Chakdara is the second largest city in Lower Dir District and is an educational center for the Malakand Division. The city is also the gateway to the Lower Dir District. It is a beautiful city that offers tourists a chance to explore the cultural, natural, and historical sites of the area.
Damkot Hill
Damkot Hill is a historic site located in Lower Dir district, Pakistan. Excavations have uncovered the remains of an early Buddhist monastery and stupa dating back to the first century AD. These remains can be seen below the top of the hill, on the south side. The site was an important Buddhist centre until it was destroyed during the disastrous late 5th century invasion by the Muslim Khilji.
The site is located near the Chakdara Fort, which was built by the British in 1896 on the site of an ancient fort constructed by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. Climbing the hill will take about 15 minutes, and you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the lower Swat valley and the snow-clad mountains that surround it.
The hill is home to many Buddhist monuments and monasteries, including many stupas. The museum in Chakdara already houses many of the monasteries and monuments found here. If you have time, take time to wander through the area. There are a few interesting places to stop and see.
The district administration in Dir has struggled to keep order. The north and center of the district are mountainous and difficult to administer. Disputes between land owners are common and violent. Attempts to settle these disputes through the courts have been ineffective. The district is considered a “Provincially Administered Tribal Area” and is administered by the provincial government.
Nearby are the remains of the Ghandara civilization, which was an important center around 3500 BC. The town was home to the Gandharan civilization and was located on an ancient trade route to Afganistan. In 1586, the Mogoles built a fortress here. This was later defended by the British during the Malakand invasion of 1897.
Gandhara grave culture
In Chakdara, there are numerous Buddhist stupas and monasteries. These have been excavated since at least 1500 BC. The museum in Chakdara has a number of such remains. Moreover, there are also many Aryan burials.
The Gandhara Grave Culture was discovered by native Pakistani archaeologists after partition, but its interpretation has not moved away from the traditional and culture-history interpretations that are rooted in assumed ethnic identities and perceived Aryan invasions. Moreover, Pakistani archaeology has not yet adapted interdisciplinary approaches and has been mired in unscientific explanations of archaeological phenomenon. Unfortunately, this situation has given blanket immunity to several major archaeologists in the country.
Chakdara is a town in the Lower Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It is located north of Malakand on the northern bank of the Swat River. It is the gateway to Lower Dir and serves as a regional educational center. It is located in a strategic position near the confluence of the Swat River and the Panjkora River. It is approximately 130km from Peshawar and 40km from Saidu Sharif. The town’s ruins reflect its importance during the last three thousand years. The remains of the Gandhara grave culture are littered throughout the area, as are Hindu Shahi forts and Buddhist sites.
The museum in Chakdara is home to a superb collection of Gandhara Art. The University of Peshawar conducted excavations in the area during 1966 and 1969. The university discovered a vast amount of antiquity and other artifacts. Capt. Rahatullah Khan Jaral proposed and received funding from the provincial government to build a museum. In addition, the Provincial Government allocated Rs. 4,90,000/ for museum facilities.
Buddhist sites
Buddhist sites are a significant part of Chakdara Dir Lower. The GunyarGumbatoona, a 12-meter-high stupa, is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the area. It is located three and a half kilometers from Thana village. The stupa is constructed of stone masonry and contains a large round drum and hemispherical dome. Several small niches for oil lamps remain on the walls. However, the drum and base have been damaged by treasure hunters.
Another Buddhist site in the area is the famous Chat pat monastery. It is a site of early Buddhism and features a large stupa. The site also contains a large Buddha sculpture carved into rock. The Buddhist sites in Chakdara Dir Lower are rich in history and are well worth a visit.
Other important sites include the Damkot Hill, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. Excavations at the summit of the hill have produced a collection of pottery and jewellery. The museum displays some of these artifacts. The Gunyar site, Kafir-Kot site and painted rock shelters at the Mora pass are also important sites that could be utilized for religious tourism.
Chakdara is also home to a museum, the Chakdara Museum. It has a fine collection of Gandhara art. During the Mughal period, the town was home to a Mughal fort. It was later captured by the British. In 1895, the city was under British rule, and a fort was constructed. It was defended by British forces during the Malakand siege. Several Buddha sculptures were found in the area and are now displayed in the Chakdara Museum.
Hindu Shahi forts
Chakdara is a culturally rich city in Pakistan. It is located in the Lower Dir district and is home to several historical sites. These sites include the Gandhara grave culture, Hindu Shahi forts, and Damkot Hill, which is a famous Buddhist site. The town is also home to several educational institutes.
The Hindu Shahi dynasty occupied the region from 822 to 1026 CE. Their forts were strategically located near passes and access routes, giving them a good view of the surrounding landscapes. One of their most impressive structures is a watchtower, which is considered to be a key element of a fort’s defense strategy.
The Hindu Shahi fort, built in the 8th century, was surrounded by a thick defensive wall. It was designed to protect a key route to Chitral and ensure a reliable supply of water. It also contained houses, rubbish pits, and shops. However, the fort was destroyed by fire in the 10th century by Mahmaud of Ghazni.
The southern Kafir Kot Fort is home to three shrines and three temples. The carving on the walls resembles Mayan sculpture. The northern Kafir Kot fort is another interesting fort, built by the local Hindu Raja in the 10th century. The fort was besieged by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1013 AD.
The Hindu Shahi forts in Chaktara Dir Lower were built by the Hindu Shahi rulers. It is three kilometers away from the Alladun Dheri Stupa, and it has three main stupas, which identify three of the major Buddhist principles. The Sikhs also built the Sangini Fort, which is located near the Chakdara Bridge.
Government degree college
Government Degree College in Chakdara, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is an institute of higher education in the district. It was founded in 1995 and is situated on the merge of the districts of Dir and Swat. The college is located 10 kilometers from Chakdara City. The college is located near the LARAM Mountains and has historical links to learning. The college started with Inter Classes and in 2000, Degree classes were initiated.
