History

The early history of the district is limited to the vaguest traditions. It is said that in the Buddhist times, two Rajas named Adh and Kohat settled alongwith the northern border of the district. The remnants of the Buddhist day is a road cut off the mountain side, on the western skirts of the Jawaki hills near Kotal Post which leads by an even gradient towards the crest.

The first historical mention of Kohat is to be found in the memoirs of Emperor Babar who visited Kohat in 1505 AD. Babar in his memoirs calls the inhabitants of the area as Afghan. After Babar the history of Kohat revolves around two major tribes namely Gilani, Bangash and Khattak. These people appear to have settled in the district, during 14th am 15th centuries. From 16th to 18th centuries, Kohat remained as a part of the Afghanistan Kingdom, administered by the Chiefs of the two afore mentioned tribes. In the beginning of 19th century Kohat came under the control of Sikhs who ultimately withdrew leaving the administrative control to the Khan of Teri in 1836 AD.

Kohat was finally annexed to the British dominion on 28th March 1849 with the rest of Punjab and an Assistant Commissioner was posted here to run the administration and to look after the British interests. In the initial stages of the British administration, the locals of the area posed considerable problems. Later on some of the tribe joined with the British Government and helped them in running the affairs of the ar smoothly. Nevertheless, the Britishers were never at peace in this part of their Kingdom as resistance and opposition always cropped up from one quarter or the other. But their tactics of "Divide and Rule" ultimately strengthened their hold over the region. They put one tribe against the other by giving preference to one against the other and finally succeeded in administrating them. An example of British un-rest in this area is the event of the brave Afridi Ajab Khan, who forced to surrender the entire British administration of the district against his demands.

Ethnicity and Tribes

The major tribes are Bangash and Khattak along with Syyed, Awan, Shinwari, Sheikhan and Paracha which form the part of the population of the district. In addition to the above the Afridis from Darra have settled in Babri Banda and the Orakzai Wazir in the adjacent areas of Kohat and Tanda dam. A good number of Indian Refugees, Afghan refugees and Behari repatriates from Bangladesh have settled in Kohat. The major tribes in Frontier Region Kohat are Zarghum Khel, Akhurwal, Sheraki, Toor Chappar and Bosti Khel. Pushto is the predominant language while Hindku is mostly spoken and understood in Kohat city and adjacent areas.

The population of Kohat district is predominantly sunni. Between sixty to seventy thousand shias are also settled in the district and they stretch from Chikarkot to Kachai (i.e. southern border of Kohat). A large number of Christian families most of whom are employees of the Municipal Committee, Cantonment Board and defence services also reside in Kohat city and Cantonment area. Some scattered families of Hindus also reside in Kohat, Kachai and Marai while a good number of Balmiks are employed in various local bodies. These sects are enjoying full religious freedom.

Geography

As mentioned in the history, in the Buddhist times, two Rajas namely Adh and Kohat settled along the northern border of the district. Raja Kohat gave his name to the town of Kohat and Raja Adh to the fort, the ruins of which are found on the hill side north of Muhammadzai, a village 6 kilometers to the west of Kohat. Another version about this name is that it is a combination of two words, "Koh and Hat" meaning mountain market i.e. a bazar situated in the mountain.

The district lies between 33° - 04’ and 33° - 34’ north latitudes and 70° - 29’ and 72° - 01' east longitudes. It is bounded on the north by Orakzai agency, tribal areas adjoining Kohat, Peshawar and Nowshera districts, on the east by Attock district of the Punjab province, on the south by Mianwali district of the Punjab province and Karak district and on the west by Hangu district and Orakzai agency of FATA. The total area of the district is 2545 square kilometers.

Topography

The topography of the district is dominated by the mountains and hills. In the northwest of the district the important ranges include lower Miranzai and Bangash, which run in an eastwest direction. Further in the south is Kamar -Tanda. The height of these ranges varies from 650 to 1000 meters above the sea level. In the northeast the Sowaki and Adan Khel hills run in a southwest -northeast direction. These hills gradually rise in the extreme northeastern part of the district. The intervening open valleys between the hills are seldom more than eight kilometers in width. The Kohat valley is most important agriculturally rich area. Generally, the district is elevated and the ranges attain only inconsiderable heights above the plain area. The headquarter town of Kohat is more than 600 meters above the sea level.

Rivers and Streams

The river Indus forms the eastern boundary of the district, which separates it from the province of Punjab. Kohat Toi is a principal stream, which enters from Hangu district and flowing to east and southeast, drains into river Indus. The river has a small perennial flow, which disappears before it reaches the town of Kohat, it reappears again at some distance down stream and then flows continuously to the Indus. The Kohat Toi has several small torrents or tributaries, which join it at different places. Another, stream Teri Toi, which flows from west to east, in the southern half of the district, joins the river Indus. The river has a tittle or no perennial flow. There are also various fresh water streams in Jungle Khel (near Jamia Masjid and Bena area), Jozara, China Mitha Khan etc. These are visitor`s places. Local people visit and stay for a day on weekends.

Climate

The climate of the district is hot from May to September. June is the hottest month. The mean, maximum and minimum temperature recorded during June is about 40° C and 27° C respectively. A pleasant change in the weather is noted from October onwards, up till February. The winter is cold and severe. In winter a wrong west wind known as '`Hangu Breeze" often blows down the Miranzai valley towards Kohat for weeks. The mean maximum and minimum temperature, recorded during the month of January, is about 18° C and -2" C respectively.

The rainfall is received throughout the year. The monsoon rain is received from May to October. August is the rainiest month, with an average of about 111 mm. The winter rain occurs from November to April. The highest winter rainfall is received in the month of March. The average annual rainfall is about 546 mm. The maximum humidity has been recorded in the month of August during summer season and in December during the winter season.

Demographics

Majority of the population of Kohat is Ethnic Pashtun followed by a minority Hindko peoples living in Central Kohat and area of Bazadi Chakarchot.

The people of Kohat are mostly conservative, though modernization has been accepted moderately. They still believe in the age-long veneration for certain families due to the piety of such families and the service they have rendered for the society in general and religion in particular. Some of the famous families include Gilanis, Parachas, Qazis, Banuris and Mian Khels.

Geography

The division of Hazara is bounded on the north and east by the Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir. To the south are the Islamabad Capital Territory and the province of Punjab, whilst to the west lies the rest of the North-West Frontier Province. The river Indus runs through the division in a north-south line, forming much of the western border of the division.

The capital of Hazara Division was Hazara. The total area of Hazara Division is 18013 km².

Demographics

Approximately three-quarters of the population speaks Hindko and most of the rest speak Pashto. Small numbers of people speak other languages, but there is considerable bilingualism and multilingualism amongst the population. The districts of Haripur and Abbottabad have higher literacy rates than most districts of the province.

The population of Hazara Division was estimated to be over 4.5 million in 2005.

The University of Hazara provides higher education to people of the region.

Transport

The division of Hazara lay close to the crossroads formed by the river Indus and the Grand Trunk Road. The Karakoram Highway began at the town of Havelian and travelled north through the division towards China via the Northern Areas.