When does Kohat Riots took place?

The correct answer is 17th September 1924.

Key Points

• The Kohat Riots occurred on 17th September 1924 in the Kohat district, which is now part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
• This communal riot was sparked by tensions between Hindus and Muslims following inflammatory pamphlets and speeches.
• The violence resulted in the deaths of approximately 155 people, with significant property destruction and displacement of Hindus from the area.
• To restore order, the British colonial government deployed military forces and imposed martial law in the region.
• The riots highlighted the growing communal tensions during the late colonial period, which eventually culminated in the Partition of India in 1947.

Additional Information

• Background Context:
  • The Kohat Riots were a direct result of rising religious tensions during the 1920s, a period marked by growing Hindu-Muslim divisions in British India.
  • Inflammatory pamphlets and public speeches exacerbated the situation, leading to violent clashes.
• Impact on the Hindu Community:
  • Following the riots, the majority of the Hindu population in Kohat was evacuated to Rawalpindi and other areas.
  • The exodus marked one of the early instances of communal migrations in the Indian subcontinent.
• Government Response:
  • The British colonial administration imposed martial law and deployed military forces to quell the violence.
  • An inquiry commission was set up to investigate the causes and consequences of the riots.
• Legacy:
  • The Kohat Riots are often cited as a precursor to the larger communal conflicts that arose in the 1940s, eventually leading to the Partition of India in 1947.
  • They underscored the need for communal harmony and the dangers of inflammatory rhetoric in a diverse society.