Khairi-Murat
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Khairi-Murat
Mountain range in the Fatahjang tahsil of Attock District, Punjab, midway between the Sohan river and the Kala-Chitta range. It rises about 30 miles from the Indus, and runs eastward for about 24 miles, a barren ridge of limestone and sandstone rock, extending from 72 degree 37' to 72 degree 56' E. and from 33 degree 25' to 33 degree 30' N. North of the range lies a plateau intersected by ravines ; while south- ward a waste of gorges and hillocks extends in a belt for a distance of 5 miles, till it dips into the fertile valley of the Sohan, one of the richest tracts in Rawalpindi District. The Khairi-Murat was formerly covered with jungle ; but it is now completely destitute of vegetation, except where the hill has been formed into a 'reserved' forest and closed to grazing. In these parts the trees are rapidly springing up again. The hills run nearly parallel to the Kala-Chitta, about 10 miles to the south. The formation is chiefly limestone, edged with sandstone and earthy rocks whose vertical and contorted strata indicate intense disturbance. The southern portion of the range is extremely dreary, being formed of rocky ravines and stony hillocks, gradually sinking into the fertile valley of the Sohan.
