Birote

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Birote is a local governing area known as a Union Council (UC) in the Abbottabad District on right bank of the Jhelum River in Pakistan between the borders of Punjab and Kashmir.^[1] It is a well educated and culturally rich Union Council within the Bakote Circle area.

Contents 1 Birote Kalan and Khurd 2 The origin of Birote 3 Birote sub divisions 3.1 Basian 3.2 Notable persons of Basian 3.3 Termuthean 3.4 Kahoo 3.5 Juleal 4 Birote Khurd 4.1 Bhan 4.2 Hotrole 4.3 Hotrerhi 4.4 Sangrerhi 4.5 Mohrha 4.6 Lohwur 4.7 Naker Qutbal 4.8 Naker Qutbal 5 Union Councils Heads 6 The highest and lowest places 6.1 Mukeshpuri 6.2 Manwan ni hell 7 Geography and ethnicity 8 Scholars of Birote 9 Transport 10 Historical Notes 11 References and notes

[edit] Birote Kalan and Khurd

Birote ^[2] has a diverse population consisting of educators, lawyers, journalists, doctors, writers, poets and teachers. There are 43 mosques, 8 Medaris, 40 primary schools, 2 higher secondary schools (one for boys and the other for girls). The area was well known throughout the province for its Golden Apples but now Rawalpindi supplies apples to the area. The main tribe of Birote is Dhond Abbasi, however, there are Alvi Awan, Avan, Syeds, Mughals, Bhati Rajpoot and many other tribes here. The first chairman of this Union Council was Sardar Mohammed Irfan in 1962. The total population of Birote is 23,000 as of the 1998 census. Two roads link here: the Kashmir Highway and the Upper Dewal Kohala Road also known as Khaqan Abbasi Road which has heavy traffic day and night. Birote has a bank and a post office.

[edit] The origin of Birote

The word Birote is derived from two words: beer and wet which eventually evolved to become Bi+rote or bee+rote. Beer means wrestler and wet means place. In the past Birote was famous for wrestling and related sports. Old-timers often talk about a piece of land situated near the Higher Secondary School of Birote, which was famous for wrestling. Another explanation which older residents recount is that Birote is a combination of two other words: bee meaning 20 and rote meaning bread.^[3] Prior to being Birote the place was called Bermang which means a very beautiful place. Another name was Danna which means high place.

[edit] Birote sub divisions

Birote [1] Kalan and Khurd are comprised of more than one dozen villages. It runs from Basian or Abbasian in the north, to New Kohala Bridge in the west, to Tarmuthean in the south along the NWFP, Punjab and AJK borders, and to the last Union Council of NWFP in south east of the province. This area belonged to the Ratnal sub-tribe Lehral of Dhonds. These people were responsible as army personnel for guarding and continual sentry duty in the past. This is a high educated Union Council in NWFP especially in Abbottabad district as well as in Circle Bakote.

[edit] Basian

Abbasian (formerly Basian)^[4] is an ancient village of Birote from the Vadic age. This village is well known for its Hindu Temple and a Merget (a Hindu place for burning the dead) on the west bank of the River Jhelum. This place was the first home of Ratten Khan,^[5] who was an ancestor of the Ratnal Dhonds of Birote and Basian. An old cemetery tells the stories of tribes centuries before. The population of Abbasian is 1,580, many of whom are among the most wealthiest in the NWFP. A considerable number of residents are transporters and drivers. A very beautiful masque in shape of Al-Faisal Masque of Islamabad but menarats has been abolished and a Quranic school is located in Basian. There are two private schools and one primary and middle government schools for both sexes.

[edit] Notable persons of Basian

As Basian is the oldest as it is most favrout area for the freedom fighters pre and past of independant in 1947. The first meeting of Sardar Ibrahim Khan and Sardar Qayume was held in Basian at Dewan. Many other historic links are also reffer to Basian. There are many becons of light in Basian that take place a very memorial, ethnical as well as historical rule.

• Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Abbasi (Kashmir Movement leader) who fought against Hinduism defeating the Hindus Phagri Mahaz near Muzafarabad. He was considered a very noble person and one of the most patriotic leaders of Abbottabad. He was murdered by Haider Khan father of Shahin Abbasi ex-councillor. He left three sons, Sirdar Muhammad Yousaf Khan, Sirdar Muhammad Quresh Khan and the youngest Sirdar Muhammad Fareed Khan.
• Qazi Zafeer-ul-Haq Alvi Chishti was a religious schollar, teacher and hakeem (auovadik doctor). His father Qazi Mohammed Zaman Qureshi migrated Chlattan, Birote Khurd in 1935 and satteled at Thala. He taught in High School Osia, Murree, Bakker and in 1951 he migrated to Rawalpindi with his family. He was personal physision of late Gen. Zea-ul-haq in 1985 to his death in Bahawalpur C 130 crash. Renowned poet and comoser of Pakistan National Song Hafiz Jalindhry was his close friend and stayed in his hous when he came in Rawalpindi. He establish his clinic at Pull Shah Nazar near Raja Bazar of Rawalpindi. He died in 1997 after death of his belove wife Seyeda Sidiqa Khanum and elder son Anwar-ul-Haq. He burried in Eid Gha graveyard in Rawalpindi.
• Sardar Azad Khan is another renowned prsonality of Basian who was the second Chairman of Union Council of Bakote cum Birote during 1965-70. He was a contractor and constructed third piller of Kohala Bridge in 1953. He was issueless and died in 1985.

[edit] Termuthean

To be continued

[edit] Kahoo

Kahoo is inbetween Birote and Termuthean, stars from Bandi in east to Nakkar Qutbal Ram Kot in the west. Kahoo means olive tree in local Dhondi/Kareali language. One Sufi Gull Baba shrine is located in the eastern edge of Kahoo near Ayobia forests. Kahoo has two parts one called Kahoo Sharqi and other is Kahoo Gharbi. Kahoo Sharqi's main sub-tribe is Khanal, others are Nikodral, Changsal and Qutbal of Dhond Abbasi tribe. There are many non-Abbasi tribes are also inhabited mainly Naik Mohammedal Alvi Awans, Qazies, Bhatti Rajpoots, Seyeds and Avans. In Kahoo Gharbi Qutbal sub-tribe of Dhond Abbasi tribe is dominated but other non-Abbasies tribes are Satti and Awans. Kahoo Sharqi geographically started from Bandi, where Chandal Dhond Abbasies families are living, as mentioned that late mother of Ex-Chief Minister of NWFP Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan belonged to this area and Chandal Dhond family. Above to Bandi a place called Saraan where local Muslim League (N) office holder Mohammed Farooq Abbasi belonged. A few reuines of Hindu Khashtrias houses are telling stories of Non-Muslims in Birote who were killed at Kanairpull one mile south of Kohala Bridge in 1947. Central Kahoo Sharqi is setuated at top where some renowned personalities of Circle Bakote living are late Professor Ghulam Kibrea Abbasi (a schollar and first journalist of Birote), late Haji Issab Khan (a lumbardar and true Muslim Leaguien), Haji Sarfraz Khan (first Muslim accountant genral of Pakistan in Ayoub era), Tahir Fraz Abbasi (first highqualified lawyer and first Nazim of Birote in new Pervaizi local bodies system), Qazi Wajahat. In east on the top of Kahoo Sharqi is renowned educational institution Government Higher Secondry School Birote beautiful building, now is converted into debries after 5th Oct 2005 earth quake. A few families of potters are living there. Next to this area along to Birote Kahoo bondry a mohalla called Tangan, Faqirall Dhond abbasies are living there. Naik Mohammedal Alvi Awan five families are also living and Molana Mohammed Dafter (first renowned schollar of Circle Bakote from Deoban India), Molana Abdulhadi (first mufti from 1961) and Mohammed Obaidullah Alvi [[2]] (first highqualified journalist of Circle Bakote) and Ghulam Nabi Shah father of Dr. Ilyas Shah (First transporter before indepandance 1947) Mohammed Razaq Abbasi (first transporter who ran his service in 1968 as Murree Hills Transport till his death in 2002). Aliabad (Moonda) is another important part of Kahoo Sharqi where first lady councillor of UC Birote elected among others was Shahida Islam Abbasi, but she has lost her condidature status in 2005 elections. Fida Abbasi and Sajjad Abbasi s/o Aziz Khan are satteled in Karachi and famous journalist in Daily Ummat Karachi [[3]] are also belonged to Koonhan, Kahoo Sharqi. Amejority of messons and water mills runners are also living in Kahoo Sharqi near Knair Kas. Higher Secondry School Birote, Girls Higher Secondry School Birote, One religious female school, a SEEDA School and college System, Rural Health Center and Circle Bakote largest telephon exchange with 3500 lines are setuated in Kahoo Sharqi. It is a stranged that only two masques, one in Central Kahoo and other in Bandi in Kahoo Sharqi among 6000 population. (to be continued)

[edit] Juleal

(to be continued)

[edit] Birote Khurd

The western Part Union Council is not devolpe and have very poor comunication system. This region have many ward.

[edit] Bhan

To be continued

[edit] Hotrole

To be continued

[edit] Hotrerhi

To be continued

[edit] Sangrerhi

To be continued

[edit] Mohrha

To be continued

[edit] Lohwur

To be continued

[edit] Naker Qutbal

To be continued

[edit] Naker Qutbal

To be continued

[edit] Union Councils Heads

In new local bodies system 1961 Ayoub Khan Government introduced local bodies as Union Council, Tehsil Council and distric council. Before this Lamberdari system was inforced but it had lost it's values of good governce. As a result a Union council Bakote formed. Bakote, Birote and Birote Khur was it's wards. The total population accoprding to 1961 cencess Union Council was 18,000 and Birote was 10,000. Local bodies elections held in Oct, 1961 and Union Council Bakote awarded the first and new local leadership. Chairmans of Union Council Bakote are as under till 1981, Gen. Zea new regime.

• Sardar Mohammed Irfan was the first Union council Bakote Chairman from 1961 to 1965. He Was an influential person with a large crowed of bradrimen. He formed a commettee for construction of Govt Middle School building in Merra Kahoo Sharqi. All Union Council said YES and the collect mony for this noble cause from Peshawer to Karachi. Land for school gifted by Ayoub Khan (Father of Mohammed Nawaz Khan Shopkweeper near Shool and building of shool was completed withen two month. District Agritulture Department sprayed and co-oprateed with local Apple growers and they produced world class GOLDEN AND KING AMRI APPLE on his demand Said department also constucted dams on nullas. He died in 1983 in Rawalpindi and burried at old Girls High School Birote site.
• Sardar Azad Khan was second chairman of Union Council Bakote/birote. He elected in 1966 election and got vote of confidance fron UC councillors. He also gained educational upgradation of Government Middle School Birote as High School in 1969. New classes were started in 1970. A shed was constructed in premise of school for technical education on his recomendations, that flew in 1972 by heavy wounds. He was a contractor and he starte second bus service from Basian to Rawalpindi in 1977. He died in 1988 in Rawalpindi and burried in Basian. He had 6 daughters but no sons. He was uncle of Zoake Akhter Abbasi (Genral Councilor) and father in law of Najib /abbasi, younger brother of Zafir Abbasi (Journalist of Birote).
• Haji Mohammed Azam Khan was the first Chairman of Union cCouncil Birote that saparated in first time from Bakote in 1981. He has no contributions in any feild. He is only a trader and he tried to restoration of high status of Kohala after flood of 1991 but Government refused his appeal and constructed New Kohala Bridge at the last end of Union Council in north.
• Qazi Sajawal was the first and last Chairman of Union Council Birote Khurd during 1981 to 85. He belonged to Mojwal Family of Mohrha Birote Khurd. He constructed a way from Mohrha to Birote Kalan but the leader of contruction party was assessinated there in 1984. He is angaged in business in Karachi.
• Ghulam Irfan Khan was second chairmanof united Union Council possessed office from 1985 to1988 of Birote. He worked for electrification, water suply scheme and telifonic interection during his tenure. He got funds from District Council and constrcted Hotrerhi Choke to Mohrha road first time. Najib Abbasi of Julial, Shaheen Haider Abbasi of Basian and Abd-ul-Gafoor nik name Khushi Mohammed of Kahoo were his councillors. He died in 1992 in Birote.
• Tahir Fraz Abbasi was the first high educated Nazim of Birote in Presidant Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf new local bodis system enforced in 2000. He belonged to Kahoo Khanal sub-tribe and a high educated family. His uncle Haji Sarfraz Khan was first Accountant Genral of Pakistamn, Rawalpindi MNA Hanif Abbasi is his cousin. He prectising as a lawyer in district courts Abbottabad. Politically he if a worker of rilling partry Pakistan Muslim League (Q). He constructed Choorean Sindhwari Hell to Hotrerhi Pull Link road, Chorean Juleal Road. He lost his seat in Birote in 2005 as Nazim but he played a very constrective role in Birote politics. Among others Gulestan Abbasi (Naieb Nazim), Khushi Mohammed, Shaheda Islam Abbasi and Shamim Akhter Abbasi were in his cabinet.
• Mohammed Afaq Abbasi is the second Nazim of Birote, possessing Secondry School Certifate (1979) and employment in Japan. Eartquake of 5th October 2005 had accured immediatly after his election but badly failed to compensate quake effectees till now. He and his cabenet severly demaged public confidance. He is worker of Ex-Chiefminister NWFP Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan and people of Birote elected him only this reason.

[edit] The highest and lowest places

The peak of Mukeshpuri or Moshpuri, ^[6], some 90 kilometers north of Islamabad, called Samannat is the highest place in Birote, nd Manwan ni hell is the lowest point of Birote, located one mile below Julial on right bank of River Jhelum and the three borders of Kashmir, NWFP and Punjab. Mukeshpuri is 2800m / 9100 feet high covered with pine trees. It is an attractive hiking place for tourists but, in winter, is extremely inhospitable due to constant snow cover.

[edit] Mukeshpuri

• Mukeshpuri is sacred to Hindus. According to Mahabharata, its name is derived from Sanskrit words: Moksha (peace) + Puri (place). In Hindu mythology and in Ramayana, when Ram and his brother Lakshman Ji were fighting with Lankan devil chief Arjun, Lakshman Ji was wounded. Hanuman Ji, the monkey god took this hill to east south of India in Lanka where the famous Indian Mahabharata World war erupted and the vadic herbal physician collected herbs from Mukeshpuri for Lakshman's treatment. The mountain was replaced. Indian Prime Minister Nehru respected this hill top and Indians leave monkeys here every year. In the vadic age there was a Vishno Temple called Dewal. It was situated here in Taxila and Kohala (called Pattan in those days) way. Another ledgend is that a local fuedal lord Moj Khan, son of Lehr Khan, forefather and chief of the local Dhond Abbasi tribe in the fifteenth century occupied this area and over time his name evolved to be Moju, Mohyoo and that this place was named for him. His descendents who lived here are called Mojwals. Mukeshpuri TopIt is greately revered because of its wide open spaces, cool, clean air, and greenery. From Nathiagali on the western side of mountain the ascent is a steady 4 km climb. On the way is a bird sanctuary created with the help of the European Union. One can descend on the Donga Gali side but the slope is steep. Looking east from the top of Mukeshpuri last region of NWFP the Circle Bakote on the Jhelum River, is visible. The top of Mukeshpuri is called Semannat meaning unproductive place. According to one ancient legend it was the cave of a dragon from Vadas named Rakshesh

[edit] Manwan ni hell

• Manwan ni hell is the lowest place in UC Birote on three provincial borders of NWFP, Punjab and Azad Kashmir on the right bank of the Jhelum river. There are eight houses built of blue stone and mud with wooden roofs owned by Chandal Dhond Abbasies more than five families. The place possesed a rich historical assets as a crossing point between Kashmir and Taxila in Gandhara time, the first town of Kethwal and Satti tribe who constructed current Circle Bakote and Murree Hills civilization and Dhondi/Karheali languages before the arrival of Karhlal and Dhond Abbasi tribe six centuries ago. There are a few graves with east and west directions in an old graveyard of Katwal tribe showing the history and Gandhara grave culture of before the dawn of Islam in Taxila Kingdom. This place was linked to Patten (Old Kohala) in north with a road along right bank of River Jhelum to Mirpur in AJK. In that time it was a cultural as well as a business center, but it had lost it's importance ion the beginning of nintenth century (1750-1800) when Gakherhs failed to control all this region and it accopied by Ranjit Sing feild marshal Hari Sing Nalva in 1803. A battle was accured there and all houses of Katwal and Satti tribes were gutted, all ladies and children became slaves by brutal HS Nalva and his army. He developed an other place Pattan (Old Kohala) as a business and trade center and established a army post at old Dak Bagallow. Manwan Ni hell is called this place now because after the bloodshed of Nalwa Army only old and oldest ladies of Katwal and Satties tribes were remained there.

[edit] Geography and ethnicity

Birote is surrounded by the beautiful areas of Bakote, Nathea Gali, Ayube Reala and most northern Union Council Dewal of the Tehsil Murree. The founder of the Dhond tribe of Birote was Lahr Khan who died in 1233 and is buried in Termutthean. The main sub tribes of Dhond Abbasi of Birote are: Khanals, Kutbals, Mojwals, Bankal, Murtal, Kamalal, Tehreal, Miral, Mehral, Changsal, Baghiberal, Rakheal, and many more. The Dhond Abbasi tribe has been a feudal and ruling tribe for five centuries. The Awan (Naik Mohammedal and Taj Mohammedal), Seyeds and Qureshies tribes are the religious and leading intellectual class. The Batti Rajpoots, Mughals and Avans are working class tribes. They are all reputed to be brave, intelligent, and play a supportive role in the development of Birote.

[edit] Scholars of Birote

There are many ingenious and highly qualified persons in this Union Council. (To be continued)

[edit] Transport

The bus service on the Rawalpindi Srinagar Road started in the first decade of the twentieth century. The first known driver in Birote was named Mehrban Khan and was issued licence number 007. The first transporter was named Contrector Amin Khan who later founded Allied Chiraghdin.

[edit] Historical Notes

• Birote was a part of Bakote until 1981 when a separate Union Council was formed.
• Birote was first mentioned in a book of a British tourist Legacy To Kashmir published in 1891 (reprint by Sang-e-Mil Publishers Lahore).
• Birote was a part of Hazara constituency in the 1936 elections when only 7 landowners cast their votes.

(To be continued)

[edit] References and notes

1. ^ Location map from fallingrain.com
2. ^ www.answers.com/topic/berote-kalan
3. ^ The words wet, beer, bee, and rot are all of the Dhondi language which derived from the Kethwali language that was spoken in Birote and Circle Bakote before the dawn of Islam by the Kethwal, Satties and Karhals tribes.
4. ^ The name Basian is derived from the Sanskrit word Bas, which means fragrance of flowers http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/romadict.pl?query=bass&display=simple&table=macdonell
5. ^ (Real name was Sardar Abdur Rehaman)
6. ^ (Mosh is derived from the word Mohyo, the original Moj Khan, forefather of Birote Khurd of the Mojwal family)