British East India Company militia took control of the Peshawar valley with an army of overwhelming force. The British left on 14 August 1947 at Partition leaving Shaidu in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Geography Shaidu's elevation above sea level is 276 m. Shaidu lies on the gravel and silt alluvial plain of the Indus River with at least 300 m of rock below. The area is prone to catastrophic flooding from the Indus River and earthquakes related to the movement of the Asian and Indian tectonic plates. Shaidu's river water source relies on meltwater from the glaciers of the Hindu Kush, Hindu Raj and Himalayas. Agriculture depends on irrigation from streams as rainfall is inconsistent. In the late 19th century, the British created a new irrigation system beside those of ancient days. Shaidu's climate is semi-arid to sub-humid, subtropical continental. The average annual rainfall is 550 mm per annum. The Peshawar valley has summer average maximum temperatures occurring in June, rising to 40 degrees Celsius. The minimum winter average temperatures occur in January, falling to 6 degrees Celsius. Rainy days are infrequent and unpredictable, occurring one to six days per month. Agriculture Crops Shaidu is a centre for local farmers. Subsistence farming provides food for families. Land ownership is up to 4 acres per farmer. Crops for sale include maize, barley, wheat, corn millet, and cotton, rape seed, sugar cane, sugar beet, okra, fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes and onions, legumes, and tobacco. Irrigation is from canals, tube wells and rainfall. Irrigation canals may carry waste water or fresh water. The waste water carries a risk of heavy metals contamination with zinc and manganese. Water for crops is moderately saline. In Charsadda, approximately 50 km from Shaidu, a crop of opium poppies was found and destroyed. Acacia is grown for firewood. Livestock Shaidu is the location of an annual mela. It takes place few days before the Eid al-Adha, a sacrificial feast. People come from far and wide to sell their animals at the mela. On Wednesday, a local market for the sale of goats and sheep happens near Shaidu bus stops. The animals are brought from local villages. Sport Popular sports in Shaidu are cricket, volleyball and football. Two Nowshera District night cricket tournaments. Gallery Mela, Shaidu, 7 November 2011. References External links Shaidu Maplandia. Populated places in Nowshera District