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'Swat District'
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'{{Short description|District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}} {{EngvarB|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Swat District | official_name = | native_name = {{lang|ur|{{nq|ضلع سوات}}}}<br>{{lang|ps|{{script/Arabic|سوات ولسوالۍ}}}} | native_name_lang = | settlement_type = [[List of districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|District]] | image_skyline = {{Photomontage |size = 250 |photo1a = Mahodand l.jpg |photo2a = Clouds floating upwards.jpg |photo3a = River Swat Pakistan 3.jpg }} | image_caption = ''Top'': [[Mahodand Lake]]<br/>''Middle'': [[Gabin Jabba]]<br/>''Bottom'': [[Swat River]] | nickname = [[Switzerland]] of Pakistan{{sfn|Malala Yousafzai|2013}} | image_map = {{wikidata|property|raw|P242}} | map_caption = Swat District (red) in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|Pakistan}} | subdivision_type1 = [[Administrative units of Pakistan|Province]] | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}} | subdivision_type2 = [[Divisions of Pakistan|Division]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Malakand Division|Malakand]] | seat_type = [[Capital city|Capital]] | seat = [[Saidu Sharif]] | established_title = Established | established_date = | government_type = District Administration | leader_party = | leader_title = [[Deputy Commissioner (Pakistan)|Deputy Commissioner]] | leader_name = N/A | leader_title1 = District Police Officer | leader_name1 = N/A | leader_title2 = District Health Officer | leader_name2 = N/A | unit_pref = Metric | coordinates = {{coord|35|12|N|72|29|E|type:adm2nd_region:PK_dim:200000|display=inline,title}} | parts_style = para | seat1_type = Largest city | seat1 = [[Mingora]] | parts_type = Number of [[List of tehsils of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Tehsils]] | parts = 7 | area_total_km2 = 5337 | population_total = 2687384 | population_footnotes = <ref name="2023 census"/> | population_as_of = [[2023 Census of Pakistan|2023]] | population_density_km2 = auto | population_urban = 794,368 (29.56%) | population_rural = 1,893,016 | timezone1 = [[Pakistan Standard Time|PKT]] | utc_offset1 = +5 | area_code = Area code 0946 | blank_name_sec1 = Languages ([[2017 Pakistani Census|2017]])<ref name="Languages">{{cite book|author=Stephen P. Cohen|title=The Idea of Pakistan|url=https://archive.org/details/ideaofpakistan00cohe|url-access=registration|date=2004|publisher=[[Brookings Institution Press]]|isbn=0815797613|page=[https://archive.org/details/ideaofpakistan00cohe/page/202 202]}}</ref> | blank_info_sec1 = {{plainlist| * '''First Languages''': [[Pashto]] (90.78%), [[Kohistani languages]] (''[[Torwali language|Torwali]] and [[Kalami language|Kalami]]'') (7.35%) and others * '''Lingua Franca''': [[Urdu]] }} | total_type = Total | website = {{URL|swat.kp.gov.pk}} }} '''Swat District''' ({{Langx|ur|{{nq|ضلع سوات}}}}, {{langx|ps|سوات ولسوالۍ}}, {{IPA|ps|ˈswaːt̪|pron}}), also known as the '''Swat Valley''', is a [[Districts of Pakistan|district]] in the [[Malakand Division]] of [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]], [[Pakistan]]. Known for its stunning natural beauty, the district is a popular tourist destination. With a population of 2,687,384 per the [[2023 Pakistani census|2023 national census]], Swat is the 15th-largest district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Swat District is centred on the Valley of Swat, usually referred to simply as Swat, which is a natural geographic region surrounding the [[Swat River]]. The valley was a major centre of early [[Buddhism]] of the ancient civilisation of [[Gandhara]], mainly [[Gandharan Buddhism]], with pockets of Buddhism persisting in the valley until the 16th century [[Sultanate of Swat|conquest of Swat]] by the [[Yousafzai]]s, after which the area became largely Muslim, along with the [[Pashtunization]] of Swat and its neighbouring regions.<ref name="EW1983">{{cite book |title=East and West, Volume 33 |date=1983 |publisher=Istituto italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente |page=27 |language=en|quote=According to the 13th century Tibetan Buddhist Orgyan pa forms of magic and Tantra Buddhism and Hindu cults still survived in the Swāt area even though Islam had begun to uproot them (G. Tucci, 1971, p. 375) ... The Torwali of upper Swāt would have been converted to Islam during the course of the 17th century (Biddulph, p. 70).}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OTMy0B9OZjAC&q=Swat+Pakistan&pg=PA17|title=Pakistan: A Global Studies Handbook|last=Mohiuddin|first=Yasmeen Niaz|date=2007|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9781851098019|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite book |last=Naik |first=C. D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VrlLNltm5dMC&dq=buddhism+gilgit+13-14th+century&pg=PA39 |title=Buddhism and Dalits: Social Philosophy and Traditions |date=2010 |publisher=Gyan Publishing House |isbn=978-81-7835-792-8 |pages=39 |language=en |quote=Buddhism survived in Gilgit and Baltistan until 13-14th Century, perhaps slightly longer in the nearby Swat Valley. |access-date=28 May 2023 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115054712/https://books.google.com/books?id=VrlLNltm5dMC&dq=buddhism+gilgit+13-14th+century&pg=PA39 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |first=Joseph Theodore |last=Arlinghaus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aultAAAAMAAJ&q=sultan+swat+dardic |title=The Transformation of Afghan Tribal Society: Tribal Expansion, Mughal Imperialism and the Roshaniyya Insurrection, 1450-1600 |date=1988 |publisher=Duke University |language=en|page=191|quote=}}</ref> In the early 19th century, Swat emerged as an independent state under [[Saidu Baba]]. [[State of Swat]] became a [[Princely state]] under [[Suzerainty|British suzerainty]] as part of the [[British Raj]] in 1918. In 1947, following the [[Partition of British India]] and subsequent [[Independence Day (Pakistan)|independence of Pakistan]], Swat acceded to the [[Dominion of Pakistan]] continuing as a self-governing [[Princely states of Pakistan|princely state]] until it was officially annexed and merged into [[West Pakistan]] and later became a part of [[North-West Frontier Province]] (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) in 1969. The region [[First Battle of Swat|was seized]] by the [[Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan|Tehrik-i-Taliban]] in late-2007 until Pakistani control [[Second Battle of Swat|was re-established in mid-2009]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Abbas|first=Hassan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gDuvAwAAQBAJ&q=swat+tourism+taliban&pg=PA149|title=The Taliban Revival: Violence and Extremism on the Pakistan-Afghanistan Frontier|date=2014-06-24|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=9780300178845|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Craig|first=Tim|date=2015-05-09|title=The Taliban once ruled Pakistan's Swat Valley. Now peace has returned.|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the-taliban-once-ruled-pakistans-swat-valley-now-peace-has-returned/2015/05/08/6bb8ac96-eeaa-11e4-8050-839e9234b303_story.html|access-date=2018-02-11|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124151103/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the-taliban-once-ruled-pakistans-swat-valley-now-peace-has-returned/2015/05/08/6bb8ac96-eeaa-11e4-8050-839e9234b303_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The average elevation of Swat is {{convert|980|m|ft|abbr=on}},<ref name=":0" /> resulting in a considerably cooler and wetter climate compared to the rest of Pakistan. With lush forests, verdant [[Alpine tundra|alpine meadows]], and snow-capped mountains, Swat is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Khaliq|first=Fazal|date=2018-01-17|title=Tourists throng Swat to explore its natural beauty|language=en-US|work=DAWN.COM|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1383480|access-date=2018-02-10|archive-date=11 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211185935/https://www.dawn.com/news/1383480|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2018-02-09|title=The revival of tourism in Pakistan|language=en-US|work=Daily Times|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/197987/revival-tourism-pakistan/|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213023111/https://dailytimes.com.pk/197987/revival-tourism-pakistan/|url-status=live}}</ref> == Etymology == The name "Swat" is derived from the [[Swat River]]. The Swat River referred to as the ''Suvāstu'' in the Rig Veda, with a literal meaning "of fair dwellings". Some have suggested the Sanskrit name may mean "clear blue water."<ref>{{cite book|author=Susan Whitfield|author-link=Susan Whitfield|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cHBdDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT136|title=Silk, Slaves, and Stupas: Material Culture of the Silk Road|publisher=University of California Press|year=2018|isbn=978-0-520-95766-4|page=136}}</ref> Another theory derives the word Swat from the Sanskrit word ''shveta'' ({{Literal translation|white}}), also used to describe the clear water of the Swat River.<ref name="Sultan_2008">{{cite book|author=Sultan-i-Rome|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pIsMAQAAMAAJ|title=Swat State (1915–1969) from Genesis to Merger: An Analysis of Political, Administrative, Socio-political, and Economic Development|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2008|isbn=978-0-19-547113-7|page=13}}</ref> To the ancient Greeks, the river was known as the ''Soastus.''<ref>{{Cite book|author=Edward Herbert Bunbury |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6GYDAAAAQAAJ&q=Soastus+swat&pg=PA442|title=A history of ancient geography among the Greeks and Romans|date=1879|publisher=J. Murray|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Arrian|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hdHI2Gd0HwC&q=Soastus+swat&pg=PA231|title=Alexander the Great: The Anabasis and the Indica|date=2013-02-14|publisher=OUP Oxford|isbn=978-0-19-958724-7|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Saxena|first=Savitri|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sw4qAAAAYAAJ&q=swat+river+soastes|title=Geographical Survey of the Purāṇas: The Purāṇas, a Geographical Survey|date=1995|publisher=Nag Publishers|isbn=978-81-7081-333-0|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Sultan_2008" /> The Chinese pilgrim [[Faxian]] referred to Swat as the ''Su-ho-to''.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Rienjang|first1=Wannaporn|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9yWNDwAAQBAJ&q=Faxian+su-ho-to&pg=PA107|title=The Geography of Gandhāran Art: Proceedings of the Second International Workshop of the Gandhāra Connections Project, University of Oxford, 22nd-23rd March, 2018|last2=Stewart|first2=Peter|date=2019-03-15|publisher=Archaeopress|isbn=978-1-78969-187-0|language=en|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152325/https://books.google.com/books?id=9yWNDwAAQBAJ&q=Faxian+su-ho-to&pg=PA107#v=snippet&q=Faxian%20su-ho-to&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> == Geography == [[File:Mountains in Swat Vally Pakistan.jpg|thumb|Upper Swat is enclosed by tall mountains.]] Swat's total area is {{Convert|5337|km2|mi2}}. Swat District consists of two well-defined geographic regions, [[Swat Kohistan]] and Swat Proper. Swat Kohistan forms the larger, northern part of the district, and is mainly inhabited by the indigenous [[Indus Kohistanis|Kohistani]], [[Torwali people|Torwali]] and [[Gawri language|Kalami]] peoples. Swat Proper forms the lower portion of the district and has a [[Pashtun]] majority, with a significant [[Gurjar|Gujar]] population.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rum|first= Sultan-i|title=Swat State, 1915–1969, From Genesis to Merger: An Analysis of Political, Administrative, Socio-Political, and Economic Development|location= Karachi|publisher =Oxford University Press|date= 2008|ISBN=0-19-547113-X|p=15–20}}</ref> In terms of administrative divisions, Swat is surrounded by [[Chitral]], [[Upper Dir District|Upper Dir]] and [[Lower Dir District|Lower Dir]] to the west, [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] to the north, and [[Kohistan District, Pakistan|Kohistan]], [[Buner District|Buner]] and [[Shangla District|Shangla]] to the east and southeast, respectively. The former [[tehsil]] of Buner was granted the status of a separate [[Districts of Pakistan|district]] in 1991.<ref>{{Cite book|title=1998 District Census report of Buner|date=2000|publisher=Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan|series=Census publication|volume=98|location=Islamabad|page=1}}</ref> The Swat Valley is enclosed by mountains that forms a natural geographic boundary for it. The [[Swat River]] whose headwaters arise in the {{convert|18,000|to(-)|19,000|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall|order=flip}} [[Hindu Kush]] mountain range runs through the length of the region. The main area consists of many sub valleys such as [[Kalam Valley|Kalam]], [[Bahrain, Pakistan|Bahrain]], [[Matiltan]], [[Utror]], and [[Gabral Valley|Gabral]]. === Valley === The Valley of Swat is delineated by natural geographic boundaries, and is centered on the Swat River. The valley is enclosed on all sides by mountains, and is intersected by glens and ravines.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book|last=Paget|first=William Henry|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3h43AQAAMAAJ&q=swat+climate&pg=PA57|title=A Record of the Expeditions Undertaken Against the North-west Frontier Tribes|date=1874|publisher=Superintendent of government printing|language=en}}</ref> Above mountains ridges to the west is the valley of the [[Panjkora River]], to the north the Gilgit Valley, and [[Indus River]] gorges to the east. To the south, across a series of low mountains, lies the wide [[Peshawar valley]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite book|last=Barth|first=Fredrik|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Etz7DwAAQBAJ&q=swat+history+pashtun|title=Political Leadership Among Swat Pathans: Volume 19|date=2020-09-08|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-000-32448-8|language=en}}</ref> The northernmost area of Swat district are the high valleys and alpine meadows of ''Swat Kohistan (Swat Mountains)'', a region where numerous glaciers feed the [[Usho]], and [[Gabral Valley|Gabral]] rivers (also known as the Utrar River), which form a confluence at Kalam, and thereafter forms the Swat river - which forms the spine of the Swat Valley and district. Swat then is characterized by thick forests along the narrow gorges of the [[Kalam Valley]] until the city of [[Madyan, Pakistan|Madyan]]. From there, the river courses gently for 160&nbsp;km through the wider Yousufzai Plains of the lower [[Swat Valley]] until [[Chakdara]]. === Climate === Climate in Swat is a function of altitude, with mountains in the Kohistan region snow-clad year round. The upper areas of the region are relatively colder and often get snowfall in the winter. Drier, warmer temperatures in the lower portions in the Yousafzai Plains where summer temperatures can reach {{Convert|105|F|C}}, although the lower plains experience occasional snow.<ref name=":6"/> Both regions are subject to two monsoon seasons - one in winter and the other in summer. Swat's lower reaches have vegetation characterized by dry bush and deciduous trees, while the upper areas mostly have thick pine forests.<ref name=":7"/> === Airport === The [[Saidu Sharif Airport]] at [[Kanju]] is a stone throw from Mingora, adding much to the tourism in the past. The runway is situated between [[Swat River]] and the Sham Baba mountainous range, with lush green gardens and large trees being added as "charm" to the climate in the area. More than 20&nbsp;km² has been covered strategically, as was proposed during the last Wali's rule and constructed later-on by the Pakistani government. The Kanju village has seen an influx of academics in the region and is considered a hub for the [[Matta, Swat|Matta]] and [[Kabal Tehsil]]s of Swat Valley. <gallery> File:Mount Falak Sher view from Kalam.JPG|[[Falak Sar (Swat)|Falak Sar]], Swat's tallest mountain at {{Convert|5957|m|ft}} File:Sunset over the Peak.jpg|Mount Mankial, which rises to {{cvt|18600|ft|m|order=flip}} File:Ushu Forest, Kalam, Swat, Pakistan.jpg|Pine forests occur in Swat at elevations over {{cvt|5000|ft|m|sigfig=2|order=flip}} File:Kalam in Swat Pakistan G.jpg|The northernmost region of Swat &ndash; a region known as ''Kohistan'' &ndash; has high alpine valley at the base of tall mountains File:Jarogo Waterfalls, Swat.jpg|[[Jarogo Waterfall]], in middle Swat File:Mahodand Lake-Summer 2015.jpg|Alpine lakes, such as [[Mahodand Lake]] are found in the mountains of Swat Kohistan. File:Atror, Swat KPK (Pakistan).jpg|Alpine meadows in Utror </gallery> == History == === Ancient === The [[Gandhara grave culture]] that emerged ''c.'' 1400 BCE and lasted until 800 BCE,<ref>Olivieri, Luca M., Roberto Micheli, Massimo Vidale, and Muhammad Zahir, (2019). [https://reich.hms.harvard.edu/sites/reich.hms.harvard.edu/files/inline-files/2019_Science_NarasimhanPatterson_CentralSouthAsia_Supplement.pdf 'Late Bronze - Iron Age Swat Protohistoric Graves (Gandhara Grave Culture), Swat Valley, Pakistan (n-99)'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830164535/https://reich.hms.harvard.edu/sites/reich.hms.harvard.edu/files/inline-files/2019_Science_NarasimhanPatterson_CentralSouthAsia_Supplement.pdf |date=30 August 2021 }}, in Narasimhan, Vagheesh M., et al., "Supplementary Materials for the formation of human populations in South and Central Asia", Science 365 (6 September 2019), pp. 137-164.</ref> and named for their distinct funerary practices, was found along the Middle [[Swat River]] course.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Mallory|first1=J. P.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tzU3RIV2BWIC&q=swat+aryan&pg=PA310|title=Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture|last2=Adams|first2=Douglas Q.|year=1997|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781884964985}}</ref> Swat, then known as [[Oddiyana]], was a major centre of [[Gandhara civilization]]. In 327 BCE, [[Alexander the Great]] fought his way to [[Odigram]] and [[Barikot]] and stormed their battlements; in [[Greek literature|Greek accounts]], these towns are identified as ''Ora'' and ''Bazira''. After the Alexandrian invasion of Swat, and adjacent regions of [[Buner District|Buner]], control of the wider Gandhara region was handed to [[Seleucus I Nicator]]. [[File:Statue of a Buddha seated on a lotus throne in Swat Valley.jpg|thumb|upright|1896 photo of a [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] statue seated on a [[lotus throne]] in Swat]] In 305 BCE, the [[Mauryan]] Emperor conquered the wider region from the Greeks, and probably established control of Swat, until their control of the region ceased around 187 BCE.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Callieri|first=Pierfrancesco|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i6xtAAAAMAAJ&q=maurya+swat|title=Saidu Sharif I (Swat, Pakistan).|date=1997|publisher=IsMEO|language=en|quote=Having brought under its domination part of Afghanistan and, most probably, Swat (Tucci 1978), the Maurya dynasty died out around 187 BC|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152420/https://books.google.com/books?id=i6xtAAAAMAAJ&q=maurya+swat|url-status=live}}</ref> It was during the rule of the Mauryan emperor [[Ashoka]] that Buddhism was introduced into Swat,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Khan|first=Makin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h91KAQAAIAAJ&q=maurya+swat|title=Archaeological Museum Saidu Sharif, Swat: A Guide|date=1997|publisher=M. Khan|language=en}}</ref> and some of the earliest stupas built in the region. Following collapse of Mauryan rule, Swat came under control of the [[Greco-Bactrian Kingdom|Greco-Bactrians]], and briefly the [[Scythians]] of the [[Eurasian Steppe|Central Asian Steppe]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ahmad|first=Makhdum Tasadduq|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oilYAAAAMAAJ&q=swat+bactrians|title=Social Organization of Yusufzai Swat: A Study in Social Change|date=1962|publisher=Panjab University Press|language=en|quote=They ruled this area for nearly 150 years when they were replaced first by Bactrians and latter by the Scythians|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152846/https://books.google.com/books?id=oilYAAAAMAAJ&q=swat+bactrians|url-status=live}}</ref> The region of Gandhara (based in the [[Peshawar District|Peshawar valley]] and the adjacent hilly regions of Swat, [[Buner District|Buner]], [[Dir District|Dir]], and [[Bajaur District|Bajaur]]), broke away from Greco-Bactrian rule to establish their own independence as the [[Indo-Greek Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Tarn|first=William Woodthorpe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-HeJS3nE9cAC&q=gandhara|title=The Greeks in Bactria and India|date=2010-06-24|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-108-00941-6|language=en|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152849/https://books.google.com/books?id=-HeJS3nE9cAC&q=gandhara#v=snippet&q=gandhara&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the death of the most famous Indo-Greek king, [[Menander I]] around 140 BCE, the region was overrun by the [[Indo-Scythians]], and then the Persian [[Parthian Empire]] around 50 CE. The arrival of the Parthians began the long tradition of [[Greco-Buddhist art]], which was a syncretic form of art combining Buddhist imagery with heavy Hellenistic-Greek influences. This art form is credited with having the first representations of the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] in human form, rather than symbolically.<ref name=cameron/> The Parthians were ousted from Swat by the [[Kushan Empire|Kushans]], based in the [[Peshawar valley]]. Kushan rule began what is considered by many to be the golden age of Gandhara. Under the greatest Kushan king, [[Kanishka]], Swat became an important region for the production of Buddhist art, and numerous Buddhists shrines were built in the area. As a patron of [[Mahayana Buddhism]], new Buddhists ''stupas'' were built and old ones were enlarged. The Chinese pilgrim [[Fa-Hsien]], who visited the valley around 403 CE, mentions 500 monasteries.<ref name=cameron>{{Cite book|last=Petrie|first=Cameron A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YbQWEAAAQBAJ&q=faxian+swat+500+monasteries&pg=PT121|title=Resistance at the Edge of Empires: The Archaeology and History of the Bannu basin from 1000 BC to AD 1200|date=2020-12-28|publisher=Oxbow Books|isbn=978-1-78570-304-1|language=en|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152851/https://books.google.com/books?id=YbQWEAAAQBAJ&q=faxian+swat+500+monasteries&pg=PT121#v=snippet&q=faxian%20swat%20500%20monasteries&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><gallery> File:General View of the main Butkara-I Stupa.JPG|[[Butkara Stupa]] may have first been built during Mauryan rule in the 2nd century BCE. File:Amlukdara stupa close.JPG|[[Amluk-Dara stupa|Amlukdara Stupa]] was built around the 3rd century CE, and is one of many Buddhist ruins in Swat. File:Nimogram Stupa.jpg|[[Nemogram Stupa]], dating from the Kushan period {{Circa|2-3 centuries CE}}, with many of its statues on display at the [[Swat Museum]] File:Shingerdar stupa - panoramio.jpg|Shingardar Stupa, a 27-metre tall stupa built along the main road that enters Swat from the Peshawar Valley<ref>{{Cite book|last=Samad|first=Rafi U.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PMEd8Cqh-YQC&q=shingardar+stupa&pg=PA166|title=The Grandeur of Gandhara: The Ancient Buddhist Civilization of the Swat, Peshawar, Kabul and Indus Valleys|date=2011|publisher=Algora Publishing|isbn=978-0-87586-860-8|language=en}}</ref> File:Swat Shamozi Stopa (1).jpg|Shamozi Stupa </gallery> === Medieval === [[File:SilverBowlNFPPakistan5-6thcenturyCE.JPG|thumb|The [[Hephthalite bowl]] from Swat (5th century AD) features two [[Kidarites|Kidarite]] royal hunters as well as two [[Alchon Huns|Alchon]] hunters, suggesting a period of peaceful coexistence between the two entities.{{sfn|Alram|2014|pp=274–275}}]] Swat and the wider region of Gandhara were overrun by the [[Alchon Huns]] around about 465 CE.<ref>{{cite book|author=Atreyi Biswas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ohwdAAAAMAAJ|title=The Political History of the Hūṇas in India|date=1971|publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers|isbn=9780883863015|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152857/https://books.google.com/books?id=ohwdAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> Under the rule of [[Mihirakula]], Buddhism was suppressed as he himself became virulently anti-Buddhist after a perceived slight against him by a Buddhist monk.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Upinder|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t6A4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA241|title=Political Violence in Ancient India|date=2017-09-25|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-97527-9|language=en|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=3 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203193700/https://books.google.com/books?id=t6A4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA241#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Under his rule, Buddhist monks were reportedly killed, and Buddhist shrines attacked.<ref name=":4" /> He himself appears to have been inclined towards the [[Shaivism]] sect of [[Hinduism]].<ref name=":4" /> In around 520 CE, the Chinese monk [[Song Yun]] visited the area, and recorded that area had been in ruin and ruled by a leader that did not practice the laws of the Buddha.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Chattopadhyaya|first=Sudhakar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KxohAAAAMAAJ&q=song+yun+swat+law+of+buddha|title=Early History of North India, from the Fall of the Mauryas to the Death of Harsa, C. 200 B.C.-A.D. 650|date=1958|publisher=Progressive Publishers|language=en|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152858/https://books.google.com/books?id=KxohAAAAMAAJ&q=song+yun+swat+law+of+buddha|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Tang dynasty|Tang]]-era Chinese monk [[Xuanzang]] recorded the decline of Buddhism in the region, and ascendance of Hinduism in the region. According to him, of the 1400 monasteries that had supposedly been there, most were in ruins or had been abandoned.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wriggins|first=Sally|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=803rDwAAQBAJ&q=xuanzang+swat&pg=PT71|title=Xuanzang: A Buddhist Pilgrim On The Silk Road|date=2020-06-11|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-000-01109-8|language=en|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825153411/https://books.google.com/books?id=803rDwAAQBAJ&q=xuanzang+swat&pg=PT71#v=snippet&q=xuanzang%20swat&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Raja Gira castle 2.jpg|thumb|Raja Gira was the site of a fortress from which the Hindu Shahis ruled Swat.]] Following the collapse of Buddhism in Swat following the Alchon Hun invasion, Swat was ruled by the [[Hindu Shahi]] dynasty beginning in the 8th century,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Khaliq|first=Fazal|date=2016-03-06|title=Castle of last Hindu king Raja Gira in Swat crumbling|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1243844|access-date=2021-04-23|website=DAWN.COM|language=en|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423052519/https://www.dawn.com/news/1243844|url-status=live}}</ref> who made their capital at [[Udigram]] in lower Swat.<ref name=":5" /> The Hindu Shahis are believed to belong to the Uḍi/Oḍi tribe, namely the people of [[Oddiyana]], present-day Swat.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rahman |first=Abdul |date=2002 |title=New Light on the Khingal, Turk and the Hindu Sahis |url=http://journals.uop.edu.pk/papers/AP_v15_37to42.pdf |journal=Ancient Pakistan |volume=XV |pages=37–42 |quote=The Hindu Śāhis were therefore neither Bhattis, or Janjuas, nor Brahmans. They were simply Uḍis/Oḍis. It can now be seen that the term Hindu Śāhi is a misnomer and, based as it is merely upon religious discrimination, should be discarded and forgotten. The correct name is Uḍi or Oḍi Śāhi dynasty. |access-date=30 April 2023 |archive-date=26 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426060455/http://journals.uop.edu.pk/papers/AP_v15_37to42.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Meister |first=Michael W. |date=2005 |title=The Problem of Platform Extensions at Kafirkot North |url=http://journals.uop.edu.pk/papers/AP_v16_41to48.pdf |journal=Ancient Pakistan |volume=XVI |pages=41–48 |quote=Rehman (2002: 41) makes a good case for calling the Hindu Śāhis by a more accurate name, "Uḍi Śāhis". |access-date=30 April 2023 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201184532/http://journals.uop.edu.pk/papers/AP_v16_41to48.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The Shahis built an extensive array of [[Hindu temple|temples]] and other architectural buildings, of which ruins remain today. Under their rule, [[Hinduism]] ascended, and [[Sanskrit]] is believed to have been the [[lingua franca]] of the locals during this time.<ref>Sorrow and Joy Among Muslim Women The Pushtuns of Northern Pakistan By Amineh Ahmed Published by Cambridge University Press, 2006 Page 21.</ref> By the time of the [[Muslim conquests in the Indian subcontinent|Muslim conquests]] ({{Circa|1000 CE}}), the population in the region was predominantly [[Hindus|Hindu]],<ref name="Barth">Fredrik Barth, ''Features of Person and Society in Swat: Collected Essays on Pathans'', illustrated edition, Routledge, 1981</ref>{{rp|19}} though Buddhism persisting in the valley until the 10th century, after which the area became largely [[Islam|Muslim]].<ref name="EW1983" /><ref name=":0" /> Hindu Shahi rulers built fortresses to guard and tax the commerce through this area,<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Marati|first1=Ivano|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cncGL9lvFZ8C&q=hindu+shahi+swat|title=The New Swat Archaeological Museum: Construction activities in Swat district (2011-2013) Khyber-Pakthunkhwa, Pakistan|last2=Vassallo|first2=Candida Maria|date=2013|publisher=Sang-e-Meel Publications|isbn=978-969-35-2664-6|language=en|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825153412/https://books.google.com/books?id=cncGL9lvFZ8C&q=hindu+shahi+swat|url-status=live}}</ref> and ruins dating back to their rule can be seen on the hills at the southern entrance of Swat, at the [[Malakand Pass]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Swat: An Afghan Society in Pakistan: Urbanisation and Change in Tribal Environment |author1=Inam-ur-Rahim|author2= Alain M. Viaro |publisher= City Press|date= 2002 |page= 59 }}</ref> [[File:Mehmood Ghaznavi Masjid.jpg|thumb|The [[Mahmud Ghaznavi Mosque (Odigram)|Mahmud Ghaznavi Mosque]] was built in the former Hindu Shahi capital of [[Odigram]] shortly after their defeat, and dates to 1048–49 CE.]] Around 1001 CE, the last Hindu Shahi king, [[Jayapala]] was decisively defeated at the [[Battle of Peshawar (1001)]] by [[Mahmud of Ghazni]], thereby ending 2 centuries of Hindu rule over Gandhara. The [[Sultanate of Swat]] was the last [[Dardistan|Dardic]] state that existed in the Swat valley between 12th and 16th centuries. It was conquered by the [[Yousafzai]] Pashtuns from west during the reign of Sultan Awes Jahangiri in 1519, resulting into the Pashtunization of Swat.<ref>{{Cite book |first=Joseph Theodore |last=Arlinghaus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aultAAAAMAAJ&q=sultan+swat+dardic |title=The Transformation of Afghan Tribal Society: Tribal Expansion, Mughal Imperialism and the Roshaniyya Insurrection, 1450-1600 |date=1988 |publisher=Duke University |language=en|page=191|quote=}}</ref> ===Modern=== The [[princely state]] of [[Swat (princely state)|Swat]] was a kingdom established in the late 19th century by the [[Muslims|Muslim]] saint [[Akhund Abdul Ghaffur|Akhund Abdul Gaffur]], more commonly known as ''Saidu Baba,''<ref>S.G. Page 398 and 399, T and C of N.W.F.P by Ibbetson page 11 etc</ref><ref name="Barth" /> that was ruled by chiefs known as [[Akhoond|Akhunds]]. It was then recognized as a [[princely state]] in alliance with the [[British Indian Empire]] between 1926 and 1947, after which the Akhwand [[Instrument of Accession|acceded]] to the newly independent state of [[Pakistan]]. Swat continued to exist as an autonomous region until it was dissolved in 1969,<ref name="T&F2">{{cite book|last1=Claus|first1=Peter J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ienxrTPHzzwC&pg=PA447|title=South Asian Folklore: An Encyclopedia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka|last2=Diamond|first2=Sarah|last3=Ann Mills|first3=Margaret|date=2003|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=9780415939195|page=447|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825153414/https://books.google.com/books?id=ienxrTPHzzwC&pg=PA447#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> and incorporated into [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] Province (formerly called [[North-West Frontier Province|NWFP]]). {{Main|Second Battle of Swat}} [[File:Manglawar stupa.jpg|thumb|The [[Buddhist rock carving in Manglawar|Buddhist rock carvings of Manglawar]] were damaged by the Tehreek-i-Taliban, but restored with Italian aid.]] The region [[First Battle of Swat|was seized]] by the [[Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan|Tehrik-i-Taliban]] in late-2007,<ref name=":1" /> and its highly-popular tourist industry was subsequently decimated until Pakistani control [[Second Battle of Swat|was re-established in mid-2009]] after a month-long campaign.<ref name=":2" /> During their occupation, the group attacked Nobel laureate [[Malala Yousafzai]] in 2012, who at the time was a young school-girl who wrote a blog for BBC Urdu detailing life under Tehreek-i-Taliban rule, and their curb on girls' education. [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]]-era Buddhist stupas and statues in the Swat Valley were demolished by the Tehreek-i-Taliban,<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Taliban defeated by the quiet strength of Pakistan's Buddha|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/taliban-defeated-by-the-quiet-strength-of-pakistans-buddha/articleshow/64956086.cms|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Times of India}} {{Dead link|date=January 2021}}</ref> and the Jehanabad Buddha's face was blown up using [[dynamite]],<ref name="Yousafzai2013">{{cite book|author=Malala Yousafzai|title=I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban|url=https://archive.org/details/iammalalastoryof0000yous|url-access=registration|quote=The Taliban destroyed the Buddhist statues and stupas where we played Kushan kings haram Jehanabad Buddha.|date=8 October 2013|publisher=Little, Brown|isbn=978-0-316-32241-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/iammalalastoryof0000yous/page/123 123]–124}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wijewardena |first=W.A. |date=17 February 2014 |title='I am Malala': But then, we all are Malalas, aren't we? |url=http://www.ft.lk/article/255420/%E2%80%98I-am-Malala---But-then--we-all-are-Malalas--aren-t-we? |newspaper=Daily FT |access-date=31 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924043226/http://www.ft.lk/article/255420/%E2%80%98I-am-Malala---But-then--we-all-are-Malalas--aren-t-we |url-status=live }}</ref> but was repaired by a group of [[Italians|Italian]] restorers in a nine-year-long process.<ref>{{cite news|last=Khaliq|first=Fazal|date=7 November 2016<!-- 09:53pm-->|title=Iconic Buddha in Swat valley restored after nine years when Taliban defaced it|newspaper=DAWN|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1294246|access-date=6 January 2017|archive-date=7 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107100933/http://www.dawn.com/news/1294246|url-status=live}}</ref> Looters subsequently destroyed many of Pakistan's Buddhist artifacts,<ref>{{cite news |date=22 October 2012 |title=Taliban and traffickers destroying Pakistan's Buddhist heritage |url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Taliban-and-traffickers-destroying-Pakistan%27s-Buddhist-heritage-26142.html |newspaper=AsiaNews.it |access-date=31 August 2015 |archive-date=12 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512191220/http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Taliban-and-traffickers-destroying-Pakistan%27s-Buddhist-heritage-26142.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and deliberately targeted Gandhara Buddhist relics for destruction.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 November 2009 |title=Taliban trying to destroy Buddhist art from the Gandhara period |url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Taliban-trying-to-destroy-Buddhist-art-from-the-Gandhara-period-16984.html |newspaper=AsiaNews.it |access-date=31 August 2015 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923224528/http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Taliban-trying-to-destroy-Buddhist-art-from-the-Gandhara-period-16984.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Gandhara artifacts remaining from the demolitions were thereafter plundered by thieves and smugglers.<ref>{{cite news |last= Rizvi |first= Jaffer |date= 6 July 2012 |title= Pakistan police foil huge artefact smuggling attempt |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-18738909 |newspaper= BBC News |access-date= 21 June 2018 |archive-date= 24 September 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160437/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-18738909 |url-status= live }}</ref> == Economy == Approximately 38% of economy of Swat depends on [[tourism]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://korbah.com/hotels/?location_name=Swat&location_id=9694&start=&end=&date=19%2F01%2F2020+12%3A00+am-20%2F01%2F2020+11%3A59+pm&room_num_search=1&adult_number=1&child_number=0&price_range=0%3B23250&taxonomy%5Bhotel_facilities%5D= | title=Browse & Book Your Favorite Hotels Anywhere in Pakistan | access-date=19 January 2020 | archive-date=25 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825153450/https://korbah.com/hotels-2/?location_name=Swat&location_id=9694&start&end&date=19%2F01%2F2020%2012%3A00%20am-20%2F01%2F2020%2011%3A59%20pm&room_num_search=1&adult_number=1&child_number=0&price_range=0%3B23250&taxonomy%5Bhotel_facilities%5D | url-status=live }}</ref> and 31% depends on [[agriculture]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kpktribune.com/index.php/en/swat/swat-economy|title=Swat Economy|author=<!--Not stated-->|work=kpktribune.com|access-date=17 February 2016|archive-date=1 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301042727/http://kpktribune.com/index.php/en/swat/swat-economy|url-status=live}}</ref> === Agriculture === Gwalerai, a village located near [[Mingora]], is one of those few villages which produces 18 varieties of apples due to its agriculturally favourable temperate climate in summer. The apple produced here is consumed in Pakistan as well as exported to other countries. It is known as ‘the apple of Swat’.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1201016/gwalerai-the-little-village-behind-swats-famous-apples|title=Gwalerai — The little village behind Swat's famous apples|author=Amjad Ali Sahaab|work=dawn.com|date=17 August 2015|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref> Swat is also famous for peach production mostly grown in the valley bottom plains and accounts for about 80% of the peach production of the country - thus oft marketed in the national markets with a branded as "Swat Peaches". The supply starts in April and continues till September because of a diverse range of varieties grown. Salampur village, located near [[Saidu Sharif]], is a principle region in Pakistan for the manufacture of sheets and shawls. == Demographics == [[File:Sunset over the Mingora City, Swat Valley, Pakistan.jpg|thumb|Photograph of [[Mingora]], the largest city in Swat – May 2014]] {{Historical populations |align=center |percentages=pagr |1951 |283,720 |1961 |344,859 |1972 |520,614 |1981 |715,938 |1998 |1,257,602 |2017 |2,308,624 |footnote= Sources:<ref>{{cite web |title=Population by administrative units 1951-1998 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/1998/administrative_units.pdf |publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=26 August 2023 |archive-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605161446/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/1998/administrative_units.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>|2023|2,687,384}} As of the [[2023 Pakistani census|2023 census]], Swat district has 381,212 households and a population of 2,687,384. The district has a sex ratio of 104.83 males to 100 females and a literacy rate of 48.13%: 61.83% for males and 33.95% for females. 808,888 (30.11% of the surveyed population) are under 10 years of age. 794,368 (29.56%) live in urban areas.<ref name="2023 census">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 1 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_1.pdf |website=www.pbscensus.gov.pk |publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726060615/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ ''Religion in Swat District'' ! rowspan="2" |Religion ! colspan="2" |2017<ref name="2017census">{{Cite web |title=Pakistan Census 2017 District-Wise Tables: Swat |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/census-2017-district-wise/results/022 |access-date= |website=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |url-status=live |archive-date=24 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824044535/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/census-2017-district-wise/results/022 }}</ref> ! colspan="2" |2023<ref name="2023censusreligion">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 9 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_9.pdf |website=www.pbscensus.gov.pk |publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=2024-08-01 |archive-date=2024-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819163309/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_9.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !{{abbr|Pop.|Population}} !{{Abbr|%|percentage}} !{{abbr|Pop.|Population}} !{{Abbr|%|percentage}} |- | [[Islam]] [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]] | 2,306,813 |99.92% |2,677,745 |99.69% |- | [[Christianity]] [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]] | 502 |0.02% |7,219 |0.27% |- | [[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|15px]] | 200 |0.01% |117 |~0% |- | [[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]] |{{N/a}} |{{N/a}} |540 |0.02% |- |Others |1,109 |0.05% |455 |0.02% |- ! Total Population ! 2,308,624 ! 100% !2,686,076{{Efn|Different from official population figure since it excludes sensitive areas where religion was not asked}} !100% |} {{Pie chart |thumb = left |caption = Languages of Swat district (2023)<ref name="2023censuslanguage"/> |label1 = [[Pashto]] |value1 = 92.18 |color1 = olive |label2 = [[Dardic languages|Kohistani]] |value2 = 1.47 |color2 = salmon |label3 = Others |value3 = 6.35 |color3 = grey }} Swat is mostly inhabited by [[Pashtuns]] who make up 92.18% of the population.<ref name="2023censuslanguage">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 11 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_11.pdf |website=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=19 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819163312/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_11.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The dominant tribe is the [[Yusufzai]] tribe with minor settlements of [[Shinwari]], [[Tarkani]], [[Ghoryakhel]] and [[Sulaimankhel]] tribes.<ref name=":0" /> The language spoken in the valley is [[Pashto language|Pashto]] (mainly the [[Northern Pashto#North Eastern|Yousafzai dialect]]). Kohistani languages are spoken by 1.47% of the population and languages classified as 'Others', mainly [[Kalami language|Kalami]] and [[Torwali language|Torwali]], are spoken by 6.10% of the population, and form the majority in the [[Swat Kohistan]] region of Upper Swat.<ref name="2023censuslanguage"/> == Education == According to the ''Alif Ailaan Pakistan Education Rankings for 2017'', Swat with a score of 53.1, is ranked 86 out of 155 districts in terms of education. Furthermore, the Swat schools infrastructure scores 90.26 which ranks it on number 31 out of 155.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017 |url=https://elections.alifailaan.pk/wp-includes/file/DER17.pdf |website=elections.alifailaan.pk |publisher=[[Alif Ailaan]] |access-date=19 November 2019 |archive-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730105939/https://elections.alifailaan.pk/wp-includes/file/DER17.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> === Schools === A Christian-run missionary school was established in 1950s, the first ever private sector educational institution in Swat Valley. A number of other private sector schools are in run since long, Tipu Model School and College, Kabal Swat (TMS established by Safdar Ali Aziz) and Swat Public School (SPS) are oldest among such schools. Safdar Ali Aziz is also founder of Private Schools Management Association (PSMA) and got good reputation in imparting quality education in the region. == Administrative divisions == Swat is subdivided into 9 administrative divisions [[List of tehsils of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Tehsils]]:<ref>[http://lgkp.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Village-Neighbourhood-Councils-Detatails-Annex-D.pdf Village Neighbourhood Councils] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205011237/http://lgkp.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Village-Neighbourhood-Councils-Detatails-Annex-D.pdf |date=5 February 2016 }} lgkp.gov.pk</ref> #[[Behrain Tehsil|Behrain]] #[[Barikot Tehsil|Barikot]] #[[Babuzai Tehsil|Babuzai]] #[[Charbagh Tehsil|Charbagh]] #[[Kabal Tehsil|Kabal]] #[[Khwazakhela|Khwaza Khela]] #[[Matta Tehsil|Matta]] ## Matta Sebujni ## Matta Shamizai #[[Kalam, Swat|Kalam]] #[[Mingora, Swat|Mingora]] Each tehsil comprises certain numbers of [[Union councils of Pakistan|union councils]]. Swat has 65 union councils: 56 rural and 9 urban. According to the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act, 2013]], a new ''local governments'' system was introduced, in which Swat is included. This system has 67 [[Ward (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)|wards]], in which the total amount of [[Village Council (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)|village councils]] are around 170, while neighbourhood councils number around 44.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lgkp.gov.pk/neighbourhood-council|title=Village/Neighbourhood Council|access-date=27 January 2016|archive-date=20 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220014530/http://lgkp.gov.pk/neighbourhood-council/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://lgkp.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Local-Government-Elections-Rules-2013.pdf Local government election rules 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913063053/http://lgkp.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Local-Government-Elections-Rules-2013.pdf |date=13 September 2014 }} lgkp.gov.pk</ref> === Politics === The region elects three male members of the [[National Assembly of Pakistan]] (MNAs), one female MNA, seven male members of the [[Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] (MPAs)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panwfp.gov.pk/index.php/members/bydistrict/en/9/57|title=Constituencies and MPAs – Website of the Provincial Assembly of the N-W.F.P|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228010000/http://www.panwfp.gov.pk/index.php/members/bydistrict/en/9/57|archive-date=28 December 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and two female MPAs. In the 2002 National and Provincial elections, the [[Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal]] (MMA), an alliance of religious political parties, won all the seats. === Provincial Assembly === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Member of Provincial Assembly !! Party Affiliation !! Constituency !! Year |- | Sharafat Ali ||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]] ||PK-3 Swat-I||2024 |- | Ali Shah ||[[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]]||PK-4 Swat-II|| 2024 |- | Akhtar khan||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]]||PK-5 Swat-III|| 2024 |- | Fazal Hakeem Khan||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]] ||PK-6 Swat-IV||2024 |- | Amjad Ali ||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]] ||PK-7 Swat-V||2024 |- | Hameed ur rahman ||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]]||PK-8 Swat-VI|| 2024 |- | Sultan e room||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]]||PK-9 Swat-VII|| 2024 |- | Muhammad Naeem ||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]] ||PK-10 Swat-VIII||2024 |} == Notable people == * [[Wadud of Swat]] (Miangul Abdul Wadud) * [[Jahan Zeb of Swat]] (Miangul Jahan Zeb) * [[Miangul Aurangzeb]] * [[Miangul Adnan Aurangzeb]] * [[Mubarika Yusufzai]] * [[Wāli of Swat]] * [[Zebunisa Jilani]] * [[Mahmood Khan]] * [[Malala Yousafzai]] * [[Ziauddin Yousafzai]] * [[Muhib Ullah Khan]] * [[Anwar Ali (cricketer born 1987)|Anwar Ali]] * [[Nazia Iqbal]] * [[Ghazala Javed]] * [[Afzal Khan Lala]] * [[Haider Ali Khan]] * [[Malak Jamroz Khan]] * [[Jamila Ahmad]] * [[Rahim Khan (field hockey)|Rahim Khan]] * [[Nasirul Mulk]] * [[Badar Munir]] * [[Murad Saeed]] * [[Shaheen Sardar Ali]] * [[Rahim Shah]] * [[Sherin Zada]] == Notes == {{notelist}} == References == {{Reflist|30em}} == Bibliography == {{Refbegin}} * {{cite journal |last=Alram |first=Michael |year=2014 |title=From the Sasanians to the Huns New Numismatic Evidence from the Hindu Kush |journal=The Numismatic Chronicle |volume=174 |pages=261–291 |jstor=44710198}} {{Refend}} == External links == {{Commons category}} * [https://www.visitswatvalley.com/ Visit Swat Valley] * [https://swatvalley.pk Swat Valley Photos] {{Wikivoyage|Swat}} {{Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}} {{Swat-Union-Councils}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Swat District| ]] [[Category:Hill stations in Pakistan]] [[Category:Valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] [[Category:Indus basin]] [[Category:Buddhism in Pakistan]] [[Category:Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]'
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext)
'{{Short description|District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}} {{EngvarB|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Swat District | official_name = | native_name = {{lang|ur|{{nq|ضلع سوات}}}}<br>{{lang|ps|{{script/Arabic|سوات ولسوالۍ}}}} | native_name_lang = | settlement_type = [[List of districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|District]] | image_skyline = {{Photomontage |size = 250 |photo1a = Mahodand l.jpg |photo2a = Clouds floating upwards.jpg |photo3a = River Swat Pakistan 3.jpg }} | image_caption = ''Top'': [[Mahodand Lake]]<br/>''Middle'': [[Gabin Jabba]]<br/>''Bottom'': [[Swat River]] | nickname = [[Switzerland]] of Pakistan{{sfn|Malala Yousafzai|2013}} | image_map = {{wikidata|property|raw|P242}} | map_caption = Swat District (red) in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|Pakistan}} | subdivision_type1 = [[Administrative units of Pakistan|Province]] | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}} | subdivision_type2 = [[Divisions of Pakistan|Division]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Malakand Division|Malakand]] | seat_type = [[Capital city|Capital]] | seat = [[Saidu Sharif]] | established_title = Established | established_date = | government_type = District Administration | leader_party = | leader_title = [[Deputy Commissioner (Pakistan)|Deputy Commissioner]] | leader_name = N/A | leader_title1 = District Police Officer | leader_name1 = N/A | leader_title2 = District Health Officer | leader_name2 = N/A | unit_pref = Metric | coordinates = {{coord|35|12|N|72|29|E|type:adm2nd_region:PK_dim:200000|display=inline,title}} | parts_style = para | seat1_type = Largest city | seat1 = [[Mingora]] | parts_type = Number of [[List of tehsils of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Tehsils]] | parts = 7 | area_total_km2 = 5337 | population_total = 2687384 | population_footnotes = <ref name="2023 census"/> | population_as_of = [[2023 Census of Pakistan|2023]] | population_density_km2 = auto | population_urban = 794,368 (29.56%) | population_rural = 1,893,016 | timezone1 = [[Pakistan Standard Time|PKT]] | utc_offset1 = +5 | area_code = Area code 0946 | blank_name_sec1 = Languages ([[2017 Pakistani Census|2017]])<ref name="Languages">{{cite book|author=Stephen P. Cohen|title=The Idea of Pakistan|url=https://archive.org/details/ideaofpakistan00cohe|url-access=registration|date=2004|publisher=[[Brookings Institution Press]]|isbn=0815797613|page=[https://archive.org/details/ideaofpakistan00cohe/page/202 202]}}</ref> | blank_info_sec1 = {{plainlist| * '''First Languages''': [[Pashto]] (90.78%), [[Kohistani languages]] (''[[Torwali language|Torwali]] and [[Kalami language|Kalami]]'') (7.35%) and others * '''Lingua Franca''': [[Urdu]] }} | total_type = Total | website = {{URL|swat.kp.gov.pk}} }} '''Swat District''' ({{Langx|ur|{{nq|ضلع سوات}}}}, {{langx|ps|سوات ولسوالۍ}}, {{IPA|ps|ˈswaːt̪|pron}}), also known as the '''Swat Valley''', is a [[Districts of Pakistan|district]] in the [[Malakand Division]] of [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]], [[Pakistan]]. Known for its stunning natural beauty, the district is a popular tourist destination. With a population of 2,687,384 per the [[2023 Pakistani census|2023 national census]], Swat is the 15th-largest district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Swat District is centred on the Valley of Swat, usually referred to simply as Swat, which is a natural geographic region surrounding the [[Swat River]]. The valley was a major centre of early [[Buddhism]] of the ancient civilisation of [[Gandhara]], mainly [[Gandharan Buddhism]], with pockets of Buddhism persisting in the valley until the 16th century [[Sultanate of Swat|conquest of Swat]] by the [[Yousafzai]]s, after which the area became largely Muslim, along with the [[Pashtunization]] of Swat and its neighbouring regions.<ref name="EW1983">{{cite book |title=East and West, Volume 33 |date=1983 |publisher=Istituto italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente |page=27 |language=en|quote=According to the 13th century Tibetan Buddhist Orgyan pa forms of magic and Tantra Buddhism and Hindu cults still survived in the Swāt area even though Islam had begun to uproot them (G. Tucci, 1971, p. 375) ... The Torwali of upper Swāt would have been converted to Islam during the course of the 17th century (Biddulph, p. 70).}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OTMy0B9OZjAC&q=Swat+Pakistan&pg=PA17|title=Pakistan: A Global Studies Handbook|last=Mohiuddin|first=Yasmeen Niaz|date=2007|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9781851098019|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite book |last=Naik |first=C. D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VrlLNltm5dMC&dq=buddhism+gilgit+13-14th+century&pg=PA39 |title=Buddhism and Dalits: Social Philosophy and Traditions |date=2010 |publisher=Gyan Publishing House |isbn=978-81-7835-792-8 |pages=39 |language=en |quote=Buddhism survived in Gilgit and Baltistan until 13-14th Century, perhaps slightly longer in the nearby Swat Valley. |access-date=28 May 2023 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115054712/https://books.google.com/books?id=VrlLNltm5dMC&dq=buddhism+gilgit+13-14th+century&pg=PA39 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |first=Joseph Theodore |last=Arlinghaus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aultAAAAMAAJ&q=sultan+swat+dardic |title=The Transformation of Afghan Tribal Society: Tribal Expansion, Mughal Imperialism and the Roshaniyya Insurrection, 1450-1600 |date=1988 |publisher=Duke University |language=en|page=191|quote=}}</ref> In the early 19th century, Swat emerged as an independent state under [[Saidu Baba]]. [[State of Swat]] became a [[Princely state]] under [[Suzerainty|British suzerainty]] as part of the [[British Raj]] in 1918. In 1947, following the [[Partition of British India]] and subsequent [[Independence Day (Pakistan)|independence of Pakistan]], Swat acceded to the [[Dominion of Pakistan]] continuing as a self-governing [[Princely states of Pakistan|princely state]] until it was officially annexed and merged into [[West Pakistan]] and later became a part of [[North-West Frontier Province]] (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) in 1969. The region [[First Battle of Swat|was seized]] by the [[Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan|Tehrik-i-Taliban]] in late-2007 until Pakistani control [[Second Battle of Swat|was re-established in mid-2009]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Abbas|first=Hassan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gDuvAwAAQBAJ&q=swat+tourism+taliban&pg=PA149|title=The Taliban Revival: Violence and Extremism on the Pakistan-Afghanistan Frontier|date=2014-06-24|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=9780300178845|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Craig|first=Tim|date=2015-05-09|title=The Taliban once ruled Pakistan's Swat Valley. Now peace has returned.|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the-taliban-once-ruled-pakistans-swat-valley-now-peace-has-returned/2015/05/08/6bb8ac96-eeaa-11e4-8050-839e9234b303_story.html|access-date=2018-02-11|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124151103/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the-taliban-once-ruled-pakistans-swat-valley-now-peace-has-returned/2015/05/08/6bb8ac96-eeaa-11e4-8050-839e9234b303_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The average elevation of Swat is {{convert|980|m|ft|abbr=on}},<ref name=":0" /> resulting in a considerably cooler and wetter climate compared to the rest of Pakistan. With lush forests, verdant [[Alpine tundra|alpine meadows]], and snow-capped mountains, Swat is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Khaliq|first=Fazal|date=2018-01-17|title=Tourists throng Swat to explore its natural beauty|language=en-US|work=DAWN.COM|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1383480|access-date=2018-02-10|archive-date=11 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211185935/https://www.dawn.com/news/1383480|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2018-02-09|title=The revival of tourism in Pakistan|language=en-US|work=Daily Times|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/197987/revival-tourism-pakistan/|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213023111/https://dailytimes.com.pk/197987/revival-tourism-pakistan/|url-status=live}}</ref> == Etymology == The name "Swat" is derived from the [[Swat River]]. The Swat River referred to as the ''Suvāstu'' in the Rig Veda, with a literal meaning "of fair dwellings". Some have suggested the Sanskrit name may mean "clear blue water."<ref>{{cite book|author=Susan Whitfield|author-link=Susan Whitfield|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cHBdDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT136|title=Silk, Slaves, and Stupas: Material Culture of the Silk Road|publisher=University of California Press|year=2018|isbn=978-0-520-95766-4|page=136}}</ref> Another theory derives the word Swat from the Sanskrit word ''shveta'' ({{Literal translation|white}}), also used to describe the clear water of the Swat River.<ref name="Sultan_2008">{{cite book|author=Sultan-i-Rome|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pIsMAQAAMAAJ|title=Swat State (1915–1969) from Genesis to Merger: An Analysis of Political, Administrative, Socio-political, and Economic Development|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2008|isbn=978-0-19-547113-7|page=13}}</ref> To the ancient Greeks, the river was known as the ''Soastus.''<ref>{{Cite book|author=Edward Herbert Bunbury |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6GYDAAAAQAAJ&q=Soastus+swat&pg=PA442|title=A history of ancient geography among the Greeks and Romans|date=1879|publisher=J. Murray|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Arrian|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hdHI2Gd0HwC&q=Soastus+swat&pg=PA231|title=Alexander the Great: The Anabasis and the Indica|date=2013-02-14|publisher=OUP Oxford|isbn=978-0-19-958724-7|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Saxena|first=Savitri|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sw4qAAAAYAAJ&q=swat+river+soastes|title=Geographical Survey of the Purāṇas: The Purāṇas, a Geographical Survey|date=1995|publisher=Nag Publishers|isbn=978-81-7081-333-0|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Sultan_2008" /> The Chinese pilgrim [[Faxian]] referred to Swat as the ''Su-ho-to''.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Rienjang|first1=Wannaporn|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9yWNDwAAQBAJ&q=Faxian+su-ho-to&pg=PA107|title=The Geography of Gandhāran Art: Proceedings of the Second International Workshop of the Gandhāra Connections Project, University of Oxford, 22nd-23rd March, 2018|last2=Stewart|first2=Peter|date=2019-03-15|publisher=Archaeopress|isbn=978-1-78969-187-0|language=en|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152325/https://books.google.com/books?id=9yWNDwAAQBAJ&q=Faxian+su-ho-to&pg=PA107#v=snippet&q=Faxian%20su-ho-to&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> == Geography == [[File:Mountains in Swat Vally Pakistan.jpg|thumb|Upper Swat is enclosed by tall mountains.]] Swat's total area is {{Convert|5337|km2|mi2}}. Swat District consists of two well-defined geographic regions, [[Swat Kohistan]] and Swat Proper. Swat Kohistan forms the larger, northern part of the district, and is mainly inhabited by the indigenous [[Indus Kohistanis|Kohistani]], [[Torwali people|Torwali]] and [[Gawri language|Kalami]] peoples. Swat Proper forms the lower portion of the district and has a [[Pashtun]] majority, with a significant [[Gurjar|Gujar]] population.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rum|first= Sultan-i|title=Swat State, 1915–1969, From Genesis to Merger: An Analysis of Political, Administrative, Socio-Political, and Economic Development|location= Karachi|publisher =Oxford University Press|date= 2008|ISBN=0-19-547113-X|p=15–20}}</ref> In terms of administrative divisions, Swat is surrounded by [[Chitral]], [[Upper Dir District|Upper Dir]] and [[Lower Dir District|Lower Dir]] to the west, [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] to the north, and [[Kohistan District, Pakistan|Kohistan]], [[Buner District|Buner]] and [[Shangla District|Shangla]] to the east and southeast, respectively. The former [[tehsil]] of Buner was granted the status of a separate [[Districts of Pakistan|district]] in 1991.<ref>{{Cite book|title=1998 District Census report of Buner|date=2000|publisher=Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan|series=Census publication|volume=98|location=Islamabad|page=1}}</ref> The Swat Valley is enclosed by mountains that forms a natural geographic boundary for it. The [[Swat River]] whose headwaters arise in the {{convert|18,000|to(-)|19,000|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall|order=flip}} [[Hindu Kush]] mountain range runs through the length of the region. The main area consists of many sub valleys such as [[Kalam Valley|Kalam]], [[Bahrain, Pakistan|Bahrain]], [[Matiltan]], [[Utror]], and [[Gabral Valley|Gabral]]. === Valley === The Valley of Swat is delineated by natural geographic boundaries, and is centered on the Swat River. The valley is enclosed on all sides by mountains, and is intersected by glens and ravines.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book|last=Paget|first=William Henry|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3h43AQAAMAAJ&q=swat+climate&pg=PA57|title=A Record of the Expeditions Undertaken Against the North-west Frontier Tribes|date=1874|publisher=Superintendent of government printing|language=en}}</ref> Above mountains ridges to the west is the valley of the [[Panjkora River]], to the north the Gilgit Valley, and [[Indus River]] gorges to the east. To the south, across a series of low mountains, lies the wide [[Peshawar valley]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite book|last=Barth|first=Fredrik|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Etz7DwAAQBAJ&q=swat+history+pashtun|title=Political Leadership Among Swat Pathans: Volume 19|date=2020-09-08|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-000-32448-8|language=en}}</ref> The northernmost area of Swat district are the high valleys and alpine meadows of ''Swat Kohistan (Swat Mountains)'', a region where numerous glaciers feed the [[Usho]], and [[Gabral Valley|Gabral]] rivers (also known as the Utrar River), which form a confluence at Kalam, and thereafter forms the Swat river - which forms the spine of the Swat Valley and district. Swat then is characterized by thick forests along the narrow gorges of the [[Kalam Valley]] until the city of [[Madyan, Pakistan|Madyan]]. From there, the river courses gently for 160&nbsp;km through the wider Yousufzai Plains of the lower [[Swat Valley]] until [[Chakdara]]. === Climate === Climate in Swat is a function of altitude, with mountains in the Kohistan region snow-clad year round. The upper areas of the region are relatively colder and often get snowfall in the winter. Drier, warmer temperatures in the lower portions in the Yousafzai Plains where summer temperatures can reach {{Convert|105|F|C}}, although the lower plains experience occasional snow.<ref name=":6"/> Both regions are subject to two monsoon seasons - one in winter and the other in summer. Swat's lower reaches have vegetation characterized by dry bush and deciduous trees, while the upper areas mostly have thick pine forests.<ref name=":7"/> === Airport === The [[Saidu Sharif Airport]] at [[Kanju]] is a stone throw from Mingora, adding much to the tourism in the past. The runway is situated between [[Swat River]] and the Sham Baba mountainous range, with lush green gardens and large trees being added as "charm" to the climate in the area. More than 20&nbsp;km² has been covered strategically, as was proposed during the last Wali's rule and constructed later-on by the Pakistani government. The Kanju village has seen an influx of academics in the region and is considered a hub for the [[Matta, Swat|Matta]] and [[Kabal Tehsil]]s of Swat Valley. <gallery> File:Mount Falak Sher view from Kalam.JPG|[[Falak Sar (Swat)|Falak Sar]], Swat's tallest mountain at {{Convert|5957|m|ft}} File:Sunset over the Peak.jpg|Mount Mankial, which rises to {{cvt|18600|ft|m|order=flip}} File:Ushu Forest, Kalam, Swat, Pakistan.jpg|Pine forests occur in Swat at elevations over {{cvt|5000|ft|m|sigfig=2|order=flip}} File:Kalam in Swat Pakistan G.jpg|The northernmost region of Swat &ndash; a region known as ''Kohistan'' &ndash; has high alpine valley at the base of tall mountains File:Jarogo Waterfalls, Swat.jpg|[[Jarogo Waterfall]], in middle Swat File:Mahodand Lake-Summer 2015.jpg|Alpine lakes, such as [[Mahodand Lake]] are found in the mountains of Swat Kohistan. File:Atror, Swat KPK (Pakistan).jpg|Alpine meadows in Utror </gallery> == History == === Ancient === The [[Gandhara grave culture]] that emerged ''c.'' 1400 BCE and lasted until 800 BCE,<ref>Olivieri, Luca M., Roberto Micheli, Massimo Vidale, and Muhammad Zahir, (2019). [https://reich.hms.harvard.edu/sites/reich.hms.harvard.edu/files/inline-files/2019_Science_NarasimhanPatterson_CentralSouthAsia_Supplement.pdf 'Late Bronze - Iron Age Swat Protohistoric Graves (Gandhara Grave Culture), Swat Valley, Pakistan (n-99)'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830164535/https://reich.hms.harvard.edu/sites/reich.hms.harvard.edu/files/inline-files/2019_Science_NarasimhanPatterson_CentralSouthAsia_Supplement.pdf |date=30 August 2021 }}, in Narasimhan, Vagheesh M., et al., "Supplementary Materials for the formation of human populations in South and Central Asia", Science 365 (6 September 2019), pp. 137-164.</ref> and named for their distinct funerary practices, was found along the Middle [[Swat River]] course.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Mallory|first1=J. P.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tzU3RIV2BWIC&q=swat+aryan&pg=PA310|title=Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture|last2=Adams|first2=Douglas Q.|year=1997|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781884964985}}</ref> Swat, then known as [[Oddiyana]], was a major centre of [[Gandhara civilization]]. In 327 BCE, [[Alexander the Great]] fought his way to [[Odigram]] and [[Barikot]] and stormed their battlements; in [[Greek literature|Greek accounts]], these towns are identified as ''Ora'' and ''Bazira''. After the Alexandrian invasion of Swat, and adjacent regions of [[Buner District|Buner]], control of the wider Gandhara region was handed to [[Seleucus I Nicator]]. [[File:Statue of a Buddha seated on a lotus throne in Swat Valley.jpg|thumb|upright|1896 photo of a [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] statue seated on a [[lotus throne]] in Swat]] In 305 BCE, the [[Mauryan]] Emperor conquered the wider region from the Greeks, and probably established control of Swat, until their control of the region ceased around 187 BCE.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Callieri|first=Pierfrancesco|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i6xtAAAAMAAJ&q=maurya+swat|title=Saidu Sharif I (Swat, Pakistan).|date=1997|publisher=IsMEO|language=en|quote=Having brought under its domination part of Afghanistan and, most probably, Swat (Tucci 1978), the Maurya dynasty died out around 187 BC|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152420/https://books.google.com/books?id=i6xtAAAAMAAJ&q=maurya+swat|url-status=live}}</ref> It was during the rule of the Mauryan emperor [[Ashoka]] that Buddhism was introduced into Swat,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Khan|first=Makin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h91KAQAAIAAJ&q=maurya+swat|title=Archaeological Museum Saidu Sharif, Swat: A Guide|date=1997|publisher=M. Khan|language=en}}</ref> and some of the earliest stupas built in the region. Following collapse of Mauryan rule, Swat came under control of the [[Greco-Bactrian Kingdom|Greco-Bactrians]], and briefly the [[Scythians]] of the [[Eurasian Steppe|Central Asian Steppe]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ahmad|first=Makhdum Tasadduq|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oilYAAAAMAAJ&q=swat+bactrians|title=Social Organization of Yusufzai Swat: A Study in Social Change|date=1962|publisher=Panjab University Press|language=en|quote=They ruled this area for nearly 150 years when they were replaced first by Bactrians and latter by the Scythians|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152846/https://books.google.com/books?id=oilYAAAAMAAJ&q=swat+bactrians|url-status=live}}</ref> The region of Gandhara (based in the [[Peshawar District|Peshawar valley]] and the adjacent hilly regions of Swat, [[Buner District|Buner]], [[Dir District|Dir]], and [[Bajaur District|Bajaur]]), broke away from Greco-Bactrian rule to establish their own independence as the [[Indo-Greek Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Tarn|first=William Woodthorpe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-HeJS3nE9cAC&q=gandhara|title=The Greeks in Bactria and India|date=2010-06-24|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-108-00941-6|language=en|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152849/https://books.google.com/books?id=-HeJS3nE9cAC&q=gandhara#v=snippet&q=gandhara&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the death of the most famous Indo-Greek king, [[Menander I]] around 140 BCE, the region was overrun by the [[Indo-Scythians]], and then the Persian [[Parthian Empire]] around 50 CE. The arrival of the Parthians began the long tradition of [[Greco-Buddhist art]], which was a syncretic form of art combining Buddhist imagery with heavy Hellenistic-Greek influences. This art form is credited with having the first representations of the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] in human form, rather than symbolically.<ref name=cameron/> The Parthians were ousted from Swat by the [[Kushan Empire|Kushans]], based in the [[Peshawar valley]]. Kushan rule began what is considered by many to be the golden age of Gandhara. Under the greatest Kushan king, [[Kanishka]], Swat became an important region for the production of Buddhist art, and numerous Buddhists shrines were built in the area. As a patron of [[Mahayana Buddhism]], new Buddhists ''stupas'' were built and old ones were enlarged. The Chinese pilgrim [[Fa-Hsien]], who visited the valley around 403 CE, mentions 500 monasteries.<ref name=cameron>{{Cite book|last=Petrie|first=Cameron A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YbQWEAAAQBAJ&q=faxian+swat+500+monasteries&pg=PT121|title=Resistance at the Edge of Empires: The Archaeology and History of the Bannu basin from 1000 BC to AD 1200|date=2020-12-28|publisher=Oxbow Books|isbn=978-1-78570-304-1|language=en|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152851/https://books.google.com/books?id=YbQWEAAAQBAJ&q=faxian+swat+500+monasteries&pg=PT121#v=snippet&q=faxian%20swat%20500%20monasteries&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><gallery> File:General View of the main Butkara-I Stupa.JPG|[[Butkara Stupa]] may have first been built during Mauryan rule in the 2nd century BCE. File:Amlukdara stupa close.JPG|[[Amluk-Dara stupa|Amlukdara Stupa]] was built around the 3rd century CE, and is one of many Buddhist ruins in Swat. File:Nimogram Stupa.jpg|[[Nemogram Stupa]], dating from the Kushan period {{Circa|2-3 centuries CE}}, with many of its statues on display at the [[Swat Museum]] File:Shingerdar stupa - panoramio.jpg|Shingardar Stupa, a 27-metre tall stupa built along the main road that enters Swat from the Peshawar Valley<ref>{{Cite book|last=Samad|first=Rafi U.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PMEd8Cqh-YQC&q=shingardar+stupa&pg=PA166|title=The Grandeur of Gandhara: The Ancient Buddhist Civilization of the Swat, Peshawar, Kabul and Indus Valleys|date=2011|publisher=Algora Publishing|isbn=978-0-87586-860-8|language=en}}</ref> File:Swat Shamozi Stopa (1).jpg|Shamozi Stupa </gallery> === Medieval === [[File:SilverBowlNFPPakistan5-6thcenturyCE.JPG|thumb|The [[Hephthalite bowl]] from Swat (5th century AD) features two [[Kidarites|Kidarite]] royal hunters as well as two [[Alchon Huns|Alchon]] hunters, suggesting a period of peaceful coexistence between the two entities.{{sfn|Alram|2014|pp=274–275}}]] Swat and the wider region of Gandhara were overrun by the [[Alchon Huns]] around about 465 CE.<ref>{{cite book|author=Atreyi Biswas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ohwdAAAAMAAJ|title=The Political History of the Hūṇas in India|date=1971|publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers|isbn=9780883863015|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152857/https://books.google.com/books?id=ohwdAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> Under the rule of [[Mihirakula]], Buddhism was suppressed as he himself became virulently anti-Buddhist after a perceived slight against him by a Buddhist monk.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Upinder|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t6A4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA241|title=Political Violence in Ancient India|date=2017-09-25|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-97527-9|language=en|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=3 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203193700/https://books.google.com/books?id=t6A4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA241#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Under his rule, Buddhist monks were reportedly killed, and Buddhist shrines attacked.<ref name=":4" /> He himself appears to have been inclined towards the [[Shaivism]] sect of [[Hinduism]].<ref name=":4" /> In around 520 CE, the Chinese monk [[Song Yun]] visited the area, and recorded that area had been in ruin and ruled by a leader that did not practice the laws of the Buddha.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Chattopadhyaya|first=Sudhakar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KxohAAAAMAAJ&q=song+yun+swat+law+of+buddha|title=Early History of North India, from the Fall of the Mauryas to the Death of Harsa, C. 200 B.C.-A.D. 650|date=1958|publisher=Progressive Publishers|language=en|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825152858/https://books.google.com/books?id=KxohAAAAMAAJ&q=song+yun+swat+law+of+buddha|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Tang dynasty|Tang]]-era Chinese monk [[Xuanzang]] recorded the decline of Buddhism in the region, and ascendance of Hinduism in the region. According to him, of the 1400 monasteries that had supposedly been there, most were in ruins or had been abandoned.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wriggins|first=Sally|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=803rDwAAQBAJ&q=xuanzang+swat&pg=PT71|title=Xuanzang: A Buddhist Pilgrim On The Silk Road|date=2020-06-11|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-000-01109-8|language=en|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825153411/https://books.google.com/books?id=803rDwAAQBAJ&q=xuanzang+swat&pg=PT71#v=snippet&q=xuanzang%20swat&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Raja Gira castle 2.jpg|thumb|Raja Gira was the site of a fortress from which the Hindu Shahis ruled Swat.]] Following the collapse of Buddhism in Swat following the Alchon Hun invasion, Swat was ruled by the [[Hindu Shahi]] dynasty beginning in the 8th century,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Khaliq|first=Fazal|date=2016-03-06|title=Castle of last Hindu king Raja Gira in Swat crumbling|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1243844|access-date=2021-04-23|website=DAWN.COM|language=en|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423052519/https://www.dawn.com/news/1243844|url-status=live}}</ref> who made their capital at [[Udigram]] in lower Swat.<ref name=":5" /> The Hindu Shahis are believed to belong to the Uḍi/Oḍi tribe, namely the people of [[Oddiyana]], present-day Swat.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rahman |first=Abdul |date=2002 |title=New Light on the Khingal, Turk and the Hindu Sahis |url=http://journals.uop.edu.pk/papers/AP_v15_37to42.pdf |journal=Ancient Pakistan |volume=XV |pages=37–42 |quote=The Hindu Śāhis were therefore neither Bhattis, or Janjuas, nor Brahmans. They were simply Uḍis/Oḍis. It can now be seen that the term Hindu Śāhi is a misnomer and, based as it is merely upon religious discrimination, should be discarded and forgotten. The correct name is Uḍi or Oḍi Śāhi dynasty. |access-date=30 April 2023 |archive-date=26 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426060455/http://journals.uop.edu.pk/papers/AP_v15_37to42.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Meister |first=Michael W. |date=2005 |title=The Problem of Platform Extensions at Kafirkot North |url=http://journals.uop.edu.pk/papers/AP_v16_41to48.pdf |journal=Ancient Pakistan |volume=XVI |pages=41–48 |quote=Rehman (2002: 41) makes a good case for calling the Hindu Śāhis by a more accurate name, "Uḍi Śāhis". |access-date=30 April 2023 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201184532/http://journals.uop.edu.pk/papers/AP_v16_41to48.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The Shahis built an extensive array of [[Hindu temple|temples]] and other architectural buildings, of which ruins remain today. Under their rule, [[Hinduism]] ascended, and [[Sanskrit]] is believed to have been the [[lingua franca]] of the locals during this time.<ref>Sorrow and Joy Among Muslim Women The Pushtuns of Northern Pakistan By Amineh Ahmed Published by Cambridge University Press, 2006 Page 21.</ref> By the time of the [[Muslim conquests in the Indian subcontinent|Muslim conquests]] ({{Circa|1000 CE}}), the population in the region was predominantly [[Hindus|Hindu]],<ref name="Barth">Fredrik Barth, ''Features of Person and Society in Swat: Collected Essays on Pathans'', illustrated edition, Routledge, 1981</ref>{{rp|19}} though Buddhism persisting in the valley until the 10th century, after which the area became largely [[Islam|Muslim]].<ref name="EW1983" /><ref name=":0" /> Hindu Shahi rulers built fortresses to guard and tax the commerce through this area,<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Marati|first1=Ivano|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cncGL9lvFZ8C&q=hindu+shahi+swat|title=The New Swat Archaeological Museum: Construction activities in Swat district (2011-2013) Khyber-Pakthunkhwa, Pakistan|last2=Vassallo|first2=Candida Maria|date=2013|publisher=Sang-e-Meel Publications|isbn=978-969-35-2664-6|language=en|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825153412/https://books.google.com/books?id=cncGL9lvFZ8C&q=hindu+shahi+swat|url-status=live}}</ref> and ruins dating back to their rule can be seen on the hills at the southern entrance of Swat, at the [[Malakand Pass]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Swat: An Afghan Society in Pakistan: Urbanisation and Change in Tribal Environment |author1=Inam-ur-Rahim|author2= Alain M. Viaro |publisher= City Press|date= 2002 |page= 59 }}</ref> [[File:Mehmood Ghaznavi Masjid.jpg|thumb|The [[Mahmud Ghaznavi Mosque (Odigram)|Mahmud Ghaznavi Mosque]] was built in the former Hindu Shahi capital of [[Odigram]] shortly after their defeat, and dates to 1048–49 CE.]] Around 1001 CE, the last Hindu Shahi king, [[Jayapala]] was decisively defeated at the [[Battle of Peshawar (1001)]] by [[Mahmud of Ghazni]], thereby ending 2 centuries of Hindu rule over Gandhara. The [[Sultanate of Swat]] was the last [[Dardistan|Dardic]] state that existed in the Swat valley between 12th and 16th centuries. It was conquered by the [[Yousafzai]] Pashtuns from west during the reign of Sultan Awes Jahangiri in 1519, resulting into the Pashtunization of Swat.<ref>{{Cite book |first=Joseph Theodore |last=Arlinghaus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aultAAAAMAAJ&q=sultan+swat+dardic |title=The Transformation of Afghan Tribal Society: Tribal Expansion, Mughal Imperialism and the Roshaniyya Insurrection, 1450-1600 |date=1988 |publisher=Duke University |language=en|page=191|quote=}}</ref> ===Modern=== The [[princely state]] of [[Swat (princely state)|Swat]] was a kingdom established in the late 19th century by the [[Muslims|Muslim]] saint [[Akhund Abdul Ghaffur|Akhund Abdul Gaffur]], more commonly known as ''Saidu Baba,''<ref>S.G. Page 398 and 399, T and C of N.W.F.P by Ibbetson page 11 etc</ref><ref name="Barth" /> that was ruled by chiefs known as [[Akhoond|Akhunds]]. It was then recognized as a [[princely state]] in alliance with the [[British Indian Empire]] between 1926 and 1947, after which the Akhwand [[Instrument of Accession|acceded]] to the newly independent state of [[Pakistan]]. Swat continued to exist as an autonomous region until it was dissolved in 1969,<ref name="T&F2">{{cite book|last1=Claus|first1=Peter J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ienxrTPHzzwC&pg=PA447|title=South Asian Folklore: An Encyclopedia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka|last2=Diamond|first2=Sarah|last3=Ann Mills|first3=Margaret|date=2003|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=9780415939195|page=447|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825153414/https://books.google.com/books?id=ienxrTPHzzwC&pg=PA447#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> and incorporated into [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] Province (formerly called [[North-West Frontier Province|NWFP]]). {{Main|Second Battle of Swat}} [[File:Manglawar stupa.jpg|thumb|The [[Buddhist rock carving in Manglawar|Buddhist rock carvings of Manglawar]] were damaged by the Tehreek-i-Taliban, but restored with Italian aid.]] The region [[First Battle of Swat|was seized]] by the [[Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan|Tehrik-i-Taliban]] in late-2007,<ref name=":1" /> and its highly-popular tourist industry was subsequently decimated until Pakistani control [[Second Battle of Swat|was re-established in mid-2009]] after a month-long campaign.<ref name=":2" /> During their occupation, the group attacked Nobel laureate [[Malala Yousafzai]] in 2012, who at the time was a young school-girl who wrote a blog for BBC Urdu detailing life under Tehreek-i-Taliban rule, and their curb on girls' education. [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]]-era Buddhist stupas and statues in the Swat Valley were demolished by the Tehreek-i-Taliban,<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Taliban defeated by the quiet strength of Pakistan's Buddha|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/taliban-defeated-by-the-quiet-strength-of-pakistans-buddha/articleshow/64956086.cms|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Times of India}} {{Dead link|date=January 2021}}</ref> and the Jehanabad Buddha's face was blown up using [[dynamite]],<ref name="Yousafzai2013">{{cite book|author=Malala Yousafzai|title=I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban|url=https://archive.org/details/iammalalastoryof0000yous|url-access=registration|quote=The Taliban destroyed the Buddhist statues and stupas where we played Kushan kings haram Jehanabad Buddha.|date=8 October 2013|publisher=Little, Brown|isbn=978-0-316-32241-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/iammalalastoryof0000yous/page/123 123]–124}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wijewardena |first=W.A. |date=17 February 2014 |title='I am Malala': But then, we all are Malalas, aren't we? |url=http://www.ft.lk/article/255420/%E2%80%98I-am-Malala---But-then--we-all-are-Malalas--aren-t-we? |newspaper=Daily FT |access-date=31 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924043226/http://www.ft.lk/article/255420/%E2%80%98I-am-Malala---But-then--we-all-are-Malalas--aren-t-we |url-status=live }}</ref> but was repaired by a group of [[Italians|Italian]] restorers in a nine-year-long process.<ref>{{cite news|last=Khaliq|first=Fazal|date=7 November 2016<!-- 09:53pm-->|title=Iconic Buddha in Swat valley restored after nine years when Taliban defaced it|newspaper=DAWN|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1294246|access-date=6 January 2017|archive-date=7 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107100933/http://www.dawn.com/news/1294246|url-status=live}}</ref> Looters subsequently destroyed many of Pakistan's Buddhist artifacts,<ref>{{cite news |date=22 October 2012 |title=Taliban and traffickers destroying Pakistan's Buddhist heritage |url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Taliban-and-traffickers-destroying-Pakistan%27s-Buddhist-heritage-26142.html |newspaper=AsiaNews.it |access-date=31 August 2015 |archive-date=12 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512191220/http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Taliban-and-traffickers-destroying-Pakistan%27s-Buddhist-heritage-26142.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and deliberately targeted Gandhara Buddhist relics for destruction.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 November 2009 |title=Taliban trying to destroy Buddhist art from the Gandhara period |url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Taliban-trying-to-destroy-Buddhist-art-from-the-Gandhara-period-16984.html |newspaper=AsiaNews.it |access-date=31 August 2015 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923224528/http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Taliban-trying-to-destroy-Buddhist-art-from-the-Gandhara-period-16984.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Gandhara artifacts remaining from the demolitions were thereafter plundered by thieves and smugglers.<ref>{{cite news |last= Rizvi |first= Jaffer |date= 6 July 2012 |title= Pakistan police foil huge artefact smuggling attempt |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-18738909 |newspaper= BBC News |access-date= 21 June 2018 |archive-date= 24 September 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160437/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-18738909 |url-status= live }}</ref> == Economy == Approximately 38% of economy of Swat depends on [[tourism]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://korbah.com/hotels/?location_name=Swat&location_id=9694&start=&end=&date=19%2F01%2F2020+12%3A00+am-20%2F01%2F2020+11%3A59+pm&room_num_search=1&adult_number=1&child_number=0&price_range=0%3B23250&taxonomy%5Bhotel_facilities%5D= | title=Browse & Book Your Favorite Hotels Anywhere in Pakistan | access-date=19 January 2020 | archive-date=25 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825153450/https://korbah.com/hotels-2/?location_name=Swat&location_id=9694&start&end&date=19%2F01%2F2020%2012%3A00%20am-20%2F01%2F2020%2011%3A59%20pm&room_num_search=1&adult_number=1&child_number=0&price_range=0%3B23250&taxonomy%5Bhotel_facilities%5D | url-status=live }}</ref> and 31% depends on [[agriculture]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kpktribune.com/index.php/en/swat/swat-economy|title=Swat Economy|author=<!--Not stated-->|work=kpktribune.com|access-date=17 February 2016|archive-date=1 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301042727/http://kpktribune.com/index.php/en/swat/swat-economy|url-status=live}}</ref> === Agriculture === Gwalerai, a village located near [[Mingora]], is one of those few villages which produces 18 varieties of apples due to its agriculturally favourable temperate climate in summer. The apple produced here is consumed in Pakistan as well as exported to other countries. It is known as ‘the apple of Swat’.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1201016/gwalerai-the-little-village-behind-swats-famous-apples|title=Gwalerai — The little village behind Swat's famous apples|author=Amjad Ali Sahaab|work=dawn.com|date=17 August 2015|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref> Swat is also famous for peach production mostly grown in the valley bottom plains and accounts for about 80% of the peach production of the country - thus oft marketed in the national markets with a branded as "Swat Peaches". The supply starts in April and continues till September because of a diverse range of varieties grown. Salampur village, located near [[Saidu Sharif]], is a principle region in Pakistan for the manufacture of sheets and shawls. == Demographics == [[File:Sunset over the Mingora City, Swat Valley, Pakistan.jpg|thumb|Photograph of [[Mingora]], the largest city in Swat – May 2014]] {{Historical populations |align=center |percentages=pagr |1951 |283,720 |1961 |344,859 |1972 |520,614 |1981 |715,938 |1998 |1,257,602 |2017 |2,308,624 |footnote= Sources:<ref>{{cite web |title=Population by administrative units 1951-1998 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/1998/administrative_units.pdf |publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=26 August 2023 |archive-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605161446/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/1998/administrative_units.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>|2023|2,687,384}} As of the [[2023 Pakistani census|2023 census]], Swat district has 381,212 households and a population of 2,687,384. The district has a sex ratio of 104.83 males to 100 females and a literacy rate of 58.13%: 71.83% for males and 45.95% for females. 808,888 (30.11% of the surveyed population) are under 10 years of age. 794,368 (29.56%) live in urban areas.<ref name="2023 census">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 1 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_1.pdf |website=www.pbscensus.gov.pk |publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726060615/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ ''Religion in Swat District'' ! rowspan="2" |Religion ! colspan="2" |2017<ref name="2017census">{{Cite web |title=Pakistan Census 2017 District-Wise Tables: Swat |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/census-2017-district-wise/results/022 |access-date= |website=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |url-status=live |archive-date=24 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824044535/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/census-2017-district-wise/results/022 }}</ref> ! colspan="2" |2023<ref name="2023censusreligion">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 9 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_9.pdf |website=www.pbscensus.gov.pk |publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=2024-08-01 |archive-date=2024-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819163309/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_9.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !{{abbr|Pop.|Population}} !{{Abbr|%|percentage}} !{{abbr|Pop.|Population}} !{{Abbr|%|percentage}} |- | [[Islam]] [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]] | 2,306,813 |99.92% |2,677,745 |99.69% |- | [[Christianity]] [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]] | 502 |0.02% |7,219 |0.27% |- | [[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|15px]] | 200 |0.01% |117 |~0% |- | [[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]] |{{N/a}} |{{N/a}} |540 |0.02% |- |Others |1,109 |0.05% |455 |0.02% |- ! Total Population ! 2,308,624 ! 100% !2,686,076{{Efn|Different from official population figure since it excludes sensitive areas where religion was not asked}} !100% |} {{Pie chart |thumb = left |caption = Languages of Swat district (2023)<ref name="2023censuslanguage"/> |label1 = [[Pashto]] |value1 = 92.18 |color1 = olive |label2 = [[Dardic languages|Kohistani]] |value2 = 1.47 |color2 = salmon |label3 = Others |value3 = 6.35 |color3 = grey }} Swat is mostly inhabited by [[Pashtuns]] who make up 92.18% of the population.<ref name="2023censuslanguage">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 11 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_11.pdf |website=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=19 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819163312/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_11.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The dominant tribe is the [[Yusufzai]] tribe with minor settlements of [[Shinwari]], [[Tarkani]], [[Ghoryakhel]] and [[Sulaimankhel]] tribes.<ref name=":0" /> The language spoken in the valley is [[Pashto language|Pashto]] (mainly the [[Northern Pashto#North Eastern|Yousafzai dialect]]). Kohistani languages are spoken by 1.47% of the population and languages classified as 'Others', mainly [[Kalami language|Kalami]] and [[Torwali language|Torwali]], are spoken by 6.10% of the population, and form the majority in the [[Swat Kohistan]] region of Upper Swat.<ref name="2023censuslanguage"/> == Education == According to the ''Alif Ailaan Pakistan Education Rankings for 2017'', Swat with a score of 53.1, is ranked 86 out of 155 districts in terms of education. Furthermore, the Swat schools infrastructure scores 90.26 which ranks it on number 31 out of 155.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017 |url=https://elections.alifailaan.pk/wp-includes/file/DER17.pdf |website=elections.alifailaan.pk |publisher=[[Alif Ailaan]] |access-date=19 November 2019 |archive-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730105939/https://elections.alifailaan.pk/wp-includes/file/DER17.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> === Schools === A Christian-run missionary school was established in 1950s, the first ever private sector educational institution in Swat Valley. A number of other private sector schools are in run since long, Tipu Model School and College, Kabal Swat (TMS established by Safdar Ali Aziz) and Swat Public School (SPS) are oldest among such schools. Safdar Ali Aziz is also founder of Private Schools Management Association (PSMA) and got good reputation in imparting quality education in the region. == Administrative divisions == Swat is subdivided into 9 administrative divisions [[List of tehsils of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Tehsils]]:<ref>[http://lgkp.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Village-Neighbourhood-Councils-Detatails-Annex-D.pdf Village Neighbourhood Councils] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205011237/http://lgkp.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Village-Neighbourhood-Councils-Detatails-Annex-D.pdf |date=5 February 2016 }} lgkp.gov.pk</ref> #[[Behrain Tehsil|Behrain]] #[[Barikot Tehsil|Barikot]] #[[Babuzai Tehsil|Babuzai]] #[[Charbagh Tehsil|Charbagh]] #[[Kabal Tehsil|Kabal]] #[[Khwazakhela|Khwaza Khela]] #[[Matta Tehsil|Matta]] ## Matta Sebujni ## Matta Shamizai #[[Kalam, Swat|Kalam]] #[[Mingora, Swat|Mingora]] Each tehsil comprises certain numbers of [[Union councils of Pakistan|union councils]]. Swat has 65 union councils: 56 rural and 9 urban. According to the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act, 2013]], a new ''local governments'' system was introduced, in which Swat is included. This system has 67 [[Ward (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)|wards]], in which the total amount of [[Village Council (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)|village councils]] are around 170, while neighbourhood councils number around 44.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lgkp.gov.pk/neighbourhood-council|title=Village/Neighbourhood Council|access-date=27 January 2016|archive-date=20 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220014530/http://lgkp.gov.pk/neighbourhood-council/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://lgkp.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Local-Government-Elections-Rules-2013.pdf Local government election rules 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913063053/http://lgkp.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Local-Government-Elections-Rules-2013.pdf |date=13 September 2014 }} lgkp.gov.pk</ref> === Politics === The region elects three male members of the [[National Assembly of Pakistan]] (MNAs), one female MNA, seven male members of the [[Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] (MPAs)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panwfp.gov.pk/index.php/members/bydistrict/en/9/57|title=Constituencies and MPAs – Website of the Provincial Assembly of the N-W.F.P|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228010000/http://www.panwfp.gov.pk/index.php/members/bydistrict/en/9/57|archive-date=28 December 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and two female MPAs. In the 2002 National and Provincial elections, the [[Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal]] (MMA), an alliance of religious political parties, won all the seats. === Provincial Assembly === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Member of Provincial Assembly !! Party Affiliation !! Constituency !! Year |- | Sharafat Ali ||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]] ||PK-3 Swat-I||2024 |- | Ali Shah ||[[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]]||PK-4 Swat-II|| 2024 |- | Akhtar khan||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]]||PK-5 Swat-III|| 2024 |- | Fazal Hakeem Khan||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]] ||PK-6 Swat-IV||2024 |- | Amjad Ali ||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]] ||PK-7 Swat-V||2024 |- | Hameed ur rahman ||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]]||PK-8 Swat-VI|| 2024 |- | Sultan e room||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]]||PK-9 Swat-VII|| 2024 |- | Muhammad Naeem ||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]] ||PK-10 Swat-VIII||2024 |} == Notable people == * [[Wadud of Swat]] (Miangul Abdul Wadud) * [[Jahan Zeb of Swat]] (Miangul Jahan Zeb) * [[Miangul Aurangzeb]] * [[Miangul Adnan Aurangzeb]] * [[Mubarika Yusufzai]] * [[Wāli of Swat]] * [[Zebunisa Jilani]] * [[Mahmood Khan]] * [[Malala Yousafzai]] * [[Ziauddin Yousafzai]] * [[Muhib Ullah Khan]] * [[Anwar Ali (cricketer born 1987)|Anwar Ali]] * [[Nazia Iqbal]] * [[Ghazala Javed]] * [[Afzal Khan Lala]] * [[Haider Ali Khan]] * [[Malak Jamroz Khan]] * [[Jamila Ahmad]] * [[Rahim Khan (field hockey)|Rahim Khan]] * [[Nasirul Mulk]] * [[Badar Munir]] * [[Murad Saeed]] * [[Shaheen Sardar Ali]] * [[Rahim Shah]] * [[Sherin Zada]] == Notes == {{notelist}} == References == {{Reflist|30em}} == Bibliography == {{Refbegin}} * {{cite journal |last=Alram |first=Michael |year=2014 |title=From the Sasanians to the Huns New Numismatic Evidence from the Hindu Kush |journal=The Numismatic Chronicle |volume=174 |pages=261–291 |jstor=44710198}} {{Refend}} == External links == {{Commons category}} * [https://www.visitswatvalley.com/ Visit Swat Valley] * [https://swatvalley.pk Swat Valley Photos] {{Wikivoyage|Swat}} {{Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}} {{Swat-Union-Councils}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Swat District| ]] [[Category:Hill stations in Pakistan]] [[Category:Valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] [[Category:Indus basin]] [[Category:Buddhism in Pakistan]] [[Category:Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]'
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'@@ -163,5 +163,5 @@ |footnote= Sources:<ref>{{cite web |title=Population by administrative units 1951-1998 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/1998/administrative_units.pdf |publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=26 August 2023 |archive-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605161446/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/1998/administrative_units.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>|2023|2,687,384}} -As of the [[2023 Pakistani census|2023 census]], Swat district has 381,212 households and a population of 2,687,384. The district has a sex ratio of 104.83 males to 100 females and a literacy rate of 48.13%: 61.83% for males and 33.95% for females. 808,888 (30.11% of the surveyed population) are under 10 years of age. 794,368 (29.56%) live in urban areas.<ref name="2023 census">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 1 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_1.pdf |website=www.pbscensus.gov.pk |publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726060615/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> +As of the [[2023 Pakistani census|2023 census]], Swat district has 381,212 households and a population of 2,687,384. The district has a sex ratio of 104.83 males to 100 females and a literacy rate of 58.13%: 71.83% for males and 45.95% for females. 808,888 (30.11% of the surveyed population) are under 10 years of age. 794,368 (29.56%) live in urban areas.<ref name="2023 census">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 1 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_1.pdf |website=www.pbscensus.gov.pk |publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726060615/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable" '
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[ 0 => 'As of the [[2023 Pakistani census|2023 census]], Swat district has 381,212 households and a population of 2,687,384. The district has a sex ratio of 104.83 males to 100 females and a literacy rate of 58.13%: 71.83% for males and 45.95% for females. 808,888 (30.11% of the surveyed population) are under 10 years of age. 794,368 (29.56%) live in urban areas.<ref name="2023 census">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 1 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_1.pdf |website=www.pbscensus.gov.pk |publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726060615/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>' ]
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[ 0 => 'As of the [[2023 Pakistani census|2023 census]], Swat district has 381,212 households and a population of 2,687,384. The district has a sex ratio of 104.83 males to 100 females and a literacy rate of 48.13%: 61.83% for males and 33.95% for females. 808,888 (30.11% of the surveyed population) are under 10 years of age. 794,368 (29.56%) live in urban areas.<ref name="2023 census">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 1 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_1.pdf |website=www.pbscensus.gov.pk |publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726060615/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>' ]
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