Understanding the anti-Mughal Struggle of Khushal Khan Khattak

Khushal Khan Khattak, a seventeenth century Pakhtun writer, poet and swordsman, and his forefathers had served the Mughal for a long time. However, his fortune took a sudden twist when Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb imprisoned him in 1664, and kept him in solitary confinement at Ranthambore fort. After his release from prison, Khushal Khan was a different person. He remained no more a loyal Mughal official afterwards. Although, Aurangzeb Alamgir and a number of Mughal governors of Kabul tempted him several time to accept a position in the frontier areas but he out-rightly declined. This transformation is clearly visible in his poetry. He took up arms against the Mughals in 1673 and declared a war against them despite the fact that some of his family members even his son had sided with the Mughals. He continued his anti-Mughal struggle till his death in 1689. Some of the critics look at the antiMughal role of Khushal Khan with suspicion and have raised a few queries in this connection. This study looks into the circumstances that saw transformation in his outlook towards the Mughals. Then it explores, whether it was a personal vendetta or the start of a collective anti-Mughal Pakhtun struggle. The article looks into various dimensions, nature and direction of his struggle. This research paper is an attempt to evaluate objectively as to why and how Khushal Khan joined the anti-Mughal camp in the borderland area. Some more related questions are also discussed in details in this article.

Modeling the Impact of Climate Change on Seed Cotton Gossypium Hirsutum L. Yield in Punjab, Pakistan .

Climate change and its impact on crop productivity is a burning issue of the day .according to predictions of international panel on climate change (IPCC) and Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) these changes are taking place very rapidly on global level and affecting crop productivity. Their predictions are based on long term past climate data analysis with the help of general circulation models (GCMS).The aim of present study was to calibrate and validate CSM-Crop-Grow Cotton Model in DSSAT V 4.0.2. to simulate development, growth, and yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) under increased CO 2 concentration, elevated temperatures and varying rainfall scenarios. For these purpose field trials at three locations were conducted with two sowing dates, four cotton cultivars and four nitrogen levels with split-split plot design having three replications during year 2005 and 2006. The data on phenology, growth and yield were recorded and used for model calibration during 2005 (Genetic co-efficient of four cotton cultivars were determined).The model was then validated with independent set of data collected during year 2006 with same set of coefficient, long term past historic climate data of three locations (1974-2006), soil and crop management data used as input data for model and environmental modification sub menu of seasonal tool selected various climate change scenarios viz current i-e no change in environment. Elevated temperatures of + 0.9 O C and 1.8 O C, increased concentrations of CO 2 from 360 ppm to 550 ppm with no change in rainfall and increased / decreased 3% , 6% levels of rainfall expected in 2025 & 2050. The results indicated that model successfully simulated 80-90 % crop phenology and growth and 90-98 % yield accurately at various sites and can be used as reliable agronomic tool for strategy management in future. The elevated CO 2 levels would effect cotton crop growth and yield positively on all locations. Climate change analysis indicated strong influence of temperature on cotton production in Punjab, Pakistan. The yield will be substantially decreased with increasing temperature 1.8 O C and the effect was more severe at xviiilocations like Sahiwal. Increasing or decreasing 6% rainfall would affect cotton growth and yield negatively and drastic yield reductions were observed from the current. Selection of suitable cultivar, changing sowing time and nitrogen application are helpful in mitigation of adverse effects of changed climate of 2025-2050. Dominance analysis of different planting dates and cultivars at various locations suggested that 60 days early sowing of cotton crop from current at Faisalabad and Sahiwal with cultivar SLH-284, N applied @ 200 kg ha -1 is the best choice under changed climate scenarios (2050) whereas cultivar CIM -506 with nitrogen rate of 200 kg ha -1 out yielded all other cultivars when sown 15 days late from current at Multan location under changed climate scenario of 2050.