Kohat
Calling code 0922Kohat 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) 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.
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.
The only other remnants of the Buddhist days 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.
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. Kohat has mix population of Pashto and Hindko speakers. It is the land of Gayoor and Hhairatman Pathans. Partial parda system is in Kohat. In the beginning of 19th century Kohat came under the control of Sikhs, Ranjit Singh first marched to Peshawar was 1819. The Sikhs possessed almost no control over the territories beyond the Jhelum, which were captured as a direct result of British financing at a time when the Pashtuns were locked in civil war. The Sikhs lost thousands in their futile campaigns in the north west and whatever minimal gains they had made was directly due to British influence who subsequently took over day to day affairs and annexed the territory. Kohat was finally 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 of the tribe later joined with the British Government and helped them in running the area. 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 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.
The Pashtuns constitute major ethnic group in Kohat, and a Hindkowan population also exist that is almost 40 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
* Niazi
* Shinwari
* Tanoli
* Durrani
* Kayani
* Banuri
* Naqvi
* Awan
* Piracha
Many Hindko speakers use titles like Syed, Mian or Gillani in their names, as do some Niazis.
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. 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. These sects are enjoying full religious freedom.
Geography
Location of Kohat District (highlighted in red) within the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. In Buddhist times, two Rajas namely Adh and Kohat settled along the northern border of the district. Raja Kohat gave his name to the town of Kohat and Raja Adh to the fort, the ruins of which are found on the hill side north of Muhammadzai, a village 6 kilometres to the west of Kohat. Another version about this name is that it is a combination of two words, "Koh and Hat" meaning mountain market i.e. a bazar situated in the mountain, although that is disputed as Koh, meaning 'hill' is Persian and Hat (pronounced as 'Hut' is a Sanskrit word. Words from these two languages are rarely combined to form one word.Education
Kohat University of Science & Technology, Preston University Kohat. Cadet College Kohat, Garrison Cadet College Kohat, Al Asar Public School and College Frontier Education Foundation Academy, Postgraduate College for Boys, Postgraduate College for Women, Army Public School & College, Fazaia College and Peace Associates.Photos for Kohat
