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Muzaffargarh District ضِلع مُظفّرگڑھ
District of Punjab
Top: Tomb of Sheikh Sadan Bottom: Fields in Muzaffargarh district
District Government logo
Map of Muzaffargarh District highlighted in red
Coordinates: 30°4′10″N 71°11′39″E / 30.06944°N 71.19417°E / 30.06944; 71.19417
Country	Pakistan
Province	Punjab
Division	Dera Ghazi Khan
Headquarters	Muzaffargarh
Government
• Type	District Government
• Deputy Commissioner	Mian Usman Ali
• District Police Officer	Syed Hasnain Haider
• District Health Officer	Allah Bux Khan
Area
• Total	4,778 km (1,845 sq mi)
Population
• Total	5,015,325
• Density	1,000/km (2,700/sq mi)
Literacy
• Literacy rate	Total: (47.99%) Male: (55.95%) Female: (39.72%)
Time zone	UTC+5 (PST)
Number of Tehsils	3
Website	muzaffargarh.punjab.gov.pk

Muzaffargarh District (Urdu: ضِلع مُظفّرگڑھ) is a district of the Punjab province of Pakistan. Its capital is Muzaffargarh city. It lies on the bank of the Chenab River.

History

Muzaffargarh (lit. 'Fort of Muzaffar') was founded by the Saddozai Nawab of Multan, Nawab Muzaffar Khan, in 1794. In 1861 it became the separate Muzaffargarh District. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslim refugees from India settled in the Muzaffargarh District. Muslim refugees from East Punjab, Haryana, Jammu started arriving and crossed the border into Pakistan; many were given land in Muzaffargarh District to settle.

Administration

The district is administratively divided into the following three tehsils (subdivisions), which contain a total of 93 Union Councils:

Demographics

Population

At the time of the 2017 census, Muzaffargarh had a sex ratio of 944 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 43.41% for males and 32.31% for females. 444,264 (14.90%) lived in urban areas. 967,074 (32.44%) were under 10 years of age. In the 2023 census, Muzaffargarh had a population of 5,015,325

Religion

Religion in Muzaffargarh District

Religious group	1941		2017		2023
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Islam	360,868	86.29%	2,977,231	99.87%	4,992,312	99.6%
Hinduism	53,458	12.78%	332	0.01%	706	0.01%
Sikhism	3,280	0.78%	—	—	100	0%
Christianity	162	0.04%	2,565	0.09%	17,620	0.32%
Ahmadi	—	—	845	0.03%	1,197	0.02%
Others	426	0.1%	75	0%	189	0%
Total Population	418,194	100%	2,981,048	100%	5,012,124	100%
Note: 1941 figures are for Muzaffargarh and Alipur tehsils of Muzaffargarh District, which roughly corresponds to present-day Muzaffargarh district.

Religious groups in Muzaffargarh District (British Punjab province era)

Religious group	1901		1911		1921		1931		1941
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Islam	350,177	86.32%	494,915	86.91%	493,369	86.79%	513,265	86.79%	616,074	86.42%
Hinduism	52,221	12.87%	68,158	11.97%	69,878	12.29%	72,577	12.27%	90,643	12.72%
Sikhism	3,225	0.8%	6,322	1.11%	4,869	0.86%	5,287	0.89%	5,882	0.83%
Christianity	33	0.01%	60	0.01%	356	0.06%	246	0.04%	227	0.03%
Zoroastrianism	0	0%	4	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%
Jainism	0	0%	1	0%	6	0%	0	0%	0	0%
Buddhism	0	0%	1	0%	0	0%	0	0%	23	0%
Judaism	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%
Others	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%
Total population	405,656	100%	569,461	100%	568,478	100%	591,375	100%	712,849	100%
Note: British Punjab province era district borders are not an exact match in the present-day due to various bifurcations to district borders — which since created new districts — throughout the historic Punjab Province region during the post-independence era that have taken into account population increases.

Religion in the Tehsils of Muzaffargarh District (1921)

Tehsil	Islam		Hinduism		Sikhism		Christianity		Jainism		Others		Total
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Muzaffargargh Tehsil	154,990	86.79%	22,629	12.67%	655	0.37%	300	0.17%	5	0%	0	0%	178,579	100%
Alipur Tehsil	126,350	86.12%	18,672	12.73%	1,681	1.15%	7	0%	1	0%	0	0%	146,711	100%
Sanawan Tehsil	96,325	88.4%	11,317	10.39%	1,279	1.17%	49	0.04%	0	0%	0	0%	108,970	100%
Leiah Tehsil	115,704	86.21%	17,260	12.86%	1,254	0.93%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	134,218	100%
Note: British Punjab province era tehsil borders are not an exact match in the present-day due to various bifurcations to tehsil borders — which since created new tehsils — throughout the historic Punjab Province region during the post-independence era that have taken into account population increases.

Religion in the Tehsils of Muzaffargarh District (1941)

Tehsil	Islam		Hinduism		Sikhism		Christianity		Jainism		Others		Total
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Muzaffargargh Tehsil	192,516	86.96%	27,714	12.52%	962	0.43%	161	0.07%	0	0%	23	0.01%	221,376	100%
Alipur Tehsil	168,352	85.54%	26,144	13.28%	2,318	1.18%	1	0%	0	0%	3	0%	196,818	100%
Kot Adu Tehsil	117,005	87.59%	14,803	11.08%	1,720	1.29%	52	0.04%	0	0%	5	0%	133,585	100%
Leiah Tehsil	138,201	85.8%	21,982	13.65%	882	0.55%	4	0%	0	0%	1	0%	161,070	100%
Note1: British Punjab province era tehsil borders are not an exact match in the present-day due to various bifurcations to tehsil borders — which since created new tehsils — throughout the historic Punjab Province region during the post-independence era that have taken into account population increases. Note2: Tehsil religious breakdown figures for Christianity only includes local Christians, labeled as "Indian Christians" on census. Does not include Anglo-Indian Christians or British Christians, who were classified under "Other" category.

Language

Languages of Muzaffargarh district (2023)

At the time of the 2023 census, 89.37% of the population spoke Saraiki, 3.99% Urdu and 5.19% Punjabi as their first language.

Ethnicity

The most famous tribes and races are as under; Khar (offshoot of Kharal tribe), Khokhar, Dasti, Qureshi, Jatoi, Hinjra, Langrial, Thahim, Gopang, Bukhari, Gilani, Rajput, Jat and Arian. The major ethnic group are the Saraiki-speaking Jat forming the majority, with Saraiki-speaking Gujjar, Baloch, Rajputs and Pathan groups in minority.

Geography and climate

Muzaffargarh spreads over an area of 8,249 km2 and forms a strip between the Chenab River on its east and Indus River on its west, which pass along the Eastern and Western boundaries respectively of the district and a triangle at Alipur tehsil of the district. The district is bounded on the north by district Layyah, on the south by Bahawalpur and Rahimyar Khan districts across the river Chenab.

Districts Multan and Khanewal are on the eastern side of district Muzaffargarh, across the river Chenab. District Jhang touches it on the northeast. Dera Gahzi Khan and Rajanpur districts lie on the western side across the river Indus. It is one of oldest districts of Punjab. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan, the population of the district was 2,635,903, of which 12.75% were urban. Muzaffargarh is one of oldest districts of Punjab.

2010 floods

Muzaffargarh was especially hard hit by the 2010 Pakistan floods, given its position between the Chenab and Indus rivers It is spread over an area of 8,249 km. Muzaffargarh District lies in the strip between the rivers Chenab and Indus.

The city of Muzaffargarh is located in southern Punjab province at almost the exact centre of Pakistan. The closest major city is Multan. The area around the city is a flat, alluvial plain and is ideal for agriculture, with many citrus and mango farms. There are many canals that cut across the Muzaffargarh District providing water from nearby farms. This makes the land very fertile. However usually land close to the Chenab are usually flooded in the monsoon season.

Climate

Muzaffargarh features a semi arid climate with very hot summers and mild winters. The city witnesses some of the most extreme weather in the country. The highest recorded temperature is approximately 54 °C (129 °F), and the lowest recorded temperature is approximately −1 °C (30 °F). The average rainfall is roughly 427 millimetres (16.8 in). Dust storms are a common occurrence within the city.

The district's towns include Basti Malik Wala, Taliri, Mauza Bahadur Dawana, Dawana Bahadur Peer Rajan Bukhsh, Kot Addu, Khangarh and Hayat Nagar.

Education

Although Muzaffargarh is one of the oldest and largest districts of Pakistan by area and population, it still has only a single campus of Virtual University of Pakistan. The literacy rate is one of the lowest in the country. District Muzaffargarh has a total of 1,072 male and 1,009 female public sector schools. According to the School Education Department's data, a total of 5,023 male and 4,130 female teachers are employed in public school education sector of the district.

Forests

An area of 100,864 acres is forested in the district biggest Lashari wala Forest. There is also linear plantation of 1250 A.V. mile the roads/rails/canals in the district. Trees grown in the area are kikar, shisham, millbury, eucalyptus, bamboo and coconut.

Notable people

• Milkha Singh, a famous track and field athlete

Notes

1. ^ 1931-1941: Including Ad-Dharmis
2. Including Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Tribals, others, or not stated
3. Including Anglo-Indian Christians, British Christians, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Tribals, others, or not stated

References

1. "Administration of Muzaffargarh District". mgarh.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
2. "DPO Muzaffargarh District Police". www.mgarh.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
3. ^ "District Wise Results / Tables (Census - 2023)" (PDF). www.pbscensus.gov.pk. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
4. "Literacy rate, enrolments, and out-of-school population by sex and rural/urban, CENSUS-2023" (PDF).
5. Anwar, Ehtasham (2019). "Muzaffargarh District". Government of the Punjab: District Gazetteers. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
6. Tehsils & Unions in the District of Muzaffargarh – Government of Pakistan Archived 2012-02-09 at the Wayback Machine
7. Divisions/Districts of Pakistan Archived 2006-09-30 at the Wayback Machine Note: Although divisions as an administrative structure has been abolished, the election commission of Pakistan still groups districts under the division names
8. "TABLE 1 : AREA, POPULATION BY SEX, SEX RATIO, POPULATION DENSITY, URBAN POPULATION, HOUSEHOLD SIZE AND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE, CENSUS-2023, PUNJAB" (PDF).
9. "LITERACY RATE, ENROLMENT AND OUT OF SCHOOL POPULATION BY SEX AND RURAL/URBAN, CENSUS-2023" (PDF).
10. "Population by administrative units 1951-1998" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
11. "District Wise Results / Tables (Census - 2017)". www.pbscensus.gov.pk. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
12. "Pakistan Census 2023" (PDF).
13. "CENSUS OF INDIA, 1941 VOLUME VI PUNJAB PROVINCE". Retrieved 21 July 2022.
14. "Pakistan Census 2023" (PDF).
15. "Census of India 1901. [Vol. 17A]. Imperial tables, I-VIII, X-XV, XVII and XVIII for the Punjab, with the native states under the political control of the Punjab Government, and for the North-west Frontier Province". 1901. p. 34. JSTOR saoa.crl.25363739. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
16. "Census of India 1911. Vol. 14, Punjab. Pt. 2, Tables". 1911. p. 27. JSTOR saoa.crl.25393788. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
17. Kaul, Harikishan (1911). "Census Of India 1911 Punjab Vol XIV Part II". p. 27. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
18. ^ "Census of India 1921. Vol. 15, Punjab and Delhi. Pt. 2, Tables". 1921. p. 29. JSTOR saoa.crl.25430165. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
19. "Census of India 1931. Vol. 17, Punjab. Pt. 2, Tables". 1931. p. 277. JSTOR saoa.crl.25793242. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
20. ^ India Census Commissioner (1941). "Census of India, 1941. Vol. 6, Punjab". p. 42. JSTOR saoa.crl.28215541. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
21. "Pakistan Census 2023" (PDF).
22. Fiaz, Hafiz Muhammad; Akhtar, Dr Sohail; Rind, Ayaz Ahmad (31 December 2021). "Socio-cultural Condition of South Punjab: A Case of Muzaffargarh District". International Research Journal of Education and Innovation. 2 (3): 15–34. doi:10.53575/irjei.v2.03(21)2.15-34 (inactive 1 November 2024). ISSN 2710-0448.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)
23. "Gazetteer of the Muzaffargarh District". Punjab Government Press. 19 June 1884 – via Google Books.
24. 1998 District Census report of Muzaffargarh. Census publication. Vol. 120. Islamabad: Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan. 2000. pp. 21–22.
25. "Urban Resource Centre". urckarachi.org. Archived from the original on 13 May 2006.
26. "Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey 2014–15 Report".
27. "Punjab Annual Schools Census Data 2014–15". Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.

External links

Media related to Muzaffargarh District at Wikimedia Commons

v t e Districts of Punjab, Pakistan
Provincial capital: Lahore
Bahawalpur	Bahawalnagar Bahawalpur Rahim Yar Khan
Dera Ghazi Khan	Dera Ghazi Khan Jampur Kot Addu Layyah Muzaffargarh Rajanpur Taunsa
Faisalabad	Chiniot Faisalabad Jhang Toba Tek Singh
Gujranwala	Gujranwala Narowal Sialkot
Gujrat	Gujrat Hafizabad Mandi Bahauddin Wazirabad
Lahore	Kasur Lahore Nankana Sahib Sheikhupura
Mianwali	Bhakkar Mianwali Talagang
Multan	Khanewal Lodhran Multan Vehari
Rawalpindi	Attock Chakwal Jhelum Murree Rawalpindi
Sahiwal	Okara Pakpattan Sahiwal
Sargodha	Khushab Sargodha

• Muzaffargarh District
• Districts of Punjab, Pakistan