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Dera Ismail Khan (Urdu: ڈیرہ اسما عیل خان ) is city in North West Frontier Province, Pakistan. The town is situated on the right bank i.e. the west bank of the Indus River.
History
Dera Ismail Khan takes its name from Ismail Khan, a Baluch chief who settled here towards the end of the 15th century in 1469 A.D. according to most accounts. His descendants ruled the city for 300 years. "Dera" means a place people gather for activities. The old town was swept away by a flood in 1823, and the present town stands four miles back from the permanent channel of the river.
Population and languages spoken
In 1901 it had a population of 31,737, while according to census of 1981, the city had the population of 64,358. The population is the mix of ethnic Balochi and pashtun segments, while a significant segment of urdu speaking immigrants is also present.
Urdu, the national language is understood and spoken by all, while Seraiki is the native language and language of people. Pashto is also spoken, but is mostly restricted to the Pashtuns only.
Communication
The city is connected to Bannu through highway, which further connects it to the Peshawar, the provincial capital through Kohat and Darra Adam Khail. Another road connects it to Mianwali through Chashma Barrage. The third major road connects it to Bhakkar in Punjab, situated on the eastern bank of Indus River. The bridge on the Indus River was constructed in early eightees, before which the approach to Bhakkar was made throgh a boat bridge.
The city is connected to the country throgh telephone,telegraph, and internet, though telegraph has recently been abandoned in line with government policy of abandoning it throughout the country.
It is also connected to Afghanistan through Gomal Pass.
Educational Institutions
The city is home to many educational institions, most notable of which are Gomal University (est.1974), Government Degree College No.1 for Boys, Government College for Women, Qurtuba Public School & College and Qurtuba University Of Sciences & Information Technology host of other educational institutes.
General
The city is quite new in a sense that it was built in 1823 after the flood, but this fact alone has preserved the old touch of city which has been lost in other cities. The old wall is still visible around the old city. The bazars of the city all converge at one point which is called "chowgalla", which literally means a place from where four ways are leaving out. Major bazars include Topanwala bazar, Bhatiya bazar and Afghani bazar.
Like all other cities and towns of saraiki speaking belt, Dera Ismail Khan is also famous for a desert delicacy called sohan halwa. The shops of this delicacy are mostly situated in Topawaala bazar.
Apart from above the city is also famous for its lacquered woodwork, glass and ivory ware, mats, and sarongs. Newer industries include sugar, soap, textile and oil milling.
Another interesting place to visit are the remains of an old fort of pre islamic era called "Bill-oat", which is situated on the left side of Dera Ismail Khan - Chashma highway. These remains are situated on a hill and to approach them, one needs to walk for about 500 meters from the main road.
A sacred Sikh shrine is located in Chota Bazaar of Dera Ismail Khan and can also be reached from Topan Wala Bazaar. Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited this place during his fourth itinerary. At the site where he stayed a Dharamsala was built by his devotees. It is a beautiful and big building. Its main gate opens in Chota Bazaar. Inside this door there is a beautiful double storey square building, where Prakash used to take place. There are residential rooms around this building for pilgrims. Inside the darbar there i, a Thara Sahib (pious seat) where Sat Gur Nanak Dev Ji. Presently Govt Higher Secondary School No. 3 is housed in this building. The building is in good condition, all the four doors have marble frame. Dharamsala was maintained by SGPC before 1947 and presently it is in the hands of Waqf Department.
See also
"Dera Ismail Khan"