Kohat

Kohat lies among the valleys south of Peshawar. Local tradition tells of a Buddhist ruler named Raja Kohat, while ancient settlement remains have been found in the surrounding country. By the late fifteenth century Bangash Pashtuns had established themselves in the fertile valleys, while Orakzai communities remained in the neighbouring hills.

In 1505 Babur marched on Kohat after hearing tales of its wealth. His soldiers plundered the town, but found the stories greatly exaggerated. Nader Shah's army later passed north through the Peshawar valley, sparing Kohat from its invasion. By 1747 the town belonged to the Durrani Empire. After Shah Shuja's fall, its rule was leased to successive chiefs; Samad Khan took control in 1818, followed by the growing influence of Pir Muhammad in 1827.