Lund Khwar

Lund Khwar, pronounced "Loon-d, Kh-waa-rh" is an historical village and Union Council of Mardan District in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. [ [http://www.nrb.gov.pk/lg_election/union.asp?district=53&dn=Mardan Tehsils & Unions in the District of Mardan - Government of Pakistan] ] It is located at 34°23'22N 71°58'51E with an altitude of 371 metres (1220 feet) [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/PK/3/Landkhwar2.html Location of Landkhwar - Falling Rain Genomics] ] and literally it means "the ever flowing stream or brook". The village was founded in the 12th century by Yousafzai and Khattak tribesmen. Currently it is a major town near the entrance to the Malakand mountains.

History

Lund Khwar has historically been an important town in, during the Gandharan era it had been a visiting sanctuary for Buddhist Monks from their nearby strongholds at Takht Bahi. Many archaeological sites have thus been discovered. Even before the Buddhist times it was a major cattle and herd breeding area. An indication of this is given by the names of its outlying parts called Haatian (elephants), Usay (deer) and so on indicating the richness in wildlife in its yesteryears. The first mention of its Pushtoon heritage is from accounts that date back to the 12th century when Yousafzai tribesmen populated the area. At this time it was also occupied by Hindus who remained until the Independence of Pakistan in 1947. After Yousafzai Pushtuns the next major tribe was the Khattaks, who settled here in 15th century. Another famous tribe the Dala Zak also settled here much later.

Valley of the Latter Day Saints

Lund Khwar has always remained very rich in its Islamic tradition and heritage of knowledge. Not only have many Lund Khwarians been great Ulema graduating in great numbers from great institutions like Deoband but has also served as a home for many famous Saints, Ghazi and Ulema. Such famous names include Saint Akhun Panju Baba, Syed Ismail Shaheed Barelvi, Shah Ismail Shaheed and Haji Sahib of Rashakai great great grandson of Sadar Khan. The people of the village contributed to the liberation of India in the 1800s by joining Syed Ahmad Shaheed Barelvi.

Role in the Pakistan Freedom Movement

The Khans of the town grew famous because of their early involvement in politics. This was brought about when the Khans grew rich from trade with the far reaches of India as far as Calcutta. In the late 1800s political thought had grown to a point where it became necessary for the English Imperialists to permanently station their troops here. This was justified on the basis that religious leaders and freedom fighters from the village joined forces against the English. With such a background the English became ruthless in their attempt to suppress the freedom movement. Many historical references can be given by the village people in this respect. It is said that men from the village were made to stand in rows on both sides of the bridge of Qandil, the English would then show their barbarity by stripping the men and lashing them, the men were randomly chosen and lashed just to frighten the villagers. Years of armed struggle later culminated in political figures such as Khan Lund Khwar who with the "Shah Bat Khel" and "Awal Khael" participated and became famous for his struggle in the liberation movement of Pakistan. It was therefore not out of place for politicians of international fame to have visited the village. Such famous people that visited include Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru of the All India Congress, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman founder of Bangladesh, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Sardar Abdur rab Nishtar All India Muslim League.

Location

It is located some 18 km from Takht Bahi, 10km from Sher Garh and about 30 km from Mardan on the National Highway between Swat and Peshawar District. The town is surrounded by two main streams and a smaller brook from 3 directions which flow throughout the year thus lending Lund Khwar its name as well as a safety against possible invaders, a strategic point and basis for its foundation. The town is connected with Sher Garh through a main road which reaches the town through a bridge on the stream.

Localities and parts

Lund Khwar constitutes of the main town, once a walled town which had five gates, and its surrounding sub-towns known as "Banda" and "Meraa". The heart of Lundkhwar is its main Bazaar called "Adaa" or Station. It is the junction point of roads leading to the different suburbs of Lundkhwar. Core Lund Khwar (once the walled town) is where Mamooti, Seeni, peela khel, Shah Bat Khel and Awal Khel are settled. But now the Lund Khwar main town has expended a lot around its previous existence. Now there is a big population living on the northern side of the bazaar commonly known as "Adda Cham", which has further multiplied in to mohallas and Chams.The Lund Khwar town includes the suburbs of Gul Mera (amir ghani korona) and then Gulshan Abad on the west; which further extends to Salo on the north and Sanga, Ghano Dheri to the south, whereas Dagai, Mian Essa, Chail and a lot of small Bandas lie in the north where it ends at Kandao BABA. On the east it is stretched to Saddad Baba and Shamshi Danda (a deep lake) on one side and Karkanai, Pul Kali and Muti Banda on the other. In the south here is Shahdand and a lot of Bhandas.

Tribes and sub tribes

The main population comprises Khattak and Yousaf Zai Tribes. The Khattak sub-tribes Mamooti, Mishak are the early inhabitants, Shah Bat Khel, Awal Khel (both are direct descendants of Sadar Khan the famous Great grandson of Khushal Khan Khattak) beside a number of people belonging to different tribes, who migrated here are living jointly in Lund Khwar. The other main resident tribe is the Yousafzai settled mainly in Mian Eesa. A large number of Dalazak tribe also live in Lund Khwar.

References

*The Royal Gazettor of Charsadda and Peshawar, Govt. British India, 1800s to 1900
*The History of Peshawar ( Tareekh i Peshawar 1900-1930 ), Published Peshawar 1920
*History of the Khattaks and Yusafzai
*http://www.khyber.org
*http://www.mardan.com
*http://www.batkhela.com
*Various references and history from Alhaj Abdur Rahman khan s/o Khan Shahzada Khan great great grandson of Sadar Khan (Land Lord, Philanthrapist, treasury officer Dera Ismail Khan)
*"The Role Of the Khan of Lund Khwar in the All India Liberation Movement", An Article for The Daily Mashriq by Mr Alhaj Mohammad Rafiq Khan 1967.
*http://www.afghana.com
*http://www.glosk.com/PK/Lund_Khwar/-3842199/index_en.htm
*"Lund Khwar", A Booklet by Dr Salman Rafiq Khan, 19th May 2006