Village Life in Chakwal is very simple

Chakwal is located in the Dhani region in Potohar, northern Punjab. The ancient Soan civilization is found in Chakwal and the surrounding area. It has a rich history. The capital of Chakwal, the Chakwal region’s District Capital is located in Chakwal. The district of Chakwal has four Tehsils: Kalarkahar Choha Saiden Shah Chakwal, Talagang, and Talagang. This region was ruled by the Khokhar Rajputs and Dogra Rajputs for many years. This region was settled by seven tribes: Waince and Mair Minhas, Khokhar Rajputs (Bhatti Rajputs), Bhatti Rajputs (Mughal Kassar), Kahut Quriesh, and Waince.

The region is known for its unique culture. Chen, Leung, and Chen (2009) define culture as a collection of shared values, beliefs, and norms that define a nation’s unique identity. Cultural elements/values are a combination of symbols, language and myths that together make up the identity of a region.

The area is semi-arid and has a shortage of water. Some lakes are both man-made and natural. Agricultural activities are popular. This area is home to many agricultural products, including Mustard, Wheat and Grains, Peanuts, Sesame, Sesame Seeds, Tara Mira, and Grains. Loqat is grown in large farms at Choha Saiden Shah or Kallar Kahar. Local workers are employed at salt mines and coal mines. The environment is a major influence on how people think and act. These people are both strong fighters and hardy. They are courageous. This area has produced many army employees. It is also a popular area for education. Education is a very important topic. Many schools are related to the army (Fauji Foundation and PAF, etc. This area is home to both government schools as well as private schools. Women prefer to work at schools, while other occupations aren’t popular for them. Many skilled but uneducated laborers went to the Gulf region in the mid 80’s. These expatriates sent money to their relatives living in this area. It is spoken in Potohari dialect and has a distinct accent.

Shalwar Kamez is the most popular type of Shalwar Kamez. Although some people wear dhoti and turbans, it is not common (Chakwal News). A ‘koti’/coat is worn by well-off men over shalwar kamez. To cover their skin, women might wear a Burqa, a long black and flowing garment. Most people wear sandals and flip-flops, or ‘Chapals’. This area has been home to many non-Muslim communities, including Hindus. Many of these people migrated to India after the partition. This region has also been influenced by Hindu culture as a whole. This area is a significant place for Hindus. We’ll discuss this later. Therefore, the Hindu influence here is greater. On weddings, girls receive large dowries and the ceremony of Mehndi takes place. The tradition of “Gharoli Bharna” is another common wedding tradition. This involves a sister in law, or close female relatives of the boy’s family, going to another relative to fill a container of mud with water to bless them.

Both Muslims and Hindus have a religious connection to this place. The Shrine of Chehl-Abdal can be found on a hill at 3500 feet above the sea level. Other important shrines like Hazrat Baba Faridganj Bakhsh and Hazrat Sultan Baho, as well as Hazrat Aho Baho Baho, are also found here. This area is home to the famous temple of Kitas’. This area is very important to Hindus, who visit it for worship. Kitas’s name appears in the Hindu holy book Maha Bharat (written in 300 B.C). There are a hundred steps to the top of the temple, where you can find dark rooms that are suitable for meditation. Legend has it that a part of the temple is underground and leads to Chakwal. Al Bairuni, a famous scholar, learned Sanskrit in this area at a linguistic college that was established here at the time. Al Bairuni, a famous scholar, discovered the radius of Earth during his visit to this area. He also wrote his famous book, ‘Kitabul-Hind’ (Chakwal News). This area was home to a yearly fair, or ‘Mela’, where many people would come to entertain or have fun. Kallar Kahar, a major tourist attraction in this area, is also a must-see. Tourists come to this area for boating and it has a lake.

The influence of families and castes remains great. Until now, the most prominent families in this region are Awans, Chaudarys and Rajputs. Rajput is the most prominent cast in some villages, such as Dalwal. Awans, on the other hand, are most noble in Bhaun and Bhaun. Caste is still an important part this region. People associate their castes proudly with their names, such as Raja, Bhatti and Chaudary. People often associate themselves with a particular caste based upon their occupation. For example, ‘Mussali (Sweepers, work at mines/homes), or ‘Polli (blacksmith, shopkeepers etc), Lakhay'(extract oil), and ‘Kohlu (Dig land to be used for agricultural purposes). Although many of these people now have different occupations, people still refer to them with these names. Intercaste marriage is discouraged. People prefer to marry within their own caste. In some villages, there are separate mosques to cater for different castes.

This region is home to many delicacies that are well-known. This region is home to people like Pahalwan Rewri, a sweet white round sweet, and rose water. People who live in cities often bring wheat and mustard oil from their villages.

The village life in Chakwal district’s villages is very simple. The day begins early in the morning, and people go to bed early at night. Everyone knows everyone and people often visit one another. Indian movies and television are extremely popular. In villages, wells are dug and a carrier takes water from the well to supply water to homes using a donkey. Many homes have their wells, while some newer homes have the latest water extraction systems. The architecture of older homes can be very different to the modern homes. There are both older and newer homes in villages. The walls of older homes are lined with wooden panels that display silverware and other expensive cutlery. Older homes don’t have attached bathrooms. You can also see ‘Alaas, or small holes in walls that were used to put lamps in earlier times. There are also ‘tandoors’ in homes that allow for the making of ‘rotis. There are also ‘tandoors in villages where bread is cooked and taken to the village for money. It is quite different from the way that locals live, and how people who live in cities visit villages often. People who live in cities with a family or visit the village often have a more urban lifestyle. They have modern homes and more space, while those who reside permanently in villages are more rural. Most expatriates working in the Gulf region (mostly skilled, but not educated) return their money to their families and are better off. People living in poverty dry animal waste and paste it on walls to make firewood. Poor women walk door-to-door asking for money, food, and clothing. They tend to the animals of the village’s wealthier residents.

Although Chakwal is heavily influenced from the village lifestyle, it has more urban elements. Modern are also Choha Saiden Shah and Kallar Kahar. Fauji Foundation and mining department as well as Pakistan Cement and Best way cement employ locals. They also settle outsiders in their colonies. Many who have worked in cities return to their villages when they retire.

Chakwal’s rich history and unique culture make it an interesting region. Although the region is more rurally developed, its true identity has not been lost.