The city of Lyallpur , multicoloured
jewel of the lower Chenab organization area, came into being in 1880. The
city which is now well known as "Manchester of Pakistan" for its
industrial activity, was nothing but a desolate tract of land 100 years
age. It did not rain here for weeks together and when it rained, the water
vanished in the city land in no time. There was no village nearby.
The villages of Dodiwala and Paokianwala which shelter thousands of
inhabitants these days, were nothing but a group of a few cottages. Pucca
Mari was place of rest for those who travelled from district Jhang to
District Lahore. It was in 1885 that the Deputy Commissioner Jhang, on his
way to Lahore,broke his journey near the Theh of Pucca Man'. The
Deputy Commissioner after resting for a while
set out for walk, along with the Tehsildar of Chiniot, towards the west
and returned quite late in the evening. He spent the night and rode for
Lahore on the next day morning.After about 6 months, there dawned a
morning when the Then of Pucca Mari saw some government officials pitching
tents and making other camping arrangements. In the evening, there arrived
the caravan of Deputy Commissioner, the Colony Assistant of Jhang and
their subordinate officials. All the barren and desolate tract of land
situated to the west of Pucca Mari was surveyed and
marked here and there in three days. In the beginning, there was only a
few huts and cottages nestled beside the Theh of Pucca Mari. Later with
the construction of Chenab canal, more and more people were attracted. The
proper city was founded in 1892.The Tehsildar of Chiniot, recommended to
name this township after PuccaMar but the Deputy Commissioner Jhang
prevailed upon him at the name of the then Lt. Governor of the Punjab, Sir
James Lyall, who let it be named .after him. The famous Philanthropist,
Sir Ganga Ram was assigned to draft its plan. After approval of draft Sir
Ganga Ram was given five squares of lane as reward.
In 1895, the rail link between Wazirabad
and Lyallpur was effected. The building of Railway Station wanted time,
therefore, a Goods train wagon served as Lyallpur Railway Station. As the
progress ol colonization
stepped
up the Lyallpur was given the status of Tehsil of District Jhang and its
administration carried on the tents on the old Theh (Mound) of Pucca Mari
near Tariqabad.The Majestic Clock Tower of Lyallpur was constructed out of
the funds raised by the Zamindars who collected it at a rate of Rs. 18 per
square of land. The fund thus raised was handed over to the Municipal
Committee which got it completed.
In 1902, the population of the town had exceeded 4,000. A considerable
number of houses and shops to cater to the ordinary needs of the
population had constructed.
In 1903, decision to have an agricultural college was made. In the very
next year, 1904, the new district of Lyallpur was constituted comparing of
Tehsils of Lyallpur, Samundri and Toba-Tek-Singh with a subtehsil at
Jaranwala which later turned into a full fledged Tehsil.
In 1906, the District Headquarters began to function at Lyallpur and all
the bazars and mohallas within the bounds of circular road were nearing
completion and city began to spread outside the circular road. The Town
Committee which has come into being in 1904, was upgraded as Municipal
Committee in 1909 and Deputy Commissioner was declared to be the lst
Chairman.In 1916, the grain market saw its shops surging with customers.
In the same year the civil Hospital was expanded. With the advent of the
world war II, the political awakening sprinkled its influence over the
city. Revolutionary meetings were held. Fiery speeches were made. slogans
were written on the walls.
In 1943, the late Quaid-e-Azam came to Lyallpur and addressed a gathering
of over 2 lakh in Dhobi Ghat Grounds. And, on March 3, 1947, when Pakistan
was accepted as an independent unit, the Muslims of Lyallpur held special
prayers and distributed sweets and food among the poor.
After Independence
After the independence, the city of
Lyallpur marched rapidly on the path of progress. The city which had so
far been known for its grain market, became a great commercial and
industrial centre. The population of the city which in 1901 hardly touched
the figure of a few thousands soared up to lacks. Medical and educational
level was lifted up. In 1977, the name of the city was changed to
Faisalabad, after the name of the late king of Saudi Arabia, Shah
Faisal-bin-Abdul Aziz. In 1985, the city was upgraded as a division with
the districts of Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba-Tek Singh.
