Kabalgram

Kabalgram or Kabal Gram is a village, largest in population in Martung Tehsil of Shangla District, NWFP province Pakistan. It is situated on the extreme (right) bank of river Indus and is south-east to Kuzkalai, the central village of Martung. River Indus is the boundary of Shangla with Kaladhaka, the tribal area of Mansehra district of Hazara division.

Kabalgram is relatively at lower altitude compared to rest of Martung and it remains quite hot in summer at Kabalgram. Being very near to Martung, Kabalgram is very similar to Martung in almost all respects. The community of Kabalgram is however more similar to that of Kaladhaka and hence have their peculiar traditions. Most of them belong to Akhunkhel and Nasratkhel who are the subsects of Yousafzai tribe of Pathans.

River Indus is the life line of Kabalgram, though there does not exist any proper irregation system. Some small canals have however been built by the local formers to their fields wherever possible. Most of the people use river water directly for drinking and household using or use the underground water. Water table in Kabalgram is within a few meeters because of river Indus.

Kabalgram had not any road link with any part of the tehsil or elsewhere till 2002. A jeep track was built by the local people on their own expences from Kabalgram to the central Martung, from where they can have access to Mingora or Buner. Kabalgram people have been using river Indus as means of communication (travelling and cargo) in summer with the nearby town Darband of Mansehra district since Turbela Dam was built.

Kuzkabalgram is the second largest village of Kabalgram and is famous for the shrine of Akhunbaba, (Akunbaba Ziarat) the religious scholar and reformer of eighteenth century. All people of Kabalgram are Sunni Muslims, and are comparitively more hardliners. Maulana Waliullah of Kabalgram has been the active member of Sufi Muhammad group of Taliban and has led many movements for them. Some people are of the opinon that he has ties even with the well-known terrorist of Swat, Maulana Fazalullah and his group.

References

* [http://www.risepak.com/Forms/VillageListSHANGLA.pdf Information]
* [http://www.unjlc.org/23003/pakistan/maps/roadatlas/unjlcgeographicmap.2006-08-03.8787021170/download?resolution=high Map Showing Kabalgram]
* [http://www.maplandia.com/pakistan/n-w-f-p/swat/akhun-baba-ziarat Srine of Akhunbaba]