# Battagram District

Battagram (Pashto: بټګرام ولسوالۍ, Urdu: ضلع بٹگرام) is a tribal district in Hazara Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. The headquarter is Battagram, which is about 75 km from Mansehra city. It was part of historic Yaghistan (Independent Territory) before 1955. Later in 1955, It was merged into Pakistan and made part of neighboring Mansehra District with the status of Tehsil. It was officially separated from Mansehra District in July 1993 and was given the status of district. Battagram District was ruled by many different Khans, all belonging to the Swati tribe.

## Overview and history

The district of Battagram is located at a latitude of 34.41 and longitude of 73.1. It is surrounded by Kohistan District to the north, Mansehra District to the east, (Torghar District) to the south, and Shangla District to the west.
It has a land area of 1,301 square kilometres (502 sq mi). Battagram obtained the status of a district in July 1993, when it was upgraded from a Tehsil and separated from Mansehra District.

### Location and Altitude

* Battagram is situated at 34°41'N 73°1'E and has an altitude of approximately 1,038 meters (3,408 feet) above sea level.
* It is nestled amidst the picturesque mountains of northern Pakistan.

### Climate

* Battagram experiences a mild and generally warm climate.
* The average temperature hovers around 18.5 °C (65.3 °F), and the annual precipitation averages about 1,427 millimeters (56.18 inches).
* June is the hottest month, while January is the coldest.

### Education

* Several schools and colleges contribute to improving the literacy rate in the area.
* NGOs and foreign funds have played a role in building schools to enhance education.

### Historical Significance

* It was conquered by Swatis under Sultan Pakhal Gibari Swati in 1190 CE who made it part of Swat Sultanate.
* Some of its area was conquered by Amir Taimur which led to establishment of local Turk Kingdom known as "Pakhli Sarkar".
* Area of Battagram District which was ruled by Turks was again conquered by Swatis in 1644 under Akhun Salak Baba who were finding more area to live after losing their former capital Swat.
* Battagram was never ruled by a foreign power during the medieval era.
* Battagram District is famous for Black Mountain Expeditions when Khan of Allai Arsala Khan Swati, Malik of Thakot Abdul Qadir Khan Swati and all other Khans of this area resisted the British army for 35 years and at last lost in 1891 expedition but maintained independency till 1955.
* The valley was ruled by tribal Khans, all belonging to the Swati tribe until they signed the Instrument of Accession with Pakistan in 1955.
* It was called Yaghistan (A term used for areas which were out of British control )

### 2005 Earthquake

* Battagram was significantly affected by the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005.
* More than 4,500 people lost their lives, and approximately 35,000 were injured.

### District Status

* Battagram obtained the status of a district in July 1993, previously being a tehsil of Mansehra District.
* The struggle led by Mr. Yousaf Khan Swati, A Khan of Trand resulted in its elevation to a separate district

## Demographics

As of the 2023 census, Batagram district has 86,196 households and a population of 554,133. The district has a sex ratio of 103.11 males to 100 females and a literacy rate of 39.09%: 54.69% for males and 23.34% for females. 176,715 (31.94% of the surveyed population) are under 10 years of age. The entire population lives in rural areas. 1,235 (0.22%) people in the district are from religious minorities, mainly Christians.
* Pashto (81.94%)
* Hindko (3.85%)
* Kohistani (2.11%)
* Others (12.1%)
At the time of the 2023 census, 81.94% of the population spoke Pashto, 3.85% Hindko and 2.11% Kohistani as their first language. 11.88% of the population spoke languages classified as 'Others', mainly other Kohistani languages.

## Administration

The district has geographical borders with the districts of Kohistan to the north, Mansehra to the east and southeast, Torghar to the south and Shangla to the west. The district consists of only one sub-division or Tehsil, containing 12 in total. Union Councils:
In 2022, Allai Tehsil was separated and upgraded to District status.
| Tehsil | Urdu name | Pashto name | No. of Unions | Name of Unions | Remarks |
| Allai Tehsil | تحصیل آلائی | الائي تحصیل‎ | 8 | Banna, Bateela, Batkul‚ Biari, Jambera, Pashto, Rashang and Sakargah | In 2022, Upgraded to Allai District |
| Battagram Tehsil | تحصیل بٹگرام | بټګرام تحصیل‎ | 12 | Ajmera, Banian, Battagram, Batamori, Gijbori, Kuza Banda, Paimal Sharif, Peshora, Rajdhari, Shumlai, Thakot and Trand | |

### Provincial Assembly

| Member of Provincial Assembly | Party Affiliation | Constituency | Year |
| Zubair Khan Swati (Allai Khan) | Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf | PK-34 Battagram-I | 2024 |
| Taj Muhammad Khan Swati (Trand Khan) | Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf | PK-35 Battagram-II | 2024 |

## 2005 earthquake

Battagram was one of the areas affected by the Pakistan earthquake of October 8, 2005 when more than 4,500 people were killed and approximately 35,000 were injured. Many residents of the area were rendered homeless and without shelter. Since October 8, 2005, the NGOs and the governmental organization Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority have been engaged in reconstruction work but as of 2009, the reconstruction work is not completed. In some cases residents have rebuilt houses themselves.