The former princely state of Swat (1926-1969) was famous for its buildings, roads and architecture. These building show the quality and splendid architectural design of that time. These buildings serve as benchmarks of architecture, style and stability. A brief description of some of these buildings and structures are given below:
Wadudia Hall
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Wadudia Hall is located on Saidu Sharif road opposite to Jahanzeb College, Swat. The hall was built by the last Wali of Swat in the name of his father, Miangul Abdul Wadud (Wali of Swat)in 1969. The monumental Wadudia Hall was constructed to provide an appropriate conference hall for the communities of the entire region. It is still in use and is probably the most characteristic building of Swat region. The rectangular plan is composed by front and back blocks. The front block is developed into two levels, with the third level at the left side added later date. The hall is used for all major events in Swat. Pakistani prime ministers, presidents, governors, Army officers, and foreign ambassadors attend conferences and seminars here from time to time.
White Palace
The White Palace is located at 7000 feet above sea level in Marghazar town, 13 kilometers from Saidu Sharif. The Palace was built in 1940 by the first king of the Swat (Princely state), Miangul Abdul Wadud. The name was given to the palace as it was made of white marble. The palace now serves as a tourist resort and become tourist attraction in summer. Maj (r) Hasan Raza Awan has presented White Palace in a unique style through his photography. He is planning to hold an exhibition in Swat in coming months.
Royal Palace Saidu Sharif
Royal Palace was built by the first king( Wali of Swat) in 1930 at Saidu Sharif in the midst of kohistangat hills.The palace is a showpiece of Mughal architecture. After the death of the Wali of Swat, this palace was converted into a hotel and now converted into school (Iqraa Academy Swat )
Palace of the last Wali of Swat
Residence of the Last Wali of Swat is located in the heart of Saidu Sharif village. This vast building is the residence of the last Wali of Swat and his sons. The building consisted of the courtyard,houses,guest house, visitors book and a vast lawn. It is a piece of the splendid architectural design of the Swati culture. Glimpses of European and Mughal architecture is also seen in the building.
Tomb of Akhund of Swat
Tomb of Akhund of Swat is one of characteristic building of Swat State.His grandson MiangulAbdul Wadud (Wali od Swat) constructed it. The shrine of Akhund of Swat is housed in the marble courtyard of a mosque in Saidu Sharif. Saidu is Sharif (holy) because of the shrine of the Akhund of Swat.
Saidu Baba Mosque
The Saidu baba (Akhund of Swat) Mosque was constructed near the tomb of Akhund of Swat. The building has two big and two small minarets on each side with a large gumbat in between the minarets. The floor of the mosque is covered with white marble. The pillars and roof are decorated with wooden carving. The building is a classic example of Islamic architecture.
Mausoleum of Badshah Sahib
The tomb of Miangul Abdul Wadud (Badshah Sahib) was built by his son Miangul Jahan Zeb in 1975. It is located on Jail Road, Saidu Sharif.
The Central Hospital
The Central Hospital located opposite to Allho Akbar mosque,was built by Miangul Abdul Wadud (Wali of Swat) 1927.The building consisted of an OPD, and one Medical Officer lncharge. dispensary, dressing room and two small wards for male and female patients.The building is in good condition and still in use.
Saidu Hospital
Saidu Hospital was founded in the capital of the state, Saidu Sharif, in 1954 mainly for female patients called Zanana Hospital. Later, the hospital was extended and a 15-bed children's hospital was added in 1958. This hospital has now become the 5th largest hospital in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Allah-o -Akbar Mosque
This mosque is located on the main Saidu Sharif road opposite to the Central Hospital, Saidu Sharif. The Allaho Akbar Mosque was constructed in Saidu Sharif in 1944, during the last years of Badshah Sahib (Miangul Abdul Wadud)s rule. The mosque is an excellent example of Islamic religious architecture and is still in use. The facade, by Islamic decorations is characterized by a veranda, marked with three powerful pillars topped with atlantes on the roof and a minaret on the left side.
Wadudia High School Saidu Sharif
Wadudia High School is the oldest school in Swat valley. It is the first institute for formal and modern education after 2,000 years of Gandahara. Government Wadudia High School is among Swat’s first architectural landmarks. The building, initially served as the state’s fort and was later converted into a prison. In 1928, Miangul Abdul Wadud, the state’s first ruler converted it into school. In 1960, the last ruler of Swat State, Miangul Jahanzeb renewed its building in accordance with modern architecture and named after Miangul Abdul Wadud. Due to the 2005 earthquake in Swat, the school building was partially damaged. The old building was demolished in 2012 and a new building was erected instead in 2013 with the financial assistance of the U.A.E Government.
Swat Serena Hotel
Serena hotel is located in the center of Saidu Sharif. The main edifice constructed under the wali reign as residence for a wazier present an elegant colonial style with refined ornaments in each of its elements, consisting of a verandah and a courtyard with an inlaid wooden arcade. It is situated on six acres of a lush park, where at a later date other blocks in a more modern style were built. Presently, the building is serving as a three star hotel. Hasan Raza Awan from Hafizabad has contributed significantly reviving the ideas of the hotel's past glories through his photographic promotion of the area and its buildings.
Jahan zeb College Saidu Sharif
Jahan Zeb College Saidu Sharif is one of the most prestigious institutions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, built by the last Wali of Swat. The Jahan Zeb College was constructed between 1951 and 1954 on the main road that connects Mingora to Saidu Sharif to cater the educational needs of the region. The plan of the building is in the shape of an E (for "education"). The two main floors were completed in 1951 while the third floor and a separate science block were added later. The building was damaged in the 2005 earthquake, but due to the insistence of the masses to preserve this old heritage, it was not demolished and is still in use.
Swat Museum
Swat Museum was built in 1959 on the east side of the street, halfway between Mingora and Saidu Sharif. The museum contains some of the finest collections of Gandhara art, including magnificent pieces of Buddhist art. Japanese aid has given a facelift to its seven galleries which now contain an excellent collection of Gandhara sculptures taken from some of the Buddhist sites in Swat, rearranged and labelled to illustrate the Buddha's life story. Terracotta figurines and utensils, beads, precious stones, coins, weapons and various metal objects illustrate daily life in Gandhara. The ethnographic section displays the finest examples of local embroidery, carved wood and tribal jewelry. During the 2005 earthquake and then the 2007 bomb explosions, the museum suffered irreparable damage and the monuments were transferred to Islamabad Museum. With the cooperation of the Italian mission the building was reconstructed and reopened in 2013. Hasan Raza Awan (from Hafizabad) has promoted the museum through his photography and he carries enormous love for Swat and its people.
References
See also
- Swat District
- Swat (princely state)
- White Palace (Marghazar)