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The Vihari District derives its name from its headquarters town, which was previously tehsil headquarters of Multan District. It was created in June 1976. However, literally Vehari means low lying settlement by a flood water channel. This is also an actual fact as portion of the district lies along the right bank of the river Sutlej which forms its southern boundary.

History

Vehari District situated in the heart of Nili Bar. It is purely the result of construction of Pakpatan canal from Sulemanki Head Works on the Sutlej and the institution of Nili Bar colony project in 1925, so called because of the bluish tings of the water of the Sutlej. The ancient history of the district is obscure. Populated area in ancient times was restricted to the banks of the river Sutlej where seasonal inundation permitted some cultivation. The rest of the area was a vast sandy scrap-land at best affording pastures itinerant herdsmen. The riparian tract formed the state of Fatehpur during the time of Akbar the Great. This was ruled by Fateh Khan of Joya family who founded and gave his name to the town of Fatehpur. Fatehpur is still in existence about 15 kilometers to the south of Mailsi and is the oldest town of Mailsi subdivision. It has some remains of archaeological value.

Subsequently, areas to the east of the above mentioned riparian tract were inhabited by Rain from Lahore and Khichhis from Bakaner who founded Mailsi town. Mailsi is still much their preserve.

After the Arian and Khichhi, Daultana joiyas and Khakwani Pathans appear on the Vehari scene towards the end of the 19th century. The Khakwanis came here as huge landowners and are still probably the largest single family that owns the highest amount of lands. They had come to Multan from Khugyani District in Nangarhar province, when their Sardar Nawab Ali Muhammad Khan was made the Nawab of Multan after the city came under the rule of the Afghans. Vehari being a part of Multan at that point came under their rule and they bought and cultivated lands here. A large number of irrigation canals were built under their rule, which to this day are better for cultivation than any other effort made by any subsequent government. The people of Vehari owe a great deal of this to the Khakwani Pathan Nawabs of Multan. Being very wealthy landowners they hardly indulged in local politics and were pretty much considered the Sardars of the area, but recently some of its members have joined politics to help the plight of the poor people. Daultana is branch of Joya family. After independence ware of 1857 these two groups brought a large tract of land under cultivation by constructing inundation canal from the Sutlej river. The most notable of which were Ghulam Wah and Haji Wah. There is an oldest village called Peer Shah near Karam Pur whose tehsil is Mailsi in this district. This is the village of Saddats (Sayyeds).

Location

The district lies between 29°36′ and 30°22′ north latitudes and 71°44′ and 72°53′ east longitudes. It consists of three tehsils, namely Vehari, Burewala and Mailsi.

Boundaries

The district, at present borders with Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur on the southern side, with Pakpatan on the eastern, with Khanewal and Lodhran on western and with Shiwal and Khanewal on northern side.

Area

The total area of the district is 4,364 square kilometers. It is about 93 kilometers length and approximately 47 kilometers in breadth and it is sloping gently from northeast to southwest. The area is divided in three subdivisions.

Physical features

The district consists of plain area with fertile land. It is a part of Indus plain. It has the best cultivated land which is suitable for cotton, wheat and other agricultural crops. Vehari district lies Nili Bar which is between Ravi and Bias and Sutlej rivers. Its land is irrigated with the fertile water of Chenab and Ravi rivers. Vehari district has a big canal system with two canals namely Pakpatan and Mailsi canal. Total number of canals including their minors in the district are 19 with total length as 1380 kilometers approximately.

Rivers

There is only one river Sujlej in the district. It flows along the southern boundary of the district. In ancient times the river Base also flowed here.

Nullahs

The Bias which is known locally as the Viyah, was flowing during 1796. the old bed of the river is known as Sukh Bias. Some time during heavy floods nominal water flow in the said Nullah. The stream enters Vehari district near Sheikh Fazal and joins river Satluj via Pakhi More and Pul. The path of Nullah changed during 1996 and now it joins Satluj river via Burewala. Ratta Tibba and Maouza Sharaf.

Weather

The climate of the district is hot and dry. The summer season starts from April and continues till October. May, June and July are the hottest months. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures for these months are about 42 and 28 degrees Celsius respectively. The winter season lasts from November to March. December, January and February are the coldest months. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures for this period are about 22 and 8 °C respectively. Dry, hot and dusty winds are common during summer.

Mostly rain falls during monsoon season from July to September. During winter season there is very little rain, but sometimes there are deluges and floods also. In winter season there is a great chill and in summer season it is the hotter area of the country.

External links

• http:www.vehari.gov.pk