History: The early history of the district is limited to the vaguest traditions. It is said that in the Buddhist times, two Rajas named Adh and Kohat settled along with the northern border of the district. The remnants of the Buddhist day is a road cut off the mountain side, on the western skirts of the Jawaki hills near Kotal Post which leads by an even gradient towards the crest.

Famous Character Ajab Khan Afridi

Imran Bangash With Habib ur Rehman in Home

Now some words about Kohat which is a Base of all business,education activities. 

The first historical mention of Kohat is to be found in the memoirs of Emperor Babar who visited Kohat in I 1505 AD. Babar in his memoirs calls the inhabitants of the area as Afghan.

After Babar the history of Kohat revolves around two major tribes namely Bangash and Khattak. These people appear to have settled in the district, during 14th am 15th centuries. From 16th to 18th centuries, Kohat remained as a part of Afghanistan Kingdom, administered by the Chiefs of two afore mentioned tribes.In the beginning of 19th century Kohat came under the control of Sikhs who ultimately withdrew leaving to the administrative control of Khan of Teri in 1836 AD.

Kohat was finally annexed to the British dominion on 28th March 1849 with the rest of Punjab and an Assistant Commissioner was posted here to run the administration and to look after the British interests. In the initial stages of the British administration, the locals of the area posed considerable problems. Later on some of the tribe joined with the British Government and helped them in running the affairs of the ar smoothly. Nevertheless, the Britishers were never at peace in this part of their Kingdom as resistance and opposition always cropped from one quarter or the other. But their tactics of "Divide and Rule" ultimately strengthened their hold over the region. They put one tribe against the other by giving preference to one against the other and finally succeeded in administration them. An example of British un-rest in this area is the event of the brave Afridi Ajab Khan, who forced to surrender the entire British administration of the district against his demands

.Kohat is the city which has given birth to some of the great personalities.some of them are

Lt General Humayun Khan Bangash(Ambbasadar to Turkey,hold various executive jobs),Ahmed Faraz, Sher Ahmed khan Bangash(Chief of Bangash Tribe in Mughal Time ), Leutinent General KK Afridi, Shahid Afridi(Cricketor,holding world record of fastest century) ,Leutinent General Arif Bangash(Governor NWFP), Leutinent General Shafiq(governor NWFP), Leutinent General Iftikhar Hussien Gillani (Governor NWFP),Saite Saifullah Khan Bangash,Leutinent General Habibullah khan khattak,Leutinent General Ali quli Khan Khattak,Leutinent General Ali Mohammad Jan Orakzai,Leutinent General Sirinjam khan Khattak,Iftikhar Gillani.

Two Cadet colleges ,one PAF college,one PAF Base,ISSB center are located in Kohat.

Surrounded by mountains, Kohat, a town of about 100,000 people, is near the Afghan border.

A large number of Christian families most of whom are employees of Municipal Committee, Cantonment Board and defence services also reside in Kohat city and Cantonment area. Some scattered families of Hindus also reside in Kohat, Kachai and Marai while a good numbers of Balmiks are employed in various local bodies. These sects are enjoying full religious freedom.