Batkhela
Tench Bhata
بٹ خیلہ بټ خېله | |
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UTC+5 (PST) | |
Website | nwfp.gov.pk |
Batkhela (
Batkhela General Civil Headquarters Hospital is the main hospital of the district Malakand. Batkhela's main bazaar is more than 2 Kilometres long. There are no intersections (junctions) so there are no traffic lights. It is, therefore, also known as the longest bazaar in Asia that has no traffic lights and junctions (intersections) in it.[2][3]
History
Etymology
During the Ashoka and Kanishka Empires, Batkhela was ruled by a leader named Butt. The name "Batkhela" is, hence, associated with his name.[citation needed]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Canal_in_Batkhela.jpg/220px-Canal_in_Batkhela.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/District_Head_Quarter_Hospital_Batkhela_OPD.jpg/200px-District_Head_Quarter_Hospital_Batkhela_OPD.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/District_Head_Quarter_Hospital_Batkhela_Casualty.jpg/200px-District_Head_Quarter_Hospital_Batkhela_Casualty.jpg)
Early history
At the time when Mahmud of Ghazni (997-1030) was attacking India, one of his army leaders Pir Khushal assailed Batkhela. During the course of this assault, most of his soldiers were sunk in a big marsh at a place called Gheli in Batkhela. However, the soldiers of his army that survived had preferred to stay in this region. Over time, they put strong influence on the local inhabitants. They not only changed the culture and customs of them but also exerted a strong influence to convert them to Islam.[citation needed]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Amandara_Head_Works_%28Carpet_water%29.jpg/200px-Amandara_Head_Works_%28Carpet_water%29.jpg)
Early in the 17th century, an
In the beginning, three family classes of Yusufzai tribe were settled in Batkhela: Ibrahim Khel, Husain Khel and Nazrali Khel.
In March 1895, the British Empire invaded this region including Batkhela.[citation needed] Malak Mir Azam Khan of Ibrahim Khel was leading the army of Batkhela. A new political agency for Dir, Swat and Chitral was established.[5] The first officer to be placed in charge of the new Malakand Agency was Major Harold Arthur Deane(1854–1908).[6][7][8][9][10] 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).[7][9][10][11][12]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/Amandara_Head_Works_%28Batkhela_Water_Canal_Bridge%29.jpg/200px-Amandara_Head_Works_%28Batkhela_Water_Canal_Bridge%29.jpg)
That 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.
Between 1895 and 1912, the British made a huge impact on developmental works and infrastructure. They built roads from Batkhela to Chakdara, raised Chakdara and Malakand forts, set up Levies posts all over Malakand Agency, dug Upper Swat Canal and The Benton Tunnel (locally known as Tandail), constructed headwork's scheme at Batkhela, Churchill Paquet and Jabban Hydropower Station (Jabban Hydropower Plant). Beside those, the most important of all was the Amandara (region in Batkhela) Irrigation Scheme (bridges) which were designed and built by the British firm Ransomes & Rapier, Ltd. Makers of Ipswich in 1912. It is still irrigating a vast land of Sama Tehsil, Mardan and Swabi Districts and Chakdara area of the Lower Dir District.
The British ruled this area until the independence of Pakistan(1947). All the matters of the tribal system were settled through the ‘Jirga System'.[citation needed] 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, the Political Agent exercised his powers as a supreme authority while regular courts were established (Civil & Crime courts) after the year 1974.
Governance
Police in district Malakand are known as Levies and their head or commandant is the Deputy Commissioner. The current Tehsil Nazim of Batkhela is Nasir Khan (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf).
Geography
Batkhela is a 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'.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Batkhela_water_canal_alongside_the_main_G.T._road.jpg/200px-Batkhela_water_canal_alongside_the_main_G.T._road.jpg)
Division
Politically, Batkhela is divided into three union councils: upper, middle, and lower Batkhela.
Demography
According to the 6th Population & Housing Census 2017, the population of Batkhela was declared as 68,200.[1] Data on religious beliefs across the town in the 2017 census shows that 100% of its population has declared themselves to be Muslim.[14]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Water_Canal_alongside_N45.jpg/200px-Water_Canal_alongside_N45.jpg)
People and culture
More than 95% of local residents are Pashtuns, who are the indigenous inhabitants of the region.
Education
The first primary school was opened in Batkhela in 1915 and a high school was opened in Thana (part of Batkhela tehsil) in 1935 by British rulers.[citation needed] At present, there is one degree college for boys, one degree college for girls, two secondary schools for boys and one higher secondary school for girls that are functioning. In addition, there are several private schools and colleges functioning throughout this region. All schools and colleges are affiliated with the Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education (BISE) Malakand.
Media
The District Press Club Malakand at Batkhela has been functional since 1988 in a rented building while reporters attached with the national, regional and local print and electronic media organizations have been performing their duties with devotion and sincerity. The former minister for information had approved funds for a well-equipped press club building at Batkhela during their term. The remaining funds were approved later on. The construction work on the building has been completed now. Soon, it will be inaugurated making the work of local journalists easier. The first-ever "monthly," the Hidayat Nama, was started by the late Muhammad Islam Ajmali who has been regarded as founder of journalism in the area. Later on, Mr. Amjad Ali Khan started his monthly Tasht from Batkhela that was closed after a few years. The Monthly 'Nazar' of Gohar Ali Gohar also closed after two years of circulation. Rab Nawaz Saghir started his 'Akas' that closed, too. Mr. Ihsan ur Rehman Sagar started a monthly Adrash which has been the first-ever declared newspaper from the area. It was made a weekly sometime later and then a daily newspaper, but was delisted by the KP Govt.
References
- ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - LCCN 2007379799.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - ASIN B0006FBFNK.
- ISBN 8120605055.
- ISBN 0330420526.
- ISBN 0754644340.
- ^ ISBN 019562615X.
- ISBN 0025848607.
- ^ ISBN 0195772210.
- ^ ISBN 1860648959.
- OCLC 3131354.
- ISBN 0313322805.
- ISBN 978-1604245486.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)