Dera Ismail Khan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dera Ismail Khan (Urdu: ڈیرہ اسماعیل خان) is a city in North West Frontier Province, Pakistan. The town is situated on the west bank of the Indus River. In Pakistan, it is often abbreviated as D.I.Khan
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[edit] History
Dera Ismail Khan takes its name from Ismail Khan, a Baluch chief who settled here, who migrated from Iraq, towards the end of the 15th century in 1469 A.D. according to most accounts. His descendants ruled the city for 300 years. "Dera" means a place people gather for activities. The old town was swept away by a flood in 1823, and the present town stands four miles back from the permanent channel of the river.
[edit] Population and languages spoken
In 1999 it had a population of 31,737, while according to census of 1981, the city had the population of 64,358. The population is the mix of ethnic Balochi and pashtun segments, while a significant segment of Urdu speaking immigrants is also present. Urdu, the national language is understood and spoken by all, while Saraiki is the native language and language of people. Pashto is also spoken, but is mostly restricted to the Pashtuns only. Natives of Dera Ismail Khan are known as Derawals. After the partition of India, many of the city's Hindu residents settled in India, in the Derawal Nagar colony of Delhi.[1]
[edit] Communication
The city is connected to Bannu through highway, which further connects it to the Peshawar, the provincial capital through Kohat and Darra Adam Khail. Another road connects it to Mianwali through Chashma Barrage. The third major road connects it to Bhakkar in Punjab, situated on the eastern bank of Indus River. The bridge on the Indus River was constructed in early eightees, before which the approach to Bhakkar was made through a boat bridge.
The city is connected to the country through telephone, telegraph, and internet, though telegraph has recently been abandoned in line with government policy of abandoning it throughout the country.
It is also connected to Afghanistan through Gomal Pass.
[edit] Educational Institutions
The city is home to many educational institions, most notable of which are
- Gomal University (est.1974)(www.gu.edu.pk)
- Al-Khair University
- Qurtuba University Of Sciences & Information Technology
- Sarhad university of Science & Technology
- Government Degree College No.1 for Boys
- University WENSAM School and College
- Government College no. 2 (for boys)
- Government College for Women
- Saint Helen's High School and College (est. 1960)
- Army Public College
- Alfa Kids Land
- Ameen Khiyani High School No.1 for Boys
- Qurtuba Public School & College
- Jinnah Science School & College
- Nadik Science School&College
- Hira Public School
- ST`Helen high school and college
Degree of B Pharmacy from Gomal University is very popular and well known all over the world.
Department of Mass Communication Gomal University is one of the key features of Dera Ismail Khan, 60% of whom graduates have acquired jobs in all main stream media outlets here and aboard. Department has also launched its own Radio Station named Campus Radio FM 104.6, the unique of its nature for providing modern broadcast skills.
[edit] General
The city is quite new in a sense that it was built in 1823 after the flood, but this fact alone has preserved the old touch of city which has been lost in other cities. The old wall is still visible around the old city. The bazars of the city all converge at one point which is called "chowgalla", which literally means a place from where four ways are leaving out. Major bazars include Topanwala bazar, Bhatiya bazar, Muslim bazar, Kalan bazar and Bakhiri bazar.
Like all other cities and towns of saraiki speaking belt, Dera Ismail Khan is also famous for a desert delicacy called sohan halwa. The shops of this delicacy are mostly situated in Topawaala bazar. Dates are grown here in abundance and is one of the major exports.
Apart from above the city is also famous for its lacquered woodwork, glass and ivory ware, mats, and sarongs. Newer industries include sugar, soap, textile and oil milling are seting up in the city. Radio Pakistan is also situated in D.I.Khan. Which telecast saraiki and pashto programmes. CRBC Canal is the major canal which provide water for irrigation.
First ever Muslim pilot in Royal Air Force named A.B Awan was the resident of D.I.Khan.
Another interesting place to visit are the remains of an old fort of pre Islamic era called "Bill-oat", which is situated on the left side of Dera Ismail Khan - Chashma highway. These remains are situated on a hill and to approach them, one needs to walk for about 500 meters from the main road.
A sacred Sikh shrine is located in Chota Bazaar of Dera Ismail Khan and can also be reached from Topan Wala Bazaar. Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited this place during his fourth itinerary. At the site where he stayed a Dharamsala was built by his devotees. It is a beautiful and big building. Its main gate opens in Chota Bazaar. Inside this door there is a beautiful double storey square building, where Prakash used to take place. There are residential rooms around this building for pilgrims. Inside the darbar there i, a Thara Sahib (pious seat) where Sat Gur Nanak Dev Ji. Presently Govt Higher Secondary School No. 3 is housed in this building. The building is in good condition, all the four doors have marble frame. Dharamsala was maintained by SGPC before 1947 and presently it is in the hands of Waqf Department.
The famous and most respectable cast are Faqir's originally inhabitated in Bannu and some other are Alizai, Miankhel and Khakwani.
One of best "soghaat" or offering of this district is "Dhakki Date", which is exported to midesat, USA and Europ. This Date or "Khajoor" is grown in a nearby village called "Dhakki" which is situated about 49 km from D I Khan on Chashma Road. This district also produces Wheat, Sugar Cane (Ganna), Good quality of Rice, and a very famous kind of mango called "Langra". The sweetest quality of "Langra" is grown in a nearby village called Panyala, which is situated North-east of D I Khan about 60 to 70 km on DIKhan-Bannu road. Nowadays D I Khan is increasingly exporting another kind of date called "Chooara" (a date which is dried). The largest quantities of this chooara are being taken from Dhakki, Mitrah Abad and Saidu Wali. Saidu Wali is the village of D I Khan situated in Tehsil Pahar Pur about 58 km from D I Khan near Dhakki and Pahar Pur. This village also produces one of the best quality of Wheat, Rice, Sugar Cane, Mango and Chooara.
There are also coal mines in Saidu Wali. This village is situated on the edge of CRBC Canal.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Colonies, posh and model in name only!. NCR Tribune. Retrieved on 2007-12-16.
| Administrative Divisions of North-West Frontier Province |  |
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|---|---|---|
| Capital | Peshawar | |
| Districts | Abbottabad | Bannu | Batagram | Buner | Charsadda | Chitral | Dera Ismail Khan | Hangu | Haripur | Karak | Kohat | Kohistan | Lakki Marwat | Lower Dir | Malakand | Mansehra | Mardan | Nowshera | Peshawar | Shangla District | Swabi | Swat | Tank | Upper Dir | |
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