By
Shamsher Ahmad
Vice-Principal G.H.S.Balogram,Swat
Swat is not merely a a dale of snow covered peaks,fruits,streams,water-falls and picturesque lakes but it has also a brilliant history. In the past it was the home of some great civilizations. So we can find archeological sites everywhere in the valley.a lot of tourist come here to vsit historical places and to study Gandhara Art.
In the ancient times this mysterious dale was called Udhiyana and Swat. Civilizations i.e Darawar, Chinese, Mongol, Buddhism and Greek flourished along the bank of River Swat.
In 326 B.C. Alexander the great came here via Afghanistan. In those days the ruler of Swat was Raja Arson and the capital was Managala. Later in 304 B.C. the famous General of Alexander, named Silokas gave the valley to a Hindu ruler Chander Gupt. In 263 B.C. the valley was ruled by Asoka. In Swat he was the first ruler who adapted Buddhism. In 45 B.C. Kanishka was the head of the valley. Later the famous ruler was Raja Hodi and the last was Raja Gira.
Islam entered into this dale due to the invasion of Mehmood of Ghazna. He defeated Raja Gira at Hodigram. The kingdom of Raja Gira was situated on the top of a nearby hill. Pir Khushal Baba was the brave and tactful commander of Mehmood’s Army. Pir Khushal Baba fought a bloody war and succeeded.
In 1517 A.D. the Yousafzai tribe of Afghanistan invaded Swat and after twenty years of warfare completely captured it. So the defeated tribes migrated. Then for a long time the dale was Lawless. Later some prominent religious leaders of Yousafzai tribe decided to establish an Islamic government. In this connection the most prominent leader was Abdul Ghafoor known as Saidu Baba. In 1849 A.D. Saidu Baba and other chiefs of the tribe nominated Syed Akbar Shah as their ruler.
In 1856 A.D. Syed Akbar Shah died and so the Islamic Government ended. In 1917 A.D. the grandson of Saidu Baba became the ruler of Swat. His name was Abdul Wadud but the people called him Badshah Sahib. After ascending the throne Badshah Sahib collected an Army of ten thousand men and maintained peace and justice. He built many schools, hospitals and roads but his personal residence, White Palace ,at Marghzar is the glorious monument of his architectural outlook.During the reign of Badshah Sahib, chief Commissioner of N.W.F.P. ,Mr Kene visited Swat in 1926 A.D. and he recognized Swat as a State. In 1931 A.D. Viceroy of Sub-Continent, Lord Arwin visited Swat and gave the title of K.B.E. to Badshah Sahib. In 1969 Badshah Sahib selected his son Mr Jehanzeb as a ruler. He was a man of modern concepts. Therefore much attention was given to construct colleges, schools, hospitals, roads, and telephone exchanges. In 1969 A.D. Swat state was merged in Pakistan.
Saidu Sharif (Baligram) is the capital of Swat, which is situated amidst the Green fields and is famous for its silence and the surrounding beauty. Mingawara (Minchli) is the largest trade center. Marghzar (Miana) valley which is famous for its cool springs and various picnic spots is 15 Km away from Saidu Sharif. Malam Jabba is 45 Km away from the capital, where downhill skiing facilities and chair lifts are available. Malam Jabba is known as the roof of Swat and is famous for its amazing beauty. Miandam is situated 55Km away from the capital on the Kalam Road. Miandam is famous for its sweet water and hotels. On the same road the next famous and beautiful spot is Madyan (Churrai). Here we can enjoy the cool beach of River Swat which is also dangerous and mysterious. Madyan is also famous for its trout fish and local handicrafts. Its also suitable for long stay and hikingtowards the beautiful Bishigram Lake. The lake famous for its romanticism and the surrounding illusive scenes of nature.
Next charming place is Behrain (Baraniyal), where one can enjoy the amazing collision of River Swat and River Daral. Here we can see that the River Daral appears with great noise. Its head is Daral Lake which is famous for its beauty and various local legengs. Many people remember it in their numerous fairy tales. Besides Behrain there is another way which leads to Daral Lake via Lalko. At Lalko we can also observe the famous rest house of Govt: Fazal Haq College Mardan.
If one is fond of hiking you can do this at Kadem. Which is six kilometers away from Behrain via Kalam. From Kadem towards the East,you can enjoy a charming hike to the village of Gurnai, which is situated 6 Km away from Kadem. Gurnai is situated on the huje plains admist the mountains near the snow-line. Here the surrounding scenes and thick forestscreate unforgettable effects. Here one had to make his own arrangements for food because hotel facilities are not available.
Another Charming place is Kalam, which is known as The Tourist Paradise. Infact Kalam the was the first teacher of Budha in the period of Nirvana. Farther from Kalam the other beautiful places are Gabral , Matiltan, Utror, Ushu etc. these places are suitable for camping purposes. From Utror we can also approach to Kandolo Lake , which requires Jeep and then hiking. Another charming Lake is Saidgai Lake where we can approach through hiking from Kalam. Similarly we can also approach to Mahodand Lake ,Saif Ullah Lake and Matiltan Glassier from Kalam through Jeep.
Archeological Sites
Butkara Saidu Sharif
Hodigram, Gogdara, Ghalegay, Barikot (Bazira).G.T Road
Manglor Jehan Abad (Shakhora) (Largest rock statue of Budha) Talegram,
Sair,Nangrial, Badar Malam Jabba Road.
For more archeological and Historical studies,
you can visit famous Meuseum at Saidu Sharif Swat.
With the kind Cooporation of Fazal Mahmood Rokhan
Source:Hujra.net
0 comments:
Post a Comment