History of Halabja


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE7bOCQvSPUWho built Halabja and When?

Historical sources indicate that Halabja was built in the beginning of (1850-1860) A.D, during the era of Turkish reign. The same sources consider the Jaff tribe as the founder of Halabja town; since they had military dominance and a great work force in the area, (some of these historical sources estimate their number around four thousand gunmen).
Before the arrival of the Jaff tribe to Halabja area, there is no historical evidence proving that Halabja was a city, but it was a domicile for hunters from different tribes. Many historical figures passed through this area such as Mammon Begabag.
Some elders of the city say that the founders were the (Begs)-lords of (Shewakal), whom later known y locals as (The Thirteen House).They start with (Hama Chawrash) and his three sons (Peerot, Sulyman, and Abdulla).
By analyzing these two views, it seems to be a fact that (Pasha) the Jaf chieftain, after returning from Iran to the Iraqi side, resides in this area. For the sake of establishing security and peace, they start building Halabja. Hence, people from everywhere moved and settled there.
Where has the name of Halabja come?
Regarding the name of Halabja, there are many views:
One says that it has come from the Persian word (Ajab JA) –amazing place, another says it came from the word (Haluzha)-plum, a fruit that Halabja has a history in planting .Others say it came from the word (Alb Ja), a reference to the name of (Alb Arsalan). Yet others insist on (Hallab) a city in Syria where people used to travel for trade. They began to say “our city is similar to Hallab” and so it was called the small Hallab.
Location of Hallabja city
Halabja lies in northeast of Iraq. It is situated between 35-36 north longitudes, and is 80 kilometers from the southeastern city of Sulaimaniyah. Topographically, it lies in southeastern Sharazur Plain. It is 16 km away from Iran. (Hawraman) Mountain borders Halabja to the north, and in the south, there is (Balambo) Mountain; (Darbandikhan) Lake surrounds this city, so that it resembles a peninsula.
Ancient Civilized Aspects of Hallabja
Since Hallabja was built, there were many civilized aspects in the city:
The Palace of Wasman Pasha: It was an amazing architectural two-storey palace. Hallabja had two big bazaars- Qaysari Pasha and Hamid Bag that were built in 1932.
(Sara Konaka) was a building for the police office and other institutions that was built in 1930.
In 1932 when Hallabja composed of only 500 houses, it had one hotel and a public car park.
In 1940, electricity reached the city.
In 1925, the first school opened.
In 1924, the first post office opened.
History of Halabja Administration
All the historical sources indicate that the first district commissioner to Halabja was (Mohammad Pasha), the Jaff chieftain without any specific reference to the year, month and day. However, what the historical documents show is that in 19889 Hallabja became a district on an order from the Turks and named (Hallabja Qasaci). Wasman pasha, son of the Mohamed Pasha of Jaff tribe, was appointed as the first acting governor of Halabja district. He died in 1909 and his post shifted to his wife known as (Adilla Khanim) , who called by the people of Hallabja as (the Madame of Wasman Pasha). During 191-1023, she was the reprehensive of Hallabja by the British Ruler. In 1923 Tair Beg, son of Wasman Pasha of Jaff tribe, and a poet, appointed as the acting governor of Halabja.
In 1924 (Ahmmad Mukhtar Jaff), the well-known Kurdish poet, became the acting governor to the city, but since in the same year he became an MP in Iraqi government, he went to Baghdad. In the same year, Hammed Bag became the acting governor until 1932.
From that year on the governors were:
1932-1934 Murad Rahmatulla
1934-1936 Naji Hormozi
1936-1937 Ahmmad Fakhri Mustafa Pasha
1937-1938 Sidiq Al-Qadiri
1938-1939 Hama saed Qazaz
1939-1942 Saed Abdul-Qadir Kirkuki
1942-1944 Shakir Fattah ,the great Kurdish writer
1944-1945 Rasheed Ghafour Qollchi
1945-1949 Hussein Mohammad Baghdadi –An Arab
1949-1950 Jamal Rifaat
1950-1951 Ismael Shekha
1951-1952 Rasheed Ghafour Qollchi-for the second time
1952-1954 Omar Agha
1954-1956 Khalid Naqishbandi
1956-1957 Ismael Haqqi
1957-1958 Baiz Agha
1959 8 months- Hama Saed Bla Bekras- for 3 months (Fawzi Saaib)
In the end of 1959 -1961 (Suaad Talabani)
1961-1962 Kanabi Dizayee
1962-1963 Saed Mohamed Arab
1963-1966 Rashid Jaafery
1966-1970 Sheikh Hama Amin Awlla
1970-1974 Jamal Namiq
After the break out of Aylul Revolution, the conditions of Halabja were abnormal and the acting governors were changed very soon.
Political History of Halabja
Since 1889, Halabja has been the site of struggle and confrontation between the Jaff tribes and their opponents. Turkish authorities sought to win the loyalty of the Jaff tribes and the British had agents in the region investigating the political situation of the region under the waning power of the Ottomans. The most famous of these agents was Major Soane, who lived for some time in disguise as “Mirza Ghulam Hussein Shirazi” in the service of a Jaff tribal leader before his authentic identity was discovered. Major Soane went on to become governor of the region during the period of British rule. Since its founding, Halabja was a center of political authority, as well as cultural activity. It is said that just as Qoya was a center of political consciousness, literature and the arts in relation to Erbil Province, so was Halabja in relation to the Sulaimani Province. Halabja is also renowned as a town of cultural awareness and activity. It was home to Ahmed Mukhtar Jaf, Goran, Rafiq Hilmi, Hajar, and dozens of other well-known poets, artists, and intellectuals.
The importance of obtaining political power in the region by means of the tribal authorities has long been recognized by occupying powers as well as by the Kurdish nationalist movements. Famous leaders of the Jaff tribe include Adila Khanim who ruled from 1909—1924 and pl
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