Rawalpindi--- The Big City Of Pothohar Region

Rawalpindi also known as Pindi is a city in Pothohar region of Pakistan , near the country's capital, Islamabad. It is the northernmost city of Punjab province, and is 275 kilometers to the north-west of Lahore, siotiated in the lap of beautiful hilly range of Margalla. Rawalpoindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after, Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad. The Rawalpindi people say its expansion is un-natural , it had to expand towards north but that part is occupied by islamabad. All the people and tourists proceeding to northern areas have to pass through Rawalpindi. The Islamabad International Airport BaNazir Airport) is also located in Rawalpindi that serves the twin cities. The greatest importance of Rawalpindi is due to General Headquater (GHQ) of Pak Army. The history of the Pothahar region shows that this part was inhabited by human beings million yeasrs before. The coplete human skeleton found in the suberbern area of Rawalpindi indicates that there was humans living in this region some half a million years ago. The archeologically old remanant body parts of animal are older than those of human being and it is beleived that dinosaur were inhibiting in the region. The Budha's rich and prestigious civilization is well-known to the world that had its center in this region, nearly 1000 years BC. The Guinesses Book of World record has the recored of the world's olders University Naksha Shella in Taxila, near Rawalpindi. Sir Elexander Kanningham has verified the remanants of capital Ganji Pur of Bhatti Rule in the cantonment area. The coins have also been found of that era. The Rawalpindi of the that era was destroyed by Manhols as well as by 'White Huns'in fourteenth century. It remained like ghosted area till Mahmood GHaznavi invaded India in 979 to 1030 and handedover this area to Gakhar leader Kai Gohar. Gakhar chief tried to rehabilitate it but due to being on the passage of attackers it could not be rehabilitated properly. However another Gakjharleader tried to settle this area in 1493 and named it Rawalpindi afterr a small village Rawal. Pind means village and Pindi meaning smaller village. The last ruler of Rawalpindi was Gakhar leader Muqrrab Khan till sikhs attacked on him. Sikh General Malka Singh attacked Rawalpindi in 1765, Muqarrab Khan defended himself but was defeated. Malka Singh brough business community from Jehlum and Shah pur and got them settled here. In 1818, Ranjeet Singh made thisarea part of his territory under his rule.