Kala Khan stands at the entrance of the passage that leads to the 36 cave-homes, owned by his family.— Photos by the writer

Caves have served as one of the earliest dwellings for human beings, but today cavemen are thought to be a thing of the past. However, in the city of Hassanabdal, only 40 kilometres from the capital, entire families continue to live in caves locally known as ‘Bhoary’.

Many of these caves are located in urban areas, in the heart of the city near Cadet College Hassanabdal, Mohallah Irshad Nagar and Green Town. Other cave dwellers live in rural areas such as Nikko, Bai etc.

Saira Bibi watches cartoons on the television inside the cave, her family calls home. She says she loves her home, where she plays and studies with her cousins.

These people may live like cavemen, but their homes are equipped with all modern amenities, such as running water, electricity and cable television. The caves have also been lovingly decorated and furnished by the families who call them home. Shelves have been created in the freshly painted walls and beds, tables, books and utensils fill the rooms.

Shahid Khan, a local social worker, said poverty and inflation have forced these people to “live in the Stone Age”.

A man exits his cave-home in Hassanabdal. Cows kept by the family are tied outside the home.

Ms Sadiq Sultan, 92, said she has lived in a cave for as long as she could remember. The cave was built by her forefathers and since then five generations have called it home. She said living in the caves has its own advantages as the rooms remain cool during summer months and are naturally warm during winter.

Another cave dweller, Fazal Wali, brought his family from Fata and settled them in a cave home.

Kala Khan, sits inside his cave-home in Nikko village, Hassanabdal. “The temperature inside the cave is so cold that I have to use a blanket in the middle of the summer,” he said.

“We live in a cave because we cannot afford to rent a house. However, since we are used to living in mud houses, living in a cave is not odd for us,” he said. Irfan Ali, who lives in a cave in Green Town said caves are dug for Rs 3,000 per metre.

Children sit reading books in a bedroom inside their cave-home.

“Special diggers are hired for the construction of a cave-home. The spot has to be chosen carefully so that there is no seepage of water as a cave may collapse from improper drainage,” he said. He added that a typical cave-home is 100 metres long and 25 metres wide.

The exterior view of a cave-home, known as Bhoary in Hassanabdal.

The family of Kala Khan, who is locally revered as a saint, owns 36 cave-homes created in one hill in the village Nikko. He said the cave-homes he owns predate the creation of Pakistan and can house 500 people and a school.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2015

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