Salt Range

The Salt Range (Punjabi: سلسلہ کوہ نمک) is a hill system in the Punjab[1] province of Pakistan, deriving its name from its extensive deposits of rock salt.[1][2] The range extends along the south of the Pothohar Plateau and the north of the Jhelum River. The Salt Range contains the great mines of Khewra, Kalabagh and Warcha which yield vast supplies of salt.[1] Coal of a medium quality is also found.[1]

Salt Range
Salt Range and Motorway M2
Highest point
Elevation1,522 m (4,993 ft)
Naming
Native nameسلسلہ کوہ نمک (Punjabi)
Geography
Salt Range (Pakistan)
Range coordinates32°40′30″N 72°47′35″E
Climbing
Easiest routeM2 motorway (Pakistan)
Normal routeKallar Kahar
Salt Range in Mianwali District, Punjab, Pakistan

History

The Awan, Gakhars, and Janjuas had engaged in an endless battle for sovereignty over the Salt Range.

The history of this region (the Salt Range) from the thirteenth century onward had been a sickening record of wars between the Janjuhas and the Gakkhars for political ascendancy.[3]

But later in the 16th century, the Awan drove out Janjuas and Ghakhars from the western parts of the Salt Range.

According to the Emperor Babar, the Jud and the Janjuha were "two races descended from the same father, "[4] who from old times had been rulers of the hills between Nilab and Bhera, that is, of the Salt Range. "On one-half of the hill lived the Jud, and on the other half the Janjua." The Awans now occupy western half of these hills towards Nilab and Janjuas (Rajputs) on eastern part of these Hills. Juds are actually a sub-clan of Janjuas and there are still 7 seven villages of Juds near Dhrabi Area of Chakwal including Dhrabi village and Dam. They are descendants of Raja Jodh who was 2nd Prince of Janjua King Raja Mal Dev Khan Janjua.There are several forts on these hills and all of them were built by Janjua Rajputs and there ancestors the Pandav's at Katas Raj as well as the Janjua Shahi Dynasty of 2nd Kabul Shahis at Nandna fort. Also this area is known as the first ever Muslim Rajputs Kingdom and Raja Mal Dev Khan Janjua was the founder of This Kingdom. He was from Chandravanshi Rathore Rajputs clan and he was from the bloodline of famous Indian Mahabharata Warrior Prince Arjun Dev Pandav.

About 1500 Janjua Rajputs warrior cavalry fought in the battle of Panipat from this area in support of Babur under the command Malik Hast Khan Janjua (Asad). Sultan Lashkar Janjua and Raja Sanghral Ali Khan Janjuas were also commanding their own Muslim Janjua Rajputs during Battle of Panipat and Battle of Khanwa against Rana Sanga. All of them were rulers of these Hills and chieftains of this ruling Rajput clan. Before these hills were known as Koh-e-jodh, it was on the name of Raja Jodh Janjua son of Raja Mal Dev Khan Janjua.[5]

Kathwai

Two interesting sites are close to Kathwai, Kutte Mar, and Tulaja fort. At Kuttee Mar to the Northeast of Kathwai are Muslim graves made of Kangar and the purported grave of a dog that is said to have died defending the wedding procession of its owner from an attack by bandits. Kutte Mar may have been the place where the Khura inscription of Toramana was found (Buhler 1891–92, 238–41; Sircar 1965: 422–4). If this assessment is correct, a Buddhist monastery was established here around 500. A.D. This inscription and another fragmentary inscription found at Sakaser (Pakistan Archaeology 5, 1968: 284-70) confirm that this area was a flourishing, center for Buddhism, which is borne out by the extensive archaeological remains.

The Tulaja fort is located on a huge rock outcropping with sheer cliffs overlooking the shrine of Kacchianwalla and the Punjab plains. The entire area is covered with the ruins of defensive walls, houses, and other structures made of large stone blocks. Although one building has been identified as a mosque, it is very difficult to distinguish other religious, military or civil structures. One of the most interesting features is a large square tank made of the flat rectangular bricks, which may have supplied water so that the fort could withstand a siege. Comparing this tank with those in other forts may help in assigning a relative date to its construction. In addition to architectural styles, evidence from any coins, which are found here, may help to indicate if this city belonged to the period of the Turk Sultans, Lodhis or Mughals. Extensive remains of a cemetery and other settlements are on the slopes below the fort. There are also supposed to be some remains on Tulaji across the valley from Talaja.

Habitat

The Salt Range has a high level of biodiversity and is home to a number of wildlife sanctuaries (ChumbiSurla, Jahlar Lake, Sodhi, Khabekki Lake and KundalRakh) and protected areas, including the Chinji National Park and several forest (e.g. Simli Reserved Forest and Noorpur Reserved Forest) and wetland areas (including Ucchali, Jahlar and Khabbiki lakes).[6]

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See also

References
  1. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Salt Range" . Encyclopædia Britannica. 24 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 94.
  2. The Salt Range and Khewra Salt Mine whc.unesco.org, accessed 21 May 2018
  3. Advanced History of Medieval India by S. R. (Shiri Ram) Bakshi, Anmol Publ. 1995, p142
  4. Autobiography translated by Erskine, p251
  5. Four reports made during the years, 1862–63–64–65, Volume 2, by Sir Alexander Cunningham, p.17
  6. The Salt Range, wwfpak.org, accessed 21 May 2018
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