Shergarh (literally 'Lion's Den'), is a town located 10 miles away from Renala Khurd on the Hujra Shah Muqeem road, and is a union council of Depalpur Tehsil. It is a very historic town. It was named by the 16th century governor of Multan, Fateh Jang Khan, in honour of the present Afghan ruler of India, Sher Shah Suri. This fact is documented by Abbas Khan Sarauni in his book, Tarikh-e Sher Shah Suri.
It started off as a small police station and was informally known as "Chor Chauki", or "The Police Station". About a decade later, in 1545, a young Syed ascetic named Ibrahim, belonging originally to Kirman of Southern Persia, migrated here from Satghara. After being initiated into the Qadiriyyah order of Sufism, at the hands of Shaikh Hamid Gilani, he established his khanqah in the remote village. At the time, it was sparsely populated, located on the high abandoned bed of the Beas, marking the geographical boundary between the Neeli and the Ganji bars. It was surrounded by jungle from both sides, and was equi-distant from the rivers, Ravi & Satluj. It was also very distant from the main road connecting Lahore to Multan. These factors made the place ideal for a man of his position, as he could worship there in solitude. He spent the remaining thirty years of his life here. It is also documented, that he would sometimes go in the jungle lying between Shergarh and Satghara to meditate, and lose control over his senses. He would stay there for many days until his close friends and relatives would find him deep in the jungle, and bring him back to his home.
Thus, as people started hearing about this holy man, from a small, minor administrative center, Shergarh started gaining spiritual influence. Many people from all over the country, would come to receive spiritual guidance from the holy man. In 1572, a well known historian of Akbar, `Abd al-Qadir Bada'uni, travelled there upon hearing about this fascinating ascetic. He states in his book, Muntakhab-ul Tawarikh (Volume II) that: "Not a day went by in my time there, that I saw less than 50 visitors come to the Shaikh, and recite the Kalimah at his hands". It is believed that the Shaikh converted a total of 35,000 followers to Islam, including 365 disciples to sainthood. He has no books to his credit, and his poetry is only known to his descendants. He even forbade his spiritual successor, Shah Abul Muali (also his nephew and son-in law) to write anything about him. He was a man who despised worldly power, wealth, fame, materialism & publicity.
The saint passed away in 1575, after which his successor had a beautiful large mausoleum erected for his grave. The pinnacle of its dome was added in 1580. This mausoleum is now the major landmark of Shergarh and can be seen from afar, lying in the heart of the town. It is grand from the outside, yet graceful and charming from the inside with beautiful calligraphy and rare tilework in the 'naqshi' style. The mazar itself also contains 7 or 8 graves of the gaddi nashins, including his son's, Abdullah Naurang Noor and other descendants such as Said Mustafa, Baqa Ali Shah, Syed Abu'l Baqa Muhammad, Pir Nadir Ali Shah, Pir Mohd. Hussain Shah and many others. The compound is also very large and contains the graves of more recent descendants, and others who have been close to the Shaikh and his family. One of the Shaikh's famous descendants who is buried outside is Mohd. Jaffar Shah. He was a prominent hockey player in the Indian olympic team, and won 2 gold medals.
Today, the town is home to 20-25,000 people. The main clans are Arain, Syed (Kirmani), Akhund, Baloch, Hans, Joiya, Kharal, Kumhar, Lohar, Machhi, Mirasi, Muslim Shaikh, Nai, Sial, Tarkhan & Wattu. It is well developed and soling is common. All in all, Shergarh is the joining point of roads from six towns, namely Akhtarabad (7 miles away), Chunian (17 miles away), Depalpur (12 miles away), Hujra Shah Muqeem (7 miles away), Renala Khurd (10 miles away), & Wan Radha Ram (11 miles away). The old bed of the Beas is still intact, and agriculture is practiced on both sides. The western side and the town itself is dependant on canals for irrigation, as the sub-soil water is brackish. This side is known as uttar. The eastern, low lying side has sweet subsoil water fit for agriculture, thus tubewells can be used. This side is known as hithar. The main crops cultivated in the region, are rice, maize, potato, cotton & wheat.
The town attracts curious travellers, artists and calligraphers on a year round basis, as well as the usual murids. It is particularly crowded in the month of March, when thousands travel from all over the Punjab & beyond, to attend the annual urs of the Shaikh
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