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INTRODUCTION
The administration of the
tribal area is looked after by the deputy commissioner Kohat district. It is
bounded on the north by the Tribal area adjoining to Peshawar district, on the
east by Nowshera district and south by Kohat district and on the west by Orakzai
agency. It is located between 33˚33’ and 33˚46’ north latitudes and 71˚21’ and
71˚50’ east latitudes. Its total area is 446 square kilometers. The British
turned this area into a primary unit of political administration in view of its
strategic importance as the only route, which opens, up the southern districts
of N.W.F.P to Peshawar. Above all the region has international fame for its
armament industry, known the world over.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
The area is composed of a variety of landforms. The western part is higher and
more complex where average height of the hills is around 1500 meters. The
highest point of the area is located near western border with a height of 1,198
meters. In the eastern half, the height of the hills decreases and hills
flanking the narrow plain area are about 600 meters high. The important peaks
are Zaiuddin, Mahr Ali Sar, Sargashi ridge and Tambal Peak. On the hills chiefly
grow the “Kikar” and “Gurgura”. The land as a whole is barani, except the Tor
Sapar area, which is under well irrigation, and a few areas in Sani Khel and
Akhor limits, which are watered from springs, and wells respectively. Common
products are wheat, Barley and Bajra, though melons, not of superior quality,
are also grown in many parts.
WEATHER
The area has warm summers and cold winters. Summer season starts in May and
lasts till October. May, June and July are the warmest months. Winter season
starts in November and lasts till April. December, January and February are the
coldest months.
HISTORY
FR Kohat was given the status of a sub-division in the year 1981. Previously a
political tehsildar used to look after its affairs. The region is governed by a
special law, based on local customs and conventions. The Adam Khel clan was
formally altogether under the political control of the deputy commissioner Kohat,
but in 1896 and 1897 the control of the Jinakor subdivision of the Hassan Khel
division of the clan, and of the Kandau and Kandar sections of the Ashu Khel
division, was transferred to the deputy commissioner Peshawar, and in 1923, that
of Jawakis of Tirah and the Kala Khel section of the Ali Khel sub-division of
the Ashu-khel, to the political agent, Khyber.
RACE AND TRIBES
The Adam Khel are said to have been descendents of one Adam, the grand son of
Karran’s younger son Usman, nicknamed “AFRIDA”. The other three grandsons of
Usman, were Oola, Aka and Miri. Oola’s family is known as Khyber Afridis
comprising Mir Ahmed Khel (Malik Din Khel and Kamber Khel), Sepaya, Zakakhel and
Qamar Khel, while that of Aka named after him as Aka Khel. The third son Miri,
not having sufficiently prospered in life submerged his name with that of his
elder brother and that is why his descendents are now found in a subsection of
Aka Khel Clan.
The main clans of FR Kohat
are Galai khel and Jawaki branching from Adam Khel. Galai Khel divides into Tor
Sapar, Zarghun Khel, Sheraki and Bosti Khel. Jawaki divide into Haibat Khel,
Kimat Khel, Bazid Khel and Ashu Khel. Bosti Khel is the famous clan of Ajab Khan
of “Ellis Fame”.
OCCUPATIONS
The main trade of the people is the manufacture and sale of rifles and
revolvers, carried out by certain karigars or blacksmiths, living in the limits
of Zarghun Khel section. Of late they have improved their workmanship to a great
extent. Some of the Adamkhel Afridis are running transport business.
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