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From burning deserts of the South to the sky-scraping snow-clad mountains in the North, Pakistan, encompasses a total area of 803950 sq. kilometer inhibiting some 140 million people belonging to several ethnic groups speaking over 30 different languages having different cultures and
civilizations.
History of Pakistan dates back to 3000 BC and the country since has gone through six distinct periods. Each period is worth describing; from abolishing and embracing of cultures and civilizations to the devastation of unknown number of lives in pursuit of achieving a separate country during the time of separation from the British India in the mid of twentieth century.
The very beginning was its Prehistoric Period when the men and beasts roamed in the open woodland south of what is now the capital of the country, Islamabad.
The Ancient Empire Period from emergence of the great Indus Civilization to the invasion of White Huns
was fairly a long period where so many historical changes took place. The great Indus valley Civilization of that period was a well-developed and united society under a strong government having sites at Moenjodaro in Sindh and Harrapa in Punjab. However, in 1700 BC the Aryans turned up from Central Asia who replaced the sophisticated culture of the great Indus valley Civilization. That was the time when Hinduism developed. Buddhism developed in the sixth century BC, the same time when Gandhara (a semi-independent kingdom with capitals at Charsada and Taxila where existed one of the greatest universities of the ancient world) in the North Pakistan became part of the Persian Achaemenian Empire under the rule of Cyrus the Great and Darius. Then comes the short tale of Alexander the Great who conquered this region also established a link with the west that time. After Alexander the Great, Asoka ruled and promoted Buddhism in Mauryan Empire. Fifty years after the death of Asoka, Bactrian Greeks (descendants of Alexander the Great?s soldiers in north central Afghanistan that time) turned up again in 185 BC from Afghanistan (Bactria of that time) and built cities at Taxila. Bactrians were followed in by Scythians (Iranian nomads from central Asia) and Patharians in AD 20. The Kushans of Afghanistan took over the position soon and turned it into a commercial and cultural link between Rome and China. The white Huns then invaded the area, terrorized and brutalized people, destroyed the cities and put the end to Gandhara Civilization.
The Arrival Of Islam was in 711AD in the leadership of two Arab generals, Tariq Bin Ziaad who invaded Spain and Mohammad Bin Qasim who invaded Sindh and they were followed by processions of Muslim conquerors.
The Mughal Period was the great architect period in the time of Jahangir, the son of Akbar. Babar was the
first Mughal emperor who defeated Ibrahim Lodhi, the last Afghan King. His intelligent son, Humayun, then succeeded Babar but Sher Shah Suri ousted him and ruled till his death in 1545. However, Humayun returned from exile in 1554 and ruled for another two years till his death. But his son Akbar who was known as the greatest of Mughal Emperors extended his empire from central India to Kashmir. The lively examples of their art today are the Taj Mahal in India, the Shalimar Gardens and the Shish Mahal in Lahore Fort.
The British Period that lasts from 1857 AD to 1947 AD who invaded the country from the south face and reached the north. However, the British had trotted the country some two centuries ago as traders. Then slowly they established stronghold in trade and
entered politics in the guise of British East India Company. Gradually the British took over the power and land in the subcontinent and Queen Victoria?s empire that time reached to the remote valley of Hunza bordering China. The British returned but left their system as evidence that is still used by the Pakistani Government. English Language is used in offices and their culture, art and architecture are still there as evidence.
Pakistan Today, after several ups and downs from inside as well as from outside country, has well managed
to poise itself. After the indecisive war in 1857, the British managed to weaken the Muslims. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan founded Aligharh Movement to restore the Muslim Status that was later evolve into Muslim League which was the part of Indian National Congress, founded in 1885. But Muslims then broke away only because the congress neglected their interests. The great poet Dr. Mohammad Iqbal proposed the idea of creation of separate Muslim state and Mohammad Ali Jinnah (the founder of Pakistan also known as father of the nation) adopted the idea. When the British realized that they would face hard time in terms of ruling the subcontinent, they also suggested for an independent Muslim state however they were still failed to formulate a plan acceptable for both Muslim League and Congress.
The separation of the subcontinent was a difficult task because it had to be implemented within a limited period of time. Many millions lost their lives during locomotion for
Pakistan was to consist of the Muslim-majority area and India was to retain the same Hindu dominated region. Anyhow, Pakistan got independence in August 14, 1947 but the problem was not resolved permanently; especially the problem of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) that became independent state in 1972. Mohammad Ali Jinnah died soon after independence and until the regime of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Pakistan went through some critical political and economical conditions. However, Pakistan today is making headway.
Geographically Pakistan is located in South Asia bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the Nest and china in the North. It shares total of 6774 km boundaries with the countries forming border: with Afghanistan it shares2430Km, with China 523 Km, with India 2912 Km and with Iran 909 Km. It has total area of 803950 sq. km area of which land is 778720 sq. km and rest of the area contains water. Pakistan has four provinces: Punjab, Sindh, Northwest Frontier Province (N.W.F.P) and Baluchistan. There is Federal capital of Islamabad, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA). Out of its total population of 140 million, 48% are male and 52 percent are female. Urdu is the national Language of Pakistan and English is spoken only in offices and business areas. The literacy rate is almost 38% of total population. Pakistan?s local time is +5GMT.
Economically Pakistan is still progressing. The time in the very beginning after independence was critical economically while after so many ups and downs, Pakistan today is healthy enough.
The official unit of currency is Rupee in 1, 2 and 5 (in coins), and 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 denomination in notes. Each rupee is divided into hundred paisas. Exchange rate in dollar is $1.00= Rs. 58/- and Euro is ?1= 78/-.
Pakistan offers an extreme range of climate varying from lofty northern mountain to broiling southern deserts. Though each season has its charm but the spring (March-April) with blooming apricot flowers and autumn (September-October) with falling leaves have unparalleled beauty in Northern Areas.
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