Chamkani (Pakistan)

Chamkani (Pashto: څمکنۍ‎) is the name of a village. Chamknai is also the name of a sub-tribe of Pashto-speaking people that belongs to Afghanistan. "Khalid Bin Waleed" is also associated with this tribe.

Mia Umar Baba Chamkani Masjid

Originally the name was Samkani but later on it changed to Sokani/Sokano and finally Chamkani. Its people are called Sokaniwaal or Chamkanian. Part of Chamkani is also exists in Afghanistan (Paktia) province which is the origin. Some people of this tribe are in Kurrum agency Khyber pukhtoon khawa province, Pakistan. The 2nd largest population are in Chamkani Peshawar, situated 7 km east outside of Peshawar city. According to 1998 census total population of village Chamkani was approximately 20,000, but increased more than 36,000 recently. More than 47% people migrated from other part of province. This include different people with different languages. Originally people of this land was hinko speaking people which are living here 800 years. Other surrounded villages are also ”Hinko” speaking. Pashto speaking people are more dominant over hinko speaking.

Hazrat Mia Umar Baba Chamkani (1673-1776) and Haji Darya Khan Baba (Abdul Khel) are the people who spent their lives for the guidance and education of the people. Haji Darya Khan Baba was actually Chamkanian and spent his life for the guidance of people thought Quran and Sunnah. He is buried in village Chamkani Peshawar. He has also the honor that he was the teacher of Hazrat Mian Umar Baba. Hazrat Mia Umar Baba was born in Farid Abad (Lahore) in 1673(1074 A.D). He got married in Chamkani and moved to Chamkani later on. He is also buried in Chamkani. However, there were other religious scholars who had contributed in it.

An old bridge in Chamkani.

Village Chamkani is divided in different parts called, Mohallas. Area is approximately 4332 meter square but increasing day by day as population. However it is still very easy to locate someone due to these names of "Mohallahs". There are 7 or 8 Mohallas with its clear boundaries. According to the area and population Mohalla Qadir Khel (now Qada Khel) is the largest among them. Rests are Yaseen Khel, Bahram Khel, Mustafa Khel, Khwaja Khel, Chugha Khel, Bazar Ghari, Mohallah Qasaban, Mohallah Mochian, Mohallah Qazian, Khaliq Abad, Kohatian No 1, 2, Saidan, Miskeen Abad, Zarin Abad, Miagan, Jamrood Abad, Jan Khan Gari, Haji Abad, Shekhan, Baba Khel and Abdul Khel.

Official Website Chamkani.NET - Sokaniwaal Network

Coordinates: 34°00′N 71°39′E / 34.000°N 71.650°E