Swat Valley A Paradise on earth

The Charming and Beautiful Swat Valley:

Swat, generally known as the Switzerland of Asia, is one of the most beautiful valleys in the World. 

Mr. Abdul Qayum Balala has attempted to embrace many elements pertaining to its geography, history, and culture in his book titled  “THE CHARMING SWAT”.
The Author is an intellectual belonging to the area, and his natural love for Swat reflects from each and every sentence. He knows Swat, its geography, history, politics, culture, and its 

entire national behavior, not only with the virtue of his qualification, but also with the dent of his experience. He holds Master Degree in Geography- the mother of Sciences, and is fully equipped with the profound knowledge on the subject.

INTRODUCTION:

The charming Swat, a peaceful and fascinating tract in the lap of vegetative towering mountains with eternal snow on their lofty Combs, is an everlasting source of attraction for visitors. Its beauty attracts tourists from around the world to enjoy the soothing and tranquil scenery and the friendly behavior of its inhabitants. A visitor is entered in Pakistan would never be happy without roaming about Swat.

The area of Swat is 4000 square miles with a population ofof around 1,250,000 . The height is not uniform but varies from 2500 ft. to 7500 ft. above sea level.

Colonization:

Because of its fertile soil and favorable climatic conditions, Swat has been the abode of various nations and subject to historical events from time to time. Although this valley has an ancient history, but in light of historical documents, recorded history begins with Alexander the Great, who conquered Swat in 326 BC.

Alexander defeated Persia, now he went through Kunar Swat in 326 BC. Buddhism was flourishing here. The Buddhist leader fought the Greek invader, but was defeated. Having conquered Swat Alexander proceeded along the right bank of the Swat river. Achieved in Nekpikheil Bandai, he crossed the river and camped near Manglor. He continued to travel through the mountainous passes of Onra, and crossed the Indus.

The famous general of Alexander, Saluki, Swat gave back to Chandragupta in 304 BC. Another Buddhist king, Kanishka, shifted his capital from Peshawar Swat so that he can be quiet enough to worship his gods with full satisfaction. Then Raja Ram Batti and many other great personalities ruled Swat, and worshiped their gods with full peace and meditation in the monasteries. Raja Gira was the last Buddhist ruler of Swat, who was defeated by Mahmud of Ghazni.

The Arrival Of Afghans:

In the eleventh century, Khwaja Ayyaz sat on the right bank of the River Swat and conquered the territories of Adenzee, Shamozee, Nekpikheil and so on. Mahmood went on the left bank of the river, when he reached Hudigram, there was the fort of Raja Gira, strongly built on a high peak. Mahmood command of the conquest of this fort a skillful general, Peer Khushal. The conquest of the fort was much riskier, but the order of the commander was observed.

Taking charge, the overall creative mind besieged the fort for three days and cut the underground water connection link. On the fourth day, he attacked the fort. The attack was a serious and many soldiers were tortured, including Peer Khushal itself, but the fort was captured and since then Mahmood went on and conquered the whole Swat.

After conquering Swat, Mahmood settled two tribes of Afghan here, ie Swati and Dalazak, and went back. Both tribes lived a happy life until they were chased by the Yousafzai Pashtun tribe.

The Entrance Of Yousufzai:

King of Kabul, Raja Alagh Baig, who was dethroned by his own tribe, called the Yousafzai help of the imperial power of Afghanistan to get back. All the chiefs,
Sardar and the Yousafzai came and supported him strongly. They fought a battle against Tajack Alagh Baig and became the king of Kabul again.

Since then Yousafzai got a position of authority in Kabul and the military court. Yousafzai the tribe settled there permanently. But when the king was a Tajack, Tajack his wife, his friends and family, all the short people were Tajacks, so the men of his tribe trusted him. She told the king that he would one day be hit by Yousafzai because Yousafzai were not of his own race and all-important posts in their hands, so they must be removed.

Since then Alagh Baig Yousafzai intrigued that should be attacked at night while asleep. His army did this, but the power of the king was badly defeated.

When the elders of Yousafzai protested, the cunning king expressed deep grief and assured them that some robbers might have taken action.

Alagh Baig now a different plan. He invited all the chiefs of Yousafzai and attacked them while they brought to eat. All the chiefs were slain, but only two of them, Sardar Malak Ahmed and Sheikh Malee, escaped. Both of the leaders migrated to Peshawar valley along with their tribal men.

Having it for a period of time, saw their Afghan brethren, Swati and Dalazak in Swat, to win their sympathy. But they, the Yousafzai, were soon attracted by the natural characteristics of this area. It should be noted that the Yousafzai the art of betrayal Tajack learned. So they forced the originally fixed Swati and Dalazak in Swat, who crossed Indus and took refuge in the west of Hazara district (Even now, some of the remains of Swati and Dalazak strains are found in the corners of Swat) to close .

Sheikh Mali distributed the land among the male members of the family of his tribe. Under this scheme, these families are changing their villages after every ten years, and the country of the new village would be divided among the male relatives.

(Finally, finally the land allocated under the auspices of Bacha Sahib within a period of five years ie from 1924 to 1929, and the nomadic life of the residence of this area came to an end.).

Sheikh Malee introduced the units of the country too. The smallest unit of the country was Damray, while the largest unit was rupee.

Without ruling authority, Swat was subjected to lawlessness and disorder. Murderous feuds were common feature of this tract. When they were tired of mutual bloodshed, they wanted an impartial man to their problems and disputes choose. For this purpose they called Syed Akbar Shah, but after the delivery of five years died. The personality was convened following Syed Abdul Jabbar Shah. He was a good student, and statesman with majestic port. But a man renowned scholar, quickly criticized him as Mullah Sandakay Qadyani (a person who believe in the prophet-hood of Mirza Ghulam Amad Qadyani), and thus left Swat Abdul Jabbar.

In this context, the other man was Miangul Abdul Wadood, the grandson of Mian Abdul Ghafoor (Sahib-e-Swat). The people entrusted with power Miangul Abdul Wadood in 1915 (but he was formally crowned in 1916 by the Council (JARGA) of the leaders of Swat in the grassy grounds of Cabal). (He was the man of strength and high resolve. Previously he was the ruler of Swat valley only, but slowly and gradually expanded the boundary of Swat to Gilgit. Later he retired and his eldest son, Miangul Abdul Haq Jehanzeb was crowned as the Wali of Swat. "Judgement time Jehanzeb is considered the golden period in the history of Swat. All his reforms ie schools, universities, hospitals, roads and other communication systems were not unbeatable. There was a complete peace and order in Swat. But with the foresight of the future politics and the reaction of the nation, he gave the ruling power in 1969.

It is painful to the events of the recent past to tell. The fascinating valley of Swat, while the Ex-Wali regime, gave a picture of the worldly paradise. The Wali of Swat, with
unique sense of possession no stone unturned in the beautification and development of each sector of Swat. He did his best, and had very lofty plans for the future. It was no contest, and visitors from around the world had emotional bond with the state.

After Wali regime, the officers / officials with no sense of ownership, do not bother about the development of Swat with the necessary zeal and fervor. It's not only stopped the march to prosperity departments, but also took us to a very sad state of affairs.

The schools, roads, hospitals and colleges of Swat were fully equipped with the latest trends. The Wali of Swat had plans to establish a university and professional colleges, but the dream remained unfulfilled due to the sudden turn of the table. His plans to fly high into the sky fell to earth. The roads are no longer usable. Schools and hospitals have no good system. The institutions have been destroyed, and all without a high degree of national importance, is limited to the personal view and personal interests. This sad state of affairs if prolonged will further deteriorate the current infrastructure.