Chinglai

 

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 2^nd 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 10^th class or 12^th, 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