PESHAWAR: The literary circles and cultural organisations have lauded a recently published book on the history of Bajaur tribal district, saying it will serve as guideline for researchers.

Written by Maulana Khanzeb, the book titled ‘Bajaur Da Treekh Pa Rana Kay’ (Bajaur in the light of history) is spread over 438 pages.

A number of literary circles have hailed the attempt of the religious scholar for compilation of a book featuring past glory, flora fauna and cultural traditions of the land and people based on authentic sources.

The book has 16 chapters with beautiful description of every important event and spot traced back to its 4,000 years history.

Literati laud religious scholar for compiling history of his region

Interestingly, the writer opens his book with history behind the name of ‘Bajaur’ and after several references, he arrives with one solid conclusion that Baaj means ‘tax’ imposed on the crop in certain proportion and “war” means to give and the combined term comes to mean tax giver. The area produced and still produces variety of crops owing to its water abundance.

Every chapter with subheading describes its own topics and escapes nothing significant to the people of Bajaur and establishes its traces of history in the ancient times and with great respect sheds light on the remains of every era whether Buddhist site or Alexander’s passage through the area of Bajaur.

The third chapter of the book is entirely dedicated to its past history, and remains of different civilisations.

The book also gives important information about the geography, administration, agriculture and minerals and also throws light on its climate, mountains and open fields including picnic spots.

Different Pakhtun tribes living in Bajaur find valuable information about their origin and evolution, way of life and traditions.

The writer retells the most popular tale of Sher Alam Mamomnai that he says happened around 1920.

He mentions that the story has a real background later versified by about nine folk Pashto poets but poet Fida Mutawahir’s version took it to a new height when it was sung by a popular folk singer Fazle Rabi.

Also, he takes time to describe the visit of Bacha Khan to a Masjid still located in Katkot, Mamoond area where he had spent 40 days.

Similarly, the shrines of Sufis, great literary figures and poets have been mentioned in the book that not only take the readers to the past glory of Bajaur but also transport one to the sights and sounds of the local residents, their tribal pride and their beautiful traditions that still bloom in the springs of the area.

The book is a medley of war, history and romance that gives the author a due credit to bring such information to the avid readers of history but it also provides a window to different readers with various tastes and bent of minds.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2021