Wah Cantt is a cantonement city located in Punjab, Pakistan. It is situated approximately 50 km northwest of Islamabad. The city is located in a valley which is surrounded by hills from all directions. Wah Cantonment is a multicultural city including people from every corner of the Pakistan that are serving here. The city has its roots in the Mughal era with the Mughal emperor Jehangir reported to have coined the name. "Cantt" was added to the name of the city in 1951 when the Prime Minister Khawaja Nazimudin unveiled the stone for the Pakistan ordinance factory. Chaudhry Sardar Khan was the founder and first Deputy Director General of Pakistan Ordnamce Factories, Wah.

Wah also has the highest literacy rate in all of Asia, 100%.

History

Ancient History

Wah Cantt is adjacent to Taxila City, which is enriched with one of the most important archaeological sites of the world. The ancient name of Taxila was 'Takshasila' means the "city of cut stones". Taxila had been the cradle of the world’s greatest civilization. It is the place where Ghandhara Civilization and sculpture art took roots and flourished. Taxila was conquered by Alexander in 327 BC. It later came under the Mauryan dynasty and attained a remarkably mature level of development under the great Ashoka. Then appeared the Indo-Greek descendants of Alexander’s warriors and finally came the most creative period of Gandhara. The great Kushan dynasty was established somewhere near 50 AD. During the next 200 years, Taxila became a renowned center of learning, philosophy and art. Pilgrims and travelers were attracted to it from as far away as China and Greece.

The beginning of Mughal empire in the subcontinent was in the 16th century which has had a significant impact on the city. It is said that Jehangir’s army, the fourth Mughal emperor, was coming back from Kashmir mission, it was evening time, and they were tired and looking for a place to stay. They started to search an appropriate place among Barren Mountains. After a little search they were successful to find a place, where there was natural source of water. As soon as the Mughal King watched the natural spring, he loudly said ”Wah”. His words punched on the stones of history. After that day, this territory is called Wah. The Mughal advent had a strong influence on the architecture of the city which is still visible to date with prominent Mughal sites like the "Losar Bawli" and the Wah Gardens.

Post Partition history

After gaining Independence Pakistan had no factories capable of producing armaments and military goods so urgent plans were made for an ordinance factory in Wah, Punjab. The word Cantt was added to Wah in 1951, when Prime Minster Khawaja Nazim-u-Din unveiled the stone of Pakistan Ordnance Factories Wah Cantt. It is the sole one Ammunition factory of Wah cantt.It is the complex of 14 factories.

Geographical location

Wah Cantt is located in the north west of Islamabad ay the distance of 50KM. It is a valley as it is surrounded by hills from all directions. Mughal Emperor Zaheer-UD-Din Baber has mentioned in his book about the Wah region.

Wah has a historical background. Wah has always been a favorite place of the Mughal rulers. They built here several gardens such as the most famous “Wah Garden”. It is still present with its remains. It is located on the main G.T Road bisecting the Islamabad. Garden has a historical value as well as it is a beautiful and attractive picnic spot. Still this park has potential to drive the people from different places.

Wells are the important remaining of the Mughals; one of them still exists with its Mughal glory that is in the Sher Shah Park Aslam Market, where it is said that Sher Shah horses used to drink water. Wah is the area having fertile soil. It is suitable for growing every sort of crops and especially fruits. This area was not so much developed before the construction of the Pakistan Ordinance Factories.

Culture

Wah Cantt is a multicultural City. People from various ethnicities of the Pakistan are serving here. Culture from Karachi to Khyber can be observed in the city. People are skillful and literate and most of them are factory employees. The city is rather quite in the morning, but all charm of the city is restored in the evening. The city is said to have one of the best civic amneties in the entire country with a solid health care and education system.

It is divided into 27 sectors and some private colonies are also there. The most famous colonies are Gulistan colony , Basti /Lala Rukh and Nawab Abad. There are a number of popular markets including Aslam market, Basti market, and Nawab Abad . One thing, which make it more prominent, conspicuous and distinguished, is its standard of education and literacy rate. Literacy rate in Wah Cantt is 100%. It is the highest rate of literacy in any region of Asia. There are near about 115 educational institutes with near about 50000 students.