Gojra is 50 kilometres (31 mi) from Faisalabad, 170 kilometres (110 mi) from Lahore and 20 miles (32 km) north of Toba Tek Singh.[3] Founded in 1896 during the British colonial period,[4] Gojra was the commercial centre of lands which had recently come under cultivation, and was known for its "mandi" (market) for cash crops. It is the 50th largest city of Pakistan by population, according to the 2017 census.[5]
History
Pre-Independence
Gojra city was established in 1896, when the colonisation of Faisalabad began. The railway line between Faisalabad and Gojra was laid in 1899. The town was given the status of notified area committee in 1904 and upgraded to a B-Class Municipality in 1925. In 1906, the population was 2,589. According to The Imperial Gazetteer of India, "The business done in this rising mart on the railway, which has sprung into existence in the last six years owing to the extension of the Chenab Canal to the surrounding country, bides fair to rival in importance that of Faisalabad itself".[3][4]
In 1919, following the Rowlatt Act, hartals (strikes) broke out throughout Punjab. Gojra was affected by the serious protests and a member of the Church Mission Society had to be escorted out of the town by loyal residents.[6][4]
Post-Independence
In August 1947, India and Pakistan achieved independence. Riots and local fighting followed the expeditious withdrawal of the British, resulting in an estimated one million civilians deaths, particularly in the western region of Punjab.[7] Gojra, which was in the region of the Punjab Province that became West Pakistan, was populated by a number of Hindus and Sikhs who migrated to India, while Muslim refugees from India settled in the district.[8]
After independence from Britain, in view of its increasing size, Gojra was declared a 2nd class Municipal Committee in 1960. Gojra received the status of tehsil town and affiliated with the newly established district Toba Tek Singh on 1 July 1982. After the introduction of Devolution of Power Plan, the Tehsil Municipal Administration Gojra came into being on 12 August 2001.[4]
Government and public services
Civic administration
Civic Administration Building
The city was raised to the status of Tehsil town and affiliated with the newly established district Toba Tek Singh on 1 July 1982. After the introduction of the Devolution of Powers Plan, the Tehsil Municipal Administration Gojra came into being on 12 August 2001.[4] The Canal resthouse is the oldest building constructed during British government in 1898.
Culture
Festivals
The arrival of spring brings the annual "Rang-e-Bahar" festival during the month of March, where the Parks & Horticulture Authority of the Gojra Municipal Committee organise a flower show and exhibition at Civil Club, Gojra.[9]
Education
Private institutes
The city has 344 state-run primary and higher secondary educational institutions.[10]
Sports
Gojra is famous for hockey and has produced more than a hundred international players for the Pakistan hockey team.[11][12] In 2015, Gojra Hockey Club, a local club, won the Jat Tar Singh memorial Under-19 hockey tournament. This high-profile tournament was held in India, where Gojra city team competed again best of Indian U19 hockey teams and won the championship.[13] The Gojra team won this title by defeating Amritsar Academy 4–2 at Ludhiana Hockey Stadium.
