Fatehpur Thakiala

Fatehpur Thakiala is one of the three tehsils, (administrative subdivisions), of Kotli District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is also referred to as Nakyal.

History

Fatehpur Thakiala was part of Mendhar sub-division of Poonch before the partition of Kashmir in 1947. It is bounded by the Line of Control (boundary between Indian and Pakistan-administered Kashmir) on two sides (north and east). The 1947-48 war between India and Pakistan divided it into two parts. One went to Pakistan and the other became part of India. After the separation from Mendhar it became a tehsil of Kotli District.

The old name of this area was Thakiala, named after the Thakial Rajputs who live here since ancient times but was changed to Fatehpur Thakiala to honour the late Sardar Fateh Muhammad Khan Karelvi.

It is also the birth place of the ex president and prime minster of Azad Kashmir, Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan.

Location

The town of Nakyal is situated 1524m above sea-level, and is 40 km from Kotli city.

Nakyal is a small town located in a beautiful valley nearly 3 kilometre from the Line of Control (Or the Ceasefire Line). A nearby place called Tatapani is one of the five crossing points at the LoC that were opened for the exchange of relief goods between Pakistani and Indian Administered parts of Kashmir after the devastating October 8 Earthquake. Nakyal and its surrounding areas are considered among most beautiful parts of Azad Kashmir.

Villages

*Karela
*Matharani
*Palani
*Dabsi
*Dhuruti
*Majhan
*Towrol
*Thandi Kassi
*Mehra