Malakand

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Malakand NWFPThe Malakand division of the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan covers one third of the total area of the province. The region is further divided into Chitral, Dir, Swat, Buner, Shangla Districts and Malakand Agency. The distinctive features that make the area a Tourist's Heaven are as follows.

The whole area is mountainous, comprising the off-shoots of the famous Hindukush Range, which are glaciated and snow-clad especially during winter. The high white peaks, lush green valleys, rivers, forests and a variety of wildlife create a unique mosaic of natural beauty.

[edit] Kalam

The area has a rich history, covering thousands of years. Alexander the Great traveled through the region in 327 BC. The Famous Gandhara Buddhist Civilization later Flourished in the valley of Swat and Dir. There are many stupas and Buddhist settlements in the region. The famous Chinese travelers Huein Tsang and Fa Hien came here for learning and a great Buddist missionary padma Sambhava, belonging to Swat traveled to Tibed to spread Buddhism.

An ancient route form Central Asia to India lies across this region. Hund was the crossing place on the Indus. This is route which saw the armies of Alexander the Great, Mehmood of Ghazni and Babar marching into India. The route was later abandoned, when Akbar the Great built a boat bridge Attock in 1581 AD. The British had to fight fierce battles at Malakand twice in 1895 and 1897. The siege of Chitral in 1895 also attracts the historians and tourists.

The region has four distinct ethnic groups. The Pukhtoons live in Dir, Swat, Malakand, Buner and Shangla. Kalash people live in the three valleys of Chitral and Kohistanis occupy Dir Kohistan and Swat Kohistan. All these four group have their peculiar traditions, languages, customs and different ways of living. The region therefore has become more colorful and attractive for the tourists.

[edit] Kalam Valley

MALAKAND:-While traveling form Mardan towards Swat, one comes across the town of Dargai, form where a road leads to the top of a pass in the mountains, which is known as the Malakand pass. A town by the same name is situated at the summit about 53 KM away form Mardan. The British had to fight a fierce battle against the Pathans, on their way to Chitral. A British cemetery is also located in the bazaar near the road. A Hydel-power house is also built at Malakand. A forest around Malakand gives a very refreshing view. Malakand is fertile valley surrounded by hills moderately cold in winter and pleasant in summer. An excellent road extends form the main Malakand Highway to swat.

[edit] Malakand Pass

NIMOGRAM BUDDHIST STUPAS :-While traveling form Chakdara towards Saidu Sharif, one reaches Landakai. About 7 KM form here a road leads towards Nimogram, which is further 21 KM away. A Buddhist monastery is situated here on the top of a hillock, giving an overall view of the area. There are three main stupas, surrounded by a number of small votive stupas. Dressed stones have been used in the construction and bear similarity to Andan Dheri monastery.

[edit] Shingardara Stupa

UDEGRAM:-This historic town is also known as "Ora" where Alexander the Great fought in 327 BC. Later on Mehmood of Ghazni also built a mosque here. The ruins of Hindu Shahi period can be seen scattered in the area. The shrine of Hazrat pir Khushal Baba is also situated here.

MINGORA:-Mingora has been an important trading center for the last 2000 years. The bazaars are interesting to explore for semi precious stones, hand - woven and embroided shawls, bedsheets, woodwork, tribal jewellery and antiques of different kind. The hills having the world famous "Emerald Mines" are located to the north of the town.

[edit] Butkara Buddhist Stupa

SAIDU SHARIF:- Saidu Sharif and Mingora are two cities. Saidu Sharif has several government buildings, the Museum, the Tomb of Akund of Swat and the archaeological remains of the Buthare Buddhist Stupa. SWAT MUSEUM:-This museum is situated between Mingora and Saidu Sharif. The archaeological finds belong to Gandhara Buddhist art of Swat. The samples of local embroidery, jewellery and carved wood objects are on display . Swat Museum Ghandara Art

Noor Mahal UCHH AND THE NOOR MAHAL RELICS Uchh is an ancient historic village of Dir District, situated about ten Kilometers from Chakdara towards Timargaraha. A unique feature of the town is the existence of Noor Mahal here. This is actually a sort of mini museum, located in the famous mosque of the town. About two hundred year back Maulana Muhammad Nasim Siddiqui brought many relics and about five hundred rare manuscripts of books with him from Delhi on camals. The relics are the sacred hair of the Holy Prophet Hazart Muhammad {PBUH} and items belonging to Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Imam Hussain, the blood stained clothes of Hazrat Mirza Mazahar Jan -e-Janan are also kept here. The Ghilaf {cover} of the Khana Kaaba is also amongst the collections

ANDAN DHERI Traveling from Chakdara, towards Dir, a road turns to the historic village of Uchh. It is about seven kilometers from Chakdara. Before reaching Uchh, one comes across the Buddhist stupa of Andan Dheri. The main and small stupas are all made of stone masonry.

[edit] DIR

Dir is a big trading center. It is famous for knives and daggers. The royal graveyard is also situated by the roadside in the town. Shortly before reaching Dir, a road leads towards east, taking the travelers to a wonderland, known as Dir Kohistan. It is the western extension of Swat. The lush green valley of Dir Kohistan is about 100km long. It has many villages including Shringal and Kalkot. The mountains are covered with thick forests. This area has still not been fully explored

[edit] LOWERI PASS

This pass is 3200m high, situated in the famous Hindu Raj Range and forms the boundary between Dir and Chitral. The road to Chitral passes through this pass which is closed between November and May due to heavy snowfall.

[edit] KALASH VALLEYS

The world famous Kalash people live in the their valleys of Birir, Bumburet and Rambur. The Kalash are an ancient tribe and have a religion and a culture of their own. They have many festivals around the year during which the men and woman perform colorful dances. The major festivals are Chilamjusht, Phool and Chawas.

[edit] CHITRAL

The famous town of Chitral is situated about 322 KM from Peshawar. It is also connected to Peshawar by air. The whole area is mountainous, having green valleys and the towering Trichmir peak (7700 meters) of the Hindukush.

[edit] KALAM

Kalam is the main town of Swat Kohistan. It is about 40 Km north of Bahrain. Kalam is inhabited by Kohistanis having their own language and customs. Beautiful valleys of Ushu {2286m}, Utrot {2225m}, Gabral {2550m} are accessible from here through thick pine forests. The 6257 m high snow capped Falaksair peak is clearly visible from Matiltan (3000m). Lake Mahodand is about 23 km beyond Matilian valley. The rovers offer good chances for trout fishing.

[edit] AMBELA PASS

The famous Ambela pass, situated in Buner, can easily be approached from Mordam via Shahbaz Garhi and Rustam. It is about 50 Km away from Mardan. The British fought a very tough battle here against Yusuzai Afghan lashkars in 1863. The Mualim graveyard of martyrs, the Bsaba Ji Kando, where Hazrat Saidu Baba camped, the craig picket and Eagles Nest can still be seen while passing through Ambela pass. The route to Swat is quieter and more scenic than the Malakand pass route. The main road climbs up across 894 meters to Buner pass. The 45 Km road from pir Baba to Barikot passes through Mount llam rising through mature pine forests 1336 meters high Karakar pass.

[edit] CLIMATE

The weather remains pleasant from March till October, the best season to visit the valley.

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[edit] LANGUAGE

The local languages are pushto and Kohistain though Urdu and English are also spoken.