| Kasur District | |
| Native Name Lang: | Punjabi |
| Settlement Type: | District of Punjab |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Pakistan |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Type2: | Division |
| Subdivision Name2: | Lahore |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Seat Type: | Headquarters |
| Seat: | Kasur |
| Government Type: | District Administration |
| Leader Title: | District Commissioner |
| Leader Name: | Arshad Bhatti |
| Leader Title1: | District Police Office (DPO) |
| Leader Name1: | Tariq Aziz Sandhu |
| Leader Title2: | District Health Officer |
| Leader Name2: | N/A |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Area Total Km2: | 3995 |
| Population Total: | 4,084,286 |
| Population As Of: | 2023 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Main language(s) |
| Timezone1: | PST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5 |
| Blank Name: | Tehsils |
| Blank Info: | Kasur Kot Radha Kishan Pattoki Chunian |
Kasur District (Punjabi, Urdu: {{Nastaliq|ضلع قصور), is a district located in Lahore Division of Punjab, Pakistan. It came into existence on 1 July 1976.[1] Prior to its creation, it was a tehsil of the Lahore District.
The district capital is Kasur city, the birth city of the Sufi poet Bulleh Shah, who is well known in that region as well as in the whole of Pakistan. The total area of the district is 4,796 square kilometres.[2]
In ancient time, Kasur was known for its education and fish. The history of Kasur is more than 1,000 years. Kasur region was agricultural region with forests during the Indus Valley civilization. The Vedic period is characterized by Indo-Aryan culture that migrated from Central Asia and settled in Punjab region. The Kambojas, Daradas, Kaikayas, Pauravas, Yaudheyas, Malavas and Kurus migrated, settled and ruled ancient Punjab region. After overrunning the Achaemenid Empire in 331 BCE, Alexander marched into present-day Punjab region with an army of 50,000. The Kasur region was ruled by Maurya Empire, Indo-Greek kingdom, Kushan Empire, Gupta Empire, White Huns, Kushano-Hephthalites and the Turk and Hindu Shahi kingdoms.
In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he conquered the Shahis in Kabul in 1005, and followed it by the conquests of Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of the Punjab region.
The Mughal Empire ruled Kasur for 200 years. After and during the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikhs took over the Kasur District. The agriculture lands were given to leaders and supporters of the Sikh army. Most of the Punjab region was annexed by the East India Company in 1849, and was one of the last areas of the South Asia to fall under British colonial rule. During the British Raj, the irrigation canals were built that irrigated large areas barren lands of the Kasur District.
The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Sikhs and Hindus migrated to India while the Muslim refugees from India settled in the Kasur District.
At the time of the 2017 census, Kasur district had 520,218 households and a population of 3,454,881. Kasur had a sex ratio of 931 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 60.77% - 67.54% for males and 53.45% for females. 890,780 (25.78%) lived in urban areas. 938,930 (27.18%) were under 10 years of age.[3] In 2023, the district had 645,838 households and a population of 4,084,286.[4]
At the time of the 2023 census, 84.29% of the population spoke Punjabi, 11.53% Mewati and 3.36% Urdu as their first language.[5]
The Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal was built in Kasur district increasing the agricultural development of the area. There has been commercial and industrial development but the area remain mainly agricultural. Pakistan Army built Cantonment area for an infantry brigade in the district.
The district is administratively subdivided into 4 Tehsils spanning a territory of 13 divisions and 125 Union Councils:[6] the total area of Kasur is 3995 km2.
The district is bounded by the Ravi River in the north-west and river Sutlej in the south-east. Whereas the old course of Beas River bifurcates the district into two equal parts locally known as Hither and Uthar or Mithan Majh. Both of the areas have a height differential of approximately 5.5 meters. The natural surface elevation of the district is 198 meters above the sea level, having a general slope from north-east to south- west. Whereas the east and west ends of the district comprise the flood plains of the rivers Satluj and Ravi, characterized by breaching of looping river Channels braided around meander bars. Kasur district is attached with Lahore from east, attached with Nankana Sahib from north, attached with Faisalabad from west and attached with Okara and India from south.
Topographically speaking, Kasur District lies between the river Satluj which flows along its boundaries with India and river Ravi which flows its boundary with Nankana Sahib District. The districts may be divided into two parts, a low lying or riverine area along the two bordering rivers and upland, away from the rivers. The riverine area is generally inundates during monsoon season. The water level in this area is higher than in the upland. The soil is sandy. The upland is flat plains sloping from north-west to south-west. The general height of the area is from 150 to 200 meters above the sea level.
Flora of the district has been greatly modified by human agency of the old open forests of small trees and shrubs; there remains only a few Rakhs or portions of forest which are kept as gazing ground for cattle etc. Amongst trees the most important are Kikar (Acacia arabica), Shisham or Tahli (Dalbergia sissoo), Beri (Zizyphus jajaba), Toot (Morus marlaccae), Sharin (Albizzia lebbek), Dharek (Malia azerdaracb), Phulahi (Acacia modesta), and Nim (Melia indica), Piple (Ficus indica) are planted for shade. The growth in Rakhs is composed mainly of three kinds of trees Jand (Prosopis spicigera), Karril (Capparis aphylla), and van or Jal (Salvadora obeoides). Occasionally pelu (acacia Loucophhloea) and Farash (Tamarix articulate) are also found. Pilchi (Tamarix gallio) is found on moist sandy soil along the rivers and is used for wicker-work, basket making etc.
Wolf and jackal are the only wild animals of any importance. The former being met with occasionally in the low land wastes of Chunian Tehsil but jackal are found every where. Changa Manga reserve a thick forest is the only area in which a few Nelgai, pig, peafowl and here are found.
Kasur famous for Kasuri methi, Kasuri fish, and Kasuri andarsay. The city is also the resting place of Sufi poet Bulleh Shah. Other places of interest include:
Qadiwind is a historically significant to the Sikh religion. After the independence in 1947, the Sikhs there emigrated to East Punjab in India. Punjabi writer Baba Sohan Singh Sital was a resident of this village. His house and garden area was allotted to Muslim refugees from Mewat who came as part of independence. The majority population consists of Meo or Mewatis who migrated to 1947.