State of Swat () commonly known as the Yusufzai State of Swat was a state established in 1849 by the

Muslim Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...

saint Saidu Baba, also known as ''Akhund of Swat'',Fredrik Barth, ''Features of Person and Society in Swat: Collected Essays on Pathans'', illustrated edition, Routledge, 1981 and was ruled by Walis of Swat. It was recognized as a princely state in alliance with the

British Raj The British Raj ( ; from Hindustani language, Hindustani , 'reign', 'rule' or 'government') was the colonial rule of the British The Crown, Crown on the Indian subcontinent, * * lasting from 1858 to 1947. * * It is also called Crown rule ...

between 1918 and 1947, after which the Akhwand acceded to the newly independent state of

Pakistan Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the Islam by country# ...

. Swat continued to exist as an autonomous region until it was dissolved in 1969, and incorporated into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (formerly North-West Frontier Province). The area it covered is now divided among the present-day districts of Swat, Buner, Kohistan and Shangla.

History

The Swat state was established by a religious leader, Saidu Baba, who was born in a Muslim Khatana Gujjar family of the upper Swat Valley in 1794. He began his life as a shepherd and then left the village at the age of 18 to settled in the village of Mian Brangola, where he got his early education and learnt the fundamentals of

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. Saidu Baba ultimately settled in 1849 at Saidu Sharif, gradually turning Swat into an independent state. However, after his death in 1877, Swat fell into abeyance till 1915, when Abdul Jabbar, a descendant of Pir Baba was elected as leader. In 1918, the grandson of Saidu Baba, Miangul Abdul Wadud became the Wali of Swat. Soon Swat was recognized by the British government as a princely state. In 1947, Miangul Abdul Wadud acceded his state to Pakistan.

Educational Advancements

Under the rule of Miangul Jehanzeb, who assumed the role of Wali in 1949, Swat experienced a remarkable growth in educational opportunities. He founded several schools and colleges, most notably Jehanzeb College in 1952. Education was offered at no cost, and scholarships were made available to students, resulting in a substantial rise in literacy rates.

Judicial and Administrative Reforms

Miangul Jahan Zeb implemented a judicial system that combined traditional practices with modern governance. A network of qazis (judges) was established to ensure swift justice. Law and order were maintained through a combination of local jirgas (councils) and state enforcement, leading to a significant reduction in crime.

Economic and Industrial Development

Under the leadership of Miangul Jahan Zeb, Swat's economy experienced diversification, becoming recognized for its handicrafts such as woolen blankets (Sharai), shawls, rugs, and intricate embroidery. Additionally, marble and emerald mining played a significant role in boosting the local economy.

Cultural and Architectural Contributions

Miangul Abdul Wadud made investments in the preservation of culture and the development of architecture. The White Palace in Marghuzar, constructed in 1940, functioned as a summer retreat and stands as a symbol of the area's architectural legacy.

Integration into Pakistan

In 1969, Swat State was incorporated into Pakistan, joining the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This change signified the conclusion of the princely state's self-governance, yet it established a legacy of advancement and forward-thinking policies.

Government

The rulers of Swat held the title Amir-e Shariyat and from 1918 were known as Badshah; the title changed to Wali in 1926 when it became a Princely State of the

. Since 1969 the former princely state has been under a civil administration as part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

References

External links

Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
{{coord missing, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Swat District States and territories established in 1849 History of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Princely states of Pakistan Former kingdoms Gurjar