NAME IMRAN ALI

REG NO 657-FBAS/BSBT/F14

DEPATMENT BIOTECHNOLOGY

Topic History of Buner

FACULTY OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCESINTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD

Introduction:Buner is the district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa located in the north

History of Buner. Valleys of Buner are still echoing with gallant armies of the past, most of them faced military disaster at the hands of militants of these mountains areas. Olaf Caroes has pointed out that the armies of Alexander the Great has passed through Karakar, Daggar, Ambela and Malndrai passes in 327-326 BC. The same route was later on followed by Mughal armies in 1586 AD. This has been referred by Sir Robin Lane Fox in his book “Alexander the Great” and the Olaf Caroes in his book “The Pathan”. The Yousafzai Tribe had occupied Buner shortly before 1519 AD after which the great land settlements by venerated Sheikh Mali had been carried out in this area. Throughout history, even in this time of Alexander the Great. Akbar, Aurang Zeb, the Sikh or the British, the ancient inhabitants and later on the Yousafzai of the area had never remained the subject of any empire.

In 1587 AD Akbar’s armies, had passed through Karakar, Torwarsak, Daggar (Barndu) who were ultimately defeated at Malndrai wherein King Akbar’s beloved Raja Bairbal and his 8,000 men lost their lives. Akbar could not get even the body of Raja Birbal to be burnt. During Sikhs rule over Frontier, they could never enter the area of Buner. This area became sanctuary and strong citadel for the Muslims fighters of Syed Ahmed Shaheed and his followers for about 130 years. The great Syeds of Sitana, Malka and Takhtaband loyally stood in support of those Mujahiddins against the Sikhs and the British. The

people of Swat and Buner got united and formed state, under the rule of the great freedom fighters Syed Akbar Shah Sitana from 1849-1857. After his death in 1857(exactly on the same day the independence War of 1857 started), the area remained without a ruler till 1915 which period is known as “Era of Pukhtoo” where every tribe was ruled by its own elders.

The armies tried to reach Malka, a strong hold of Mujahiddin through Ambela in 1863 AD which resulted in the famous AMBELA WAR. The Raja shamefully failed to achieve the target. The British persuaded the Khans of Buner through Ajab Khan and Aziz Khan of Sudham, District Mardan to strike a deal, who went to British officers, burnt few houses and thus saved their prestige. The British, as per their own record had lost the largest number of British officers and soldiers in a single military expedition in India i.e. 238 dead and 670 injured. They could not establish their rule in Buner till independence in 1947.

The light of Islam had reached the area through Sufis and Ulamas much earlier but shortly after 1000 AD, the forces of Sultan Memood of Ghazna defeated the last Budha ruler Raja Geer under the command of “Pir Khushal” and the Yousafzai tribe started entering Buner and thus spread the religion of Islam. The arrival of Pir Baba (1502-1575 AD) accelerated the spread of Islam in the area. His shrine at Pacha Kalay is still the center of attraction for Muslims throughout sub-continent. In 1915 Syed Abdul Jabbar Shah of Sitana became Badshah of Swat but in 1917 Mian Gul Abdul Wadood manipulated his expulsion from Swat and became a ruler himself. He was succeeded by his son Mina Gul Jehanzeb in 1949. Buner remained as a part of Swat state till it merged with Pakistan. On 29th July 1969. In 1991 Buner was upgraded to the District level.

The whole area is homogenous; however, Hindus and Sikhs minorities are also living in the district since partition in a scattered shape. Local language is Pashto. The Ajars and Gujars from Behrain (Swat) seasonally visit the area and speak Gojri language.

The whole population belongs to Sunni sect of Islam and dress themselves in the traditional Shalwar, Qamees and Chaddar. Hospitality, locals of the areas are divided into sub-tribes known as Khel. Economically, majority of the people are poor while few people are engaged in marble business and are relatively rich. Majority of the people depend on agriculture and livestock.

Races and tribes: The main tribes which are living in the area.

Yousifzai.

The Yousifzai are living in in the southern part of the area.Baba jee Kondow (Baba jee pass) is the natural boundre between the Yousifzai and Mandar tribes of the area.

Mandar

Mandar is another big tribe which is living in Buner. it is said that Mandar's are areas. some of branches of this tribe are also living in Chamla and Kadu Khel the southern of district Buner.

Syed

the Syeds are the descendants of Hazrat Ali. the son law of prophet Muhhamad (P.B.U.H). the Syeds of Buner are the descendants of Syed Ali Tarmazai(Pir Baba) whose pedigrees goes back to Hazrat Ali. Syed Ali Tarmazai (Pir Baba) migrated from Ajmeer Sharif to Buner in the year 1540 on the advice of Shaik Salar Attaullah Roomi for preaching purpose. He got married and stayed here permanently. Syed are settled in every fehsil of Buner. they are very influential and respected everywhere.

Buner - Ambala PassThe famous Ambela Pass, situated in Buner, can easily be approached from Mardan via Shahbaz Garhi and Rustam. It is about 50 kilometers, away from Mardan. The British fought a very tough battle here against Yusufzai Afghan lashkars in 1863. The Muslim graveyard of martyrs, the Bab Ji Kandao, where Hazrat Saidu Baba (RA) camped, the Craig Picket and Eagle's Nest can still be seen at Ambela Pass. This route of Swat is quieter and more scenic than the Malakand Pass. The Malakand area is fettered under the shelter of green and dry mountains. The main road climbs up across 894 meters, to Buner Pass and comes down to China (Pronounced Cheena). Four Kilometers, further is Daggar, from where a newly repaired road leads to Jowar. The 45 kilometers, road from Pir Baba (RA) to Barikot passes through Mount Ilam rising through mature pine forests to 1336 meters high Karakar Pass.

Pacha Kili - the Mazar of Hazrat Pir Baba (RA)

The village of Pacha which can be approached from Daggar, is famous for the Mazar of Hazrat Syed Ali Trimzi known as Hazrat Pir Baba (RA). He lived during the reigns of Babar, Humayun and Akbar the Great and spread the teachings of Islam in the area.

LAW AND ORDER: Buner is famous for its peaceful atmosphere. The ration of crimes as compared to other districts of kpk is very low.

CULTURE & TRADITION: Ethnically and religiously, the whole population of Buner is homogenous. However, Hindus and Sikhs minorities are also living in the district since partition in a scattered shape. The main and common spoken language is Pashto; however, “Ajars” and “Gujjar’s” seasonally visiting Buner also speak Ajari and Gujari languages. The people of Buner belong to Sunni sect of Islam and dresses themselves in the traditional Shalwar Qameez. The people of Buner are divided into “Khel”, Sub-Khel’s/Sub-Tribes. Generally, people prefer to marry within their “Khels”. Socially Buner is a male dominated area and females play negligible role in decision-making. Economically, majority of the people are poor and joint family system is common in the area. Most of the houses are made of mud; however, living standard is gradually improving because many people of Buner are serving abroad. Buner is a rural area with no known urban center. Pir Baba and Sowari Bazar, which the people consider urban settlement, also carry rural features.

Occupation:The people of Buner are mostly farmers and live on what they get from their fields and farms. Due to education, there have been huge advances in the type of profession of Bunerwals. A large number of the educated class is employed by the government. Another segment of the younger generation is employed abroad in countries like Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arab, Qatar, Bronei, Kuwait, Bahrain, USA, Uk, Japan, Hong Kong etc.

Life Style:

Life style of an ordinary Bunerwal is simple.

As the author of the Love Toknow 1911 Encyclopedia states about Bunerwal "Simple and austere in their habits, religious truthful in their ways, hospitable to all who seek shelter amongst them, free from secret assassinations, powerful and warlike tribe, they are bright example of the Pathan character at its best."

Food:Bunerwal like meat dishes, 'fried fish, 'vegetables, 'different kinds of 'Dals,' 'Kari, ' Saag' lawan, 'Chapli Kabab, ' Choli, 'Kolat, 'Polaw, 'Tekki, 'Shomley, 'Masta, 'Kowach, 'etc. Corn bread, wheat bread and rice, are always the main components of each meal. Breads are usually baked in "Tanoor" and on Tabakhey/Tabai. Tanoor Corn bread goes well with "Shomley'/ ' Masta' + 'Chakni' and 'Saag"

"Pikawri" is also very delicious and good at snack time which goes well with "Choley".

"Matyayi, 'Ghunzakhi, Halwa, 'Kakori, 'Masaldara Gora, 'Ladoo, and 'Gulabjaman" are amongst the Bunerwals favorite sweets.

Customs:Pakhtoon customs are similar across the Pakhtoon tribes. They support each other in difficult times and participate in each other's ceremonies which is an integral part of the Buner culture. It is very important to attend wedding parties if invited and compulsory to attend funeral ceremanies, otherwise that person would not be welcomed in the society. During wedding "Janj" a group of people from the groom's house go to the Bride's house to bring the "Dolai" to the groom's house in a very festive an joyful celebration.

Festivals: The people of Buner Valley oberve Eid Ul Fitar and Eid Ul Adha with great joy. Children always look forward to receiving special Eid money from their elders, so that they could enjoy the "Akhtar Melae" (a large gathering of people that celebrate Eid with various entertainment options for all) with their friends. They usually go to Pir BaBa and Qaadar Nagar, Buner's tourist spots.

Total Area of The District: 425756 acres.

Total No. Of Sub-Divisions, Tehsils and Sub-Tehsils in The District:

4 Sub-Divisions, 6 Tehsils and 4 Sub-Tehsils.

Population Per Census 1998.

501143.

Projected Population 2010.

About 800000.

Population Density:

About 300 persons per Square Kilometer.

Annual Growth:

1.03

Literacy Rate:

41 % in male and 12 % in female.

Birth Rate:

3.6

Workable Class:

The main domain of labour class is agriculture. Next to agriculture is Marble Industry. Often the people go abroad for earning their livelihood.

Labour Class:

Labour Class is mainly deployed in Marble Industry. Tobacco industry consumes the potential of the people as well.

Agricultural Land: 135604 acres.

Non-Agricultural Land: 290152 acres.

Natural Forests: Forests cover an area of about 101272 acres wherein Chirr is abundant. Kayl is also found rarely in the hills of Chagharzi.

Educational Institutions in Buner Valley

Institution Male Female Total

Colleges 03 01 04

Higher Secondary Schools 04 02 06

High Schools 37 15 52

Middle School 46 20 66

Primary SchoolsPolytechnic College

42601

157---

58301

Resources:Buner is full of naturel resources. The need is to explore and discover all those resources. This will creat jobs and bring happiness in the valley. And so many of the residents of the valley will not have to go abroad for jobs.

There are around 250 marble industries in Buner District and about 40-50 marble industries are under construction.

Marble sources and export Tobacco Export Limited Resources of Fishing Cultivation of other different crops Tourism Sources for feeding live stock Wheat Crop

Tourism and Beauty of Buner ValleyElum Ghar:

Elum ghar is a mountain of Pir Baba in the Buner District of the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. It lies on the westside of Pir Baba. Its height is approximately 2,800 metres, Mingora, a city of Swat Valley, can be seen from the top of Elum mountain.

Hiking this mountain is a popular activity due to the many gushing streams and beautiful lakes that can be seen while going up the mountain.

Peryano Dand is a rectangular natural lake on the Elum Ghar mountain in Pir Baba, Buner District, kpk, Pakistan.

The lake is actually hosted by a bowl like huge rock. It is surrounded by very high rocks from three sides. It is roughly 20 metres by 10 metres. It stretches east-west in length and north-south in width. Its depth varies from 2 feet to 10 feet. It is shallow on its eastern edge, but very deep on other three sides, especially the north-west side where the waterfall gushes down. There are rocks of different sizes on the eastern side, but the rest of the lake's bottom is sand. The sandy bottom and pleasant scenery make Peryano Dand a popular spot for swimming and diving. The lake is reachable by a substantial hike.

References:http://www.kpktribune.com/buner/index.php/en/culture

http://www.kpktribune.com/buner/index.php/en/resources

http://dcbuner.gkp.pk/

http://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/district-glance-buner

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buner_District

http://tribune.com.pk/story/541877/constituency-profile-buner-has-a-soft-corner-for-left-wing-parties/

http://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/industry

http://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/agriculture-census-wing

http://bunerblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/buner-mpas.html