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Battagram District

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Battagram
ضلع بٹگرام
بټګرام ولسوالۍ‎
District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Battagram District (red) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Battagram District (red) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Coordinates: 34°25′N 73°06′E / 34.41°N 73.1°E / 34.41; 73.1
Country Pakistan
Province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
DivisionHazara
RegionMulk E Pakhal
EstablishedJuly 1993
Founded bySwati tribe
City HallBattagram
Government
 • TypeDistrict Administration
 • MNAPrince Nawaz Khan Swati (Pakistan Tehreek Insaf)
 • MPA Battagram-IEngr Zubair Khan Swati
 • MPA Battagram-IITaj Muhammad Khan Swati
Area
 • Total1,301 km2 (502 sq mi)
Elevation
1,038 m (3,406 ft)
Population
 (2023)[1]
 • Total554,133
 • Density430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC5 (PST)
Zip/Postal Code
21040
Area code0997
Number of Tehsils1
Websitebattagram.kp.gov.pk

Battagram (Pashto: بټګرام ولسوالۍ, Urdu: ضلع بٹگرام) is a tribal district in Hazara Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan.[2][3][4] The headquarter is Battagram city, which is about 75 km from Mansehra city.[2] It was part of historic Yaghistan(Independent Territory) before 1955. Later in 1955, It was merged into Pakistan and made part of neighboring Mansehra District with the status of Tehsil. It was officially separated from Mansehra District on July 1993 and was given the status of district. Battagram District was ruled by many different Khans, all belonging to the Swati tribe.

Overview and history

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The district of Battagram is located at a latitude of 34.41 and longitude of 73.1. It is surrounded by Kohistan District to the north, Mansehra District to the east, (Torghar District) to the south, and Shangla District to the west.[2]

It has a land area of 1,301 square kilometres (502 sq mi). Battagram obtained the status of a district in July 1993, when it was upgraded from a Tehsil and separated from Mansehra District.[5]

Location and Altitude

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  • Battagram is situated at 34°41’N 73°1’E and has an altitude of approximately 1,038 meters (3,408 feet) above sea level.
  • It is nestled amidst the picturesque mountains of northern Pakistan.

Climate

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  • Battagram experiences a mild and generally warm climate.
  • The average temperature hovers around 18.5 °C (65.3 °F), and the annual precipitation averages about 1,427 millimeters (56.18 inches).
  • June is the hottest month, while January is the coldest.

Education

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  • Several schools and colleges contribute to improving the literacy rate in the area.
  • NGOs and foreign funds have played a role in building schools to enhance education.

Historical Significance

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  • It was conquered by Swatis under Sultan Pakhal Gibari Swati in 1190 CE who made it part of Swat Sultanate.
  • Some of its area was conquered by Amir Taimur which led to establishment of local Turk Kingdom known as "Pakhli Sarkar".
  • Area of Battagram District which was ruled by Turks was again conquered by Swatis in 1644 under Akhun Salak Baba who were finding more area to live after losing their former capital Swat.
  • Battagram was never ruled by a foreign power during the medieval era.
  • Battagram District is famous for Black Mountain Expeditions when Khan of Allai Arsala Khan Swati, Malik of Thakot Abdul Qadir Khan Swati and all other Khans of this area resisted the British army for 35 years and at last lost in 1891 expedition but maintained independency till 1955.
  • The valley was ruled by tribal Khans, all belonging to the Swati tribe until they signed the Instrument of Accession with Pakistan in 1955.
  • It was called Yaghistan (A term used for areas which were out of British control )

2005 Earthquake

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  • Battagram was significantly affected by the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005.
  • More than 4,500 people lost their lives, and approximately 35,000 were injured.
Shingli Bala Village, Battagram
Thakot Bridge, Battagram
Govt Degree College Chappargram, Battagram

District Status

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  • Battagram obtained the status of a district in July 1993, previously being a tehsil of Mansehra District.
  • The struggle led by Mr. Yousaf Khan Swati, A Khan of Trand resulted in its elevation to a separate district

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1961 94,357—    
1972 174,009+5.72%
1981 339,119+7.70%
1998 307,278−0.58%
2017 476,749+2.34%
2023554,133+2.54%
Sources:[6]

In the 2023 Census, 1,235 (0.22%) people in the district were from religious minorities, mainly Christians.[7] Pashto was spoken by 81.94% of the population.[8]

Languages of Battagram district (2023)

  Pashto (81.94%)
  Hindko (3.85%)
  Other (14.21%)

At the time of the 2023 census, 81.94% of the population spoke Pashto and 3.85% Hindko as their first language.[8]

Administration

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The district has geographical borders with the districts of Kohistan to the north, Mansehra to the east and southeast, Torghar to the south and Shangla to the west. The district consists of only one sub-division or Tehsil, containing 12 in total. Union Councils:[9]

In 2022, Allai Tehsil was separated and upgraded to District status.

Tehsil Urdu name Pashto name No. of Unions Name of Unions Remarks
Allai Tehsil تحصیل آلائی الائي تحصیل‎ 8 Banna, Bateela, Batkul‚ Biari, Jambera, Pashto, Rashang and Sakargah In 2022, Upgraded to

Allai District

Batagram Tehsil تحصیل بٹگرام بټګرام تحصیل‎ 12 Ajmera, Banian, Battagram, Batamori, Gijbori, Kuza Banda, Paimal Sharif, Peshora, Rajdhari, Shumlai, Thakot and Trand

Provincial Assembly

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Member of Provincial Assembly Party Affiliation Constituency Year
Zubair Khan Swati (Allai Khan) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Pk-34 Battagram-I 2024
Taj Muhammad Khan Swati (Trand Khan) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Pk-35 Battagram-II 2024

2005 earthquake

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Main article: 2005 Kashmir earthquake

Battagram was one of the areas affected by the Pakistan earthquake of October 8, 2005 when more than 4,500 people were killed and approximately 35,000 were injured.[2][10] Many residents of the area were rendered homeless and without shelter. Since October 8, 2005, the NGOs and the governmental organization Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority have been engaged in reconstruction work but as of 2009, the reconstruction work is not completed. In some cases residents have rebuilt houses themselves.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "District Wise Results / Tables (Census - 2023)" (PDF). www.pbscensus.gov.pk. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  2. ^ a b c d "District Profile BATTAGRAM (PDF)" (PDF). www.erra.pk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-30. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  3. ^ Correspondent, A (2017-09-29). "Hazara varsity campus sought in Battagram". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  4. ^ "Abaseen division to be approved after population census: Hoti". The Nation. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  5. ^ PCO 1998, p. 18.
  6. ^ "Population by administrative units 1951-1998" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  7. ^ "Pakistan Census 2023" (PDF).
  8. ^ a b "Pakistan Census 2023" (PDF).
  9. ^ Tehsils & Unions in the District of Battagram – Government of Pakistan, NRB, archived from the original on 9 February 2012, retrieved 19 March 2012
  10. ^ "Aftermath: What if a killer earthquake were to strike Karachi - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 2012-07-29. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  11. ^ "NRC PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE SITUATION REPORT – WEEK ENDING 5TH FEB 2006" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-08. Retrieved 2017-12-02.

Bibliography

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  • 1981 District Census report of Mansehra. District Census Report. Vol. 23. Islamabad: Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan. 1983.
  • 1998 District Census report of Batagram. Census publication. Vol. 18. Islamabad: Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan. 1999.
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