Dargai
| Dargai | |
|---|---|
| City and Tehsil | |
 Dargai
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| Coordinates: 34°10′51″N 71°53′14″E / 34.18083°N 71.88722°ECoordinates: 34°10′51″N 71°53′14″E / 34.18083°N 71.88722°E | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Region | Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa |
| District | Malakand District |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
Dargai (Pashto: درگئی) is one of the administrative area of the Malakand District other being the Batkhela in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, located on the main highway from Peshawar to Swat, Dir and Chitral. The town of Dargai is experiencing an economic revival due to its well-known status as a hub for trade between the upper regions of Pakistan and the lower regions of Khyber Pakthunkhwa. It is also acknowledged economically as a major market for timber and historically as the last train station into Northern Pakistan.
Dargai was part of the Malakand Agency Tribal area until 1970 when the former princely states of (Chitral, Dir and Swat) were amalgamated into the Malakand Division, which was in turn divided into districts, one of which was the Malakand Protected Area, known as Malakand District. In 2000 the Malakand Division was abolished and despite constitutional changes since 1970, the expression "Malakand Agency" is sometimes still used as a name for the entire area of the former agency.
The British commenced their campaign against Malakand in 1852, and Dargai became well known for its battles during their rule. First, the British conducted a campaign against the Pashtun Utmankhel tribe and a large battle took place at parng Ghar. Owing to its defenders being only a small band of poorly armed mujahideen, the Utmankhel were subdued. In March 1852, a brigade was sent after them under the command of Lord Clyde, which raided Dargai and Kharkeay – small villages of the Ranizai tribe at the bottom of the Malakand Pass. The attackers were well equipped with artillery, so the Ranizais accepted a ransom of Rs.5000 and thereafter proclaimed jihad or holy war in the Buner Valley, at that time ruled by Syed Akhbar Shah Badshah. The British felt threatened by Badshah and made an unsuccessful attempt to take the valley.
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