History Of Phalia

Alexander the Great and his army crossed the Jhelum in July 326 BC at theBattle of the Hydaspes River where he defeated the Indian king Porus.^[2]According to Arrian (Anabasis, 29), he built a city on the spot whence he started to cross the river Hydaspes, which he named Bukephala orBucephala to honour his famous and loyal horse Bukephalus orBucephalus.^{[citation needed]} It is thought that ancient Bukephala was near the site of modern Jhelum City but that is wrong. Phalia was named afterBucephalus on the name of the Alexander's dead horse and presently a tehsil of Mandi Bahauddin District. The Alexander while forwarding from Taxila opted alternate way despite of using traditional route i.e. today's GT road and built two cities on opposite banks of the river Hydaspes enrouting from Bhera and Mong.

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 Sultanateand later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Punjab region. Jalalpur Sharif is located on west of the river Jhelum whereas Phalia on eastern bank in Mandi Bahauddin District close to river Jhelum earlier known as Hydaspes.^{[citation needed]} A semi hill or mound i.e. the historical sign of the ancient city and a shrine still available in mid of the Mohalla Ameer. In 2010, maximum of the area reshaped into commercial land and precious heritage could not be preserved.

After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh invaded and occupied Bahawalnagar District. The Muslims faced severe restrictions during the Sikh rule. During the period of British rule, Bahawalnagar increased in population and importance.

The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence ofPakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslims refugees from India settled down in theBahawalnagar District.

The age of Lahore and Phalia is almost the same. The four subdivisions (Mohallas) are named on the forefathers of Tarartribe and they are as below:

• PHALIA AMEER named on "Muhammad Ameer", PHALIA KEEMAN named on "Muhammad Karim", PHALIA BOOTA named on "Muhammad Boota" and PHALIA MEHMAN named on "Muhammad Khan". Phalia Boota is also called as "Nawan Lok".^[3]