The region of Torwal in Swat, where now the language Torwali is spoken by about 140,000 people and which was once the entire area of today’s Bahrain tehsil in the Swat district, has undergone significant transformations across multiple dimensions – physical, cultural, demographic and environmental.
These changes have been influenced by modernisation, state policies, external cultural influences and environmental challenges. Historically, the region was self-sufficient, with communities living in close harmony with nature. However, the extension of the Swat State into the area in the 1920s and later the integration of Swat into Pakistan in 1969, the rise of religious influence, shifting economic patterns, and increasing environmental threats have reshaped the region in profound ways.
In the past, the people of Torwal relied on subsistence farming, pastoralism and simple barter systems. Clothing was made from locally available wool and food scarcity often led to local conflicts over resources – and these were major disputes. Ecological and environmental knowledge and practices were mainly based on local seasonal calendars and indigenous knowledge. The architecture was mainly adaptable to the local environment and climate.
The people of the area were non-Muslim in the 16th century with their own indigenous worldviews embedded with myths, beliefs and practices around nature and what is called pastoral ideology. Leadership in the community was traditionally granted to those with the most land, livestock, or warriors. These dynamics were deeply rooted in the harsh realities of survival in the mountainous terrain.
The arrival of modernisation altered traditional structures. Initially introduced through religious influences, new social systems began to emerge, blending indigenous customs with externally imposed norms. While land and governance were mainly based on customary laws during the Swat State era, with the integration of Swat into Pakistan in 1969, further shifts occurred in governance, land ownership and socio-economic structures. However, despite these changes, many of the region’s fundamental issues, such as disputes over land and natural resources, remain unresolved.
The construction of roads, starting during the Swat State era, played a critical role in urbanisation. Previously isolated villages became more connected, and new economic opportunities emerged. It also shifted the demography of the region. In 1880, Col Biddulph, the first political agent of the Gilgit Agency, profiled the Torwali villages in his book, ‘Tribes of Hindoo Koosh’, stating that the Chail village was the largest one in the area but with the construction of the road along the main river, Swat River, changed this and now the town of Bahrain, previously Bhounal/Braniyal, is the largest settlement in the area.
From the 1970s onward, Swat, particularly in areas like Bahrain and Madyan, became a hub for domestic and international tourism. However, poor tourism management has led to environmental degradation and an increase in real estate speculation by outsiders. Traditional farming methods have been replaced with commercial cash crops, leading to changes in land use and environmental consequences along with fueling new disputes over land and forest.
Large-scale projects such as the Daral Hydropower Project and the proposed Madyan Hydropower Project are disrupting local ecosystems and traditional livelihoods, raising concerns among the indigenous Torwali people.
Religion historically played a role in organising society. However, following Swat’s integration into Pakistan, state-led efforts to standardise religious interpretations influenced cultural practices. The late 20th century saw increasing religious fragmentation, with external ideologies being imposed. The cold war further exacerbated this, as Pakistan aligned itself with global power struggles that leveraged religious narratives for geopolitical purposes. During this period, a new intense puritanical version of religion was spread to every corner of the region inciting sectarianism and tension.
The changes in such patterns also affected the area’s indigenous languages like Torwali and Gawri. Once a dominant form of expression, these languages have been increasingly replaced by Pashto, Urdu and Arabic in formal and religious settings. Indigenous practices, such as traditional oral storytelling, folk literature, musical forms and expressions, and historical narratives, have been overshadowed by dominant cultural influences.
Urdu and English have become the primary languages of education, further eroding the presence of Torwali and other Dardic languages in the younger generation.
The Torwali people have historically been misrepresented by dominant ethnic groups. Many have attempted to assimilate into larger cultures, but deep-rooted ethnic divisions persist. Government policies have often overlooked the distinct identity of the Torwali, further marginalising their history and traditions. Increased economic pressures have forced many Torwali and Gawri families to migrate to cities for employment, leading to depopulation in rural areas. Outsiders purchasing land in Torwal has altered the demographic balance, reducing local control over economic resources.
Economic changes have influenced traditional family dynamics, with younger generations shifting away from ancestral professions like farming and pastoralism. They mostly search for jobs but being still at the margins in terms of educational facilities the younger generations are left in the lurch.
Reduced snowfall and changing precipitation patterns have directly impacted water availability in Torwal. Previously absent in the region, monsoons have led to increased flooding, damaging infrastructure and agriculture. Historically sustainable forest management practices have been replaced by large-scale deforestation driven by commercial interests. Unregulated tourism, road construction, and land encroachments have led to habitat destruction for local wildlife. Increased human activity has contaminated natural water sources, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem.
The 2010 and 2022 floods devastated local infrastructure and displaced many residents, highlighting the increasing vulnerability of the region to climate-induced disasters. Uncontrolled construction and deforestation have led to soil erosion, increasing the frequency of landslides.
Despite being an integral part of Swat, the Torwali people have remained politically marginalised. Decisions regarding development projects, environmental policies, and economic reforms are often made without their input. Bureaucratic structures, dominated by dominant ethnic groups, have historically overlooked the rights and concerns of indigenous communities.
Granting legal status to the Torwali as indigenous under national and international frameworks could help protect their rights. political representation in provincial and national decision-making bodies. Establishing policies to regulate tourism and protect natural resources should also be prioritised. Further steps to help the situation could be: exploring renewable energy options to minimise ecological damage; and implementing strict laws to prevent deforestation and promote reforestation.
There should also be an effort to develop curricula in local languages to promote linguistic diversity. And to encourage local research to preserve folklore, traditions and historical narratives. Supporting local artists and writers to revive traditional forms of expression is also important as is developing policies to mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture and water resources, and implementing community-based initiatives to enhance resilience to floods and landslides.
The Torwali people of Swat have endured immense transformations due to historical, socio-political and environmental forces. While modernisation has brought certain benefits, it has also led to cultural erosion, economic marginalisation, and ecological degradation. Without urgent policy interventions and grassroots efforts, Torwali identity, traditions and natural resources remain at risk. A comprehensive approach, blending legal recognition, sustainable development, and cultural revival, is essential for ensuring the long-term survival of this unique indigenous community.