History of Upper Dir

Upper Dir, located in the northwestern part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, has a rich and diverse history that reflects the region's cultural, political, and geographic significance. Surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountain range, Upper Dir is known for its natural beauty, strategic location, and strong tribal traditions. Historically, Upper Dir has been shaped by various empires, tribes, and more recent political developments.

Ancient and Early History:

The area now known as Upper Dir has been inhabited for thousands of years, and like much of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it was part of the ancient Gandhara civilization, which flourished between the 6th century BCE and the 11th century CE. This civilization was a key center of Buddhism and produced some of the most remarkable Buddhist art and architecture, blending Hellenistic and Buddhist influences.

Upper Dir, however, was more isolated due to its rugged geography and remote location, so it remained somewhat peripheral to the main centers of the Gandhara region, like Swat, Peshawar, and Taxila. Nonetheless, the region saw the movement of Buddhist monks, traders, and invaders, such as Alexander the Great, who passed through the nearby valleys during his invasion of India in 327 BCE.

Islamic Influence and Pashtun Migration:

Islam began to spread into the region during the early medieval period, primarily through traders and Sufi missionaries who traveled from Central Asia and Afghanistan. By the 11th and 12th centuries, the region was fully integrated into the Islamic world, and local tribes adopted Islam as their primary religion. The area was also influenced by various Islamic empires, including the Ghaznavids and Delhi Sultanate.

A significant turning point in the history of Upper Dir was the migration of Pashtun tribes into the region. The Yousafzai Pashtuns, in particular, moved into Upper Dir and neighboring regions in the 15th and 16th centuries. This migration was part of a broader movement of Pashtun tribes into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Afghanistan following conflicts in southern Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinent.

The Yousafzai tribe, along with other Pashtun groups, gradually took control of Upper Dir, establishing a strong tribal and Pashtun identity that remains dominant in the region today. The local Pashtun code of conduct, Pashtunwali, became the foundation of social and political life in the region, emphasizing values such as hospitality, honor, and tribal loyalty.

The Formation of the State of Dir:

Upper Dir’s more recent political history is closely tied to the formation of the Princely State of Dir, which was established in the 17th century. The Khanate of Dir was founded by Akhund Baba, a religious figure and leader of the Yousafzai tribe. His descendants ruled Dir for several centuries, maintaining control over both Upper and Lower Dir.

The state of Dir was ruled by a series of Khans, who held absolute authority over the area. Under the Khans, Dir was largely independent and governed by local tribal traditions and Islamic law. The Khanate of Dir had little interaction with the larger political entities of the Indian subcontinent, such as the Mughal Empire, due to its remote location and strong tribal autonomy.

British Colonial Period:

During the 19th century, the British Empire extended its control into the northwestern frontier of India following the defeat of the Sikh Empire in the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1849). The British established control over much of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but they exercised indirect rule over Dir and other tribal areas, allowing local rulers to maintain their authority.

In 1895, the British formally recognized Mohammed Sharif Khan as the ruler of Dir, making it a Princely State under British suzerainty. The British considered Dir strategically important due to its location near the Afghan border, and they maintained a relationship with the rulers of Dir as part of their broader policy of managing the tribal areas through indirect rule.

The Khans of Dir cooperated with the British, who provided them with weapons, subsidies, and autonomy in exchange for loyalty and control over the region. During this period, the Khanate of Dir remained a relatively isolated and underdeveloped region, with little infrastructure or formal education.

Post-Independence and Merger with Pakistan:

After Pakistan gained independence in 1947, the princely states, including Dir, were gradually integrated into the new nation. The ruler of Dir, Shah Jehan Khan, initially sought to maintain independence but eventually agreed to merge Dir with Pakistan in 1969. Following the merger, Dir became part of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the princely state's autonomy was abolished.

The former princely state was divided into two districts: Upper Dir and Lower Dir. Upper Dir, with its mountainous terrain and remote location, remained largely rural and underdeveloped. The region continued to be governed by tribal traditions, with local Maliks (tribal elders) playing a key role in social and political life.