Introduction to Swat Valley

Swat pronounced with a soft "t"at the end, more like "swa'th" has not been found in ancient history. The region of Swat is mentioned in history with different name from time to time. At the Buddhist time (300 BC) the Swat was know as Udhyana (Garden). While the Chinese travelers dictionary mentioned swat as Soto. And its make sense that the recent form of name (Swat) is the distorted form of Soto.

Some of the tourists found swat like paradise on earth and they considered it the Switzerland of the East. The patriots pronounce it as Swat Zar land (the land which sprinkle gold). The word swat can be summarized as the land of snow, water, air (pleasant weather), and trees (forest). Swat is definitely one of the most fertile regions of Pakistan producing seasonable crops of Rice, wheat, Maize, vegetables and Fruits. Cultivation is carried out on every possible bit of land, even on the top of the enclosing hills is done through specialized terrace farming.

In short description swat is nature gifted land of fascinating landscapes, clear healthy climate, gushing crystal white water torrents, beautiful flora and fauna, welcoming peoples, historical sites, mesmerizing alpine lakes, modern resorts and attractive tourist destination in Pakistan. The valley is of great historical significance as it includes the remains of the Buddhist Ghandhara civilization. Ghandhara was a vast area extended from south of Sind to swat in north, where Bhuddism was at its peak. The art that developed in Ghandhara is known as Ghandhara Art.

It was specialized in settlement architecture and stone carving. This geographical region remained like a sandwich between the great powers of the past throughout the history from one period to another; this part lied in the corridor from west to east. Among the foreign intruders central Asia in the west, china and Tibet in the north, Iran and India in the south were chief exponents. In this motive the region was invaded from time to time and different ethnic groups arrived here using different routes by subduing the invaded population.

Written by: Umar Khan   From: Mingora   Veiwed: 1936 Times since Date:2005-09-09