Khanewal: History
Khanewal area was populated by Zayadat Khan, the forefather of the Daha family. It is said that he was originally from Dharwar but then migrated to Bahawalpur. After trying his luck in Bahawalpur, he moved to Pakpattan. Then in the 1820s, he moved to this region after getting employment under Dewan Sawan Mall. As an employee, he was made responsible for collection and payments from Talamba, Kamalia and Laden. He got famous in the region as Khan and thus this area was named Khanewala. This theory is also supported by an old book named Raesa e Punjab Page. As per that document, the first person to populate this region was Sangar Khan.
Sangar Khan was the 34th descendant of Tikkey Khan, the first Muslim in the Daha family. Sangar Khan is said to have moved to Khanewal (Khanewal Pakistan) from Pak Pattan. It is said that he built a castle in the area. The family lived here for a long time and Hasan Khan, the 37th descendant of Tikkey Khan, became one of the most prominent businessmen in the region. Hasan Khan was awarded Sanad by Pathan Government in 1768. According to this book, Khanewal was first populated in 1050 AD.
The earliest settlers of the Khanewal were Daha and Khatters who use Khan in their names. Under the Mughal Era, the region of Khanewal was flourished and was notable for trade and commerce. After Mughal's decline, the Sikh Empire occupied the region, and Muslims faced many Sikh rule restrictions.
British rulers ruled the area till Pakistan's independence due to the junction of Khanewal-Wazirabad railway junction and considered British rulers’ well-planned town. Khanewal contained a population of Hindus and Sikhs who migrated to India after the partition. The people became Muslims dominantly due to missionary Sufi Saints.
It was declared a district in 1985 by taking two tehsils from District Multan, Kabirwala, and Mian Channu. The city is the capital of Khanewal District. …