Paradise lost?
By Qazi Ijaz Ahmad Tuesday, 07 Jul, 2009 11:37 AM PST
By Qazi Ijaz Ahmad Tuesday, 07 Jul, 2009 11:37 AM PST
Swat, the land of bewitching valleys, enchanting vistas, romantic views, dazzling waterfalls, striking snowy peaks, lush meadows and alluring orchards. All these picturesque panoramas and beauties combine to endow this tract of land with a paradisiacal beauty and vision.
Some years back it was a land of peace and a safe heaven for international as well as domestic tourists, however, it has now lost its glory and lustre.
Historically, Swat was mentioned for the first time in Rigveda, the oldest sacred book of the Aryans. Its name in the remote antiquity was Suvastu which meant ‘good residence’. In Vedic literature; it has been called the land of seven rivers. During the days that Buddhism was at its peak in the region, Swat was known as Udyana, which literally means ‘a garden’.
Buddhism in Swat was introduced by the great Maurian ruler, Asoka (272BC). After Maurians, the Indo Greeks, Scythians, Parthians and Kushanas ruled over these lands. During the reign of Kushan King Kanishka (first century), the progressive Mahayana Church was founded and the image of Buddha was created for worship. Thus the valley remained a flourishing centre of Buddhism from the second century BC to fifth century, leaving behind a legacy of dazzling sculptures and holy shrines.
The monastic establishment at Butkara in Swat is one of the shining remnants of the past. Butkara, located at the outskirts of Mingora was exposed by the Italian Mission under the supervision of Dr Faccena during 1956 and 1962. Here, on the bank of a small stream, is found a cluster of stupas. It is from these stupas that stone sculptures of different periods have been obtained and displayed in the Swat Museum.
Swat passed through many stages of human history and civilisation. It came under the rule of Hindus, Muslims and the British. After Pakistan was created in 1947, it became an independent state with a Wali as its ruler. In 1969 it was merged with the government of Pakistan and became a part of the Malakand Division. Beside its glorious past, the land is a nucleus of cultural, natural and ecological beauty, inviting foreign and domestic tourists to come, see and conquer it.
Mingora is the main trading centre of Swat. Here razzlelike big cities can often be witnessed. Beyond Mingora, one passes onward in the company of the Swat river and pine trees, to Madayan, Behrain and Kalam. Tastefully decorated antique shops and emporia, housing specimens of art and craft, jewellery, cultural and ethnological material are always the cynosure of the affluent dilettanti. The delicately and intricately carved wooden objects are of special interest to foreign and domestic visitors.
Kalam is 2,060 metres above sea level and lies at a distance of I00 kilo metres from Mingora. It is in this valley that the Ushu river from the northeast and the Gabral river from the north-west join together to form the Swat river which flows downward in the west and finally meets river Kabal.
Encircled by tall and lofty mountains, Kalam is a cool and comfortable place. Here the tourists are greatly relaxed and refreshed by taking a brief brisk walk in the valley. At dawn the scene is so spectacular that one is completely absorbed in it. The river view in the afternoon is worth seeing. Crowds of tourists rush to the riverside and enjoy walking and bathing on the stony bank.
The road from Kalam, at a distance of about one kilometre, divides into two branches, one passes through thick pine forests of Ushu valley which offers a magnificent view of mount Falaksair. The road further moves forward to Matiltan and then to Mahodand or the lake of fish. The other branch road loads to the green valley of Utrot and Gabral where walnuts, apples and apricot trees grow abundantly.
Swat is a gift of God. It is a paradise on earth which we have now lost. This Eden has been transformed into an inferno with the entire valley burning. Its inhabitants, cultural assets, green orchards and meadows, flora and fauna are on fire as a result of which, millions of its peaceful dwellers have migrated to Mardan and Swabi for shelter. As IDPs, they suffer the blazing sun and smouldering heat in their camps, while their return to their original abode remains uncertain.
Indeed, the people of Mardan and Swabi deserve great appreciation for welcoming their fraternity with warmth and sharing their bread and butter with them. Only time will tell as to how long it will take us to restore this Paradise back to its glory.
Some years back it was a land of peace and a safe heaven for international as well as domestic tourists, however, it has now lost its glory and lustre.
Historically, Swat was mentioned for the first time in Rigveda, the oldest sacred book of the Aryans. Its name in the remote antiquity was Suvastu which meant ‘good residence’. In Vedic literature; it has been called the land of seven rivers. During the days that Buddhism was at its peak in the region, Swat was known as Udyana, which literally means ‘a garden’.
Buddhism in Swat was introduced by the great Maurian ruler, Asoka (272BC). After Maurians, the Indo Greeks, Scythians, Parthians and Kushanas ruled over these lands. During the reign of Kushan King Kanishka (first century), the progressive Mahayana Church was founded and the image of Buddha was created for worship. Thus the valley remained a flourishing centre of Buddhism from the second century BC to fifth century, leaving behind a legacy of dazzling sculptures and holy shrines.
The monastic establishment at Butkara in Swat is one of the shining remnants of the past. Butkara, located at the outskirts of Mingora was exposed by the Italian Mission under the supervision of Dr Faccena during 1956 and 1962. Here, on the bank of a small stream, is found a cluster of stupas. It is from these stupas that stone sculptures of different periods have been obtained and displayed in the Swat Museum.
Swat passed through many stages of human history and civilisation. It came under the rule of Hindus, Muslims and the British. After Pakistan was created in 1947, it became an independent state with a Wali as its ruler. In 1969 it was merged with the government of Pakistan and became a part of the Malakand Division. Beside its glorious past, the land is a nucleus of cultural, natural and ecological beauty, inviting foreign and domestic tourists to come, see and conquer it.
Mingora is the main trading centre of Swat. Here razzlelike big cities can often be witnessed. Beyond Mingora, one passes onward in the company of the Swat river and pine trees, to Madayan, Behrain and Kalam. Tastefully decorated antique shops and emporia, housing specimens of art and craft, jewellery, cultural and ethnological material are always the cynosure of the affluent dilettanti. The delicately and intricately carved wooden objects are of special interest to foreign and domestic visitors.
Kalam is 2,060 metres above sea level and lies at a distance of I00 kilo metres from Mingora. It is in this valley that the Ushu river from the northeast and the Gabral river from the north-west join together to form the Swat river which flows downward in the west and finally meets river Kabal.
Encircled by tall and lofty mountains, Kalam is a cool and comfortable place. Here the tourists are greatly relaxed and refreshed by taking a brief brisk walk in the valley. At dawn the scene is so spectacular that one is completely absorbed in it. The river view in the afternoon is worth seeing. Crowds of tourists rush to the riverside and enjoy walking and bathing on the stony bank.
The road from Kalam, at a distance of about one kilometre, divides into two branches, one passes through thick pine forests of Ushu valley which offers a magnificent view of mount Falaksair. The road further moves forward to Matiltan and then to Mahodand or the lake of fish. The other branch road loads to the green valley of Utrot and Gabral where walnuts, apples and apricot trees grow abundantly.
Swat is a gift of God. It is a paradise on earth which we have now lost. This Eden has been transformed into an inferno with the entire valley burning. Its inhabitants, cultural assets, green orchards and meadows, flora and fauna are on fire as a result of which, millions of its peaceful dwellers have migrated to Mardan and Swabi for shelter. As IDPs, they suffer the blazing sun and smouldering heat in their camps, while their return to their original abode remains uncertain.
Indeed, the people of Mardan and Swabi deserve great appreciation for welcoming their fraternity with warmth and sharing their bread and butter with them. Only time will tell as to how long it will take us to restore this Paradise back to its glory.
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