Azakhel Payan

Etymologies

The word Azakhel Payan is compound word; consisting of three words, i.e. "Aza", most probably the name of its founder. However, it is suggested that khel comes from the Avestan word khuail, meaning "uncountable" or "over-populated", such as the counting of stars or counting grains of rice. The word is a cognate of the Persian word kheleh, meaning "lots" or "too much". In usage, the word khel is placed after the name of the common ancestor or leader. A khel is often based in a single village, but it may also be based on a larger area including several villages, or part of a town. while "Payan", means "Lower" in "Persian" or "Urdu".

1. Aza Khel Payan Origin:

a. One thought is; The name "Aza Khel" is given to this piece of land after its founder "Aza Khan" or "Raza Khan",who was considered as one of the great Afghan warriors.

b. Another thought is; The name Aza Khel derived is derived from the word ZA Khel, which is the name of a town in Kondoz, Afghanistan (some kilometres away from Kondoz towards

History

Although the History of Azakhel Payan is so much complex & full of ambiguity, but still there persist some ideas (in the inhabitants; called "Azakhelis or Azakhelians") regarding its history, origin, settlement of people here, their distribution into different Sub- Division (Mohallas), Demography & ethnicity of its inhabitants, etc.

Some of these are;

Climate

The overall climate of the Area is Harsh; (i.e.) Cold in Winters (Avg. Temperature Range: 10°C- 20°C) & Hot in Summers (Avg. Temperature Range: 35°C - 42°C).

There are four seasons; 1. Winter (From October to Mid of February), which are mostly dry with low Rainfall 2. Spring (From Mid of February to End of March) 3. Summer (From April to September) 4. Autumn (From September to October)

Sub- Division (Mohallas)

The village: Āza Khel Pāyān, is now divided into different Mohallas (sub-sections), some of which are named after their founders' names (i.e);

Some Mohallas are named upon the profession of its inhabitants like;

The other Mohallas are upon their location in the village;

Religion

Languages, Demography & Literacy Rate

The population of the Village is about 30-35 thousand. After demographic changes in recent decades due to Afghan Refugees and Tribal peoples arrival, Pashto language speakers are in majority today which make up about more than 90% of total population of Nowshehra. Pashto language (i.e.) Pukhto dialect, speakers are in majority (99.9% of the total population. Urdu being National language is also spoken and understood.

According to the 1998 census of Pakistan, the population density was 520 persons per km². The annual growth rate was 3.0%

The literacy rate is increasing very swiftly & is about 80-85 %.

Political Statistics

Almost all the political parties of Pakistan have their representation in the village to some extent but the dominant among them are;

Geography

Its surrounded by the Cherat Mountains from the South & on about the same side, it has about hundreds Brick-Kilns. On North side it have Kabil River; about 2, 3KM from the Grand Trunk Road (the area in between the Kabil River & G.T. Road is named as "Bela", which served as "Training Camp for Afghan Mujaheddin", during Soviet Occupation of Afghanistan & it was later on established as a Refugee Camp to the "Afghan migrants" in "Gen. Zia ul Haq" Era, as a hospitality & brotherhood symbol to the Afghan Brothers), On its West is Azakhel Bala (Its Brother Village) and on its East it have Pir Pai.

Azakhel Park

Azakhel Park, Azakhel Payan Nowshera, spreading over 83 acres of Agricultural Land is granted on lease to University of Peshawar's The Centre of Plant Biodiversity (CPB) by the District Government to develop a Botanical Garden, including the provision of her-barium, museum, research laboratories, botanical nurseries, green houses, conference hall, lecture theaters, library and faculty offices for training of students leading to non degree and degree awarding Programmes like short courses, diplomas, B.S., M. Phil. and Ph. D. degrees in various disciplines of Plant Biodiversity. The Centre also provides forum for exchange of mutual ideas by arranging conferences, seminars, workshops and other gatherings.

Main Characteristics

It has a beautiful Central Bazaar named as Charsoo Bazaar, which is well crowded in the evenings (specially on Thursdays & Weekends) & in the Eid days. Its well furnished & well occupied by a lot of different varieties of food articles. A person passing through this Bazaar can't go home with empty stomach, without having something.The people from neighboring areas visit this place to have their dinners.Its one of the main source of income of the people. The village is gifted with the lush green fields, hillocks & a lot of greenery by the Allah almighty. The people of the village are Hospitable, honest, pure in their thoughts, hard-working, trust-worthy, true to their promises.The village is full of the intelligent people serving in different fields both, in Govt Sector & in the Private Sector, in the Country & abroad.The villagers are Engineers, Doctors, Professors, Economist, Army Officials, Bank Managers, IT Professionals, Pashto Poets, Prose Writers & High Caliber Officers. The village has concrete roads, Govt & Private Schools (both at the primary & secondary level,for Boys & Girls), its own Basic Health Unit (BHU), Veterinary Clinic with Veterinary Doctor,its Post Office, its own Union Council, Its Police station,its petrol pumps, Govt Go-downs (for storage of wheat & medicines) & play grounds etc. It has the Peshawar University's Botanical Garden, used for new research on plants.