View source for Shaidu

{{Short description|Pakistani town}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
'''Shaidu''' ([[Urdu]]: {{nastaliq|شيدو}}) is a town located in the [[Nowshera District]] of [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]], [[Pakistan]]. With a population of approximately 75,000 the town is situated on the fertile alluvial plains of the [[Indus River]]. Shaidu serves as a key agricultural hub for the surrounding region. Positioned along the historic [[Grand Trunk Road]], it has been influenced by various ruling forces throughout its history. The town is home to the [[Khattak|Khattak tribe]] and is located on [[N-5 National Highway]], connecting [[Jehangira]] to [[Adamzai]] and Chashmai to [[Mia Essa|Mian Essa]].

[[File: Shaidu2.jpg|thumb|right|Bus stop, Shaidu]] Shaidu is located approximately 100 km northwest of Pakistan's capital, [[Islamabad]]. The nearest town, [[Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Nowshera]], lies about 24 km to the west, while the provincial capital, Peshawar, is roughly 50 km further west. To the east flows the Indus River, and to the south are the Khattak mountains. Shaidu is situated near the south bank of the [[Kabul River|River Kabul]] (لندي سيند) just before it converges with the Indus. The town is also accessible by rail, with a railway passing through it.<ref>[https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/shaidu,+Pakistan/@33.9824918,72.1669941,13z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x38ded984ac18475d:0xa5e23c32c1c84ecb!8m2!3d33.9727992!4d72.1860386 Shaidu] Google map accessed 6 February 2018</ref>

==History==
===Harappan civilization===
[[File:Sunrise3.jpg|thumb|right|Sunrise, Shaidu]]
Shaidu lies within the [[Indus Valley civilisation|Indus valley]] where men have lived since 3000 [[Common Era|BCE]].<ref>Gupta G. [https://books.google.com/books?id=jbjT9GG__nEC&q=indus+valley+civilisation ''India: From Indus Valley Civilization to Mauryas''] Concept Publishing Company, 1999 p66 {{ISBN|8170227631}}</ref> Shaidu lies approximately 500&nbsp;km northwest of the [[Harappa|archeological site at Harappa]], where finds indicate a flourishing Indus valley civilization lasting from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE.<ref>McIntosh J. [https://books.google.com/books?id=1AJO2A-CbccC&q=mature&pg=PA385 ''The Ancient Indus Valley: New Perspectives''] ABC-CLIO, 2008 p83. {{ISBN|1576079074}}</ref> Theories as to the end of the Harappan civilisation include drought, invasion, epidemic illness and comet impact.<ref>Phillips G. [https://books.google.com/books?id=hGIoDwAAQBAJ&q=comet&pg=PT101 ''The End of Eden: the Comet that Changed Civilization''] Simon and Schuster, 2007 {{ISBN|1591439116}}</ref> After the decline of the Harappan civilisation, communities became smaller and more rural.<ref>Ahmed M. [https://books.google.com/books?id=huTVBAAAQBAJ&dq=what+happened+after+the+harappan+civilization&pg=PA11 ''Ancient Pakistan - An Archaeological History''] Amazon, 2014 p113. {{ISBN|149970982X}}</ref> However, the area of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa became a centre for trade, culture, language and a route for eastward migration especially of the [[Indo-Aryan peoples]].<ref>Bryant E. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Y2jfHlinW4UC&q=migration+indoaryan ''The Quest for the Origins of Vedic Culture: The Indo-Aryan Migration Debate''] Oxford University Press, 2003 p129. {{ISBN|0195169476}}</ref>

===Introduction of Buddhism===
The [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] based [[Kushan Empire]] (30 CE {{ndash}} 375 CE) made Purushapura (now Peshawar) one of their capitals.<ref>Minahan J. [https://books.google.com/books?id=abNDLZQ6quYC&dq=greco+bactrian+kingdom&pg=PA257 ''Ethnic groups of South Asia''] ABC-CLIO, 2012 p258 {{ISBN|1598846590}}</ref><ref>[https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3944/ ''Kushan Empire''] Asia Society 23 June 2015. Accessed 10 February 2017.</ref>

===Introduction of Hinduism===
As the Kushan empire fractured and declined, the Indus Valley became a suzerainty of the Gupta Empire (319 CE {{ndash}} 605 CE) which brought [[Hinduism]] and relative peace to the valley.<ref>Ahsan A. [https://books.google.com/books?id=DSauCQAAQBAJ&dq=gupta+years+indus&pg=PT92 ''The Indus Saga''] Roli Books Private Limited, 2005 {{ISBN|935194073X}}</ref> This peace in the northern Indus Valley, including Shaidu, was broken by an invasion of [[Huns|White Huns]] who were repelled in 455 CE.<ref>Ahmed M. [https://books.google.com/books?id=iHFHDAAAQBAJ&dq=huns+northern+indus&pg=PA71 ''The Arains: A Historical Perspective''] Createspace, 2016 p72. {{ISBN|1532781172}}</ref> One of the feudal dynasties of the Peshawar district of the 6th century and on were the [[Kabul Shahi (disambiguation)|Shahiya]].<ref>Dikshitar R. [https://books.google.com/books?id=KP_DTtd6kJEC&dq=gupta+shahi+kingdom&pg=PA81 ''The Gupta Polity''] Motilal Banarsidass 1993 p81. {{ISBN|8120810244}}</ref>

===Introduction of Islam===
[[File:Shaidu Masjid.jpg|thumb|right|Darul uloom  e Rabbani, Shaidu]]
[[File:Shaidumasjid.jpg|thumb|right|Rabbani]]

In 1001 CE, the Shahiya ruler, Jaipala, was defeated at the [[Battle of Peshawar (1001)|Battle of Peshawar]] by [[Mahmud of Ghazni]] (971 {{ndash}} 1030 CE).<ref>Roy K. [https://books.google.com/books?id=GpNECgAAQBAJ&dq=battle+of+peshawar+1001&pg=PT51 ''Military Manpower, Armies and Warfare in South Asia''] Routledge, 2015. {{ISBN|1317321278}}</ref> Mahmud of Ghanzi, a member of the Ghaznavid dynasty, brought [[Islam]] to the region.<ref>Spuler B. et al [https://books.google.com/books?id=wdAUAAAAIAAJ&dq=history+islam+indus+valley&pg=PA61 ''The Muslim World a Historical Survey''] Brill 1968 p61.</ref>

A succession of Islamic leaders held the Indus Valley from the 1st to 8th centuries CE. Between 1173 and 1186, [[Muhammad of Ghor]] invaded and took power in Peshawar and Lahore. The population was forced to convert to Islam. His rule lasted till his assassination in 1206.<ref>Greenberger R. [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shaidu&action=edit&section=2 ''A Historical Atlas of Pakistan''] The Rosen Publishing Group, 2003 p23. {{ISBN|0823938662}}</ref> Following rulers included the [[Lodi dynasty|Lodi]] (1451 {{ndash}} 1526) and the [[Mughal empire|Mughal]] (1526 {{ndash}} 1857).<ref>Ahsan A. [https://books.google.com/books?id=DSauCQAAQBAJ&dq=mughal+indus&pg=PT148 ''The Indus Saga''] Roli Books Private Limited, 2005. {{ISBN|935194073X}}</ref> In the 17th century, local traditional tribesmen, such as the [[khattak]]s, rebelled against the foreign ruling forces.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ak5oFjTys8MC&dq=mughal+peshawar&pg=RA1-PA322 ''Later Mughal''] Atlantic publishers p322.</ref>

===Battle of Shaidu===
In the early 18th century, as the Mughal Empire declined, a new empire, the [[Durrani Empire]] was formed in the Indus valley from a union of territories.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=SvwFIJGjTEsC&dq=sikh+empire&pg=PA102 ''Sikhism''] Pedia Press. p102</ref> However, in the late 18th century and early 19th century, a number of battles between the Durranis and [[Afghans|Afghan]] [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] [[tribe]]s ensued.<ref>Landsford T. [https://books.google.com/books?id=XxwIDgAAQBAJ&dq=afghan+durrani+wars&pg=PA150 ''Afghanistan at war''] ABC-CLIO, 2017 p150. {{ISBN|1598847600}}</ref>

[[Syed Ahmad Barelvi|Syed Ahmad]] (1786 {{ndash}} 1831) was a radical [[Sunni]] Islamist from northern India. After rallying followers, militia, funds and the credibility from two trips to [[Mecca]], Syed Ahmad went to the Peshawar valley as [[Imam]], intending to make the valley a base from which to destroy the Sikh Empire and defend against the [[British Raj]].<ref name="Jalal">Jalal A. [https://books.google.com/books?id=y7VVWhi9jGIC&dq=%22battle+of+shaidu%22&pg=PA91 ''Partisans of Allah:Jihad in South Asia''] Harvard University Press, 2009 p91. {{ISBN|0674039076}}</ref>

In 1827, Syed Ahmad met with the leaders of the Durranis, two brothers named Yar Muhammad Khan and Pir Muhammad Khan. The Durranis initially pled allegiance to Syed Ahmed. Legend holds that on the evening of 24 February 1827, the brothers turned and had the cook poison Syed Ahmad and the Durranis thence forth refused to fight.<ref name="Jalal"/>

On 25 February 1827, Syed Ahmad's forces and the [[mujahidin]] moved towards Shaidu where the forces of the Sikh leader, Budh Singh were encamped. On the battle field, the Sikh forces prevailed but Syed Ahmad escaped. The battle field may have been at what is now the Shaidu old cemetery.<ref>Qadir A. [https://books.google.com/books?id=hRlBDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22battle+of+shaidu%22&pg=PT67 ''Sayyid Ahmad Barailvi: His Movement and Legacy from the Pukhtun Perspective''] SAGE Publishing India, 2015. {{ISBN|9351504867}}</ref>

===British rule===
By the mid 19th century, the Sikh empire was in decline. On 29 March 1849, the [[British East India Company]] militia took control of the Peshawar valley with an army of overwhelming force.<ref>Bhalla A. [https://books.google.com/books?id=emATBwAAQBAJ&dq=british+peshawar&pg=PA144 ''Monuments, Power and Poverty in India: From Ashoka to the Raj''] I.B.Tauris, 2015 p144 {{ISBN|1784530875}}</ref> The British left on 14 August 1947 at [[Partition of India|Partition]] leaving Shaidu in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.<ref>Khan M. N. ''Peshawar - the Unwritten History'' 2004 p67.</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Amarsunrise.jpg|thumb|right|Sunrise, Shaidu]]
Shaidu's elevation above sea level is 276 m.<ref>[http://www.getamap.net/maps/pakistan/north-west_frontier/_shaidu/ Shaidu] Get a Map website. Accessed 20 February 2018.</ref> Shaidu lies on the gravel and silt [[alluvial plain]] of the Indus River with at least 300 m of rock below.<ref>Sengor A. [https://books.google.com/books?id=IcMjCQAAQBAJ&dq=peshawar+tectonic&pg=PA355 ''Tectonic Evolution of the Tethyan Region''] Springer Science & Business Media, 2012 p355. {{ISBN|9400922531}}</ref> The area is prone to catastrophic flooding from the Indus River and earthquakes related to the movement of the Asian and Indian [[plate tectonics|tectonic plates]].<ref>Qadir A. [https://books.google.com/books?id=hRlBDwAAQBAJ&dq=shaidu+flood&pg=PT73 ''Sayyid Ahmad Barailvi: His Movement and Legacy from the Pukhtun Perspective''] SAGE Publishing India, 2015 {{ISBN|9351504867}}</ref><ref>Khan M. [https://books.google.com/books?id=2DHD8yu0UmIC&dq=peshawar+earthquake&pg=PA175 ''Earthquake-Resistant Structures: Design, Build, and Retrofit''] Butterworth-Heinemann, 2013 p175. {{ISBN|0080949444}}</ref>

Shaidu's river water source relies on [[meltwater]] from the [[glacier]]s of the Hindu Kush, Hindu Raj and Himalayas.<ref>Hewitt K. [https://books.google.com/books?id=BwLFBAAAQBAJ&dq=hydrology+peshawar&pg=PA346 ''Glaciers of the Karakoram Himalaya''] Springer Science & Business Media, 2013 p346. {{ISBN|9400763115}}</ref> Agriculture depends on irrigation from streams as rainfall is inconsistent.<ref>[http://kp.gov.pk/page/peshawar_1 Peshawar] Government of Pakistan. Accessed 19 February 2018.</ref> In the late 19th century, the British created a new irrigation system beside those of ancient days.<ref>Nichols R. [https://books.google.com/books?id=hT9ZBwAAQBAJ&q=shaidu&pg=PA154 ''Ethnicity, Authority and Power in Central Asia: New Games Great and Small''] Routledge, 2010 p154. {{ISBN|1136927506}}</ref>

Shaidu's climate is semi-arid to sub-humid, subtropical continental. The average annual rainfall is 550&nbsp;mm per annum.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=QQb7ERLiq2EC&dq=peshawar+crops&pg=PA316 ''Asian Regional Maize Workshop''] CIMMYT p317.</ref>
The Peshawar valley has summer average maximum temperatures occurring in June, rising to 40 degrees Celsius. The minimum winter average temperatures occur in January, falling to 6 degrees Celsius. Rainy days are infrequent and unpredictable, occurring one to six days per month.<ref>[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ Peshawar] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accessed 20 February 2018.</ref>

==Agriculture==
===Crops===
Shaidu is a centre for local farmers. [[Subsistence agriculture|Subsistence farming]] provides food for families. Land ownership is up to 4 acres per farmer. Crops for sale include maize, barley, wheat, corn millet, and cotton, rape seed, sugar cane, sugar beet, okra, fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes and onions, legumes, and tobacco.<ref>[http://kp.gov.pk/page/peshawar_1 Peshawar] Government of Pakistan. Accessed 21 February 2018.</ref><ref name=Acton>Acton Q. [https://books.google.com/books?id=3cgJTTK2WnIC&dq=crops+peshawar&pg=PA985 ''Issues in Global Environment: Pollution and Waste Management''] Scholarly Editions, 2012 p985. {{ISBN|1464964874}}</ref> 
Irrigation is from canals, [[tube well]]s and rainfall. Irrigation canals may carry [[waste water]] or fresh water. The waste water carries a risk of [[heavy metals]] contamination with [[zinc]] and [[manganese]]. Water for crops is moderately [[salinity|saline]].<ref name="Acton"/> In Charsadda, approximately 50 km from Shaidu, a crop of [[Papaver somniferum|opium poppies]] was found and destroyed.<ref>[https://www.dawn.com/news/355633 Pawshawar: Poppy crop destroyed in Charsadda] Dawn website. 6 April 2004.</ref> Acacia is grown for firewood.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=M0ErAAAAYAAJ&dq=crops+peshawar&pg=PA84 ''Firewood Crops: Shrub and Tree Species for Energy Production"] National Research Council (U.S.). Advisory Committee on Technology Innovation 1980.</ref>

==Gallery==
Mela, Shaidu, 7 November 2011.
<gallery>
File:M5.jpg
File:Ox.jpg
File:Ox1.jpg
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File:Ox3.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.maplandia.com/pakistan/n-w-f-p/peshawar/shaidu Shaidu] Maplandia.

{{Coord|33|59|N|72|11|E|display=title|region:PK_type:city_source:GNS-enwiki}}

[[Category:Populated places in Nowshera District]]