Quicknation    Pakistan Sialkot

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Sialkot is a city in Pakistan, located in the province of Punjab. The population of Sialkot is approximately 3,000,000. It is a major industrial center and is well-known for its leather products, surgical instruments, and other light manufactures. It is only a few miles from the border of India and is home to a base of the Pakistani Army.

It is believed that the city was founded by Raja Sul who was the uncle of the Pandavas (of Mahabharata fame). It is believed that the name of the city means "Fort of the Sia" (the word, being common in South Asian place names), the Sia being a particular caste which founded the city in ancient times. The city has the biggest caste of jats. It was capital of Madrak Jat rulers in ancient times.

It was taken from the Sikhs by the British in 1849. During the Mutiny of 1857 it was scene of heavy fighting, and the fort was used by Europeans for protection.

The city is famous in contemporary times for being the birthplace of Iqbal.