MAJOR MUDASSAR SAGHEER SATTI SHAHEED - SITARA-E-BASALAT

Major Mudassar Sagheer Satti Shaheed of 27 Punjab Regiment embraced martyrdom on 22 March 2017 in an operation against terrorists in Orakzai Agency. He was appointed as quarter master at Orakzai scouts and used to monitor all the intelligence based operations. Major Mudassar has been awarded Sitara-e-Basalat for his valour. 

BRIGADIER (R) GUL ZAMAN SATTI (LATE) - SITARA-I-IMTIAZ (MILITARY)

Brigadier (R) Gul Zaman Satti (late) was born on 7 October 1941 in Kotli Sattian, who moved to Rawalpindi after completing his primary education from Kotli Sattian. He was actively involved in sports during his high school and college education. He was very tough and rugged as he belong to hilly area where roads and allied facilities were non-existent in those times. In addition to this he was an orator who was always leading the debate competitions. 

He joined Pakistan Military Academy in April 1962 and assigned to 15 Punjab Regiment in 1964. He was defending the frontier of Run of Kuch during 1965 Indo-Pak war, and was recommended for Sitara-i-Jurat after Pakistani victory. He also served at Dhaka just before 1971 war. 

Gul Zaman Satti (late) served as a Brigade Major in Kel Sector, Azad Kashmir, and commanded 21 Punjab Regiment in Gujranwala in 1977, then he went to attend War course at National Defence College, Rawalpindi.

He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier in 1984. He commanded 107 Brigade in Gujranwala (1984), 61 Brigade Quetta (1987) and 105 Brigade Okara (1989).

Later he was appointed as a Director Army Sports in GHQ Rawalpindi and attended 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He was also the head of Pakistan delegation for Common Wealth Games in Canada where he was presented Queen Baton by Queen Elizabeth. He was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) for his 33 years of outstanding service and unwavering dedication.

After his retirement from Pakistan Army he joined Army Welfare Trust in 1998 and served there for four years as a Director of Farms and Sugar Division. In 2002, he left his job to become Tehsil Nazim (Administrator) of his native town Kotli Sattian. He served his native town as a Tehsil Nazim, and in return for his services for the area a road has been named after him by the people of the area. He had a stroke and left us on 8th of November 2016 May Allah bless him with highest rank in Jannah Ameen.

Contributed by: Shahnaz Satti

AIR MARSHAL (R) NAJEEB AKHTAR RAJA - HI (M), SI (M), TI (M), SITARA-E-BASALAT

                                               Photo Credit: Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority


Air Marshal (Retd) Najeeb Akhtar Raja has been appointed as Member Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority Board on 1st January, 2014. he was also appointed as the Ambassador of Pakistan to Brazil.

He belongs to Dhanyal Tribe, hailing from Karore Valley (Kiyah), in tehsil Kotli Sattian.

He joined Pakistan Air Force in the flying branch in 1964 and was commissioned in 1966 as a pilot. He flew all major combat aircrafts (F-86, F-6, Mirage and F-16) over a flying career of over 34 years.

He participated in the 1971 Indo-Pak war as a Mirage Pilot from Sargodha. During his flying career he held the appointments of a fighter Squadron Commander, Command of a Fighter Base, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operation, Air officer Commanding of Central air command and Air officer Commanding of Air Defence Command during Kargil operation. He was retired in the rank of Air Marshal in 2000 after 34 years of service. He conceived and oversaw the setting up of a major defence production facility at the Air Weapon Complex. 

He was decorated with Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-e-Basalat and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military) for meritorious contribution to the Pakistan Air Force. He was deputed abroad as a flying instructor to Libya for 2 years. He participated in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war from a forward air base in Egypt as a operation advisor and coordinator. He was deputed a second time to Saudi Air force as an operations and plans advisor for 3 years from 1985-88. He was appointed as the ambassador to Brazil, after his retirement from the service.

HISTORY OF THE DHANYAL TRIBE

Dhanyal / Dhanial is one of the largest tribe living in Potohar plateau and Lower
Himalayas for the last eight centuries. 

This tribe traces their lineage to Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib. Dhanyal tribe consists of Hazrat Ali's descendants. Moaazam Shah renowned as Dhanni Peer is forefather of Dhanyal Tribe. Dhanyals are  not Fatmi descendants of Hazrat Ali (RazilAllah Anha). They belong to Hazrat Ali's 9th wife Hazrat Khola bint-e-Ayas bin Jaffar Bannu Hanifa. Hazrat Khola gave birth to Hazrat Ali's famous son Muhammad bin Ali known as Muhammad bin Hanfia.

Most of the Dhanyals are settled in the cities of Rawalpindi, Islamabad and in Kotli Sattian and Murree Hills. Some other branches of the tribe live in kashmir, Abbottabad, Sialkot and Hazara.

Dhanyals are famous for their bravery. Members of this tribe were recruited into the
armies of the Mughal Empire, British Empire and after Independence, into the Pakistan Army.

After independence however the Dhanyals in urban areas have turned to other fields such as education, medicine, engineering, business and social sciences.

The name ‘Dhanyal/Dhanial’ is derived from Mohazzam Shah which was the name of chief and famous Sufi saint of Lower Himalayas who shifted from Dhanni (old name of Chakwal) in late 12th century. Forefathers of Mohazzam Shah who were Arab Muslims, migrated from Iraq into Multan during the era of Muhammad Bin Qasim. Desandants of Mohazzam Shah ruled Multan state for about 190 years. Mohazzam Shah supported Muhammad Ghori to curb the activities of Hindu Rajputs who aggressively attack Muslim army of Muhammad Ghori. Due to influence of Mohazzam Shah alias Hazrat Baba Dhanni Pir, many non-Muslims of this area converted to Islam. 

The forefather of Dhanyal tribe was inspired by Syed Ali Hamdan Ali Shah-i-Hamdan of Srinagar, Kashmir. Mohazzam Shah sacrifices his life with the battle of Hindu Dogra Rajputs in Kashmir in 13th century. Mohazzam Shah was the spiritual leader of Dhanyal, Satti and Abbasi tribes in the area of Kotli Sattian and Murree Hills, plain area of Potohar and Kashmir. 

Hazrat Baba Dhanni Pir’s shrine is situated in Mouri Sayyaedan, a valley on Lehtrar Road in tehsil Kotli Sattian, District Rawalpindi, Pakistan. An Urs (annual death anniversary) is held every year in April at his shrine.

Some members of Dhanyal tribe use the title "Raja" with their names,  which does not mean that the tribe is any offshot of Rajput – they are Alvi and Arab Muslims like Awan and Shaikh or Qureshi, Abbasi and Sayed. Some member of the tribe called themselves as Shah, it does mean that they are Sayed, it is proved that Dhanyals are non-fatimi descendants of Hazrat Ali Al-Murtaza (RA). Most of the historians do not recognized them and even in the era of british rule, they were counted as Rajput tribe in 1891, 1901, 1911 and 1931 census.

Origin of Dhanni Peer is as follows

1. Imam Ali al Murtaza
2. Muhammad ibn Hanfiyya
3. Ibrhaim
4. Hasan
5. Zayd
6. Ismail
7. Hasan al At'rush
8. Qasim
9. Hassan
10. Ibrahim
11. Ali
12. Muhammad
13. Abdullah
14. Muawiya
15. Jafar
16. Amir Malik
17. Khusro Shah
18. Muazam Shah / Dhani Pir

PUNICA GRANATUM (WILD POMEGRANATE)

Punica Granatum, also known as Pomegranate, has long been touted for its high levels of Vitamin C and antioxidants, which can help prevent cell damage. Several studies have shown its ability to speed wound healing, as well as play a positive role in the repair of sun damaged and aging skin. Pomegranate extracts exert their positive effects by extending the life of fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin, the components that give strength and support to the skin.

 Punica granatum. Wild pomegranate is very common on low hills of Kotli Sattian. It is locally known as "Dani" and "Anardana".

RJ AHMER NAJEEB SATTI / RAJU ROCKET

Rj Ahmer Najeeb Satti, known as Raju Rocket (Born 15 July 1990) is an Actor, Stand-up comedian, Presenter and Sports Anchor. He started his career as a theater artist in 2010 and furthered his acting career on television the following year. He joined FM 101 in 2011 as a Presenter. Meanwhile he continued acting in Dramas and his work on TV as a sports anchor for PTV and Kay2 TV. Currently Ahmer is working for FM 98 and DB TV. He has special talent to make people laugh and does stand-up comedy on a regular basis at events. 
Ahmer Najeeb studied Software Engineering at Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Tecnology. He hails from Kuliyari, Malot Sattian.

Captain Muhammad Waqar Satti

Captain Muhammad Waqar Satti is serving in Merchant Navy as a ship Captain. He served in PNSC and various international shipping companies and rose to the rank of ship captain. He is a graduate of Pakistan Marine Academy Karachi. He holds masters certificate of competency from Singapore. During his tenure of service he commanded most of the time Chemical tanker ships, which is known as highly specialized job and a handful of Pakistanis have accomplished such feat.

He is son of Lt. Commander (R) Muhammad Azeem Satti and younger brother of Vice Admiral (R) Muhammad Shafiq Satti. He hails from village Dewangarh of Union council Beor, Tehsil Kahuta, Rawalpindi.

SCENERY OF KOTLI SATTIAN

The hills, slopes and narrow valleys among the spurs are often extremely beautiful and attractive. Green Pines, Olive and many other evergreen and seasonal trees are found on the lower hills. The lowest hills and valleys contain a luxuriant growth of various trees, bushes and under growths.

The Patriata, Khalabut and Phofandi hills are beautifully wooded and the scenery is exquisite. The panorama view comprises, as it frequently does, a breathtaking picture of a foreground of lovely, lush woodland scenery and a background of the lofty snow clad peaks of the Himalayas. 

many of the lower valleys are extremely picturesque as well, especially the valley between Narrar and Phofandi spurs on the southwest. The tributaries of the Soan River run down with many beautiful, picturesque pools and streams. The numerous fountains, having cool, fresh and health-giving water are found throughout this region. 

The scenery near the western banks of the Jhelum river is often fine, especially below the beetling cliffs of the Narrar mountain. In many cases, small hamlets and little patches of cultivation are found high up on the hillsides and mountaintops. 

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Related Articles
CLIMATE OF KOTLI SATTIAN
BEAUTIFUL PLACES OF KOTLI SATTIAN
PHYSICAL CONFIGURATION OF KOTLI SATTIAN
GEOLOGICAL FORMULATION OF KOTLI SATTIAN
GEOGRAPHY AND DESCRIPTION OF KOTLI SATTIAN

Reference : A Handbook of Kotli Sattian 

RUBUS ELLIPTICUS (YELLOW HIMALAYAN RASPBERRY)

Rubus Ellipticus is commonly known as Golden Evergreen Raspberry and Yellow Himalayan Raspberry. It is known as "Akhay" in local language of Kotli Sattian.

Rubus Ellipticus is an evergreen shrub producing a cluster of stout, heavily armed, upright, biennial stems from a woody root-stock. It usually grows 100 - 300 cm tall, occasionally up to 450 cm. The stems only produce leaves, and do not flower, in their first year of growth, forming flowering branches in their second year and then dying after fruiting. The plant can rapidly form tall, dense thickets. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. The fruit is sold in local markets in the Himalayas. 

Habitats 

Shrubberies and open hillsides, to 2300 metres in the Himalayas. Dry slopes, montane valleys, sparse forests and thickets at elevations of 1000 - 2600 metres.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked,  A good raspberry-like flavor. Sweet with a pleasant blend of acidity. The golden yellow fruit is about 10 mm in diameter.  The fruit contains about 10.9% sugars, 1.1% protein, 0.5% ash, 0.55 pectin. The fruit is a good source of micro nutrients such as anthologists, phenol's, flavoring and vitamin C. They have a moderate to good antioxidant activity and make an excellent, healthful addition to the diet.

Medicinal

The plant is astringent and febrifuge. A decoction of the root, combined with Girardinia diversifolia root and the bark of Lagerstroemia parviflora, is used in the treatment of fevers. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of fevers, gastric troubles, diarrhea and dysentery. The root, combined with the dried fruit of Brucea javanica is given in the treatment of dysentery. A paste of the roots is applied externally to wounds. Both the roots and the young shoots are considered to be a good treatment for colic. The leaf buds, combined with Centella asiatica and Cynodon dactylon, are pounded to a juice and used in the treatment of peptic ulcers. The juice of the fruit is used in the treatment of fever, colic, coughs and sore throat. The inner bark is used in Tibetan medicine, it is said to have a sweet and sour flavour plus a heating potency. A renal tonic and antidiuretic, it is used in the treatment of weakening of the senses, vaginal/seminal discharge, polyuria and micturition during sleep.

DEEWAN-E-SATTI - THOON

The village of Thoon is situated about 20 km eastward from the main road that lies between Rawalpindi and Kotli Sattian. It stands on steep slopes which raise from the Jhelum river upward to the top of the Narrar Peak (Panjpeer). The maximum height of the settlement is 3,953 feet above sea level. 

The Jhelum river flows at the foot and Khad Thoon joins in it. This separates the village from the other villages in the north. The village along with its many settlements are spread on slopes that face the northeast. It is surrounded by evergreen woods and presents a picturesque view.

This village is unique among Sattis, because the founding father of the Satti Tribe, Baba Satti was born in this village and this is the fundamental settlement of the tribe. Some antiquities related to the forefathers, particularly the father of the tribe still exist and call the tribesmen to come forward and preserve these legacies in reference to your history.