Sherwan

Last updated
Sherwan
Abbottabad Thumb.png
Sherwan is located in Abbottabad District
Country Pakistan
Province Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
District Abbottabad
Tehsil Abbottabad
Population
 (2017) [1]
  Total9,614

Sherwan is a Tehsil from the Abbottabad District in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, [2] located 35 km west of Abbottabad. Sherwan consists of two adjacent villages. The northern part is referred to as Sherwan Kalan, and the southern as Sherwan Khurd. Sherwan is on a ridge 5,000 feet high in the centre of Lower Tanawal. [3]

Contents

Sherwan is located in a valley which is surrounded by large, forested mountains on three sides. These forests host various wild animals, such as jackals, wolves, pigs, porcupines, foxes, and occasionally leopards. Sherwan is divided into two parts: Sherwan Khurd (small) and Sherwan Kalan (wide). Sherwan Kalan covers a much larger area than Sherwan Khurd. A village called Patheel is on the northeast of Sherwan Union Council. To the west of Sherwan Union Council is another village called Bacha Kalan. A stream called Mangal lies south of the valley; it is home to several fish such as trout, eels, soles, and others.

Location and demographics

Sherwan is 5,000 ft high in the centre of Tanawal. The population of the main Sherwan village, or villages complex, is over 25,000.[ citation needed ] The local language is Hindko; the local people also understand and speak Urdu. The Tanawal was divided into two parts, Upper Tanawal and Lower Tanawal. [4] Sherwan is located in Lower Tanawal. The main tribe of Sherwan is the Tanoli; [5] other tribes include the Gujjars, the Awans, the Syeds, and the Mughals.

Subdivisions

Education and literacy

The literacy rate of Sherwan is high compared to other villages in the area. In 2019, the best teacher of Pakistan award winner, Ejaz Ahmed Tanoli, was from Sherwan (Patheel). His son Osama Muneem Khan (founder of Umeed e Sahar) is also from Sherwan and is known for helping orphans to receive a quality education.

Mussarat Javed Tanoli is a renowned social activist and political personality from Sherwan Khurd, known for his tireless efforts in promoting education, social justice and development in the region. He has been an active voice for social change in Sherwan, working on various initiatives to improve education, healthcare and economic opportunities for the local community. His son Dr. Usman Javed is a remarkable individual who has achieved great success in both religious and professional spheres. He is a Hafiz e Quran, having memorized the Holy Quran at a young age, and has also excelled in his medical career, becoming a doctor. His leadership skills and commitment to his community were evident in his role as a youth councilor for the Village Council of Sherwan. Usman's dedication and hard work have now taken him to England, where he continues to serve as both a Hafiz and a doctor, inspiring others with his unique blend of faith and professionalism. His journey is a testament to his perseverance and passion for making a positive impact in the world around him.

There are many government schools and colleges in Sherwan:

Sherwan also has a police station.

History

Under Turkish rule

Tanawal was a part of Pakhli, which was ruled by Turks for centuries. [6] Sherwan was the capital of Lower Tanawal under the Turks. The last Turkish Wali (governor) of the area was Qias-ud-din during the third quarter of 18th century.[ citation needed ]

Under the rule of the Sikhs

After doing away with Sardar Muhammad Khan Tarin, Bostan Khan Tarin, and others in lower Hazara, the Sikhs tormented and persecuted the population. [7] The Mashwanis of Srikot were forced to migrate from their homelands, and because of this, they were refugees in nearby localities for six to seven years. Many of them crossed the Indus and moved to Swabi. The Sikhs also forcefully conscripted several Mashwani youths in their army. After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikh empire fell prey to disorder and their rule weakened. [8]

In 1849, the Sikhs were finally defeated by the British and the area came under the British jurisdiction in the Hazara district. [9]

Under British rule

The British ruled the region mostly through the local chiefs. [10] Nawab Khan Tanaoli and his allies conquered Sherwan Fort, Sherwan and nearby villages and continued ruling Sherwan. [11]

Fort of Sherwan

Sherwan Fort was built by the Sikhs in 1822 A.D. [12] [13] It was stormed and conquered by Nawab Khan Tanoli. [14] Later, Major James Abbott constructed the interior in a Victorian style. It was auctioned on May 24, 2007. The fort was mentioned by Sir General James Abbott, one of the builders of the British Empire, in his diaries.[ citation needed ]

Economy

Locals grow seasonal grain crops such as maize and wheat. The area of Sherwan has plenty of water and soil rich with nutrients, allowing producers to grow cherries, plums, apples, pears, and apricots. The mountains of Sherwan are full of minerals like soapstone. [15] The largest soapstone deposits of the country are located near Sherwan in Hazara. [16] A huge deposit of soapstone [17] is found in the mountains of a nearby village. [18] A large number of people are also engaged in soapstone mining. The most extensive steatite deposits in Pakistan are found in the Sherwan area of the Hazara District. [19] [20] [21] Iron ore, lead, and magnesite ore are also found in these mountains.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hindko</span> Indo-Aryan language spoken in Pakistan

Hindko is a cover term for a diverse group of Lahnda dialects spoken by several million people of various ethnic backgrounds in several areas in northwestern Pakistan, primarily in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abbottabad District</span> District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abbottabad District is a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is part of the Hazara Division and Hazara region covers an area of 1,969 km2, with the city of Abbottabad being the principal town. Neighbouring districts include Mansehra to the north and Haripur to the west in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muzaffarabad to the east in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Rawalpindi to the south in the Punjab province.

The Tareen is a Pashtun tribe inhabiting southern Afghanistan, and western region of Pakistan.

The Jadoon or Jadun are a Pakhtun tribe residing mostly in the Abbottabad Haripur And partly in Mansehra city of the Hazara Division, and partly in the Swabi district Nowshera Charsadda and Mardan of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Some members of the tribe also live in Nangarhar and Kunar in Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amb (princely state)</span> Former princely state of the British Indian Empire and Pakistan

Amb or the State of Amb was a princely state in the present day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan. Together with Phulra, it was known as Feudal Tanawal ruled by Tanoli tribe. A Royal Tenure start from Timurid Empire and end on Last Nawab Muhammad Farid Khan Tanoli. Amb was only powerful state incorporated in Pakistan with armed civilized military of 12,000 men, 300 Howitzer with their own manufacturing arms factory, today part of the Pakistan Army. Amb had a influence control roots in Swat, Dir and Chitral. A gaining of powerful roots of Amb military start from Second Anglo-Sikh War when East India Company provide military equipment to Jehandad Khan Tanoli to fight against Sikh, and then next British Empire in Second anglo-Afghan War. At the end of December 1947, the Nawab of Amb state acceded to Pakistan while retaining internal self-government. Amb continued as a princely state of Pakistan until 1969, when it was incorporated into the North West Frontier Province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hazara, Pakistan</span> Region in northern Pakistan

Hazara is a region in northern Pakistan, falling administratively within Hazara Division of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It is dominated mainly by the Hindko speaking Hazarewal people, who make up the many native ethnic groups of the region and often called the "Hazarewal".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phulra</span> Princely state of British India

Phulra or the State of Phulra was a Muslim princely state in the days of British Raj and ruled by the Tanoli tribe, located in the region of the North West Frontier to the east of the nearby parent princely state of Amb (Tanawal).

Chamhatti is a village located in newly created Tehsil Lower Tanawal and is the part of Union Council Sherwan of Abbottabad District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.[1] It was an independent union council until 2002 but later on it was merged with Union Council Sherwan. Tanoli is the notable tribe of Chamhatti village and surrounding areas along with some other tribes like Awan, Syed and Gujjer etc. Its neighbouring villages are: Juhna, Dera Sharif, Nakka, Khalabat, Kangar Bala, Kangar Pain, Ahmad Abad, Thathi Ahmad Khan, Namshehra, Kharpir, Kameela, Nechaan, Beri, Chakar Bayaan Khurd and Chakar Bayaan Kalan. Chamhatti is located at a distance of about 25 Kilometers from Mansehra City and a distance of about 50 Kilometers from Abbottabad.

Amirabad is a village of the Union Council of Sherwan in the Abbottabad District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, province, Pakistan, it is located 24 km north west of the city of Abbottabad and 5 km east of Sherwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abbottabad Tehsil</span> Tehsil in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abbottabad Tehsil is an administrative subdivision (tehsil) of Abbottabad District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mir Jehandad Khan</span> Nawab of State of Amb

Nawab Jehandad Khan Tanoli was a chief of Tanoli tribe in the Hazara region of the North-West Frontier of British India and Nawab of Amb. Jehandad Khan Tanoli was the son of Mir Painda Khan, a fighter against the Sikh Empire. He became the ruler of Amb on the death of his father in 1844.

Painda Khan Tanoli was a powerful chief and warrior in Tanawal area of North-West Frontier region of India. Painda Khan's rebellion against the Sikh empire cost him much of his kingdom, leaving only the tract around Amb, with its twin capitals of Amb and Darband.

Hazarewals or Hazarawals also known as Hazara is term used for the multi-ethnic community belonging to the Hazara region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdul Majid Khan Tarin</span>

Khan Abdul Majid Khan Tarin (1877–1939), Khan-Sahib, OBE, was a prominent magistrate, MLA and philanthropist of the North West Frontier Province of former British India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalal Baba</span> Pakistan movement activist

Khan Jalaluddin Khan, aka Jalal Baba, was a Muslim League stalwart and a Pakistan movement activist who served as the 8th Interior Minister of Pakistan under the Premiership of Feroz Khan Noon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarral Shareef</span> Union council in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Jarral is one of the 57 union councils of Abbottabad District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

Muhammad Habib Khan Tarin, Risaldar-Bahadur, CSI, was a cavalry officer of Tarin descent, who lived in the Hazara region on the Punjab Frontier, in British India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suba Khan Tanoli</span> Dewan

Zabardust Khan Tanoli also known by his nick-name Suba Khan Tanoli was a chieftain of the Tanoli tribe, and the Nawab of Kashmir and Mashrik-i-Kandahar present day Khyber Paktunkhwa in 18th century Mughal India. He fought at the Third Battle of Panipat and his intelligence, rifles and zamburak artillery skills contributed to the Afghan victory. He played a considerable part with Ahmed Shah Abdali to fighting against the Sikh and Hindu Jats.

Mir Nawab Khan Tanoli was the ruler of The Tanawal valley and the Chief of the Hazara region from circa 1810 until he died in 1818. During his rule, he faced many attacks from the Sikh Empire and Durrani Empire, resulting in a significant loss of territory. He was 26 years old when he was assassinated by Azim Khan on October 13, 1818 in the Stratagem of Peshawar.

References

  1. "POPULATION AND HOUSEHOLD DETAIL FROM BLOCK TO DISTRICT LEVEL: KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA (ABBOTTABAD DISTRICT)" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. 2018-01-03. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
  2. Administrative Units of District Abbottabad Archived 2007-04-03 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Sherwan is 5,000 ft high, Gazetteer of the Hazara district,1907 By Hubert Digby Watson Sarhad Urdu Academy, 1992, Pg145"
  4. "Tanawal occupies the centre of the District, Abbottabad, Gazetteer of the Hazara District 1883-4, Sang-e-Meel Publications, 2000 "
  5. "Tanolis"Gazetteer of the Hazara District 1883-4, Sang-e-Meel Publications, 2000 - Hazāra District Pakistan - 213 page
  6. Raja Qayasuddin, also ruled Tanawal
  7. Dr SB Panni, 'Tarikh i Hazara' (Urdu: History of Hazara), pub 1969, pp 102-114
  8. Panni, p 109
  9. Hazara gazetteer 1883-84, pub Peshawar, 1884, p. 67
  10. Hazara gazetteer p 67
  11. "Nawab Khan Tanaoli continued from the Sikh rule, given annexation",Report of the land revenue settlement of the Hazara district of the Punjab,E G.Wace 1872 page clxxx
  12. Shewan Fort, General Hari Singh Nalwa: Builder of the Sikh Empire, Autar Singh Sandhu Uppal Publishing House, 1987 - Generals - 140 pages, Pg 124,
  13. History of the Pathans, Volume 1, P. 469
  14. Sherwan Villages, Gazetteer of the Hazara district, 1907, Hubert Digby Watson Sarhad Urdu Academy, 1992 - Hazara (Pakistan: District) - 363 pages, Pg 360
  15. "Soap Stone" Annual Report, Geological Survey Of Pakistan, 1969 Pg156"
  16. "The largest soapstone deposits of the country are located near Sherwan in Hazara, Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Pakistan, Volume 12, The Survey, 1977, Pg119",
  17. "Soap Stone Deposits Of Sherwan In Hazara District", Science and Industry, Volumes 1-2 Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research., 1963 - Science,
  18. Resource base and economic progress of the Peshawar Valley, University of Peshawar. Dept. of Economics 1970 - History - 284 pages
  19. "The most extensive steatite deposits in Pakistan are found in the Sherwan area of the Hazara District, NWFP, Inter-regional Interaction and Urbanism in the Ancient Indus Valley: A ... By Randall William Law (II.)Pg 325,
  20. Pakistan Journal of Scientific Research, Volume 23 Pakistan Association for the Advancement of Science., 1971 - Research,
  21. Pakistan Journal of Science, Volume 43 Pakistan Association for the Advancement of Science., 1991 - Science