Kohat
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| {{{official_name}}} کوهاټ |
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| Coordinates: 33°21′N 71°16′E / 33.35°N 71.26°E | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Government | |
| • MNA (NA-14) | Pir Dilawar Shah |
| • MPA (PK-37 Kohat-1) | Amjid khan Afridi |
| • MPA (PK-39 Kohat-3) | Iqbal Din |
| • MPA (PK-38 Kohat-2) | Qalb-e-Hassan |
| Elevation | 489 m (1,604 ft) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
| Calling code | 0922 |
| Number of Union councils | 6 |
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Kohat (Pashto: کوهاټ) is a medium sized town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is located at 33°35'13N 71°26'29E with an altitude of 489 metres (1607 feet)[1] and is the capital of Kohat District. The town centres around a British-era fort, various bazaars, and a military cantonment. A British-built narrow gauge railway runs through the town. Kohat Pass is to the north.
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[edit] Ancient history
| “ | The early history of the district is limited to the vaguest traditions. It is said that in the Buddhist times, two Rajas named Adh and Kohat settled along with the northern border of the district. Raja Kohat gave his name to the town of Kohat, and Raja Adh to the ruins of an old fort on the hill side north of the Muhammadzai, a village four miles to the west of Kohat[2] | ” |
The only other remnants of the Buddhist days is a road cut off the mountain side,[2] on the western skirts of the Jawaki hills near Kotal Post which leads by an even gradient towards the crest.
[edit] Kohat Bangash attacked by Babur
| “ | He then narrates that in the year AD 1505, when at Peshawar he was induced by Baki Cheghaniani to visit Kohat on the false hope of obtaining rich booty Babar had never heard even the name of Kohat He reached the town through the Kohat pass in two marches and fell on it in luncheon time. After plundering it he sent foraging parties as far as Indus. Bullocks buffaloes and grain wee the only plunder. He released his Afghan prisoners. After two days he marched up the valley towards "Bangash". when he reached a narrow part of the valley, the hillmen of Kohat and that quarter crowded the hills on both flanks, raised the war shout and made a loud clamour. At last they foolishly occupied a detached hill. Now was Babar's opportunity. He sent a force to cut them off from the hills. About a hundred and fifty were killed . Many prisoners were taken. These put grass in their mouths in token of submission, being as much as to say "I am your ox", a custom which Babar first noticed here. Notwithstanding he had them beheaded at once. A minaret of their heads was erected at the next camping place. The next day he reached Hangu. Here again he met with resistance. The Afghans held a fortified Sangar, which was stormed by Babur's troops, who cut off the heads of one or two hundred of them for another minaret.[2] | ” |
Kohat has mix population of Pashto and Hindko speakers. There is a partial parda system in Kohat.
[edit] Sikh invasion and British rule
In the beginning of nineteenth century Kohat came under the control of Sikhs, Ranjit Singh first marched to Peshawar was 1819. Kohat was annexed to the British dominion on 28 March 1849 with the rest of Punjab and an assistant commissioner was posted here to run the administration and to look after the British interests. In the initial stages of the British administration, the locals of the area posed considerable problems, although some tribes later joined with the British Government and helped them in running the area. Nevertheless, the British were never at peace in this part of their empire as resistance and opposition always cropped from one quarter or the other. But their tactics of "Divide and Rule" ultimately strengthened their hold over the region. They pitted one tribe against the other by giving preference to one over the other and finally succeeded in administering them.[citation needed] An example of unrest against the British Empire are the actions of Afridi Ajab Khan, who forced the entire British administration of the district to surrender to his demands.[citation needed]
[edit] Ethnicity and tribes
The Pashtuns constitute major ethnic group in Kohat, and a Hindkowan population also exist that is almost 15 per cent of the total population of the district. The word Kohat is a Hindko word which means the market or bazaar surrounded by mountains. Kohat is also home to a number of Afghan refugees. The Pashtun tribes which inhabit the city include:
- Bangash
- Khattak
- Orakzai
- Afridi (not to be confused with the Adamkhel Afridis of FR Kohat or Darra Adamkhel)
- Niazi
- Shinwari
- Tanoli
- Durrani
The Hindko speaking tribes and clans include:
[edit] Religion
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The population of Kohat district is Muslim, the Sunni predominate and there is also large Shias population settled in the district and they stretch from Chikarkot Bala, Sherkot to Kachai (i.e. southern border of Kohat). Usterzai Payan is the largest village of Shia. According to the Local authorities around 3,300 Shia families live in Kohat district. Chali Bagh, Jauzara, and Kachai(Katsi) are famous for their natural springs. People come here in summer day from far of places. There are some Christian families, which settled during the British colonial rule, Cantonment Board and defence services also reside in Kohat city and Cantonment area. Some scattered families of Hindus also reside in Kohat, Kachai and Marai while a good numbers of Balmiks are employed in various local bodies.
There are different opinions in Muslims on having constructing tombs and celebrating Urs. It is said that Islam forbids to strengthen (or cement, reinforce) the graves and to hold Carnival on graves. According to Muhammad ordered Ali ibne Talib at the conquest of Makkah to level down high graves to the ground. It is also forbidden to make the graves a place of worship.
[edit] Geography
The total area of the district is 2545 square kilometres.
[edit] Topography
The topography of the district is dominated by the mountains and hills. In the northwest of the district the important ranges include lower Miranzai and Bangash, which run in an eastwest direction. Further in the south is Kamar -Tanda. The height of these ranges varies from 650 to 1000 meters above the sea level. In the northeast the Sowaki and Adan Khel hills run in a southwest -northeast direction. These hills gradually rise in the extreme northeastern part of the district. The intervening open valleys between the hills are seldom more than eight kilometres in width. The Kohat valley is most important agriculturally rich area. Generally, the district is elevated and the ranges attain only inconsiderable heights above the plain area. The headquarter town of Kohat is more than 550 meters above the sea level.
[edit] Rivers and streams
The river Indus forms the eastern boundary of the district, which separates it from the province of Punjab. Kohat Toi is a principal stream, which enters from Hangu district and flowing to east and southeast, drains into river Indus. The river has a small perennial flow, which disappears before it reaches the town of Kohat, it reappears again at some distance down stream and then flows continuously to the Indus. The Kohat Toi has several small torrents or tributaries, which join it at different places. Another, stream Teri Toi, which flows from west to east, in the southern half of the district, joins the river Indus. The river has little or no perennial flow.
[edit] Flora
The common trees are ber, Blueberry, olea 'gavavas etc. All kinds of roses, bougainvillea, and other seasonal flowers are planted and sown in the district.[3]
[edit] Fauna
Typical wildlife found in the district are hare, jackal, wolf, fox, wild cat, black partridge, grey partridge, urial, chinkara, blue bull, hogdeer, water fowl.
[edit] Education
Before the partition only two High School were in Kohat city one Islima High School and 2nd was Barathery High School and now there are several school and colleges both under private and public sector. Below is the list of most famous educational institutions in Kohat
ǀ Ibne Sina Science Academy Kotal Town Kohat
| Private sector | Public sector |
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| Iqra Public School Kohat | Govt Higher secondery School No.1 for Boys |
| Muhammadan Educational Academy Pir khel | Govt High School No.2 for Boys |
| Indus Public High School | Govt High School No.3 for Boys |
| The Knowledge Home | Govt High School No.4 for Boys |
| Imran Public High School | Govt High School No.5 for Boys |
| Tarbiat Foundation Academy Kohat | Islamia Higher Secondary School No.2 for Girls |
| St. Joseph Covent High School Kohat | Fauji Foundation Model Schools Kohat |
| City School, Kohat | Cadet College Kohat |
| Eductors School Kda Kohat | Fazaia Inter College Kohat |
| Preston University, Kohat | F.G Public High School Kohat Cantt |
| Al-Asar Academy Usterzai Payan Kohat | Army Public School & College Kohat |
| Govt Post Graduate College Kohat (Men) | |
| Govt Post Graduate College # 2 Kohat (Men) | |
| Govt Post Graduate College Kohat (Women) | |
| Govt Commerce College Kohat | |
| Govt Poly Technic Institute Kohat | |
| Kohat University of Science & Technology | |
| Virtual University of Pakistan | |
| Garrison Cadet College Kohat |
[edit] Media
- Radio Pakistan Kohat
- Kohat Press Club
[edit] Transport
List of airports in Pakistan, Kohat Airbase
Much of the transport is privately operated within the city limits. There are also many buses that pass through the city via the Indus Highway. Most going to Peshawar and running between Bannu, D.I. Khan, Islamabad and rest of Pakistan. The railway line is operated between Kohat and Rawalpindi only.
There is a total of 372 kilometres of metalled roads in the district.[citation needed] Indus Highway passes through the district. Some of the main roads include (i) Kohat Khushal Garh road (ii) Kohat Hangu road (iii) Kohat Dhoda Guddi road (iv) Jata Shakardara road (v) Kohat Tunnel Road (All Traffic From Pukhtonkhwa to Sind goes through this road.
Due to demand from the people for a tunnel at the Kotal hills, the Government has recently sanctioned a huge amount for this project, benefiting all the southern districts. Tunnel was completed in 2004. The following are some salient features of the project.
- Total project cost: 6626.75 millions
- Total length of approached road: 29.8 kilometres
- Length of north section: 7.7 kilometres
- Length of south section: 22.20 kilometres
- Length of tunnel: 1.89 kilometres
- Width of tunnel: 10.3 meters
- Black topped: 7.3 meters
- Shoulders: 3.0 meters
- Time of completion: 48 months
[edit] Utility services
The city is facilitated with two dams; Tanda Dam and Gandiali Dam.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Sarhad Tourism Corporation, Government of NWFP, Pakistan
- [2]
- Members National Assembly
- Members Provincial Assembly
[edit] References
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