Punjab

Sustaining tradition in Balakot’s rural charm

Ancient pin mills stand as testament to rural lifestyle, symbolise wholesome living

Zulfiqar Ali December 17, 2023

Workers use a traditional pin mill, locally known as Jinder, to produce maize flour in a village in Balakot. PHOTOS: EXPRESS

BALAKOT:

In the picturesque town of Balakot, where time seems to stand still, the echoes of an age-old tradition resonate through the vibrant landscapes and the rushing waters of the pin mill, affectionately known as Jinder. This historic emblem, deeply rooted in Hazara’s ancient culture, not only stands as a testament to rural lifestyles but also symbolises a commitment to wholesome living.

While the pin mill’s cultural prominence has waned in modern times, the spirit endures in the rural expanses of Balakot. Here, several robust stone-powered water mills persist, diligently grinding corn into flour which is not only good in taste but also for health.

Balakot, a town steeped in history, proudly carries the torch of myriad ancient traditions. Among these, the invention of the pin mill by the town’s forbearers stands out—a mechanism employed for grinding corn into flour, a practice still evident today. In the heart of Balakot, this centuries-old tradition persists, with rural denizens continuing to favour the purity and flavour of corn flour over its wheat counterpart.

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Local journalist Muhammad Asif reveals that a remarkable 60 per cent of Balakot’s rural population relies on corn flour, processed through the time-honoured pin mill, attributing the community’s robust health to this dietary staple. The preferred foods of the senior citizens of Balakot are maize flour, saag (greens), and lassi which hint at the enduring connection between nutrition and tradition.

However, as the younger generation leans towards modernity, embracing wheat bread, Muhammad Khan, a custodian of a pin mill in Patling village near Balakot for 15 years, notes the fading significance of the pin mill in the age of technology. Despite this, the older generation remains steadfast in their preference for the wholesome corn flour produced by the pin mill.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2023.