Thursday, February 6, 2020

Places of soon valley
























































In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin. In 1005 he conquered the Shahis in Kabul and followed it by conquests within the Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of the Punjab.
The Janjua clan settled in the valley when Babur, the first Mughal emperor passed through on military campaigns, according to his memoirs, the Baburnama. The grave of Raja Tatar Khan Janjua is in Khutakka (Ahmadabad), the centre of his rule. The remnants of his fort 'Akrand' still stand. The Janjua were scattered after the attack of Hari Singh Bhangi in 1760 and their descendants settled in Kattha, Ratala Rajgaan, Jaswal, Dhak, Jauharabad and Shahpur.
The Awans of the Soon Valley were also amongst those the British considered to be "martial race".[6] The British recruited army heavily from Soon Valley for service in the colonial army, and as such, the Awans of this area also formed an important part of the British Indian Army,[7][circular reference] serving with distinction during World Wars I and II. Of all the Muslim groups recruited by the British, proportionally, the Awans produced the greatest number of recruits during the First and Second World Wars. Contemporary historians Professor Ian Talbot and Professor Tan Tai Yong have asserted that the Awans (amongst other tribes) are viewed as a martial race by not only the British, but neighbouring tribes as well. Awans occupy the highest ranks of the Pakistani Army. A village by the name of Manawan (formerly Man Awan - The heart of the Awans) is also among the notable historical villages of the valley.