Matehal

Matehal is a village in the Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.^[1] Matehal is located at the boundary area of the Mansehra district and the Abbottabad district, west from the Karakurram highway at Qalanderabad. It is a village of union Council Behali. It is a valley surrounded by mountains. The Qureshi tribe is the main tribe of Matehal. This valley is surrounded by high mountains from all sides.

Etymology

Matehal is actually named after a Hindu named Mati who firstly came to this village before the arrival of the Quresh. The Hindus were in the majority but later on Awan and Asnal migrated to this village hence contributing to its Muslim population.

History

Matehal was a multi-cultural village because of Hindus & Muslims. Both of them had very friendly relationship with each other. All the trade was under the custody of Hindus. The muslims were in agriculture side or they were in the Indian Army. Some of the brave soldiers from Matehal took part in world war 1. In 1947, Pakistan came into being so Hindus had to migrate to India. The Muslims treated them well even at the present time one can see the remaining's of Hindus.

Education

Matehal is a place of beauty but because of the negligence of Government it is currently suffering a lot. It has only one primary & Middle School where the villagers are quenching their thirst for education. In 2007 a man named Khuda Bakhash took one step forward to establish a new school which is being administrated in Mansehra,students are enrolled in the school which is located in Mansehra city but are taught in village. This is really a huge step in education sector.As far as High school or college is concerned, there is no opportunity available, students have to travel to Behali,union Council for secondary education. School in Behali was established by Turks in 1872 which was first ever school in Mansehra district.

References