Takkar massacre

On 28 May 1930, an event now known as the Takkar massacre took place in Takkar, British India, roughly a month after the Qissa Khwani massacre in Peshawar. The Pashto-language book Da Khpal Waakaye Tarun reports that approximately 70 people were killed and 150 were wounded when British Indian Army forces attacked local villagers who had gathered to prevent the arrest of leaders associated with the Khudai Khidmatgar movement, a non-violent Pashtun political movement active in the region at the time.

The events leading to the massacre began on 26 May 1930, when British colonial authorities, led by a police officer identified as Mr. Murphy and accompanied by a police force, arrived in Takkar intending to arrest movement leaders named as Malik Masim Khan, Salar Shamroz Khan, Salar Sarbuland Khan, Malik Khan Badshah, Pir Shahzada, and Malik Hameed of Fazalabad. These individuals refused to surrender, and the resulting standoff escalated into a confrontation the following day. During the unrest, Mr. Murphy, who was on horseback, attempted to force his way into a protest procession and was killed.

In response, a large contingent of colonial troops launched an assault on the village. This assault is the event remembered as the Takkar massacre. Takkar had become a key stronghold of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement following Peshawar and Utmanzai, and the movement was gaining significant momentum in the region at the time.

The tragedy is described as having inspired folk songs, including one titled "Pa Takkar jang de golay warege." A monument has reportedly been erected to honour those who died.