Batkhela
Encyclopedia
Batkhela is the main tehsil and capital of Malakand District
, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
. According to the 1998 census, the population of Batkhela is 38,222, and it is estimated to be 39,703 according to the World Gazetteer. Batkhela is a popular business city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This beautiful valley is covered by tall hills from all sides and there are many fast flowing rivers which are contribution to its wonderful landscape. One water canal that pours into a small dam in Jaban area is main source of electricity production.
Batkhela General Civil Headquarters Hospital is main hospital of the district Malakand.
Batkhela main bazaar is more than 2 kilometres long; there are no intersections (junctions) so no traffic lights. Therefore it is the longest bazaar in Pakistan that has no traffic lights or junctions (intersections) on it.
and Kanishka
Empires Batkhela was ruled by a leader named Butt hence city has given the name Batkhela.
(997-1030) was attacking India against the Hindus, during this time one of his army leader Pir Khushal assailed Batkhela, during the course of this assault most of his soldiers were sunk in big marsh at a place called Ghelai in Batkhela. However, soldiers of his army that survived have preferred to stay in this region. They have not only changed the culture and customs of the local inhabitants but also exert a strong influence on them to make them convert to the religion of Islam
.
Early in 17th century an Afghan
tribe Yusufzai (Yusufzai Pathan
) invaded Swat region under the leadership of Malik Ahmad Khan, during this period Batkhela was part of Swat valley. At the time Swat was ruled by a ruler named Raees and Swati
tribe was permanent inhabitant here. After the invasion most of Swati tribe’s men quit this area and escaped to Hazara region. It gives Yusufzai an opportunity to settle here permanently. Thana (part of Batkhela tehsil) was their administrative headquarters.
In the beginning three main family classes of Yusufzai tribe were settled in Batkhela (Husain Khel, Ibrahim Khel and Nazrali Khel). Husain Khel and Nazrali Khel were further subdivided, Nazrali Khel into Maday Khel and Babu Khel, while Husain Khel into Omer Khel and Balay Khel.
In March 1895 the British Empire
invaded this region including Batkhela. Malak Mir Azam Khan of Ibrahim Khel was leading the army of Batkhela. A new political agency for Dir, Swat and Chitral
was established. The first officer to be placed in charge of the new Malakand Agency was Major Harold Arthur Deane
(1854–1908), later on 9 November 1901 Lieutenant Colonel Sir Harold Arthur Deane
also became the first Chief Commissioner on the formation of the North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Whose dexterous dialogue had been influential in obtaining the release of Lieutenants S.M. Edwardes and J.S. Fowler after both had been perfidiously captured by Mahomed Isa at Reshun, Chitral
. Even people are unaware of his contributions to this region however the popular Deane’s Hotel (Now Deane’s Plaza) in Peshawar
always brings his name to mind.
This year when Batkhela was stormed by the 45th Sikhs after a fierce resistance Lieut.-Colonel McRae was the very first British army personnel to enter Batkhela. Before 1895 Batkhela was invaded by different outsiders including Khan of Dir Rahmatullah Khan in 1869 and Wali-i-Dir/Nawab Muhammad Umara Khan as well as Swatis. On capturing Malakand Agency British army have decided to prevent this area permanently from these outside aggressions. The British rulers declare this area as ‘Malakand Protected Area’ (same as present) and so they prepared a police force called Malakand Levies.
Between 1895 and 1912 British made huge impact on developmental works and infrastructure. Many main contributions are still telling the story of their successful governance. They build roads (Batkhela to Chakdara), raised Chakdara and Malakand Ports, set up Levies posts all over Malakand Agency, dug Upper Swat Canal and The Benton Tunnel (locally known as Tandail) and construct Headwork’s scheme at Batkhela, Churchill Picket and Jabban Power House. The most important system of the Amadara (part of Batkhela) Irrigation Scheme which was completed 1912, is still irrigating a vast land of Sama Tehsil, Mardan and Sawabi Districts and Chakdara area.
The British was ruling this area till the independence of Pakistan 14 August 1947. All matters of the Tribal system was settled through ‘Jirga
System’. The Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) system or status was established in 1974 here. Furthermore, regular laws prevailing and the settle laws of district were also extended. Under the FCR Political Agent exercised his powers as a supreme authority while regular courts were established (Civil & Crime courts) after the year 1974.
The city main local government administrator is Nazim-e-Alla, who is selected by the post by local elected members of district as well as union council. Police in district Malakand are known as Levies and their head or commandant is District Coordination Officer (DCO).
The geological formation around Batkhela consists of sandstones of the Carboniferous series and coal measures are mixed with underlying mud.
Data on religious beliefs across the town in the 1998 census show that 100% declared themselves to be Muslim.
As business is main source of income therefore livelihood of people are mainly depends on business.
Presently one degree college for boys, two secondary schools for boys and one High Secondary School for girls are functioning. One degree college for women is under construction. Besides this a number of private schools and colleges are functioning throughout this region.
Malakand District
Malakand District is a district of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan.The District was formed in 1970 as a Provincially Administered Tribal Area, It had previously been a Tribal Area known as the Malakand Protected Area, part of the Malakand Agency...
, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. According to the 1998 census, the population of Batkhela is 38,222, and it is estimated to be 39,703 according to the World Gazetteer. Batkhela is a popular business city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This beautiful valley is covered by tall hills from all sides and there are many fast flowing rivers which are contribution to its wonderful landscape. One water canal that pours into a small dam in Jaban area is main source of electricity production.
Batkhela General Civil Headquarters Hospital is main hospital of the district Malakand.
Batkhela main bazaar is more than 2 kilometres long; there are no intersections (junctions) so no traffic lights. Therefore it is the longest bazaar in Pakistan that has no traffic lights or junctions (intersections) on it.
Etymology
During the AshokaAshoka
Ashok Maurya or Ashoka , popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from ca. 269 BC to 232 BC. One of India's greatest emperors, Ashoka reigned over most of present-day India after a number of military conquests...
and Kanishka
Kanishka
Kanishka ) was an emperor of the Kushan Empire, ruling an empire extending from Bactria to large parts of northern India in the 2nd century of the common era, and famous for his military, political, and spiritual achievements...
Empires Batkhela was ruled by a leader named Butt hence city has given the name Batkhela.
Early History
When Mahmud of GhazniMahmud of Ghazni
Mahmud of Ghazni , actually ', was the most prominent ruler of the Ghaznavid dynasty who ruled from 997 until his death in 1030 in the eastern Iranian lands. Mahmud turned the former provincial city of Ghazni into the wealthy capital of an extensive empire which covered most of today's Iran,...
(997-1030) was attacking India against the Hindus, during this time one of his army leader Pir Khushal assailed Batkhela, during the course of this assault most of his soldiers were sunk in big marsh at a place called Ghelai in Batkhela. However, soldiers of his army that survived have preferred to stay in this region. They have not only changed the culture and customs of the local inhabitants but also exert a strong influence on them to make them convert to the religion of Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
.
Early in 17th century an Afghan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
tribe Yusufzai (Yusufzai Pathan
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
) invaded Swat region under the leadership of Malik Ahmad Khan, during this period Batkhela was part of Swat valley. At the time Swat was ruled by a ruler named Raees and Swati
Swati (tribe)
The Swatis are a Pashtun tribe based around the Swat valley, in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. They are the largest tribal group of land owners in the Mansehra and Battagram districts....
tribe was permanent inhabitant here. After the invasion most of Swati tribe’s men quit this area and escaped to Hazara region. It gives Yusufzai an opportunity to settle here permanently. Thana (part of Batkhela tehsil) was their administrative headquarters.
In the beginning three main family classes of Yusufzai tribe were settled in Batkhela (Husain Khel, Ibrahim Khel and Nazrali Khel). Husain Khel and Nazrali Khel were further subdivided, Nazrali Khel into Maday Khel and Babu Khel, while Husain Khel into Omer Khel and Balay Khel.
In March 1895 the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
invaded this region including Batkhela. Malak Mir Azam Khan of Ibrahim Khel was leading the army of Batkhela. A new political agency for Dir, Swat and Chitral
Chitral
Chitral or Chetrar , translated as field in the native language Khowar, is the capital of the Chitral District, situated on the western bank of the Kunar River , in Pakistan. The town is at the foot of Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush, high...
was established. The first officer to be placed in charge of the new Malakand Agency was Major Harold Arthur Deane
Harold Arthur Deane
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Harold Arthur Deane KCSI was an administrator in British India. Deane served as the first Political Agent of the Malakand in 1895 and also as the first Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province upon the creation of the province on 9 November 1901.-Career:Deane...
(1854–1908), later on 9 November 1901 Lieutenant Colonel Sir Harold Arthur Deane
Harold Arthur Deane
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Harold Arthur Deane KCSI was an administrator in British India. Deane served as the first Political Agent of the Malakand in 1895 and also as the first Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province upon the creation of the province on 9 November 1901.-Career:Deane...
also became the first Chief Commissioner on the formation of the North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Whose dexterous dialogue had been influential in obtaining the release of Lieutenants S.M. Edwardes and J.S. Fowler after both had been perfidiously captured by Mahomed Isa at Reshun, Chitral
Chitral
Chitral or Chetrar , translated as field in the native language Khowar, is the capital of the Chitral District, situated on the western bank of the Kunar River , in Pakistan. The town is at the foot of Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush, high...
. Even people are unaware of his contributions to this region however the popular Deane’s Hotel (Now Deane’s Plaza) in Peshawar
Peshawar
Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative center and central economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan....
always brings his name to mind.
This year when Batkhela was stormed by the 45th Sikhs after a fierce resistance Lieut.-Colonel McRae was the very first British army personnel to enter Batkhela. Before 1895 Batkhela was invaded by different outsiders including Khan of Dir Rahmatullah Khan in 1869 and Wali-i-Dir/Nawab Muhammad Umara Khan as well as Swatis. On capturing Malakand Agency British army have decided to prevent this area permanently from these outside aggressions. The British rulers declare this area as ‘Malakand Protected Area’ (same as present) and so they prepared a police force called Malakand Levies.
Between 1895 and 1912 British made huge impact on developmental works and infrastructure. Many main contributions are still telling the story of their successful governance. They build roads (Batkhela to Chakdara), raised Chakdara and Malakand Ports, set up Levies posts all over Malakand Agency, dug Upper Swat Canal and The Benton Tunnel (locally known as Tandail) and construct Headwork’s scheme at Batkhela, Churchill Picket and Jabban Power House. The most important system of the Amadara (part of Batkhela) Irrigation Scheme which was completed 1912, is still irrigating a vast land of Sama Tehsil, Mardan and Sawabi Districts and Chakdara area.
The British was ruling this area till the independence of Pakistan 14 August 1947. All matters of the Tribal system was settled through ‘Jirga
Jirga
A jirga is a tribal assembly of elders which takes decisions by consensus, particularly among the Pashtun people but also in other ethnic groups near them; they are most common in Afghanistan and among the Pashtuns in Pakistan near its border with Afghanistan...
System’. The Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) system or status was established in 1974 here. Furthermore, regular laws prevailing and the settle laws of district were also extended. Under the FCR Political Agent exercised his powers as a supreme authority while regular courts were established (Civil & Crime courts) after the year 1974.
Governance
Batkhela is central and bigger tehsil of district Malakand. Administratively the city is divided into three main parts which is generally called Lower, Middle and Upper Batkhela Hence three Union councils exists.The city main local government administrator is Nazim-e-Alla, who is selected by the post by local elected members of district as well as union council. Police in district Malakand are known as Levies and their head or commandant is District Coordination Officer (DCO).
Geography
Batkhela is green city and Swat River is flowing in the middle of the city alongside N45. Batkhela is covered by tall hills from all sides and the most of famous peak of them is named ‘Barcharai’.The geological formation around Batkhela consists of sandstones of the Carboniferous series and coal measures are mixed with underlying mud.
Demography
At the time of the Pakistan Census 1998, according to the World Gazetteer, Batkhela had a total resident population of 39,703.Data on religious beliefs across the town in the 1998 census show that 100% declared themselves to be Muslim.
People and Culture
100 percent of the households in Batkhela are Pakhto speaking and Pakhtun are the indigenous inhabitants..As business is main source of income therefore livelihood of people are mainly depends on business.
Education
A primary school was opened in Batkhela in 1915 by British while High school was opened in Thana (part of Batkhela tehsil) in 1935.Presently one degree college for boys, two secondary schools for boys and one High Secondary School for girls are functioning. One degree college for women is under construction. Besides this a number of private schools and colleges are functioning throughout this region.