Bannu - an Ancient Settlement (Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa)
Bannu is situated at a distance of 198 km from Peshawar on the basin drained by the Kurram River and the Tochi River, flowing from Waziristan Hills. It has very fertile land, located on the foot of frontier hills and surrounded by rugged and dry mountains.
It is bounded by North Waziristan, Karak, Lakki Marwat, and South Waziristan. Bannu is situated on the Indus Highway N-55 and linked with all of the other cities of Pakistan. It is also connected with rail for various transportation. Bannu Airport provides local flight services in the Bannu district.
Bannu is a historical town related to prehistoric times in 5000 BC to 2500 BC. One of the ancient settlement site, known as Sheri Khan Tarakai, is located in the Bannu district. In Zend Avesta that is religious text of Zoroastrianism, Bannu is place created by Ahura Mazda who is a creator deity in Zorastrianism. It is also known as the birthplace of Fereydun who is Iranian mythical king.
There are two major rivers flowing in the Bannu district, the Tochi River and the Kurram River. The Tochi River, also known as the Gambila River, is originated from Khost Province Afghanistan from the Spin Ghar Range. Then it drains into the Kurram River in the Bannu district crossing the North Waziristan. The Kurram River also originates from the Spin Ghar Range in the Paktia Province of Afghanistan. It ends itself in the Indus River after flowing in Kurram, North Waziristan, and Bannu districts.
Bannu is a large fertile land due to large size delta of the Kurram River and the Tochi River. It is famous for producing and exporting various crops such as wheat, maize, rice, corn, etc. Banana and dates are most famous fruit of this region. It is known as highest annual producer of maize and wheat.
Chowk Bazaar is famous and important marketplace in the Bannu district. Number of shops Various festivals, local dance and music, and other activities are performed there on daily basis.
There are number of industries such cloth weaving, textiles, leather, processed food, and sugar industries. Different minerals such as salt and alum are abundantly available in the region. Oil and gas reserves are available in the Spintangay and Kam Chashmi in the Domel tehsil.
Baran Dam is located on Baran Lake in the Bannu district. Source of Baran Lake is streams following in the frontier area, as well as canal coming from the Kurram Garhi Headworks on the Kurram River. It is good place for one-day trip to enjoy lunch and boating in the lake.
Akra is an archaeological site in the district of Bannu related to prehistorical period. It is one of the most important prehistorical site belongs to 2000 BC. It covers an area of 80 hectares. It is located in lush green fields in the palm trees on the bank of the Lohra Nullah. Akra is situated on a mound that is the highest area in the region. It can be accessed by turning left coming from the Bannu city on the Miran Shah Road, then move along the Lohra Nullah.
Sheri Khan Tarakai is also an ancient site from 5000 BC to 2500 BC. It was a small village with mud-walled houses with flat roofs made of wattle and daub. People were largely engaged with agriculture and forming. It is located 17 km in the southwest of Bannu adjacent to the hills of Afghanistan and Wazirstan.
Bannu Museum is located in the center of Bannu city on the Dera Ismail Khan Road. The most important collection of the museum is the artifacts from Sheri Khan Tarakai and Akra archaeological sites.
The weather of Bannu is extreme hot in the summer season, whereas it becomes moderate cool in the winter season. It also receives rainfalls due to monsoon air system.