Sudhum Rustam

Sudhum Rustam is a valley situated in the east of Mardan District bordering District Swabi and District Buner in District Mardan of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Recently it has been upgraded to the level of Tehsil. It is located at 34°21'0N 72°17'0E and has an altitude of 369 m (1213 feet).^[1] Chanry (Chengay Baba) and Aman Kot (east), Kara Maar (south), Sakrah (northwest) And Sar Malang (North East) from three sides enhance the area. Sudhum Rustam is famous for its agricultural products like oranges of Beruch and mustard oil.

Etymology

The valley has got its name after Bhuddist religious leader/ prophet Sudhum who lived here in exile. Ashoka The Great had erected stupas and temples in the memory of Sudhum. These were visited by Hindu and Buddhist followers from far and wide at that time. It is not known exactly how this valley got its name (Rustam) but as per folk legend, it is being told that the name was given to this area after the name of Rustam Khan. A person named Saud Khan came from Swat here with his three sons (Rustam Khan, Mian Khan, and Jaan Khan). Saud Khan died here and his sons buried him here. At that time this area was a forest. Jaan Khan went to Hazara, Mian Khan to Babozai and Rustam khan stayed here. The second view is that Rustam the wrestler lived here. But this view is not too strong nor available any historical document about this.^[2]

History

The exact early history of Sudhum is not known but the ancient ruins reveal that Sudhum Rustam has been the residence of earlier civilizations. According to a folk legend, Takht e Chengay (Chengay Baba) was the capital kingdom with other small city-states of Ruins of Sra Qabroona, Ruins of Melandri, Ruins in Kashmir Smasta.^[3]

Education

In education, Sudhum Rustam has recently moved forward with the establishment of private sector colleges such as Sudham Children Academy & Science College,^[7] The Rustam Model School and College Rustam Mardan,^[8] Unicom College of Business Studies,^[9] The Unique Model School, Iqra Hoti Group of Schools, The Mass Children Academy Rustam and Savera Children Academy etc. The Government High Schools for boys and Girls are well established and many social contributors have been educated in these schools. Government Degree College Khair Abad Mardan and Government Degree College for Girls are the public sector degree level institutions.^[10]

Climate

The summer season is extremely hot. A steep rise in temperature is observed from May to June. Even in July, August and September record quite high temperatures. During May and June, dust storms are frequent at night. The temperature reaches its maximum in the month of June i.e. 41.50 °C. Due to intensive cultivation and artificial irrigation, the track is humid and heat is oppressive. However, a rapid fall of temperature has been recorded from October onwards. The coldest months are December and January. The mean minimum temperature recorded for the month of January the coldest month is 2.09 °C.

Most of the rainfall occurs in the months of July, August, December, and January. Maximum rainfall was recorded for the month of August the rainiest month is 125.85 mm. Towards the end of cold weather, there are occasional thunderstorms and hail storms. The relative humidity is quite high throughout the year while maximum humidity has been recorded in December i.e. 73.33 percent.^[11][12]

Agriculture

Rustam is known as the best agricultural area in the country. Its land is very suitable for cultivation of sugarcane and tobacco. The major crops grown are wheat, sugarcane, tobacco, maize, rapeseed, and mustard etc. Rustam's mustard Oil is famous throughout the country. Fruits and vegetables are also grown here. Orange of Bheroch and Palo Dhery are very popular. The important fruits are orange, plum, peach, apricot, and pear etc.^[13]

Transportation

There are good road connections to Mardan and Bunir. The alternate road to connect Sudhum Rustam to District Buner passes through Sar Malang (a recreational spot for picnics). Sudhum Rustam is also connected to Shewa Adda via Canal Road Machai. Buses, High Ace, and private vehicles are the main ways of transport.^[14]

Sports

In 2016, Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa government with the help of Government of Pakistan created a sports complex in Rustam. The complex, Rustam Sports Complex, has facilities for all major sports such as cricket, football, field hockey, swimming and basketball. The Sports Complex is still under Construction is expected to be completed at the end of December, 2018.^[15]

Streams and canals

In this area, generally streams flow from northeast to the southwest. There are two main streams, Lund Khwar and Wach Kwar which converge at village cheena. Both streams discharge into Nala Kalpani (at Mardan). A canal flows near Nawan Kali which originates from River Swat.^[16]

Forests and wildlife

Sakrah (also called pajja) is a mountain in the northwest of Rustam, famous for the historic cave named Kashmir Smast. Kashmir Smast is famous throughout the world and is the center of attraction for archaeologists.^[17] The peak of the Sakrah is the highest peak in district Mardan 2056 meters high. A kind of wild goat which weighs not more than 30 kg is found in the peaks of Sakrah. But due to loss of habitats and extensive hunting its numbers are decreasing. Its fauna includes birds, reptiles and mammals like the wild hare and black-backed jackal, wild boars, and monkeys.^[18]

References

Coordinates: 34°21′0″N 72°17′0″E / 34.35000°N 72.28333°E / 34.35000; 72.28333