The first city of Jhang was built in 1288 by Rai Sial with the advice of Hazrat Shah Jalal Bukhari (his peer). The first ruler of Jhang was Mal Khan in 1462. Sial tribe ruled this city for 360 years and the last ruler of the Sial Tribe was Ahmad Khan from 1812 to 1822 and then Sikh took over. And from the rule of the Sikh, Jhang was taken over by the British.
Jhang is more famous for its men than for its products. The Jhangvi men are hardy peasants, healthy, tall, strong and of wheatish complexion. The dress of the locals comprises a Majhla, a Kurta or Chola, a Chadar and a Turban or Pugri. It is completed by shoes, Chappli or Kherri. The women are fair complexioned, cypress statured and good looking. The women also wear Majhla (Lungi) besides Chola and Dopatta but many women wear Shalwar Qameez. The people live in the plains and therefore are plain and straight-forward people - broad minded, hospitable and progressive. Jhang is the centre of a purely agricultural based feudalistic society. Agriculture is the chief source of income and employment in Jhang. About 85% of the Jhang's cultivable land is irrigated. Wheat and cotton are the principal crops. Other crops grown include rice, sugarcane, corn (maize), oilseeds, fruits, and vegetables. Livestock and poultry are also raised in large numbers in district Jhang.