Chinglai: چینگلٸ
Meaning: About the origin of word Chinglai there
are two common theories.
First Theory about
origin of word Chinglai: one is that the original name could be چین-گلیChin-
galai, Chinglai is
from two words;
Chin meaning
China and Gali Means Path, way or Road.
So the word chinglai mean way or Road to china.
There is another thing that support this meaning, and
that is the only way to the Valley of Chinglai that could be used in past (in
absence of roads) is a Village _درن_Daran
every one little bit known about Persian Urdu or Pukhtoo
will easily understand it that Daran may be short form of Dara
e Hind,_درہِ
ہند means the Road or path to India. So the whole history of
Chinglai lay in its name.
Second theory about word Chinglai: According to this, Chinglai may be derived from word China-Gali,
Means a village built near a Spring or water source.
Instead of first theory for which we have a strong
geographical proof, second theory has no such proof. This thing weakens the
second theory.
Location of Chinglai:
Chinglai is a
lush green vast valley of Buner, it is one of the largest Village of District
Buner Tehsil Khudu khel both on base of area and population.
It lays at extreme north of Khudu khel, Connected with Tehsil
Mandanr(Northern boarder) on western side connected to Village Bagh and at some
point village Naranji of District Swabi, on its Eastern side is Mangalthana, Malka,
Tupyiala and on it south side there lays Villages of Sawawai Dhandhar and
Sarwaye.
Some views of Chinglai: These are pictures taken at different weathers.
This shows Chinglai with Mighty peak of Sikko
This an important view as it almost shows the complete location of Chinglai's Valley
This is stunning view of Chingai's night
Post code or Zip code of Chinglai: 23432 is post code that is used both by Chinglai and Totalai, as post code.
Population of Chinglai: According
to recent Census, 2017 Population of Chinglai is 19545. Today it will be almost
25 thousand.
People of Chinglai: The people
here are mostly the Afghan Yousafzai and some other group are
people are also there like Daman, Nayan, Chumyaran, Shahkhailan, Gujran,
Kolalan, Loharan, Tarkananr, Myagan,
Mulan, Dhobyanan, Jhulahgan, Tarawri and few Nomadic families of Ajaran,
in addition there are some others(whose ethnicity is even unknown to them).
Few families are Sikh too.
Yousafzai Tribes in Chinglai: Yousafzai
afghans are the original people of the land, who came there almost one thousand
years ago, defeating Swati Pathan who were living here.
On base of ethnicity the Afghan of Chinglai can be
divided into two groups,
Bam kel and Usman
khel tribes.
A.
Bam khel of Chinglai:
these are descents of Bam baba, these includes;
a.
Younas khel: This
tribe further divided into Bar Younas khel and Kuz Younas khel.
b.
Ja’afar Khel: This
tribe divided into kunji Hujra and Brah Hujra.
c.
Mada Khel: This
tribe divided into Qabla Mada khel and Myanz Mada khel.
d.
Khwajas Khel: This
tribe has no further division.
B. Usman khel of Chinglai: These are descents od Usman Baba. These tribe
include;
a. Usman
khel: This is one of the largest khail/tribe of Chinglai. It
is further divided into 3 main hujras.
i.
Sreekh Hujra
ii.
Urh Usmani also
know as Meyanz Hujra. This has further two Hujras.
iii.
Jalwal: These
has further two Hujras.
b. Bedi
khel.
c. Sarki
khel.
d. La’al
khel.
Economics of Chinglai: Most of economy of the people of Chinglai is
related to Farming and agriculture, Mostly young work abroad specially in Arab
countries and Malasia, some people are gov’t servants too but these are very
few, due lack of interest in Business most people try their best to be a
government employee. Due to having 2nd largest Bazaar in Buner(after
Swarai) and one of largest population, some people have strong
businesses in Markets.
Educational
in Chinglai: Education level is too low in comparison with
Upper Buner. Most of boys and girls left the school at primary level, and reaming
left the educational carrier after 10th class or 12th,
very few get admission at University level. The cause this is mainly the week
financial situations and high 1 of Higher education.
Educational structure of
Chinglai or Schools in Chinglai:
There are two private schools, one is Al-Usmania
Public school and second is Allama Iqbal model School.
Government schools: For girls there are these primary schools, One in Chinglai I and other in Chinglai II, and only
one Higher secondary school. There are also primary schools for girls in Dhandi kot,Kalan, Kangalai, Jamra, Kela, Bhato, Yagan and Sro.
For boys primary schools are as, Government Primary
School Chinglai I was built in 1948, by government of Wali e Swat.
Government primary school Dhandi kot, Kalan, Kangalai, Jamra, Dhambarai, Kela, Yagan, Jamra, Sroo and Tawheed abad.
There is one midle midle school for boys in Jamra, one high school in Chinglai II and there is also a Higher secondary school (Chinglai I) this
was built by Wali e Swat , it is one of his great architectural monuments it is still under use, its beauty
and greatness remained every one the great era of Wali e Swat Jahan Zaib
Khan Abdul Wadood.
All these schools belong to Board of Swat.
Madrasas in Chinglai: In addition to
schools there are Deeni madaris too in chinglai both fir boys and girls.
Boys madaris: Few
are as;
جامعہ
فاروقیہ
جامعہ فاطمہ الزہرہ
جامعہ مدینتہ القران
جامعہ محمدیہ
Madaris for Girls: In above the except the first other has separate madrasa for girl too. There
are numbers of Madaris for girls but have no name, rather they learn at homes
of their female teacher Mullima .
Political structure of Chinglai: Politically
Village Chinglai is divided into three Union Councils;
A.
Chinglai I: All Tribes of Usman khail.
B.
Chinglai II: All tribes of Bam khail
C. Kalan
kangalai.
Jirga of Chinglai:
Jirga is
essential to every Pakhtun societies, The Jirga of Chinglai was and still is
such strong that all over the region, it is famous by name of “Da
Chinglai Tabar “ means “The axe of Chinglai”, it was
named so after its decisions and its effectiveness, as any thing that once get
cut down by an axe can never be repaired, the same, once any thing decided by
This Jirga could be never be challenged
changed or withdrew. Though it is no more such effective, but still its
importance in Sulah and solving other critical issues is still unparalleled.
Crops of Chinglai: Most important are Wheat, corn, Tobacco, Onions,
Potatoes, grains, Orange, Peaches and some wild fruits that are present on
mountains. Though the land is too fertile but there is no system of irrigation
very few lands has old Rehat رہٹ system and almost 85 to 85 percent of lands even
lack this system too. These lands are called Baranai zmaki means lands that depends only water of
rain for irrigation.
Culture of Chinglai: In history due to most protected and unreachable region
Chinglai was rich of natural Yousafzai culture and now despite
globalisation of all cultures it still has
uniqueness. It also has some effects of Swabi culture (as here
too women wear red doted Shals known as Parhoni or Chail) and Swati
culture(Language, ways of celebration and mourning and some others).
Sites to be Visited in Chinglai: As Chinglai is located among lush green
mountains and hills that is why it has a lot of such beautiful points that are
not less than popular sites.
1.Durmaye: دُرماٸ
It is a hill
station located at the hights where Chinglai meets with Tehsil Mandanr. It is a
very best choice for picnic or other such outing activities. It is unpopular so
there one will feel complete calmness and peace. Its another positive point is
its location on main Chinglai to Swarai road.
2. Ghazi baba: It
also a great choice for outing, it is located at point where Chinglai and
Sawawai.
3. Lwe khwar: It
is best for fishing, full of beauty and peace.
4. Dhandi kot ghat ڈنڈی
کوٹ گھٹ
5. Brah بڑھ
It is an
undiscovered historical site, may be related to Rani ghat and Swat, because
of its location. It is waiting for research by archaeologists. It has rooms and
other holes that indicate a forgotten civilization.
6. Sikko Peak : It i the
highest peak of Western mountains. Climbing to such hight may take 5 to 6
hours, but it will reveals the wild beauty of mountain.
7. Bagooch Peak: It is the highest of all peaks that
cover Chinglai Valley. It become more beautiful when snow fell on its top.
8. Landar dheriy: It is hill, on top of has some
indications of ruins.
9. Sites for Hiking: Every mountain of the valley is best
for hiking, this statement is not exaggerating but a reality, on visiting you
can experience this. Every site will be felt by you better than previous.
Some picture captured during hiking are as