Attock (formerly Campbellpur) is a city located in the northern border of the Punjab province of Pakistan and the headquarters of Attock District. In the 1901 census, Attock was reported to have had a population of 2866 people, a figure which has grown dramatically during the 20th century with 69,588 reported in the 1998 census and contemporary estimates approaching 100,000.

It is located on the bank of the Indus, just 80 km (50 mi) from Rawalpindi, 100 km (62 mi) from Peshawar, and 10 km (6 mi) from the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra.

History

Gandhara was a historic region of ancient India, corresponding to areas of northwest Pakistan including Attock. Situated astride the middle Indus River, the region had Taxila and Peshawar as its chief cities. It was occupied by the Persian Empire and was reached in 327 BC by Alexander the Great. The region

passed to Chandragupta,[3] founder of the Maurya empire, in the late 4th century BC, and under Asoka was converted in the mid-3rd century BC to Buddhism. It was part ofBactria from the late 3rd century to the 1st century BC. Under the Kushan dynasty (1st century–3rd century AD), and especially under Kanishka, Gandhara developed a noted school of sculpture, consisting mainly of images of Buddha and reliefs representing scenes from Buddhist texts, but with marked Greco-Roman elements of style. The art form flourished in Gandhara until the 5th century, when the region was conquered by the Huns.

In the early 11th century, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi launched seventeen expeditions into South Asia. In 1001, he defeated Raja Jayapala of the Hindu Shahi Dynasty of Gandhara in the Battle of Peshawar and marched further into Peshawar and, in 1005, made it the center for his forces. Attock became part of Ghannavi Empire. Many Sufi missionaries settled in Attock and converted the native population to Islam.

The Attock fort was completed in 1583 under the supervision of Khawaja Shamsuddin Khawafi, a minister

of Emperor Akbar.[5] In 1759-60, Maratha forces captured the fortress of Attock.

The Sikh Kingdom (1799–1849) under Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780–1839) captured the fortress of Attock in 1813 from the Afghan Kingdom (Attock was then part of Afghanistan) and the Sikh Empire re-established indigenous rule in Attock. The Muslims faced severe restrictions during the Sikh rule.

I 1849n Attock fell to the British who created Campbellpur District. After 1947, the Pakistani Government renamed it as Attock in 1978.

The city's foundations were laid in 1903, and it was named Campbellpur after Sir Colin Campbell. It was established nearAttock fort that had guarded the major routes towards central Asia. The district was created in April 1904 by the merger of Talagang Tehsil in the Jhelum District with the Pindigheb, Fateh jang and Attock tehsils from Rawalpindi District of the Punjab province of British India.

Attock's first oil well was drilled in Khaur in 1915.[7] It has an oil and gas field Dakhini near Jand.

The predominantly Muslim population supported the Muslim League and the Pakistan Movement. After the Independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs emigrated to India, while Muslim refugees from India settled in the Attock.

The historic tourist resort of Attock Khurd is situated across the Indus River near the old Railway Bridge, which connects the Frontier Province with Punjab. The old Victorian Railway Station built around 1885 speaks of its magnificent stone masonry with beautiful Victorian architecture surrounded by lush green hills. The British in the old times developed this site as a fishing spot and hunting ground for the black partridge and wild fox.

The Attock Bridge on the Indus was originally designed by Sir Gjilfor Molesworth 1880. It is situated about 65km south east of Peshawar and is one of the most important strategic and commercial crossing on the Indus between Punjab and Northwest Frontier Province.

It was opened to traffic on 24th May 1883. The structure was redesigned and erected by Sir Francis Callaghan. At the time of construction the Attock girder, 26ft deep, were the largest erected in India. The cost of the bridge was more than Rs.3.2 million.

Attock Khurd Railway station is a class station on single track provided with standard Key interlocking. The train is working ion the absolute Block system and permission to approach is obtained and given by mean of Neal Token Block Instrument. It is considered to be the safest system in was installed in 1890 by the British engineer.

The historic Attock for build by the Mughal Emperor Akbar the great in 1581. The famous Begam Ki Seri built by Emperor Jehangir for the Hindu mother Jodha Bai is also located nearby. The beautiful pavilion known, as Behram-ki-Baradari is an added attracted situated along the G.T Road.

The historic G.T Road was originally planned by the famous Afghan King Sher Shah Suri connection Kabul iwht Bengal. Alexander the Great crossed the Indus River near Hund to invade Taxila in 327 Bc. The remains of the old Mughal Boat Bridge pillars can also be seen near village Malahi Tolla. During the Akbars rein the native of this village was responsible to look after the Boat Bridge. The British also tried to build an underground tunnel to cross the Indus in case of a war emergency.

Over the years this site has been abode of various saints and religious activists. It is studded with temples and worship place of Hindus, Janis Sikhs and lastly the Muslims. The shrine of Hazrat Gee Baba is also situated by the road along the river.