Swat ( Urdu سوات , Eng. Swat , Pashto سوات ) is a county in the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , a valley of the same name, a historical region and a former principality. The capital is Saidu Sharif , but in fact the most important city in the region is Mingora . [1] The region is covered with high mountains, green meadows and clear water lakes, and until recently was a popular tourist destination. Until 1969, Swat had the status of a principality incorporated in Pakistan. For its geographical location, Swat is sometimes referred to as the “Switzerland of Pakistan” [2]
Content
- 1 History
- 1.1 Ancient History
- 1.2 Buddhist heritage
- 1.3 The arrival of Islam
- 2 Demographics
- 3 Tourism
- 4 Waziristan War
- 5 notes
- 6 References
History
Ancient History
On the territory of Swat, there was a Gandhar culture associated with the most ancient movements of the Indo-Aryans.
The Swat River is mentioned in the Rig Veda (Mandala 8 | 8.19.37) under the name Suvastu. By that time, Swat had been inhabited for at least two millennia and was known in ancient times as Uddiyana.
The monarchs of the Swat region fell under the rule of the Achaemenids, however, they again regained their power in the 4th century. BC e. In 327 BC e. Alexander of Macedon broke through to the cities of Udegram and Barikot (in Greek sources they are known as Ora and Bazira). By 305 BC e. the region became part of the Maurya empire . About 2 in. BC e. the area was occupied by Buddhists, Indo-Greeks and Kushans. There are many archaeological sites and archaeological sites in the Swat Valley. Archaeological finds of the Buddhist period are monuments of sculpture and architecture.
Buddhist Heritage
The Swat Museum has footprints allegedly belonging to Buddha found in the Swat Valley. The Gandhara Buddhist school that existed in the valley is known for first depicting the Buddha in human form, and not as a symbol. Here, in the valley, several stupas with the ashes of Buddha were built. According to chronicles, in the era of Buddhism in the Swat Valley there were many stupas and monasteries, about 6,000 golden Buddha images. Of these monasteries and stupas, about 400 have survived to date (some operate, most in the form of remains). During the excavations in Butkarkha, the ashes of Buddha were discovered.
The Coming of Islam
At the beginning of the 11th century, Mahmoud Ghaznevi , advancing through Dir, invaded the Swat valley, and defeated the local ruler Gira. Later, when the Kabul shah Mirza Ulugbek tried to kill the leaders of the Yusufzai tribe, they fled under the protection of the kings of Swat and Bajur. For centuries, the Sultans of Swati Jahangiri ruled in the area from Jalalabad to Jhelum . The war with the Yusufzai tribe lasted about 20 years and ended with the overthrow of Jahangiri. Most Aborigines fled to the Khazar region east, where the name of the entire region came from their tribal name Swati.
Demographics
The main language of the valley is Pashto . The people of the valley by nationality are mainly Pashtuns , Kohistanis and Gujars . Speakers of the Chitral language ( Khovar ) also live in the Kalam region.
Tourism
Malam Jabba , 40 km northeast of Saydou Sharif , has a popular ski resort.
Waziristan War
In 2007, a Muslim militia opened a new front for the Waziristan War in the Swat region [3] . In February 2009, authorities in the Northwest Frontier Province (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province since 2010) entered into an agreement with the radical Islamists of the Swat Valley, according to which Islamic law ( Sharia ) will be introduced in the territory controlled by the Islamists. All laws contrary to Sharia will be repealed. It is assumed that this measure will achieve a truce between the Pakistani armed forces and local Islamic rebels [4] .
Notes
- ↑ [1] "Pakistan troops seize radical cleric's base: officials", Agence France Presse article, November 28 , 2007 , accessed same day
- ↑ In the Realm of Mullah Fazlullah (English)
- ↑ Swat Valley cleared of militants in Pakistan
- ↑ Scharia-Recht gilt künftig im Nordwesten Pakistans (German)