City of the Week Kohat

Kohat

Language : Urdu
Phone Code : 0922
Best Time to Visit : April

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 alongwith the northern border of the district. The remnants of the Buddhist day is a road cut off the mountain side, on the western skirts of the Jawaki hills near Kotal Post which leads by an even gradient towards the crest.
The first historical mention of Kohat is to be found in the memoirs of Emperor Babar who visited Kohat in I 1505 AD. Babar in his memoirs calls the inhabitants of the area as Afghan.

After Babar the history of Kohat revolves around two major tribes namely Bangash and Khattak. These people appear to have settled in the district, during 14th am 15th centuries. From 16th to 18th centuries, Kohat remained as a part of Afghanistan Kingdom, administered by the Chiefs of two afore mentioned tribes. In the beginning of 19th century Kohat came under the control of Sikhs who ultimately withdrew leaving to the administrative control of Khan of Teri in 1836 AD.
Kohat was finally annexed to the British dominion on 28th 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. Later on some of the tribe joined with the British Government and helped them in running the affairs of the ar smoothly. Nevertheless, the Britishers were never at peace in this part of their Kingdom 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 put one tribe against the other by giving preference to one against the other and finally succeeded in administration them. An example of British un-rest in this area is the event of the brave Afridi Ajab Khan, who forced to surrender the entire British administration of the district against his demands.

Ethnicity and Tribes
The major tribes are Bangash and Khattak along with Syyed, Awan, Shinwari, Sheikhan and Paracha which form the part of the population of the district. In addition to the above the Afridis from Darra have settled in Babri Banda and the Orakzai Wazir in the adjacent areas of Kohat and Tanda dam. A good number of Indian Refugees, Afghan refugees and Behari repatriates from Bangladesh have settled in Kohat. The major tribes in Frontier Region Kohat are Zarghum Khel , Akhurwal , Sheraki , Toor Chappar and Bosti Khel. Pushto is the predominant language while Hindku is mostly spoken and understood in Kohat city and adjacent areas.

Sects
The population of Kohat district is predominantly sunni. Between sixty to seventy thousands shias are also settled in the district and they stretch from Chikarkot to Kachai (i.e. southern border of Kohat). A large number of Christian families most of whom are employees of Municipal Committee, Cantonme nt 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. These sects are enjoying full religious freedom.

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 a tittle or no perennial flow.

Climate
The climate of the district is hot from May to September. June is the hottest month. The mean, maximum and minimum temperature recorded during June is about 40 C and 27 C respectively. A pleasant change in the weather is noted from October onwards, up till February. The winter is cold and severe. In winter a wrong west wind known as ''Hangu Breeze" often blows down the Miranzai valley towards Kohat for weeks. The mean maximum and minimum temperature, recorded during the month of January, is about 18 C and 6" C respectively.

The rainfall is received throughout the year. The monsoon rain is received from May to October. August is the rainiest month, with an average of about 111 mm. The winter rain occurs from November to April. The highest winter rainfall is received in the month of March. The average annual rainfall is about 546 mm. The maximum humidity has been recorded in the month of August during summer season and in December during the winter season.

IMPORTANT / HISTORICAL PLACES

KOHAT TOWN

Nothing is accurately known about the date when the first town was founded, but the Bangashes built the first selection of houses deserving the name of a town 500 years ago. Presently, the city of Kohat is the Divisional Head Quarter of the Kohat Division and is an important city of the Southern N.W.F.P. It has a high literacy rate with a population of approximately 1,25,000 (1998 census).
There is a large setup of Army within old cantonment area. There is also a fort build by the British Government in the city, which now houses Army establishment.

LACHI
Lachi lies on the Indus Highway on the way to Bannu. It has its own town committee with a population of 15,376 (1998 census). The town has all the basic facilities and presently there is a proposal to convert it into a Tehsil. The population of the area is pre-dominantly Khattak.

SHAKARDARRA
The only other urban center, which has a town committee in Kohat District, is Shakardarra. It also lies toward the Bannu, but is at quite some distance from the main highway. The population of the town committee is 9,403 (1998census). It has a conservative Society with pre-dominantly Khattak population.

KHUSHAL GARH
On the way from Kohat to Islamabad one comes across a small settlement which overlooks the river Indus. This scenic locale is Khushalgarh. The river Indus can be viewed clearly from the rest house, which is perched on a cliff, giving a birds eye view of the river below.

TANDA DAM
Tanda Dam was built in 1960s near Kohat city towards the Hangu district. It is the main source of irrigation to adjoining areas. It has lovely surroundings, which attract a large number of people especially on weekends. The peaceful recreation provided by its natural beauty is unsurpassed.

DARRA
The narrow stretch of territory extending from Handi Side Gate (Kotal) to 'Spina Thana' covering a total distance of about twenty one Kilometers by road is generally referred to as 'Darra' taking its name from the geographical layout of the area.

Darra is famous for the production of arms and ammunition throughout the country. The technical skill attained by these gunsmiths is acknowledged even in foreign countries. It has also become a major source of livelihood for the people of this area.

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