Rawalakot
Rawalakot is the capital of Poonch district in Pakistan–administered Azad Kashmir, in the disputed Kashmir region. It is located in the Pir Panjal Range.
History
1837 Poonch Revolt
The 1837 Poonch Revolt was an uprising led by Shams Khan, Mali Khan, and Sabz Ali Khan against the Dogra rulers of Jammu. It was centered in the Poonch region and extended to Rawalakot and surrounding villages including Jalandali, Khai Gala, Dothan, and Ali Sojal.1947 Poonch rebellion
On 15 June 1947, Sardar Ibrahim Khan addressed a meeting in Rawalakot attended by 20,000 people, and gave a speech telling his audience that Pakistan, a Muslim state, was coming into being and the people of Jammu and Kashmir could not remain unaffected. After that day, he says, "a strange atmosphere took the place of the usually peaceful life in these parts". On 22 June, Chaudhary Hamidullah, the acting president of the Muslim Conference, visited Rawalakot and initiated secret plans to organise the ex-servicemen of the district for an eventual confrontation with the Dogra State Forces. On or around 6 October, the armed rebellion started in the Poonch district. The fighting elements consisted of "bands of deserters from the State Army, serving soldiers of the Pakistan Army on leave, ex-servicemen, and other volunteers who had risen spontaneously." The rebels quickly gained control of almost the entire Poonch district, including Rawalakot.1955 Poonch uprising
Along with Pallandri, Rawalakot was the focal point of the 1955 Poonch uprising. It was led by the local Sudhans who disapproved of Sher Ahmed Khan and wanted Sardar Ibrahim Khan, as well as democratic reforms.2005 Kashmir earthquake
On Saturday, 8 October 2005 a 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed 73,338 people and left up to three million homeless in Pakistan, including Azad Kashmir. The city of Rawalakot suffered significant damage from the 2005 earthquake; although most of the buildings were left standing, many of them were rendered uninhabitable, and some of the population was left homeless. Most of the buildings have been reconstructed.Towns
- Khai Gala, Rawalakot
- Banjosa Lake, Rawalakot
- Jandali, Rawalakot
- Dhamni, Rawalakot
- Hurnamaira, Rawalakot
- Ali Sojal, Rawalakot
- Barmang, Rawalakot
- Chak, Rawalakot
- Shaheed Gala, Rawalakot
- Pachiot, Rawalakot
- Shaheed Gala, Rawalakot
Location