Swat state: from genesis to merger

Islamabad 

In its monthly programme on history, the Asian Study Group (ASG) invited the grandson of the last Wali of Swat, Adnan Aurangzeb, to make a presentation on the history of Swat, beginning from 5,000 years ago to the period between 1917 and 1969. 

Introducing the speaker, ASG President Parvin Malik said Adnan had been invited to speak again because a similar talk he had given previously had proved to be popular with members. The event was held at the Serena and very well attended.

The presentation was interesting not only for its content -- which focused on the prosperity, progress and modernity in the state of Swat how it used to be -- but because the speaker was clear; to the point and injected humour into what could have been a dry topic unless you were passionate about history.

Giving a brief outline of how Miangul Abdul Wadood came to be installed as the first Wali in 1926 by sheer elimination of relatives who could challenge his claim, Adnan went on to speak about the relationship/understanding with the British government that the state of Swat enjoyed until its merger with Pakistan in 1969. The British kept an eye on the state but did not interfere with its governance from the periphery outside its jurisdiction.

The first Wali, who was himself illiterate, was surprisingly keen to provide social services to the people of the region, including education; health and justice. He focused on the improvement of the judiciary by establishing Qazi courts, something he did by deciding not to step on the toes of the elders who used traditional methods for imparting justice, but after convening a grand ‘jirga’ in each district, which drew up a code of conduct that would apply to their locality.

Another act he passed despite much resistance was the giving up of weapons -- something which Pashtuns held dear to their hearts since time immemorial. “It was like asking them to give up a part of their body,” said Adnan.”But he managed to persuade them instead of using force and as a result, the number of murders went down by a hundred times to about a dozen a year”

Education for boys was made compulsory and the first boy’s school was set up in 1922, while the first school for girls was opened in 1926 in Saidu Sharif. This was unheard of at that time but the Wali was adamant and insisted that he wanted everyone to be educated.

Side by side with social services the first Wali also put his mind to improving the infrastructure, of the region which included the development of roads; establishing communication systems like the telegraph and telephone and any other means for making the state into a modern one, making it one of the best places to live in during those times.

Rare photographs and other memorabilia like letters and decrees were shown on a screen to make the presentation even more interesting. There was a quite a lengthy question and answer session, which shows the audience were keen to learn more about the state which was more developed and ‘modern’ under the previous rulers than it is at present. Of course we all know what happened there in recent times so the presentation was even more poignant for those of us who knew Swat and had visited it in its heyday. A promised programme of another presentation on the same subject was met with enthusiasm but may take a while to materialise.