Potohar

The Potohar Plateau, situated north of Punjab and west of Azad Kashmir in northeast Pakistan, possesses a distinct language and culture.  Comprising the districts of Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Rawalpindi, the plateau includes cities like Gujar Khan, Rawat, Attock, and Mandra.  The Jhelum and Indus rivers traverse the region, which also features varied terrain, including the Salt Range and the Kala Chatta Range.  Agriculture here is primarily rain-fed.  Potohar is also rich in natural resources, evidenced by its numerous oil and gas fields.  The region's culture boasts a long history, with evidence of ancient civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization.  Numerous archaeological finds and fossils, now housed in the Taxila Museum, contribute to the local heritage. Taxila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a significant center of learning for Hindus and Buddhists and a major part of the Gandhara civilization.  It experienced periods of Persian and Greek rule under Alexander the Great, followed by the influence of the Gakhars, Sher Shah Suri, and the Mughals.  Important historical sites include Rotas Fort, Rawat Fort, Mankiala Stupa, Pharwala Fort, and the Katasraj Temple.  The primary language of the Potohar region is Potohari, often considered a dialect of Punjabi, with influences from Mahi and Hindko.  Other commonly spoken languages include Dhundi-Kairali, Chabhi, Mirpuri, Jhelumi, Pindiwali, and Punchi.  While these languages share similarities with some Indian dialects, Urdu and English are also spoken in Potohar's urban centers.  Islam is the dominant religion, with small Hindu and Sikh communities also present.  Traditional rural attire in Potohar includes the kameez and dhoti, with women wearing dupattas and men often sporting turbans.  In urban areas, the shalwar kameez, Pakistan's national dress, is more common.  Potohari cuisine emphasizes local flavors, with home-cooked meals using natural ghee and butter.  Pratha, milk, and spicy dishes are also popular.  The population of Potohar consists mainly of locals, with a significant number of refugees also residing in the area.  Major castes include Raja, Malik, Chaudhry, Jutt, Gujjar, and Rajput.  Potoharis are known for their hard work, friendly nature, hospitality, and strong sense of community.  Potohar's cultural life is vibrant, with celebrations marking various occasions.  Harvest festivals in rural areas feature special shows and enthusiastic participation.  Weddings are traditionally celebrated with music and singing, including the performance of "Tappas" accompanied by the dholak.  Popular sports in the region include cricket, hockey, squash, and kabaddi.  People follow these sports closely, including international events.  Other common pastimes are kite flying, gilli-danda, and marble playing.  Rural areas also enjoy tent pegging, volleyball, soccer, and stone lifting.  Potohar has produced prominent cricketers like Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanveer, and Mohammad Amir.  Potohar has a rich artistic and literary tradition, serving as an important means of cultural expression.  The Potohari language has a substantial body of work associated with it.  Traditional Potohari music, featuring instruments like the sitar, dholak, tabla, and harmonium, often accompanies singing.  These musical performances can be religious or humorous.  The region's most famous poet, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, authored the renowned Saif ul Malook.  Other poets include Anand Bakshi, Master Nisar, Anwar Firaq, Sai Faraz Viran, and Waheed Qasim.  Potohari songs and folk traditions have a wide reach.  The Potohari script is usually written in the Arabic script.  While there was a time when they used Landa script during the Buddhist period, the Persian-Arabic script became the standard since the Mughal era.  Livelihoods in Potohar differ between rural and urban areas.  In rural areas, agriculture is the primary occupation, with many residents directly or indirectly involved in farming. Dairy farming and cattle ranching are also prevalent.  Urban centers like Rawalpindi and Jhelum offer modern amenities, including hotels, restaurants, parks, and markets.  Other urban occupations include embroidery, pottery, doll making, teaching, wood carving, wax printing, metalwork, and shawl weaving.