Shabkadar
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Shabkadar
Fort in the Charsadda tah&l of Peshawar District, North- West Frontier Province, situated in 34 13' N. and 71 34' E., 17 miles north-west of Peshawar city, with which it is connected by a good road leading to Abazai across three branches of the Kabul river. Originally built by the Sikhs, and by them called Shankargarh, the fort lies 2 miles from the village of Shabkadar ; but a town has now sprung up round it, which is a local centre of trade with the adjoining Mohmand hills, and which in 1901 had a population of 2,373.
The fort is a strong one, and used to be garrisoned by regular troops; but in 1885 it was made over to the border military police, who now hold it with 28 men. In August, 1897, it was suddenly attacked by a force of Mohmands, who succeeded in plundering the town and burning the Hindu shops and houses, but the small police garrison was able to hold the fort itself. On August 9 the Mohmands were defeated with loss by a small force under General Elles, an engagement signalized by a brilliant charge of two squadrons of the 1 3th Duke of Connaught's Lancers.
