Bara Bandai
Bara Bandai (Pashto: بره بانډۍ )
| Bara Bandai | |
|---|---|
| Union Council & village | |
| Bara Bandai | |
| Country |
 Pakistan |
| Province | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| District | Swat |
| Government | |
| • District Councler & Tehsil councler | Falak Naz & Riaz Ahmed |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6 km2 (2 sq mi) |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | about 12,000 |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
| Website | www.facebook.com/Bara Bandai |
It is known for its natural beauty and lying in an area crossed by Alexander The Great during his invasion. The people of village Bara Bandai belong to subsection Naikpikhel of Yusufzai the biggest and largest tribe of Pashtun or Pakhtun tribes. It is one of the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) of Pakistan. The village contains a small series of mountains and a jungle, residential area starting from meadows of mountains to the fields, a village market, vast land for crops, number of springs and canals, and a part of the Swat river. Famous mountains of village are Usmani Sar, Kafar Ghat and Najia.
Etymology
The village was named by Yusufzai Pakhtuns after they evacuated the old Swatis from Swat, and means "upper meadow". The neighboring village on the left to Bara Bandai is known as Kuza Bandai which means lower meadow. The names were basically given by their greenery, comparing the distances of both villages from Mingora the main city of Swat, and by comparing their distances from the upper mountainous areas of Swat such as Kalam and Bahrain. The ancient names of these villages are not known as they are just mentioned by locations in old times books and scripts.
Location
Bara Bandai is about 8 to 10 kilometers from Mingoara (the main city of Swat) and Saidu Sharif Capital of old swat state on the way from Mingora to Matta (2nd largest market area of swat) through main road called as "Matta road". It is on the left bank of river Swat and is important and large village of Nikpikhel Area (Nikpikhel area stretches in North to Godamanai bordering directory disstt, Ningolai in east, Dadahara and shamozai in West and on the left bank of river swat). In the west of village there is another village of Koza Bandai and in the east there is Ningolai village which is last village of Nikpikhel area. to the east. Bara Bandai is about 80 km from Kalam, the famous tourist spot of Pakistan. On the left side of village there is a series of mountains which are connected to some other villages and finally ends the region of Swat valley. Beyond them district of Dir starts. And on the right side lies the river Swat and after that village of Sangota, Manglawar and Fizagat.Bara bandai comes under the PK-83 constituency of KPK assembly and NA-29 constituency of National assembly. The village has his own suzuzi stand situated in the centre place market in Bara Bandai which made it easier to visit.
POSTAL CODE
19201
Division
The village residential areas are divided into many subunits called as mohallahs or colonies. Some of the major sub units are:
- Mohallah morragai (miangaan)
- Kotky (border line with koza bandai)
- Sarkhana (miangaan)
- Awdal khel mohallah
- Bazar (main market area)
- Nasar khel mohallah
- Mohallah chapolo (related to chapolo masjid which names after the tribe lived there called as "chapolo miagan")
- Mohallah Saidu bi (named after women lived there who was from saidu sharif and belongs to wali swat family).
- Mohalla Shadokhel.
- Matra.
- Sarhad colony. (former Gedaro Cham)
- Warsaky (border line with ningolai).
Photos
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Peach Trees, Bara Bandai
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Peach Trees, Bara Bandai
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Greenery, Bara Bandai
Population
Total population of village Bara Bandai is estimated to be around 11 to 12 thousands all are Muslim community, having registered voters above 5 thousands, which makes it one of the largest villages in the Swat valley. There are number of sub-tribes (clans) of Yusufzais living in the village.some of the names of the tribes are Nasir Khel, Shadokhel, Audal Khel, Bucha Khel etc. and some other occupational tribes.
Education
The village consist of 1 high, 3 govt boys primary schools and 1 middle govt school for girls along with a number of schools in private sector.
Health
Bara Bandai has his own Basic Health Unit (BHU), many clinical laboratories and number of clinics in private sector which provide health facilities to the village people.
Climate
The weather of the village is very beautiful, very cold in the winter season and moderate during summer. Village have four seasons per year. Snowfall also occur here in winter which intensify its beauty.
Crops & Fruits
The village climate made it favorable for many crops and fruits. The village not only fulfill their own need but also supply its product to other areas . Among these onion & peach are major ones.