Miranzai Valley

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Miranzai Valley, also Hangu, is a mountain valley situated in the Kohat and Hangu districts in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. It is made up of two valleys, draining from the southwest into the Kunam and northeast into the Kohat Tai. It is divided into upper and lower Miranzai. It extends from the Zaimukht and Orakzai hills to the Khattaks. It is 40 miles in length and is 546 square miles in area. East of Hangu is made up of numerous smaller valleys. To the west of Hangu, consisting of all of the upper portion of the valley, is a broad and open plain, bare of trees. There are many ravines in this area. The area surrounding the valley has many inhabitants, mostly comprising the Bangash and Orakzai peoples.

British military expeditions occurred in the area when it was still part of India in the late 19th century due to disturbance.Once this whole valley was ruled by the khans of hangu till 1893.Sometimes a powerful chief became Governor of the whole country from the indus to the kurram.For instance Ghulam Mohammad khan who was the Khan of Hangu in the time of Nadir Shah is said to have ruled over Baizai(Kohat) and as far as matanni in the peshawar district.

The portion of Miranzai east of Hangu village consists of numerous small and well-cultivated valleys. To the west of Hangu, including the whole of Upper Miranzai, the country is a broad, open valley. The country is full of ravines towards Thal. Miranzai forms the meeting place of many different tribes, but its chief inhabitants are the Bangashes.