[8] The first evidence of civilization in the plains of Thal Daman and the spread of Islam in Bannu is indicated by the graves of Ashaab on the left bank of the Kurram River.

Al-Baladuri wrote that "In the year 44 H. [664 AD], and in the days of the Khalif Muawiya, Muhallib son of Abu Safra made war upon the same frontier, and advanced as far as Banna and Alahwar which lie between Multan and Kabul.”[9][10] The tribes of Lakki Marwat, such as the [Bannuchi] are mentioned in the memoirs of Mughal Emperor Babur.

[12] In 1836, Maharaja Ranjit Singh formally annexed Marwat and leased it for an annual sum of Rs.

[13] He induced many of the leading classes to settle near it, so a number of families that had moved to Isakhel returned to the region.

Malik Fateh Khan Tiwana's old fort town of Ihsanpur continued to be the capital of Marwat until 1864.

A Narrow gauge (762 mm or 2 ft 6 in) railway line was linked it with Mari Indus, Bannu and Tank, Pakistan, was closed in 1991.

On 1 January 2010, at least 99 people were killed in the nearby village Shah Hassan Khel when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a volleyball game.