Allai Tehsil

Allai Tehsil
Battagram Tehsil
Country: Pakistan
Province: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
District: Battagram
Headquarter: Allai
Languages: Pushto, Gojri, Hindko
Union Councils: 8
For the Italian commune, see Allai, Sardinia.

Allai is an administrative subdivision of Batagram District in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, that also contains the Allai Valley.

History

The valley was ruled by the Khans (tribal rulers) until 1949, when it signed the Instrument of Accession with Pakistan. In 1971, Allai was merged into Pakistan as an administrative part of the Battagram sub-division. In 1993, Battagram was upgraded to the status of a district and Allai become one of its sub-divisions.

2005 earthquake

The Allai valley was affected by the Kashmir earthquake on October 8th, 2005. The earthquake destroyed the 'cable way' that allowed residents to cross the Indus River.[1]

Administration

Allai is one of the two Tehsils or subdivisions of Battagram District, Allai contains eight Union Councils:[2]

Union Councils Union Councils
Banna Bateela
Batkul Biari
Jambera Pashto
Rashang Sakargah

Location

The Allai valley is bounded by Kohistan on the north and east, by the Kaghan valley, Nandhiarh and Deshi of Deshiwals on the south, and by the Indus river on the west. The valley of Allai is divided from Kohistan on the north by a range of mountains rising to over 15,000 feet (4,600 m), and from Nandhiar and Deshi by another range running from the Afghanistan border to the Indus above Thakot. The average breadth of the Allai Valley is about fifteen miles (24 km), and the total area 200 square miles (520 km2). Wheat, barley, corn and rice are the primary crops. The mountain slopes at the eastern end covered with forests. 'Khan culture', strong tribal/feudal chiefs, is still dominant in the remote Allai Valley.

People

The area is mainly inhabited by Pashto-speaking tribes,[3] such as the Swati and the Yousufzai. Of late, some Orakzai tribes people moved from FATA, Hangu area and settled there. The Swati tribe originate from the Swat Valley. The Pashtun (Pathans) tribes are divided into many khels or sub-sections; such as the Madda Khel, Mahabat Khel, Musa Khel, Mulla Khel, Raja Khel and Jalungyaal.

Other non-Pashto speaking tribes in the valley are Gujjars and Kohistani .

See also

References

  1. ↑ Restoring the "high way" home to the Allai Valley, northern Pakistan - UNHCR
  2. ↑ Tehsils & Unions in the District of Battagram - Government of Pakistan
  3. ↑ Some of whom are Pashtuns and some allied tribes