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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 June 2025
Swat, ‘the Switzerland of the East’, connotes a remarkable geo-strategic location that adjoins South Asia, Central Asia and East Asia (China). The historical context traces back to 327 BCE, when the present-day Udigram (Ora) and Barikot (Bazira) were captured by Alexander (of Macedonia) (Rome, 2008). However, there is a negative account of the social status of women in the archaeological evidence of Buddhist remains in Swat, because his-story (history) followed the androcentric theories (women invisibility) to the negligence of women for their biological differences and allocation of duties that are predominantly patriarchal in nature. The concept of goddess in the Buddhist civilisation gradually declined, and women's status was followed eventually by the decline of goddesses and the rise to the supremacy of gods (Khan, 2014).
The Buddhist relics in Swat reveal the esteemed position of women in the region in ancient times. Archaeologists have suggested that the culture and society of Udyana and Suvastu (ancient names of Swat) were predominantly women-centred, as highlighted by the presence of mother-goddess figures in the Swat Museum. Buddhist artefacts testify to a gradual influence on surrounding civilisations, such as Gandhara. The excavated jewellery from the ancient sites of Udigram reflects women's wealth and chic lifestyle. However, the rule of the Hindu Shahis after the made women invisible in historical accounts until the invasion of Mahmud of Ghazna (AD 1000).
The Yusufzai Afghans occupied the land in the sixteenth century CE. However, they did not form a government but followed the centuries-old Pukhtu (honour) or Pukhtunwali. Their lifestyle remained tribal, divided into two blocks (dalah). After the Punjab occupation (1849) by the British, Sayyad Akbar Shah of Sitana was nominated as a king (1849–57). He was succeeded by his son, but he could not sustain his position for long, and hence the Swat state came to an end. In the course of time, the Khan of Dir occupied the right bank of Swat Valley. However, rebellion against his rule took place and a local jirgah (council) opted for Abdul Jabbar Shah (as king) in April 1915 with which Swat state again came into being, but he was removed by the same jirgah from his position after a short period of two years in 1917.
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