Swat (princely state)
State of Swat was a princely state that existed between 1915 and 1969 in the North-West Frontier Province. It was recognized as a princely state in alliance with the British Raj by the British colonial government in 1926. In 1947 the Wali of Swat acceded to the newly independent state of Pakistan. Swat continued to exist as an autonomous region until it was dissolved in 1969, and incorporated into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The area it covered is now divided among the present-day districts of Swat, Buner, Malakand, parts of Upper and Lower Dir, western parts of Indus Kohistan, and Shangla.
History
The Swat region, known in ancient times as Oddiyana, was conquered by the Yousafzai Pashtuns in the early 16th century, coinciding with the Babur's conquest of Delhi Sultanate. Following the conquest and land distribution, the Yousafzai clans lived a highly independent and tribal lifestyle, recognising no state authority and resisting Mughal and later Durrani attempts to expand their influence into Swat. They maintained their independence until the mid-19th century. After the expansion of the British East India Company following the Second Anglo-Sikh War into the neighbouring areas of Hazara, Buner and Mardan, the various tribes of Swat felt the need to elect their single leader. In 1849 Syed Akbar Shah, a religious leader descending from Pir Baba, was elected as the king of Swat. After his death the authority passed to Saidu Baba, another religious figure. The region fell into the earlier state of anarchy after Saidu Baba's death in 1877.The British established the Malakand Agency in 1895 consisting of Swat, Dir and Chitral, but did not interfere in the internal independence of the tribes. In 1915, Syed Abdul Jabbar Shah, another descendant of Pir Baba, was elected as the ruler but he was deposed only two years later and Miangul Abdul Wadud, the grandson of Saidu Baba, was elected by the tribal jirga. Abdul Wadud, better known by his title Bacha Sahib, proved to be a capable ruler and soon expanded his influence in all directions. He brought Yousafzai territories of Buner, Malakand, and parts of Dir under his control. In 1922-23 he conquered the Swat Kohistan, followed by the conquest of Indus Kohistan as far as the west bank of river Indus. After a fierce fighting his army defeated the Kohistanis of Besham and Kormung in 1926, and Bacha Sahib settled Yousafzai tribes in Shangla. The quick expansion raised alarms among the British colonial authorities and they delimited the sphere of influence of Abdul Wadud, recognising Swat as a princely state and awarding him the title of Wali of Swat.
Upon Pakistan's independence in August 1947, Swat became a fully independent princely state until 3 November, when it acceded to Pakistan as one of the autonomous Princely states of Pakistan, and the Wali continued to rule. The last Wali, Miangul Jahan Zeb continued to exercise absolute rule until Pakistan took control, when on 28 July 1969, Yahya Khan announced the full integration of Swat, Chitral, and Dir into Pakistan. The state of Swat was incorporated into the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The title was made honorary after 1969 when the monarch was replaced by a civil administration. Today, the title is used unofficially as a courtesy title by heirs of the Miangul family.
Legacy
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.Miangul Jahan Zeb implemented a judicial system that combined traditional practices with modern governance. A network of qazis was established to ensure swift justice. Law and order were maintained through a combination of local jirgas and state enforcement, leading to a significant reduction in crime.
Under the leadership of Miangul Jahan Zeb, Swat's economy experienced diversification, becoming recognized for its handicrafts such as woolen blankets, shawls, rugs, and intricate embroidery. Additionally, marble and emerald mining played a significant role in boosting the local economy.
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.