Saawan' are notable
among these traditions where different types of games are played on the
drum-beat and shops of sweets and toys etc are decorated. The
population mostly relies on agriculture as their main source of livelihood,
although a number of people work in factories and offices as well. Dairy and
fruit products are the identical mark of the area.
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Tribes
The main tribes are Khan, Aulakh, Kamboh, Rai, Cambrai, Arain, Arars, Gujar,
Khichi, Rao, Rana and Chauhan. The Rajpoot Raja ruled Okara 1880. Other
tribes include, Gad or Jats, Khatris, Wattu, Sayyed Qurashi-ul-hashmi Dogar.
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Shrine
The honour of the city,shrine of Hazarat Sufi Manzoor Ahmad Sabri(ra) is
situated in muhalla Gazi abad in okara which is serving the humanity by
showing real picture of spending life
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