Chakswari

Chakswari
Chakswari
Location in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
Coordinates: 33°15′50″N 73°46′59″E / 33.264°N 73.783°E / 33.264; 73.783Coordinates: 33°15′50″N 73°46′59″E / 33.264°N 73.783°E / 33.264; 73.783
Country  Pakistan
Province Azad Kashmir
Population
 • Estimate () 20,000
Time zone UTC+5 (PST)
Number of Union councils 25

Chakswari (چکسواری‬) is a Tehsil (town) in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir in Pakistan. It is composed of approximately 25 Union councils including the New Town of Islamgarh. Approximately 42 km from Mirpur, it is rapidly becoming an economic hub and commercial area of the district.

Society and culture

The majority of the population speak the Mirpuri dialect of Pothwari, the second most spoken language of Kashmir after Kashmiri. A large number of inhabitants emigrated to the United Kingdom between the 1950s and 1980s. The people of this area are agriculturalists with strong cultural links to the Pothwar region of Pakistan.

Geography

Chakswari comprises partly plain and partly hilly areas. Chakswari has pleasant scenery and the climate is generally arid, characterised by hot summers and cool winters. There is little rainfall.

Chakswari is divided into two parts, the historic old town where the majority of the wholesale shops, for which the Town is known, are located and the newer part – Chakswari Colony which was built for the families who lost their homes following the construction of Mangla Dam.

History

Chakswari was named after Sawari, whose grave in Panyam, Chakswari is depicted in the image.

Chakswari was named after its early name as the village "Chak" and a certain elder Sawari Khan, a Jat Rajput belonging to the Tial and Bhati clan. He is now buried in Chimyalee (Grave yard) Chakswari

Chakswari is well known for the existence of The Holy Pir's. Who are also known as Noshahi's as they are descendants of Hazrat Haji syed Muhammad Nosha Ganj Baksh who himself was part of Muhammad's family tree. Haji Syed Muhammad Nosha Ganj Baksh's tomb is located in Ranmal Sharif in Mandi Bahauddin Panjab Pakistan. There are two darbars (shrines) of noshahi family in Ban Dhamali (village near chakswari) In the 90's, they were known for helping the people of Chakswari with things like poverty and religious issues. Till today the Noshahi Pir's enter the villages to meet Their followers.

The area is well populated with British Kashmiris who come throughout the year, as they have homes and relatives living there. A major source of income for the local businesses there.

The early history of Chakswari is closely related to Panyam, Dokh Chodrian (Muqaddam) whose residents such as Ch. Fazal Elahi (Zaildar) and Ch. Karam Dad (Speaker of Azad Kashmir Parliament) were instrumental to sorting local issues to the Mirpur area and the villages around Chakswari in essence the fore runner of Azad kashmir parliament began here.

Dokh Chodrians, Panyam, Chakswaris recent resident Ch. Arif, who was also a resident of Woking, England, came back to his roots in Panyam, Chakswari and up lifted the old tradition of bull racing.

Notable people

  • Muhammad Bostan qadri confederation of Sunni mosques uk
  • Rani Taj is a British Pakistani dhol player whose family originate in the Chakswari region of Kashmir
  • Bahu Rahim Dad Chauhdry, a notable figure who moved from the village of Panyam to Mirpur.
  • Chouhdry Mohd Akram, a notable businessman and figure originally from Panyam
  • Yusuf Sani of Panyam

See also

References

    • [www.chakswari.com]
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