Based on the provided reference, the Ghakkar chief Jahanda Khan is credited with restoring the deserted town and naming it Rawalpindi.
The Restoration of Rawalpindi
According to historical accounts, the area where Rawalpindi now stands has a long history, but the city known today as Rawalpindi owes its existence in its current form to a specific period of restoration.
Originally, there was a ruined city at the site. The Muslim ruler Mahmud of Ghazni presented this ruined settlement to a Ghakkar chief named Kai Gohar. However, due to its vulnerability to invaders, the town was subsequently deserted.
It was later that another Ghakkar chief, Jahanda Khan, took the initiative to restore this deserted location. He rebuilt or revitalized the settlement and gave it the name Rawalpindi, after a village called Rawal. This act effectively re-established the town and gave it the identity by which it is known today.
Therefore, while the land had prior inhabitants and structures, Jahanda Khan is the figure associated with bringing the town back to life and officially naming it Rawalpindi.
Here's a simple timeline based on the reference:
- Earlier Period: Ruined city exists.
- Mahmud of Ghazni: Gifts the ruined city to Kai Gohar.
- Interim Period: Town remains deserted.
- Jahanda Khan: Restores the deserted town and names it Rawalpindi (after Rawal village).
This process highlights the importance of restoration and naming in the establishment of cities, especially in regions with a long and complex history like Rawalpindi.
