12 Facts About Swat valley

The Swat valley was a major centre of early Buddhism under the ancient kingdom of Gandhara, and was a major centre of Gandharan Buddhism, with pockets of Buddhism persisting in the Swat valley until the 10th century, after which the area became largely Muslim.

Until 1969, Swat valley was part of the Yusafzai State of Swat valley, a self-governing princely state that was inherited by Pakistan following its independence from British rule.

In terms of administrative divisions, Swat valley is surrounded by Chitral, Upper Dir and Lower Dir to the west, Gilgit-Baltistan to the north, and Kohistan, Buner and Shangla to the east and southeast, respectively.

The Swat valley is enclosed on all sides by mountains, and is intersected by glens and ravines.

Northernmost area of Swat district are the high valleys and alpine meadows of Swat Kohistan, a region where numerous glaciers feed the Usho, and Gabral rivers, which form a confluence at Kalam, and thereafter forms the Swat river - which forms the spine of the Swat Valley and district.

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Climate in Swat valley is a function of altitude, with mountains in the Kohistan region snow-clad year round.

Swat valley's lower reaches have vegetation characterized by dry bush and deciduous trees, while the upper areas mostly have thick pine forests.

Under the greatest Kushan king, Kanishka, Swat valley became an important region for the production of Buddhist art, and numerous Buddhists shrines were built in the area.

Swat valley himself appears to have been inclined towards the Shaivism sect of Hinduism.

Yousafzai State of Swat valley was a kingdom established in 1849 by the Muslim saint Akhund Abdul Gaffur, more commonly known as Saidu Baba, that was ruled by chiefs known as Akhunds.

Swat valley continued to exist as an autonomous region until it was dissolved in 1969, and incorporated into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

Kushan-era Buddhist stupas and statues in the Swat Valley were demolished by the Taliban, and the Jehanabad Buddha's face was blown up using dynamite, but was repaired by a group of Italian restorers in a nine-year-long process.