Battagram District

Battagram (بټګرام ولسوالۍ, ) is a tribal district in Hazara Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. The headquarter is Battagram, which is about 75 km from Mansehra. It was part of historic Yaghistan before 1965.

Overview and history
The district of Battagram is located at a latitude of 34.41 and longitude of 73.1. It is surrounded by Kohistan District to the north, Mansehra District to the east, (Torghar District) to the south, and Shangla District to the west.

It has a land area of 1301 km2. Battagram obtained the status of a district in July 1993, when it was upgraded from a Tehsil and separated from Mansehra District.

Location and Altitude

 * Battagram is situated at 34°41’N 73°1’E and has an altitude of approximately 1,038 meters (3,408 feet) above sea level.
 * It is nestled amidst the picturesque mountains of northern Pakistan.

Climate

 * Battagram experiences a mild and generally warm climate.
 * The average temperature hovers around 18.5°C (65.3°F), and the annual precipitation averages about 1,427 millimeters (56.18 inches).
 * June is the hottest month, while January is the coldest.

Education

 * Several schools and colleges contribute to improving the literacy rate in the area.
 * NGOs and foreign funds have played a role in building schools to enhance education.

Historical Significance

 * Battagram was never ruled by a foreign power during the medieval era.
 * It was conquered from Sikhs in the late 1800s by Ghazi Naseer Khan.
 * The valley was ruled by tribal Khans until they signed the Instrument of Accession with Pakistan in 1949.

2005 Earthquake

 * Battagram was significantly affected by the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005.
 * More than 4,500 people lost their lives, and approximately 35,000 were injured.



District Status

 * Battagram obtained the status of a district in July 1993, previously being a tehsil of Mansehra District.
 * The struggle led by Mr. Yousaf Khan Trand resulted in its elevation to a separate district

Demographics
At the time of the 2017 census the district had 68,807 houseolds and a population of 476,749. Battagram had a sex ratio of 1000 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 36.31% - 53.81% for males and 19.36% for females. The entire population was rural. 33.74% of the population was under 10 years of age. 161 (0.03%) people in the district were from religious minorities.

At the time of the 2017 census, 82.19% of the population spoke Pashto and 2.87% Hindko as their first language. 14.32% of the population spoke a language recorded as 'Other' on the census, mainly Kohistani languages.

Administration
The district has geographical borders with the districts of Kohistan to the north, Mansehra to the east and southeast, Torghar to the south and Shangla to the west. The district consists of only one sub-division or Tehsil, containing 12 in total. Union Councils:

In 2022, Allai Tehsil was separated and upgraded to District status.

2005 earthquake
Battagram was one of the areas affected by the Pakistan earthquake of October 8, 2005 when more than 4,500 people were killed and approximately 35,000 were injured. Many residents of the area were rendered homeless and without shelter. Since October 8, 2005, the NGOs and the governmental organization Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority have been engaged in reconstruction work but as of 2009, the reconstruction work is not completed. In some cases residents have rebuilt houses themselves.