Allai District is a district of Hazara Division in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The district was created on 22 January 2023 when the government announced its establishment after being separated from Battagram District.
Formation The Allai district covers an area of 521 sq km and has a population of 180,414 according to the 2017 census. It consists of eight union councils including Banna, Batila, Batkul, Biari, Jumbera, Pashto, Rushing and Shakargah. Allai was previously a tehsil within the Battagram District of the Hazara division. History
Allai tribal State (1595–1971)
Allai was formerly a state ruled by Nawabs of Allai. Nawab Muhammad Ayub Khan was the last Nawab of Allai State until 1970. This state had its own currency. Arsala Khan Swati was the most powerful ruler among the Nawabs of Allai as he is famous for his great resistance against British rule. Arsala Khan was also the Chief of Independent Swatis who defended Yaghistan with the support of Panjghol Swatis, Panjmeral Swatis, Arghushal Swati Khans of Thakot and Khankhail Swatis of Hill and Banser. Nawabs of Allai belong to the Bebal subsection of Gabri Swatis. Pokal was the capital of state.
Arsala Khan was not ambitions to have more land or to torment British rule but wanted to creat a buffer State between Britisher and Allai Valley. Arsala Khan attacked Battle in Mansehra the zero point of Brititish rule and captured 200 Hindu as captio. The Hindu of Battle village near Chattar plain were made captives not for ransom but a challenge to Samandar Khan ( of Garihabibullah) the British Magistrate who expanding his boundary toward Battagram. Arsala Khan, the Chief of Swati Tribe halted the expansion by challenging the British rule at Battle, Mansehra. Arsala Khan was fined Rs.10,000 by the British governament. Arsala Khan Allai protected Muzafar Khan of Battagram from the Samandar Khan of Garihabibullah and defended Battagram territorial integrity against British rule. Muzafar Khan of Battagram was the main target of Samandar Khan who had ambitions of making Battagram to be the part of his Property. It is worth to mention that after the death of Arsala Khan Samandar Khan expanded his territorial limits to Nelishang. British governament sent troops to Pokal Allai for capturing Arsala Khan but he climbedup to Dumrai mountain. British torched a portion of Pokal village and then returned back to Mansehra without capturing Arsala Khan. The British left behind, telescope and begal ( an instrument for calling at military parade) at Pokal. Begal was sold by Nawaz khan Pokal and telescope is still with Hustam khan lalajee of Pokal.
Arsala Khan died in 1907 leaving behind son namely Ghazi Khan. He was buried at main Pokal graveyard under the poplar tree. His grave is having precious soapstone minarets with beautiful curving.
+ Nawabs of Allai tribal state From To Nawab 1595 1623 Ahmed Ali Khan Swati (Founder of the state) 1623 1645 Khan Raja Khan Swati 1645 1664 Khan Muhammad Khan Swati 1664 1685 Khan Nabi Khan Swati 1685 1714 Khan Khawaja Muhammad Khan Swati 1714 1746 Khan Gul Muhammad Khan Swati 1746 1772 Khan Rustam Khan Swati 1772 1805 Khan Hakim Khan Swati 1805 1835 Khan Jamal Khan Swati 1835 1890 Khan Arsala Khan Swati 1890 1923 Nawab Ghazi Khan Swati 1923 1952 Nawab Roshan Khan Swati 1952 1989 Nawab Ayub Khan Swati 1989 2024 Akbar Namoos Khan Swati 2024 Prince Nawaz Khan Swati
Current chieftainship
However the status of state has been abolished. Akbar Namoos Khan, elder son of Nawab Ayub Khan Swati was the Chief of Allai Valley till 30 November, 2024, succeeded by his younger brother Prince Nawaz Khan Swati on 1 December, 2024.
Administration In 2022, Allai Tehsil was separated and upgraded to District status.
TehsilUrdu namePashto nameArea (km²)Pop. (2023)Density (ppl/km²)
(2023)Literacy rate (2023)No. of UnionsName of UnionsAllai Tehsil804218,149271.3335.71%8Banna, Bateela, Batkul‚ Biari, Jambera, Pashto, Rashang and Sakargah
Demographics Population As of the 2023 census, Allai district had a population of 218,149.
Language The main language spoken in the district is Pashto.
References