The origins of Chiniot are obscure, and historical records accurately detailing its founding are unavailable.[4] 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,[5] alternatively spelt Chandniot,[6] which was named in her honour. The name Chiniot, a contracted version of the original name, eventually gained favour,[7] though the older name had been used up until at least the 1860s.[8]
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, and his governor of the area, Nawab Sadullah Khan of the Thahim tribe,[5] who served between 1640 and 1656.[9] Under Sadullah Khan's governorship, Chiniot's famous Shahi Mosque was built.[5] 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.[6]
Mughal decline and Sial rule
Following the collapse of Mughal authority after the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707, the local Sial tribe, a tribe of Zamindar status, under the rule of Walidad Khan was officially granted governorship of the area on account of Khan's loyalty to the Delhi throne.[5] 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.[5] Chiniot suffered heavily during the Durrani invasion of the late 1748.[5]
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.[5] The Sikhs imposed an annual tribute on the Sial chief, Inayatullah Khan, which he ceased paying in 1778 before also capturing Chiniot.[5] He died in 1787, though the city had reverted to Bhangi Sikh rule before his death.[5]
The city suffered during the Sikh Misl states period in which the city region's Bhangis battled the Sukerchakia Misl.[5] Chiniot was captured by Ranjit Singh in 1803, and thereafter became part of the Sikh Empire.[5] The city was invested in Sial chief Ahmad Khan, who promised to pay tribute to Ranjit Singh's kingdom.[5] 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.[5]
British
The city came under British rule by 1849, and the city was constituted as a municipality in 1862.[5] In 1875, the city's population was 11,999.[5] 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.[6] Chiniot's famous Omar Hayat Mahal was built between 1923 and 1935 for a businessman who made his fortune in Calcutta.[10]
Geography
Location
Chiniot is at the intersection of the Faisalabad-Sargodha and Lahore-Jhang roads. It is 158 km (98 mi) northwest of Lahore and 38 km (24 mi) north of Faisalabad. Chiniot city is spread over an area of 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi) with an average elevation of 179 metres (587 ft).
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.[8]
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.[6]
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.[6] Chiniot's artisans are renowned for their skill, and were employed in the construction of both the Taj Mahal and Wazir Khan Mosque.[6] The city's metalworkers, along with those of Lahore, were considered the best in Punjab during the British period,[12] and Chinioti designs and were considered superior to those of Hoshiarpur or Jalandhar.[12] Ramzan Sugar Mills is located at Faisalabad Road.
Education
A side view of the building of Chenab College Chiniot
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 (30.1 mi) from Chiniot.
Culture
The interior of Chiniot's 17th century Shahi Mosque is richly decorated with Mughal frescoes.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.[27]
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.[28]
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