History behind name of Cholistan & Rohi
In effect Cholistan is a vast sandy desert covering an area of 2407 square kilometres, also locally known as Rohi ? so lovingly immortalised by the great mystic poet, Khwaja Farid.
The desert area is predominantly the scene of high sand dunes, sometimes rising to some 12 metres. In between or across the sand dunes there are patches of levelled areas running several kilometres together. The Hakra River ? now a clear depression suggesting to its bed ? divides the area into smaller and greater Cholistans. The smaller Cholistan lies in the north of Hakra depression and is relatively flat with a few low sand dunes. The greater Cholistan lies in the south and is entirely occupied by large sand dunes.
Name Cholistan
The intrusion of the sand of these dunes from the greater Cholistan is a continuous danger for the local people. This movement of sand has induced many to seek the meanings of Cholistan in it.
According to them the name is derived from the word ?cholna? ? walking or moving ? adding the word Stan denoting place like that in Balochistan, or even Pakistan. However, this does not seem plausible as the very pronunciation or the mother word does not match the one as used in the region?s Seraiki. However, the most appealing of the origin of the name seems to have derived from the Turkish word ??l (pronounced as Choal in English), which literally means desert. Of course, like the practice in vogue, the sthan or stan standing for place, region or area stands attached to it.
Name Rohi
However, there is another name generally used with affection by the locals as Rohi hence the inhabitants as Rohillas. This particularly is the name used in his sublime poetry by the great Mystic Poet, Khwaja Ghulam Farid ? mostly known as Khwaja Farid. The word Roh probably bring with it the meanings of highland or wilderness but its musical rendering by Khwaja Farid has made it reverberate in the ears of the Rohilas and even their guests from outside the region (copied from Wasaib.com).
It was Rasheed (seen in 2nd and 10th pic) home we stayed for night and were served murghi salan and gandum roti and excellent nashta in morning. Rasheed arranged for camel rides and also visit to Derawar fort.