Dalwal, Pakistan: A Journey into History and Learning

Dalwal Village(s) in Pakistan

The history of Dalwal is not recorded in the great history books, but is engraved in its landscape, architecture, and local narratives. This history reflects the broader history of the Potohar Highlands region.

The name “Dalwal” primarily refers to a well-known village, but it is important to distinguish between two main settlements with the same name, which are located close to each other.

• Dalwal Bala (Upper Dalwal): This is the main and more famous village.
• Dalwal Payan (Lower Dalwal): A smaller settlement located below Dalwal Bala.

Both are located in Talagang District, Punjab, Pakistan. Historically, this area was part of Chakwal District before Talagang was formed as a separate district.

Where to find Dalwal

Dalwal is located in an area surrounded by several cities and towns. Dalwal is historically and administratively a large village (or a cluster of villages), not a city. Its beauty and history are not of a crowded urban center, but of a rural settlement deeply connected to its land.

The largest city in the district is Talagang. Other major cities in the surrounding area include:

• Chakwal – former district capital.
• Talagang – current district capital.
• Kallar Kahar – famous tourist town.
• Sargodha – further away, but the capital of the main division.

The natural beauty of Dalwal

The striking, rugged beauty of Dalwal is deeply connected to its geography. The limestone landscape: This is the most defining feature. The beauty is not in lush greenery but in the carved, sculpted forms of the limestone mountains and quarries.

The white and grey cliffs, carved by nature, create a striking contrast against the blue sky. The sheer scale of these geological formations is natural.

Seasonal beauty when he fields transform with the seasons – vibrant green with young wheat and peanut plants after the rains, turning to golden yellow at harvest time. This patchwork of fields against the backdrop of the rugged hills is a classic and natural rural landscape.

Dalwal Village(s) in Pakistan

On the other hand, there is Kallar Kahar, the famous town of Kallar Kahar, known for its natural saltwater lake and beautiful Terrace Gardens. This place is a popular tourist destination because of its stunning views and recreational value. Then, Choa Saidan Shah, this nearby town is famous for its historic temples and is another gateway to the beauty of the Salt Mountains.

How to reach Dalwal

From Karachi to Dalwal

Option 1: By air – fastest option.

• Take a direct flight from Karachi Jinnah International Airport (KHI) to Islamabad International Airport (ISB).
• The flight time is approximately 2 hours.
• From Islamabad Airport, hire a taxi or use a drive-hiring service for the land journey to Dalwal. The journey takes approximately 2.5–3 hours (approximately 180 km) via the M-2 Highway.

Option 2: By train – scenic but slow option

• Take a train from Karachi City Railway Station to Rawalpindi Railway Station.
• Major trains include the Karakoram Express or Awam Express. The journey takes approximately 20–24 hours.
• From Rawalpindi Station, take a taxi to Pir Wadhai Bus Terminal or Soan Bus Terminal.
• From there, you can find a direct bus or van to Talagang.
• From Talagang, you will need a local taxi or auto to reach Dalwal Village, which is about a 20-30 minute drive.

From Lahore to Dalwal

Option 1: By airplane – less practical

• The flight from Lahore (LHE) to Islamabad (ISB) is very short (45 minutes).
• Follow the “Road to Dalwal” directions from Islamabad above.
• The total travel time from Lahore is about 5-6 hours if you use a combination of plane and road.

 Option 2: By Train – good option

• Take the train from Lahore Junction Station to Rawalpindi Railway Station.
• Trains such as the Subak Raftar or Pakistan Express take about 4-5 hours.
• Then (Road to Dalwal) same as from Karachi: Take a taxi/bus from Rawalpindi to Talagang, then a local taxi to Dalwal.

Option 3: By road – shortest & recommended route from Lahore

• By Driving, The most efficient way from Lahore is to drive directly via the M-2 Highway.
• The distance is about 300 km and the journey takes about 3.5-4 hours. Y
• ou can take a bus, drive your own car, or hire a taxi.

From Islamabad-Rawalpindi. This is the simplest and most direct route

Option 1: Rental car

• Hire a Taxi/Car, the most comfortable option.
• Direct from your location in Islamabad/Rawalpindi to Dalwal. (around 2.5 – 3 hours).

Option 2: Public transport

• Go to Pir Wadhai Bus Stand in Rawalpindi, then find a bus or van heading to Talagang.
• The journey takes about 2 hours then from Talagang bus stand, take a local taxi or auto to Dalwal village (around 20-30 minutes).
• The road from Islamabad to Dalwal is, for the most part, very good and easy to navigate.
• The journey includes a mix of modern highways and well-maintained national roads, with a short final stretch on regional roads.

History of Mission High School

Before the 1890s, education in Dalwal was very limited. District Council Elementary Schools provided basic education, but for higher education, particularly remotely located families faced difficult choices.

As noted in historical records, a few boys were sent each year to secondary schools in towns such as Pind Dadan Khan and Chakwal, and even further away to high schools in Bhera and Gujarat every five or six years.

However, this was a privilege reserved for the wealthy and tough; for many, cost and distance were barriers ( Robinson, 2001 ).

Located in Chakwal District, Mission High School in Dalwal stands today as a testament to the community’s perseverance. Its origins, however, lay not in a simple foundation stone ceremony, but in a years-long struggle against bureaucratic indifference and geographical prejudice—a struggle that began in earnest in 1894.

The establishment of the Mission High School in Dalwal is rooted in the expansion of the Capuchin missionary work in Punjab during the late 19th century. The initiative began with a land donation from Raja Shakir Mehdi, a prominent local figure who had converted to Chatolic.

Although the school’s main building states that the school was built in 1900, construction on the school began in the last years of the 19th century.

In Capuchins Missionaries in the Punjab (India and Pakistan), co-authors Fidentian Van Den Brouke and Daniel Suply write that it was Father Godfrey – appointed as apostolic administrator of the diocese and the third bishop of Lahore by Pope Leo XIII in 1893 – who laid the foundation of the school, along with a priest house and chapel (Nabeel Anwar Dhakku, 2017 ).

The school did not start out as a high school; it evolved over time. It initially operated as an elementary school before being upgraded to a middle school in 1903 and finally becoming a high school in 1905.

Mission High School in Dalwal continues its long-standing educational tradition under the direction of Principal Susan G. Bajao. The school is located in the village of Dalwal, in the Tehsil (subdistrict) of Choa Saidean Shah.

For inquiries or further information, the school can be contacted directly by phone at 0543-584456 or by email at [email protected].

This contact information serves as a direct line to the institution, facilitating communication for parents, students, and community members involved in the school’s ongoing mission.

Reference,

• District Administration Talagang. “Union Councils.” https://talagang.punjab.gov.pk/union_councils
• https://www.dawn.com/news/1374172
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Range
• https://www.agripunjab.gov.pk/
• Robinson, J. (2001). Education and Social Change in Colonial Punjab. Cambridge University Press. (Example of a secondary source that would provide context for educational policies and challenges in the region during this period).