Dandoqa

History

Dandoka village: "The Broken Sword: sharp & lethal", The Land of Warroirs/Kings/Martyrs in Khyber PakhtoonKhwa, Pakistan. Founded by The Grand Elders of Jaokhel tribes (The Warriors, The Kings). In the past the land of dandoka village was the large fraction of the village Dagi. The land of dandoka was once a battle field in the old times between the tribes of Dagi and Turlandi, has emerged quickly as a portion of populated territory between Dagi and Tarakai. Its population is about 7000 (in 2007) and is one of the smallest villages in District Swabi. Basic tribes of this village includes the Jaokhel, Qurashi (Mollan/Syyeds), Kaka Khels and others. The issue, that how this area was named Dandoka, has been controversial both for historians and archeologists. According to Archeologist the area got its name Dandoka due to its geographic location between to ancient streams. Any natural stream is called dund in Pushto language. As the area is between two natural dund (Streams) so peoples of the time called it Dandoka, This is the view of Archeologist, which is acceptable according to his geographics principles but its a gossip only and wrong information about the history of this village. Actually the history of Dandoka is correctly explain by Roshan Khan. According to Mr. Roshan Khan in his famous book, "History of Swabian Pathans" the term Dandoka means "Broken Sword". He further mentions that the famous Muslim warrior, Mehmood Ghaznavi met the Indians in a war at this spot. During the battle, the sword of one of his soldiers broke into two pieces. Upon breaking of his sword, he said, "Ah! Dan doka" (Oh! My sword has broken). These words of Ayaz were later on used as a name for this area. However, the local uneducated people accept the views of Archeologist. But the strong family background history individuals and educated class of this village has rejected the idea of Archeologist and they consider the views of Mr. Roshan Khan to be correct. The exact meaning of Arabic word dandoka is Broken/Cut sharp & lethal sword. It is concluded that the views of Mr.Roshan Khan is correct according to Historians and the elders of this area. so the Dandoka means "Broken Sword" and the Broken Sword is more sharp & lethal than the normal one.

Origin of the term Dandoqa, Dandoka

The issue, that how this area was named Dandoka, has been controversial both for historians and archeologists. there are two theories about it. According to an Archeologist, the area got its name Dandoka due to its geographic location between to ancient streams. Any natural stream is called "Dund" in Pushto language. As the area is between two natural "Dunds" (Streams) therefore peoples of the time called it Dandoka. On the other hand, according to Mr. Roshan Khan in his famous book, "History of Swabian Pathans" the term Dandoka means "Broken Sword". He further mentions that the famous Muslim warrior, Mehmood Ghaznavi met the Indians in a war at this spot. During the battle, the sword of one of his soldiers broke into two pieces. Upon breaking of his sword, he said, "Ah! Dan doka" (Oh! My sword has broken). These words of Ayaz were later on used as a name for this area. However the ideas of Mr. Roshan Khan are accepted on a large scale by the peoples. The term Dandoqa, is derived from the Tartaric Language, which means "My Broken Sword" which justifies the view of Mr. Roshan Khan.

Today

Today Dandoka, due to its unique geographic location is considered as a separate village from both Dagi and Tarakay. The Grand Elders of Jaokhel tribes put the foundation of this village after conquering and then buying the lands from the peoples of Dagi by legal payments to them. Muqarab Khan who has a prominent personality also do settled down the long lasting wars & battles between the tribes of Dagi and Turlandi. Therefore Jaokhel tribes first conquered and then buy this land by putting a barrier between the two villages and to settle down the war and rage between the tribes of Dagi & Turlandi. As the meaning of the name shows "Broken sword". This land Dandoka have been capture back after long lasting wars and battles. And the elders of Jaokhel tribes do shed their blood to conquered this land. Jaokhel tribes were called warriors at that times as they conquered this area, by pushing back the stronger warriors of Turlandi tribes from occupied lands of Dagi tribes. So first to settle in this area were the Jaokhel tribes. The Kaka khels, Qurashi and other different tribes relocate, migrate to dandoka in search of bread and butter. Jaokhel tribes high profile elders did like to gift lands to their new relocating/migrating tribes like Kaka khels. Whenever a child born in dandoka particularly in migrated families like Kaka khels etc, the father of child always get a piece of land as a token of gift from the Elders of Jaokhel tribes. Nowadays Dandoka is a separate Village. Jaokhel tribes actively participated in the Pakistan Movement in British India. The village lies between the ancient two streams,

Developmental status

Developmental works are however negligible in the village as Jaokhel tribes always do affiliated to Nationalist party. That’s why the government officials of the region always do prefer to ignore Dandoka to change the political views and vision of Jaokhel tribes but the said tribes never ever did changes their strong and firm nationalist beliefs, views and vision. Dandoka village have only been Middle schools for both boys and girls constructed while No high schools. Similarly no steps have been taken by the government officials to provide services of Post office, health, irrigation and drainage etc. In the present times the leading head Elder of the Village Haji Mohammad Khurshid Khan (the grandson of Hashim Khan) due to his non-violence, educated and humanitarian (Khudai Khidmatgar) life style" is trying his best to do development work in all sectors. The self esteem frame of mind individuals belonging to different tribes either Jaokhel or kaka khel or qurashi do work in their field of expertise to serve and upgrade the life standards of the peoples of this village. It is hopeful, that a number of developmental works should be launched in the current government so as to improve the life standards of the peoples here.

Major tribes

The major tribes of (Dandoka) Dandoqa are "Jaokhels", "Qureshi" and the "Kakakhels" and others..

Jaokhels

The first Tribe to settle in this area were the Jaokhel tribes. From the day of his foundation the Jaokhel tribes Elder was leading head Elder of this Village. Once Muqarab khan was the head of the tribe and village Dandoka in the past. The Leading Head Elders of the village and Tribe changes time to time but it is confirmed that it was always from Jaokhel tribes. The grandfather of Haji Mohammad Khurshid Khan, Mr. HASHIM KHAN was the one of the leading and high profile personality of Khudai Khidmatgar Tahreek. Nowadays a prominent Khudai Khidmatgar worker (the son of Khwaja Mohammad Khan and the grandson of Hashim khan) Haji Mohammad Khurshid Khan is the Leading Head Elder of the Jaokhel tribe and Dandoka as well.

Jaokhels of Dandoqa migrated to this village from "Fateh jang" of District Attock in late 18th century. Though these peoples are not Punjabis but they were settled in Fateh Jang for their trade promotion. Forefathers of Jaokhels belonged to "Herat" a major city in Afghanistan. Muqarrab Khan was the first to have migrated to village Dandoqa and was the first chief of his Jaokhels tribe. He was succeeded by Hashim Khan. It was the time when the second major tribe, the Kakakhels entered the village and settled. Hashim Khan was succeeded by Dilawar Khan. At the cutting edge of his life, he appointed Mr. Nasrullah Khan as the chief of Jaokhels tribe in Dandoqa.

Nasrullah Khan was succeeded by his son, Malik Abdul Wahab (not an ethnic Malik but by name). He was an influential man in the politics of the area and was famous for his non violent character unlike his political rivals, the Kakakhels, who were known for their aggression in politics. He was a member of the union council of his area and a hard working person. In broader sense, he was the actual asset of not only his tribe but for his village also. His sudden death in 2002 created a power vacuum for the position of chief in his tribe, but thanks to the good behaviour and skills of his cousin, Haji Khurshid Khan who successfully overcome these difficulties.

Upon the death of Malik Abdul Wahab, his cousin, Haji Muhammad Khurshid Khan was appointed as the chief of his tribe and he is still serving as head of his tribe with no controversies. He is a retired Tehsildar and active social worker and Khudai Kidmatgar. After his retirement as a Government servant, he soon became the Swabi District level Senior Vice President of Pakistan's largest nationalistic party, the Awami National Party, and he has been serving for his village as well as for his district from the last 40 years. His non violent character is the main weapon of his success. Unlike other members of his tribe, who have not focused on literacy of their children, Haji Muhammad Khurshid Khan is known for his special focus upon his children's education. His sons and grandsons are now serving in respectable departments (Health, Judiciary, Business, Education, Engineering and Humanitarian Work).

The Jaokhels at Dandoqa, live a traditional life dominated by Pakhtoon Culture. Education has recently made growth in this tribe, with just a single family to have the greater number of graduates in different fields. The rest of Jaokhels lack any interest in education and that's why literacy ratio is limited to the home of the current chief of Jaokhels tribe only. However, they have made significant goals in field of agriculture, thereby making 90 percent of their income from promoted Agriculture.

Kakakhels

Migrated from Kaka Sahib, Nowshehra, to the village Dandoqa, in search of bread and butter.. Kakakhels are the descendants of an individual, Syed Kasteer Gul who was a famous Muslim scholar of India in the 17th century, when Jalal ud Din Akbar, The Great, was ruling India. Syed Kasteer Gul belonged to Nowshehra of present day Pakistan and was popular with the name "Kaka Sahib" in the local Pathan community. His descendants later on spread across Nowshehra, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Karak, Kohat, Haripur, Pasheen, Qalat and many are settled in Peshawer and Islamabad also.

Education ratio

the education ratio is quite low in the area as majority of the peoples are poor and cannot afford the education expenses of their children. But still a tide of awareness in the peoples is seen especially in the JaoKhel tribe. About 33% of the total village population is literate.

Agricultural status

In agricultural field, the major crops like Wheat, Tobacco, Maize, Sunflower, Rice, Sugar cane, Mustard, Potatoes, and all types of vegetables are cultivated here.

Culture

The common Peoples of Dandoqa, live a traditional life dominated by Pakhtoon Culture. Education has recently made growth in this village. The most of the common people of this village affiliated to the Awami National Party. The educated class of this family is serving in respectable departments (Health, Judiciary, Business, Education, Engineering and Humanitarian Work).

Festivals

Religious festivals like Eid ul Fitar, Eid ul Azhaa and Eid e Melaad, Ramadan Mubarak are celebrated with religious zeal and passion. Other festivals and ceremonies like marriages, engagements, etc. are also celebrated with traditional pomp and show. Beating the drum (dholkey, in local dialect) has been one of the amazing trends followed up till now in marriage ceremonies.

Sports

In sports, Volley Ball and Cricket are the dominating games played in this village. Many young boys are today the players of volleyball for various teams like Pakistan Army, etc. Elders like to play cards in their local gathering houses called "Hujra".

Common life of inhabitants

The people of Dandoka live a traditional rural life. Religious festivals like Eid ul Fitar, Eid ul Azhaa and Eid e Melaad are celebrated with religious zeal and passion. Other festivals and ceremonies like marriages, engagements, etc. are also celebrated with traditional pomp and show. Beating the drum (dholkey, in local dialect) has been one of the amazing trends followed up till now in marriage ceremonies.