Sialkot is a city situated in Punjab province of Pakistan. It is located near Indo-Pak border, about 125 k.m. from Lahore, the capital of Punjab. This city is centuries old. According to tradition, it was constructed by Raja Sul. Famous Fort of Sialkot is still there but it is in the shape of a small hill now.

Sialkot has made significant progress during last few decades. This is one of the most important industrial cities of Pakistan. Literary rate is the highest in Pakistan and per capita income is almost double the national per capita income. Sports goods, surgical instruments, musical instruments and leather garments are manufactured here and exported all over the world. These products are considered the best in quality throughout the world. Although industry of Sialkot has to compete with countries like China , Taiwan and India, still craftsmanship of Sialkot based workers is unparalleled.

Sialkot is also the birth place of Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, commonly known as Allama Iqbal. He was one of the greatest thinker, philosopher and poet of the age. He gave the ideology of Pakistan. His house is now a national monument.

History of Sialkot:

The city of Sialkot is believed to have been founded by one Raja Sul or Sálá , the uncle of Pandhavas, whose heroic deeds are recorded in the epic Mahabharata. After his death some 5000 years ago, there is a tradition that the dynasty continued for some 1500 years and then the country was flooded and remained one vast uninhabited region for about 1000 years. The popular belief is that it was re-founded in the reign of Vikramaditya of Ujjain by Raja Sáliváhan or Sálbán, who built the fort and city and gave the place its present name. He was of Sia caste, and it is believed that the word "Sialkot" means 'the fort of Sia'. Legend also says the Salivahan had two sons; one Puran by name , was killed by the instrumentality of a wicked step-mother, and thrown inot a well, still the resort of pilgrims near Sialkot , called "Puran ka Kunwna", the well of Puran. (A Mohalla in the city is also named "Puran Nagar") Other son of Salivahan , Rasalu, became involved in wars with Raja Hudi, popularly stated to have been a Gakkhar chieftain. Being worsted in battle, Rasalu, as the price for piece, was forced to give his daughter in marriage to his conqueror, who gave the territory he had conquered to Rasalu's adopted son. According to another legend narrated to Mr. Prinsep:

"After the death of Raja Rasalu, the country is said to have fallen under the curse of Puran, for 300 years lying totally devastated from famine and incessant plunder."