History of Sargodha

The term Sargodha has its origins in the words Sar, meaning pond, and Godha, meaning sadhu. Origin of name There are several theories as to the origins of the name. It may be derived from the Sanskrit 'svargadhama', meaning 'heavenly abode' Though this would have given rise to the Punjabi *sargdham. Other theories suggest that the name Sargodha is derived from that of a Hindu resident GodhaAlso it is believed that there was an old pond in the middle of the town where the old Hindu sadhu Godha used to live. In Punjabi the word for pond is sar hence sargodha, "The pool of godha". Again this can't be accepted as the order of words doesn't refelect Punjabi usage, e.g., Amritsar, "the pool of nectar." The place would have been called Godhsar if anything. The etymology must lie in sar + godha, with sar beinng the adjective and godha the noun.

Just over a century ago, there was a well owned by a Hindu Godha. The well was known as Gol Khuh, Punjabi "round well, and travellers used it as a resting place. As time passed the well eventually went out of use and a market evolved around it. There is a market at the place where Gol Khuh used to exist and a grand mosque above the market and it is known as "Gol Chowk", which is the centre of downtown Sargodha today.

Sargodha was a small town at the beginning of the British Raj but, due to its geographical location, the British Royal Air Force built an airport there. It took on greater importance after the partition for the Pakistan Air Force.

History of Sargodha can be traced back to July 1951, when the disused WW II airfield was first occupied by a PAF Care and Maintenance Party. With this, the first step had been taken and by 16 November 59, all the infrastructure had been completed under the supervision of Wing Commander R D Rollo to make Sargodha ready to receive its First flying squadrons. Group Captain Salahuddin was posted in November 59 as the first commanding officer of PAF Station Sargodha. Over the next five months, by April 60, Nos 5, 11 and 16 Squadrons equipped with F-86F aircraft, had been positioned at this base; they comprised No 33 Wing.

It comprises of six Tehsils i.e.

Bhalwal, Kotmomin, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Shahpur, Sillanwali
District Sargodha lies between two rivers, Chenab and Jehlum. It is bounded on the North by District Jehlum, on the South by District Jhang, on the North East by District MandiBahaudin, on the South East by District Hafizabad and on the West by District Khushab.

Role of Sargodha in 1965 Pakistan India War

In 1966, Pakistan Government had awarded the citizens of Lahore, Sialkot and Sargodha for their bravery in the 1965 Pakistan India War which started on September 06, 1965. when the Indian Army troops suddenly attacked Pakistan and crossed the border in the early morning of September 6, 1965, using several armoured and infantry divisions. The Indian Army Chief and high official announced that they will have dinner in Lahore Gymkhana Club. But all there dreams were changed to a nightmare, when Pakistan's brave soldiers and citizens became a wall of resistance against them at the famous BRB canal. During this 17 days war, the character of citizens of Lahore proved themselves as formidable and undefeatable through their bravery. On 07.09.1965, the Indian Army attacked with over 1,000 armed tanks at Sialkot sector at Chawinda, where the biggest tank battle after 2nd world war was fought. All Indian plans were turned into shambles by men from Pakistan Army who laid down their lives and devastated India's armour might. It was here that the legend of a fight between men and steel took place, where men defeated the metal and machine. This also where the legend started that Pakistani soldiers tied bombs with their bodies lay in front of the Indian tanks and gave their lives to save Pakistan. Pakistan captured many Indian tanks intact and most of the Indian tanks were turned to scrap.