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MAIN CITIES OF MALAKAND
THANA: This city of Malakand is of great historical significance. Since the occupation of these areas by the Yousafzais, it was always the headquarters of the Khan Khels (Kingly class) of the Yousafzais. ‘Takht-e-Shah Mansoor’ is located in the Mora Pass closely and it was here that Babar, the Mughal king, married Bibi Mubarika, daughter of Malik Shah Mansoor in order to establish blood relations with the Yousafzais before he went on the conquest of India. The British established the first middle and later the matric school in the entire tribal belt at Thana which gives its inhabitants the leading edge in the province of education. Thana village is spread over an area of about 3 to 4 kilometres.
BATKHELA: Batkhela is the main trade and commerce centre of Malakand and is centrally located town in the Swat Ranizai tehsil. The Batkhela bazar is the longest one in the country and is replete with items of essential commodities, which are also supplied to Dir, Chitral and Swat districts and Bajaur Agency.
After implementation of the devolution plan a District Secretariat has been established at Batkhela where offices of the District Nazim, District Naib Nazim, District Coordination Officer, Information, Finance and Planning and Development departments are located.
The Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Swat Ranizai office is also situated at Batkhela where Tehsil Nazim works. The Batkhela city has all the necessary establishments like headquarter hospital, telephone exchange, veterinary hospital, F.G. school and college, GPO etc.
MALAKAND: Malakand is also name of a village in Malakand district and lies at top of the Malakand Pass. Before the local government system, Malakand was the headquarters of the agency. It is situated 824 metres above the sea level.
The village has always been the scene of closely contested battles in history and could be aptly called ‘the Panipat’ of the Swat valley. There are many features of historical significance, including the old British Fort, British Cemetery, the old Buddhist road, British piquets on top of various tactical heights, headquarter of the Malakand Levies, Malakand Jail as well as the graves of the locals, who fell while fighting the invaders.
A nice little reserve olive forest covers the village, which looks very interesting. The travellers passing through the village never miss to have a cursory glance at the forest reserve of the village, the mazar of Speen Shaheed and graveyard of martyrs of battles of Malakand.
The Malakand Levies headquarter is situated on the roadside where offices of the commandant, Subedar Major and other staff are located. All the matters relating to the Malakand Levies are tackled in this headquarter.
DARGAI: Dargai village is important in the sense that it always served as a springboard for any military adventures across the Malakand Pass. It has a railway terminal with a historic British times Fort. The village is also famous for its production of best quality tomato and timber business. The historical Jabban Power House is also located in the village.
Offices of the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) for Sam Ranizai Tehsil are located here where Tehsil nazim, Tehsil Municipal Officer and other staff work. A considerable number of Pak Army personnel are stationed at Dargai with a big training area outside the Fort.
SAKHAKOT: Sakhakot is also one of the major business centres in Malakand particularly the foreign goods, arms and automobiles. It separates Malakand from the settled Mardan territory. The area is famous for tobacco crop.
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