Garhi Habibullah

Garhi Habibullah View from Aznali Hills, Garhi Habibullah, Photographer : Waleed Khan Swati

Garhi Habibullah is a town and union council (an administrative subdivision) of Mansehra District in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.^[1] It is located in Mansehra Tehsil and lies to the east of the district capital Mansehra, towards the Kashmir frontier (near to Muzaffarabad the capital of Azad Kashmir). It is in an area affected by the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.^[2]

History

In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he conquered the Shahis in Kabul in 1005, and followed it by the conquests of Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Pakhtunkhwa region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh Empire invaded and occupied Mansehra District. The Muslims faced restrictions during the Sikh rule. During the period of British rule, Mansehra District increased in population and importance.

The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India.

Garhi Habibullah is stronghold of Swatis, Habibullah who betrayed Syed Ahmed Shaeed and as a reward he got fort of Garhi with his name Habibullah. Sub-clans of Swatis in Garhi Habibullah are: Jahangeri, Arghushal, Serkheli, Aznali, Awan and Khankhel.

Villages around Garhi Habibullah

1. Katha Dobandi
2. Tanoli Mohallah Lower Katha Dobandi
3. HASARI
4. Guldhari
5. Jageer
6. Banda Balola
7. Kashtra
8. NARAL.
9. Dogha
10. Kurnool
11. Bhuraj
12. Butsingh
13. Shamori
14. Dumkatcha
15. Upper & Lower Palyani.

References

Administrative divisions of Mansehra District Capital Mansehra Union councils Atter Shisha Badi Shungli Baffa Balakot Battal Behali Belian Bherkund Bhogerr Mong Chater Plain Darband Datta Devli Jaberr Dhodial Dilborri Garhi Habibullah Garlat Ghanool Hamsherian Hangrai Hilkot Icherrian Inayat Abad Jaborri Jaloo Kaghan Karnol Karorri Kathai Kewal Laber Kot Lassan Nawab Lassan Thakral Malik Pur Mansehra City No 1 Mansehra City No 2 Mansehra City No 3 Mansehra(Rural) Mohandri Nika Pani Oghi Pairan Perhinna Phulrraa Sacha Kalan Sandasar Satbani Shamdarra Shohal Mazullah Shoukatabad Sum Alahi Mong Swan Miara Talhata Tanda Trangi Sabir Shah

Coordinates: 34°24′N 73°23′E / 34.400°N 73.383°E / 34.400; 73.383