Sherwan

Sherwan is a Tehsil in the Abbottabad District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, situated 35 km west of Abbottabad. The area is composed of two adjacent villages: Sherwan Kalan to the north and Sherwan Khurd to the south. Positioned on a ridge of 5,000 feet in the heart of Lower Tanawal Sherwan is surrounded by large, forested mountains on three sides, creating a scenic valley landscape.

These forests are home to diverse wildlife, including jackals, wolves, wild boars, porcupines, foxes, and occasionally leopards. Sherwan Kalan covering a larger area, contrasts with the smaller Sherwan Khurd. To the northeast of Sherwan Union Council lies the village of Patheel, while to the west is the village of Bacha Kalan. A stream called Mangal flows to the south of the valley, providing habitat for various fish species such as trout, Eels, and soles.

Location and demographics

Sherwan is 5,000 ft high in the centre of Tanawal. The population of the main Sherwan village, or villages complex, is over 25,000. The local language is Hindko; the local people also understand and speak Urdu. The Tanawal was divided into two parts, Upper Tanawal and Lower Tanawal. Sherwan is located in Lower Tanawal. The main tribe of Sherwan is the Tanoli; other tribes include the Gujjars, the Awans, the Syeds, and the Mughals.

Subdivisions

Bammochi
Patheel
Kalar Khaitar
Kuhmar
Shaheed Abad
Sherwan Kalan
Sherwan Khurd
Thorey
Khanda Kahou

Education and literacy

The literacy rate of Sherwan is high compared to other villages in the area.

There are many government schools and colleges in Sherwan:

Sherwan Government College for Boys
Sherwan Government College for Girls
Sherwan Government High School (Boys)
Sherwan Government High School (Girls)
Sherwan Government Primary School (Boys)
Sherwan Government Primary School (Girls)
Sherwan Model School

(Girls boys )

Sherwan also has a police station.

History

Under Turkish rule

Tanawal was a part of Pakhli, which was ruled by Turks for centuries. Sherwan was the capital of Lower Tanawal under the Turks. The last Turkish Wali (governor) of the area was Qias-ud-din during the third quarter of 18th century.

Under the rule of the Sikhs

After doing away with Sardar Muhammad Khan Tarin, Bostan Khan Tarin, and others in lower Hazara, the Sikhs tormented and persecuted the population. The Mashwanis of Srikot were forced to migrate from their homelands, and because of this, they were refugees in nearby localities for six to seven years. Many of them crossed the Indus and moved to Swabi. The Sikhs also forcefully conscripted several Mashwani youths in their army. After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikh empire fell prey to disorder and their rule weakened.

In 1849, the Sikhs were finally defeated by the British and the area came under the British jurisdiction in the Hazara district.

Under British rule

The British ruled the region mostly through the local chiefs. Nawab Khan Tanaoli and his allies conquered Sherwan Fort, Sherwan and nearby villages and continued ruling Sherwan.

Fort of Sherwan

Sherwan Fort was built by the Sikhs in 1822 A.D. It was stormed and conquered by Nawab Khan Tanoli. Later, Major James Abbott constructed the interior in a Victorian style. It was auctioned on May 24, 2007. The fort was mentioned by Sir General James Abbott, one of the builders of the British Empire, in his diaries.

Economy

Locals grow seasonal grain crops such as maize and wheat. The area of Sherwan has plenty of water and soil rich with nutrients, allowing producers to grow cherries, plums, apples, pears, and apricots. The mountains of Sherwan are full of minerals like soapstone. The largest soapstone deposits of the country are located near Sherwan in Hazara. A huge deposit of soapstone is found in the mountains of a nearby village. A large number of people are also engaged in soapstone mining. The most extensive steatite deposits in Pakistan are found in the Sherwan area of the Hazara District. Iron ore, lead, and magnesite ore are also found in these mountains.