Sherwan

Sherwan
Union council
Sherwan is located in Abbottabad District
Country	Pakistan
Province	Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
District	Abbottabad
Tehsil	Abbottabad
Population
• Total	15,500

Sherwan is a Union council of Abbottabad District in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan,^[1] located 35 km west of Abbottabad.Sherwan.—A village, or rather a couple of villages almost adjoining each other,' and known, the northern as Sherwan Kalan, and the southern as Sherwan Khurd, on a ridge some 5,000 feet high in the centre of Lower Tanawal^[2] Sherwan is located in a beautiful valley which is surrounded by large, forested mountains on three sides. These forests host a number of wild animals, such as jackals, wolves, pigs, porcupines,fox and occasionally leopards.Sherwan is divided into two parts Sherwan Khurd (small) and Sherwan Kalan (wide). Sherwan Kalan covers a much larger area than Sherwan Khurd. In the North-East of Sherwan Union Council there is another village called Patheel. On the south of the valley there is a stream called Mangal, home to a number of fish such as Trout, eels and soles etc.

Location and demographics

Sherwan is 5,000 ft high in the centre of Tanawal. The population of main Sherwan village, or villages complex, is over 25000. The local language is Hindko while Urdu is also understood and spoken by local people.The Tanawal was divided into to parts Upper Tanawal and Lower Tanawal.^[3] The Sherwan is located in lower Tanawal.And was the union of small Jagirs.The main tribes of Sherwan are Tanolis^[4] (Alishal,Saidal,Bagal,Labial, Sarganal and Sadial), Awan, Syeds and Mughals. Sherwan is divided into two main parts, Sherwan Khurd and Sherwan Kalan.

Education and literacy

The literacy rate of Sherwan is high compared to other villages of the area. There are a lot of Government schools and colleges in Sherwan:

• Government College For Boys Sherwan
• Government College for Girls Sherwan
• Government High School Sherwan (Boys)
• Government High School Sherwan (Girls)
• Government Primary School Sherwan (Boys)
• Government Primary School Sherwan (Girls)

The area also has an old and famous Police Station, Sherwan.

External links

• on google maps

Sherwan Under The Rule Of Turks

Tanawal was also a part of Pakhal, which was ruled by Turks for centuries.Sherwan was the capital of lower Tanawal under Turks. The last Turkish Wali (Governor) was Qayasuddin during the 3rd quarter of 18th century. After the fall of Pakhli Sarkar, Raja Habib Khan the son of Raja Qayasuddin could not sustain the successive attacks from Tanolis and retreated towards Bahali village.When the Tanolis overthrew the Turks, they also gained strength and established their rule in upper Tanawal and a portion of lower Tanawal as well.. Descendants of Sultan Qias-ud-Din, however, managed to retain certain lands in lower Tanawal and assumed the title of Raja after establishing a Jagir. In Tanawal areas, Karlugh Turks retained their power for another 90 years.But ultimately, they were restricted to a small area of lower Tanawal from Sherwan (Abbottabad) to Behali (Mansehra). Descendants of these last Karlugh Turkish rulers still live in Behali (Mansehra) and Richh Behn (Abbottabad).

Sherwan Under The Rule Of Sikhs

After doing away with great Mujaheds like Sardar Muhammad Khan Tareen and Bostan Khan Tarin, the Sikhs had a field day in tormenting and persecuting the population. The Mashwanis of Srikot were forced to migrate from their homelands and because of this they were refugees in nearby localities for six to seven years. Many of them crossed the Indus and moved to Swabi. The Sikhs also forcefully enscripted several Mashwani youths in their army. After the death of Maharaja Ranjid Singh, the Sikh empire fell prey to disorder and hence their rule weakened. When Ranjid Singh's son Maharaja Sher Singh took over his father's position, he handed over Kashmir and Hazara to his own son Kanwar Pratab Singh. Prathab Singh acted on his own and handed over admiistration of Hazra to Arbel Singh. After some time, Civil War ensued with variouso Sikh commanders fighting amongst themselves. The collective Administrative power of the Sikhs further weakened after their humiliating defeat at the hands of the British. Administratorship of Hazara was handed over to Diwan Molraj after Arbel Singh's grip on power began to slip..Sikhs came to Hazara in 1818 and conquered Sherwan and made it as their capital.^[5] The Muslim Maliks and sardars of the area took advantage of their weakness and decided to do away with the Sikhs once and for all. Hence cry for Jehad was made and thousands of Muslims paid heed to it. Diwan Molraj's men had a lot of skirmishes with the Mujahideen at a number of localities and was definitely having a tough time carrying out his governorship duties despite being renowned for being a great statesman. As a result, the Dhoond Tribe took over the fort at Marh and Malik Hasan Ali Khan of Kar'Rhal took over Garhi. In the same manner the once persecuted Mashwani's took control of their homeland Srikot, Raja Haider Bakhsh of Kak'harh took over Khanpur, Nawab Khan Tanoli took over Sherwan, the Jadoon Tribe took over Nawan Shehr and Sardar Ghulam Khan Tarin took over Jaagal^[6] Afterthe death of Ranjit Singh in 1839, Gulab Singh wasappointed governor of Kashmir and Hazara. By that time the Sikh rule started weakening and Hazara's tribal chiefs started defying and challenging Lahore.They ransacked Sikh forts and established their rule.Among leading rebel leaders were Ghulam Khan Tareen, Nawab Khan Tanoli and Syed Akbar.^[7] The Sikhs were thrown out of these places and there was no chance for them to take it back. After their defeat, the Sikh's power was only confined to the surroundings of Qilla Harkishan Garh in Haripur. On the 10th of February 1846, the Sikhs were defeated by the British at Sabhrawo in Punjab. After this defeat, the Sikhs were even finding it difficult to guarantee safety of their forces at Haripur as well.

Ruins of forts of Sikhs is still to be seen in Sherwan that was conquered by Muhammad Nawab Khan Tanoli.^[8]

Sherwan Under The Rule Of Tanaolis

After the rebellion against Sikhs. Nawab Khan Tanaoli and his allies conquered Sherwan Fort,Sherwan and nearby villages and continued ruling Sherwan.^[9] After the death of Nawab Khan Tanaoli,his son Khanzada Behram Khan Tanaoli became the Chief.And later on after the death of Khanzada Behram Khan,his son Khanzada Firoz Khan Tanoli of Sherwan took over the control.He was very generous towards the people and was titled as 'Sakhi' (The Giving) by the local people.The descendants of Firoz Khan are known as Firozkhanis(The Khans Of Sherwan)and are still living in Sherwan.

Nawab Khan Tanoli

Nawab Khan Tanoli was the tribal chief of Lower Tanawal.Also known as Malik Nawab Khan Tanoli. He received the title of 'Bahadur'.Nawab Khan Tanoli was very rebellious towards Sikhs.He defeated Sikhs with his allies. The local populace had had the experience of living under the rule of the Sikhs and they were also well acquainted with their tribe elders. Their only wish was for a better system of governance to be put in place under which they could live their lives in peace. The Tehreek al Mujahideen of Syed Ahmad Barelvi was quite popular at this time. The population were also greatly influenced by Syed Ahmad Barelvi. After the tribe elders consented amongst themselves, it was decided that Islamic Shariah rule was to be the system of governance. For this reason, all tribal elders of Hazara were called to attend a Loya Jirga at Haripur. It was at this gathering that Syed Akbar Shah of Sathana was elected to be Amir of the region. Sardar Ghulam Khan Tarin and Nawab Khan Tanoli were appointed Ministership Posts as well. All of them had the duty of enforcing Shariat e Muhammadi on their country. Disputes in court were forwarded to an appointed Qazi who would make decisions based on Shariah Law. Security of the people was guaranteed and an atmosphere of peace was put in place. As a result, the people heaved a sigh of relief and pledged their full support to their new rulers.^[10]

Nawab Khan Tanoli of Lower Tanawal, is commented by Major J. Abbot as a "Brave man" in his book written on Abbottabad. Malik Nawab Khan was a learned man and an able soldier. He was a strong religious man. Malik Nawab Khan Tanaoli was among the fellow tribesmen of famous Mir Jehandad Khan.^[11]

Fort Of Sherwan

Demolished Sherwan Fort in Northern hills of Abbottabad,originally built by Sikhs.Demolished heritage..Inside of the Sherwan Fort,Built 1822 AD,Abbottabad hills, Height 5000 feet. Later Major James Abbott built inside of it in a Victorian style, earthquake produced no cracks, this national heritage got auctioned, on May 24, 2007.This fort was mentioned by Sir General James Abbott in his diaries who was one of the builders of British Empire.

Economy

Locals grow seasonal grain crops such as maize and wheat. The area of Sherwan has plenty of water and soil rich with nutrients, allowing producers to grow cherries, oranges, apples, plums and apricots.The mountains of Sherwan are full of minerals like top quality Soap stone.^[12] The largest soapstone deposits of the country are located near Sherwan in Hazara.^[13] The steatite at this location is of excellent quality.A huge deposit of Soap stone^[14] is found in the mountains of a nearby village Barkot, Habib Abad, Seri Sher Shah, Lakhala and surrounding villages.A large number of people are also engaged in soap stone mining.The most extensive steatite deposits in Pakistan are found in the Sherwan area of the Hazara District, NWFP.^[15] Iron Ore, Lead, magnesite ore are also found in these mountains.

See also

• Tanoli

• Amb State

References