Hinduism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

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Hindus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Animists
Languages
Sanskrit (Sacred)
Urdu, Pashto, Hindko, Saraiki, Punjabi
Historical population[a]
YearPop.±%
1881111,892—    
1891118,881+6.2%
1901128,617+8.2%
1911119,942−6.7%
1921149,881+25.0%
1931142,977−4.6%
1941180,321+26.1%
19512,432−98.7%
19985,368+120.7%
20175,392+0.4%
Sources: Census in Pakistan & Census of India
[1][2][3]: 12–21 [4]: 22 [5]: 373 [6]: 344 

2017 Census
.

Though having a small population, the Hindu culture has had a very significant element in the history of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In the final census conducted prior to partition

religious cleansing accompanying the partition of India in 1947, the vast majority departed the region en masse, primarily migrating eastward to states that ultimately fell on the eastern side of the Radcliffe Line including Delhi, East Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan
.

History

Cast of sardonyx seal representing Vishnu blessing a worshiper 4th-6th century CE. The inscription in cursive Bactrian reads: "Mihira, Vishnu and Shiva".[7]

Ancient era

The

Mahabharatha,[8] The Vedic texts refer to the area as the province of Pushkalavati. The area was once known to be a great center of learning.[9]

Medieval era

See also: Middle kingdoms of India § The_Northwest
Kafir Kot Temple ruins[b] in Dera Ismail Khan District
Bilot Temple ruins[c] in Dera Ismail Khan District
Gumbat Temple ruins in Kohat District

In the first millennium CE, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region was ruled by Hindu-Buddhist Turk Shahi and Hindu Shahi dynasties.[citation needed] During the rule of the Shahis, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region was a center of trade. Textiles, gems, and perfumes, as well as other goods had been exported west and into central Asia.

The Shahis were known for their many Hindu temples. These temples were mostly looted and destroyed by later invaders. The ruins of these temples can be found at

Hindu Shahi struggles.[12]

Over time, Mahmud of Ghazni had pushed further into the subcontinent, as far as east as modern day

pre-Islamic Hindu-Buddhist and Animist local traditions such as Pashtunwali and the Attan.[14]

Colonial era

During the colonial era, census reports detailed that much of the indigenous Hindu population in the

Saraikis.[15][6]

In a similar manner to the

Gangetic plain such as eastern Punjab or the United Provinces.[15][6]

"The names returned as those of

castes have been relaxed... any distinct caste organization is virtually non-existent in rural areas. Outside the towns Hindus still live in a condition of dependance on their Mohammadan overlords. The Arora, the Khatri, or the Bhatia shop-keeper in a village is a hamsaya of the proprietors of the land; that is to say, he lives rent free in a house which does not belong to him, and in return for this, and for being allowed to reside unmolested in the village, has to render certain services to his protectors." [15]
: 93–94 

— Excerpts from the Census of India (North-West Frontier Province), 1911 AD

Traditionally, Hindu members of the castes and tribes who were indigenous to the frontier regions of the

western and central Asia, which they linked with the Indo-Gangetic Plain of India. Conversely, most of the Hindu migrants in the North-West Frontier Province were involved with the military, primarily concentrated in town cantonments.[15][6]

"In Hazara, the northernmost district of the Province, the proportion of Hindus to the total population is the smallest (4 per cent). The reason is not far to seek. The Hindus in the Province, are, in the main, dependent upon trade and military service, as the bulk of the Musalman population is supported by agriculture. There are no important centres of trade in Hazara, nor has it any turbulent tribes on its border, as is the case with all trans-Indus districts. The permanent location of certain Gurkha regiments at Abbottabad may be traced to climatic considerations rather than to any military necessity. From the military point of view as well as from the point of view of trade and commerce, Hazara occupies the least important position in the Province and this accounts for the small percentage of Hindu population in this district." [6]: 95 
"Next to Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu contains the largest proportion of Hindus and the head-quarters town, Edwardesabad [Bannu], is the only town in the Province where the bulk of the population is Hindu. Practically the whole of internal trade of the district and external trade with the Tochi Agency and through it with Afghanistan is in the hands of the Hindus, who have therefore settled in large numbers at Edwardesabad [Bannu] which is a growing town." [6]: 97 
"Dera Ismail Khan has always had the distinction of having the largest proportion of Hindu population. During the last decade the Hindus of no other district showed such improvement in numbers as was noticed in this district (37 per cent). The Powinda trade through the Gomal Pass, which is entirely in the hands of Hindus, is mainly responsible for the large indigenous Hindu population of the district. About 43 per cent of the total Hindus in the district reside at the head-quarters town, which is the chief centre of the Powinda trade." [6]: 98 

— Excerpts from the Census of India (North-West Frontier Province), 1921 AD

Immediately prior to 1947 Partition of India, the British held a referendum in the NWFP to allow voters to choose between joining India or Pakistan and 99.02% votes were cast in favor of Pakistan.[16] After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, most of the Hindus left for India.[17]

Demographics

Atma Ram in Peshawar, circa 1847[18]
Ancient Hindu wood carving from Kashmir Smast in Peshawar District, 1880s
Hindu Sadhus at the Bannu Bazaar, 1913
Hindu village woman and daughter in Bannu District, 1913
Hindu selling sweets at the Bannu Juma Bazaar, 1913
Hindus and Sikhs of Bannu migrating to India during the partition of 1947.

During the colonial era (British India), prior to the partition in 1947, decadal censuses enumerated religion in North-West Frontier Province, and not in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Both administrative divisions later amalgamated to become Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Colonial era

According to the 1921 census, the Hindu population in North-West Frontier Province (part of the region that composes contemporary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) was approximately 149,881, or 6.7 percent of the total population.[6]: 344–345 

According to the 1941 census, the Hindu population in North-West Frontier Province (part of the region that composes contemporary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) was approximately 180,321, or 5.9 percent of the total population.[4]: 22 

Districts

At the district level in North-West Frontier Province, as per the 1921 census, the largest Hindu concentrations existed in Dera Ismail Khan District (Hindus formed 15.08 percent of the total population and numbered 39,311 persons), Bannu District (9.53 percent or 23,509 persons), and Kohat District (6.01 percent or 12,879 persons).[6]: 344–346 

At the district level in North-West Frontier Province, as per the 1941 census, the largest Hindu concentrations existed in Dera Ismail Khan District (Hindus formed 13.14 percent of the total population and numbered 39,167 persons), Bannu District (10.63 percent or 31,471 persons), and Kohat District (6.06 percent or 17,527 persons).

Hindus in the districts of North–West Frontier Province (1921–1941)
District 1921[6]: 344–346  1931[5]: 373–375  1941[4]: 22–23 
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Peshawar District 48,144 5.31% 42,321 4.34% 51,212 6.01%
Dera Ismail Khan District 39,311 15.08% 35,822 13.07% 39,167 13.14%
Hazara District 26,038 4.18% 25,260 3.77% 30,267 3.8%
Bannu District 23,509 9.53% 26,181 9.69% 31,471 10.63%
Kohat District 12,879 6.01% 13,393 5.67% 17,527 6.06%
Mardan District — — — — 10,677 2.11%
Total Hindus 149,881 6.66% 142,977 5.9% 180,321 5.94%
Total Population 2,251,340 100% 2,425,076 100% 3,038,067 100%

Tehsils

At the

Peshawar Tehsil (9.65 percent or 25,414 persons).[6]
: 510–516 

At the

Peshawar Tehsil (8.62 percent or 33,551 persons).[4]
: 30 

Hindus in the tehsils of North–West Frontier Province (1921–1941)
Tehsil 1921[6]: 510–516  1931[5]: 393–396  1941[4]: 30 
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Peshawar Tehsil
 25,414 9.65% 23,538 8.44% 33,551 8.62%
Dera Ismail Khan Tehsil 24,685 15.82% 25,982 15.19% 30,065 16.03%
Bannu Tehsil 16,130 11.32% 17,789 10.99% 24,517 13.07%
Abbottabad Tehsil 13,580 5.85% 13,378 5.27% 17,558 5.69%
Nowshera Tehsil 10,638 7.15% 9,271 5.77% 15,128 6.93%
Tank Tehsil 10,224 17.14% 5,109 9.98% 5,279 9.48%
Marwat Tehsil 7,379 7.08% 8,392 7.74% 6,954 6.42%
Haripur Tehsil 7,362 4.54% 7,016 4.13% 7,278 3.87%
Mardan Tehsil 6,846 3.99% 5,941 2.99% 8,709 2.91%
Kohat Tehsil 6,415 8.31% 7,615 8.62% 9,156 7.99%
Mansehra Tehsil 4,592 2.29% 4,308 2.06% 4,910 2.02%
Kulachi Tehsil 4,402 9.76% 4,731 9.12% 3,823 6.97%
Hangu Tehsil 4,225 9.45% 2,990 6.65% 5,909 9.52%
Swabi Tehsil 3,063 1.92% 1,426 0.9% 1,968 0.95%
Teri Tehsil 2,239 2.43% 2,788 2.71% 2,462 2.18%
Charsadda Tehsil 2,183 1.33% 2,145 1.21% 2,533 1.04%
Amb Tehsil 440 2.02% 509 1.63% 433 0.9%
Phulra Tehsil 64 1.12% 49 0.74% 88 1.01%
Total Hindus 149,881 6.66% 142,977 5.9% 180,321 5.94%
Total Population 2,251,340 100% 2,425,076 100% 3,038,067 100%

Cities

According to the 1921 census, the Hindu population in urban portions of

Cities/urban areas in North-West Frontier Province with the largest Hindu concentrations included Bannu (Hindus formed 59.4 percent of the total population and numbered 13,222 persons), Abbottabad (53.94 percent or 7,346 persons), Jamrud (50.82 percent or 3,114 persons), Haripur (44.76 percent or 2,636 persons), and Dera Ismail Khan (43.41 percent or 17,077 persons).[6]
: 340–342 

According to the 1941 census, the Hindu population in urban portions of

Cities/urban areas in North-West Frontier Province with the largest Hindu concentrations included Bannu (Hindus formed 57.59 percent of the total population and numbered 22,175 persons), Dera Ismail Khan (44.47 percent or 22,815 persons), Risalpur (43.71 percent or 3,937 persons), Abbottabad (43.34 percent or 11,886 persons), and Lakki (36.58 percent or 3,710 persons).[4]
: 19 

Hindus in the
cities of North-West Frontier Province
(1921–1941)
City/Urban Area 1921[6]: 340–342  1931[5]: 257–259  1941[4]: 19 
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Peshawar[d] 20,981 20.09% 21,973 18.03% 31,630 18.24%
Dera Ismail Khan[d] 17,077 43.41% 16,761 41.56% 22,815 44.47%
Bannu[d] 13,222 59.4% 15,036 49.24% 22,175 57.59%
Abbottabad[d] 7,346 53.94% 7,753 47.96% 11,886 43.34%
Nowshera[e] 6,192 22.32% 4,675 16.14% 9,831 22.33%
Kohat[d] 5,796 20.81% 6,709 19.53% 8,250 18.34%
Tank[f] 4,197 38.7% 2,244 34.95% 3,296 36.26%
Risalpur 3,369 39.64% 2,900 36.18% 3,937 43.71%
Mardan[d] 3,220 29.46% 3,605 13.72% 5,851 13.77%
Jamrud 3,114 50.82% — — — —
Haripur 2,636 44.76% 2,693 35.19% 3,113 33.39%
Lakki[f] 2,543 34.02% 2,805 36.41% 3,710 36.58%
Kulachi[f] 2,162 27.38% 2,182 25.9% 2,092 23.67%
Nawan Shehr[f] 1,052 20.66% 883 17.21% 1,030 16.06%
Baffa[f] 861 11.32% 762 10.5% 735 9.2%
Charsadda 484 4.73% 519 4.5% 745 4.42%
Tangi 314 3.19% 362 4.17% 444 3.44%
Cherat 80 30.65% 158 18.74% 30 8.9%
Parang 16 0.16% 16 0.16% 2 0.01%
Mansehra — — 1,091 18.88% 1,699 16.63%
Kot Najibullah — — — — 929 17.48%
Utmanzai — — — — 182 1.8%
Total Urban Hindu Population 94,662 28.19% 93,127 24.12% 134,382 24.34%
Total Urban Population 335,849 100% 386,177 100% 552,193 100%

Modern era

According to the

1998 Census, there are 5,090 Hindus (including the Scheduled Castes) constituting 0.029% of the population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[19]

In the

2017 Census, there were 5,392 Hindus constitutes 0.015% of the population.[20] However, Pakistan Hindu Council estimates that there are 21,033 Hindus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[21]

Community life

In

Taliban for failing to pay Jizya (religious tax). Due to this, more than 150 Sikhs and Hindu families in Pakistan's have moved to Hasan Abdal and Rawalpindi in Punjab in 2009.[23]

The

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.[27]

Mansehra Shiv Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Pakistan that is still in existence. It is at least 2000[28] to 3000 years old.[29] Panj Tirath is another historic Hindu temple in Pakistan.[30][31] In 2020, Karak temple attack, historic Hindu temple and Samadhi in Karak district was demolished and burnt by a mob of 1,500 local Muslims led by a local Islamic cleric and the supporters of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party.[32][33]

Temples

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Pre-partition populations for religious data is for North-West Frontier Province only and excludes the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (both administrative divisions later merged to form Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018), as religious data was not collected in the latter region at the time.
    1951, 1998, and 2017 populations for religious data combine the North-West Frontier Province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas, both administrative divisions which later merged to form Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018.
  2. ^ Temple D—per Meiser's designations—near the main gateway to the north. The complex has four temples.
  3. ^ Temple B, per Meiser's designations. The complex has eight temples.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Includes total Municipality and Cantonment population.
  5. Notified area
    population.
  6. ^
    Notified area
    population.

References

  1. ^ "TABLE 9 - POPULATION BY SEX, RELIGION AND RURAL/URBAN" (PDF). Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Population Distribution by Religion, 1998 Census" (PDF). Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  3. ^ "CENSUS OF PAKISTAN, 1951 POPULATION ACCORDING TO RELIGION TABLE 6" (PDF). Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  4. ^
    JSTOR saoa.crl.28215543
    . Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  5. ^
    JSTOR saoa.crl.25793233
    . Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  6. ^
    JSTOR saoa.crl.25430163
    . Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  7. ^ Buddhism in Central Asia by Baij Nath Puri p.131
  8. ^ "Imperial Gazetteer2 of India, Volume 19, page 148 – Imperial Gazetteer of India – Digital South Asia Library". Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  9. ^ Bhattacharya, Avijeet. Journeys on the Silk Road Through Ages. Zorba. p. 187.
  10. ^ a b (Wynbrandt 2009, pp. 52–54)
  11. ^ (Wink 1991, p. 125)
  12. ^ (Holt et al 1977, p. 3)
  13. ^ (Wynbrandt 2009, pp. 52–55)
  14. ^ (Tomsen 2013, p. 56)
  15. ^ a b c d e f g "CENSUS OF INDIA, 1911 VOLUME XIII NORTH-WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE". Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  16. ISBN 9780275978785
    . Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  17. ISBN 978-0-231-13847-5
    .
  18. Mohammad Murad Beg of Kunduz
    .
  19. ^ "Population Distribution by Religion, 1998 Census" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 December 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  20. ^ "SALIENT FEATURES OF FINAL RESULTS CENSUS-2017" (PDF). Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  21. ^ "Hindu Population (PK) – Pakistan Hindu Council". Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. ^ "Across religious divides: A harmonious haven for Hindus in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa". The Express Tribune. 14 October 2019.
  23. ^ "Sikhs and Hindu families move to Pak Punjab". NDTV. 3 May 2009.
  24. ^ Witzel, Michael (2004), "Kalash Religion (extract from 'The Ṛgvedic Religious System and its Central Asian and Hindukush Antecedents')" (PDF), in A. Griffiths; J. E. M. Houben (eds.), The Vedas: Texts, Language and Ritual, Groningen: Forsten, pp. 581–636
  25. ^ pace Fussman 1977
  26. ^ Akbar, Ali (4 April 2017). "Peshawar High Court orders govt to include Kalasha religion in census". Dawn. Retrieved 11 July 2017. Kalasha, the religion followed by Kalash community, lies between Islam and an ancient form of Hinduism.
  27. PMID 27459054
    .
  28. ^ "Pakistan prepares to hold a major Hindu festival Maha Shivaratri". Asia. Gulf News. TNN. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  29. ^ "Mansehra's Shiv temple". Fridaytimes. TNN. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  30. ^ "Panj Tirath: Heritage Lost to the Ravages of Time". The Friday Times. 2019-02-15. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  31. ^ Scroll Staff. "Pakistan declares ancient Hindu religious site Panj Tirath to be national heritage". Scroll.in.
  32. ^ "Pakistan arrests more than a dozen over Hindu temple attack". Aljazeera. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  33. ^ Imtiaz Ahmad (31 December 2020). "Hindu temple in Pakistan vandalised, set on fire". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 4 June 2021.

Works cited

External links
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