“Describing affection is impossible. We arrived late from Lahore, and the people of Dir were so hospitable that upon our arrival, we were offered apricots, peaches, and walnuts. Gifts were also given to the women with us. We were presented with a special basket for women’s use as a gift.”
According to Amjad Hussain Bukhari, who visited Dir from Lahore, the Dir area is as beautiful as its people are cheerful and hospitable. Dir is currently in the news due to an Indian woman named Anju, who reached Pakistan by befriending a young man named Nasrullah from Dir. Anju is currently in Dir, where she has married Nasrullah and now goes by the name Fatima.
The beauty of Dir is well-known. Whether the weather is hot or cold, Dir, including Kumrat, is generally the top choice for sightseeing and tourism among Pakistanis.
The blend of numerous archaeological sites with natural beauty continues to attract special attention from tourists. The local museum houses over 2200 ancient specimens, including 1444 from the Gandhara civilization. These specimens include statues of Lord Buddha and Buddhist artworks that are around two thousand years old.
Historical Background of Dir
Wajid Ali, a resident of Dir, told Urdu News that in 1969, the state of Dir was annexed to Pakistan as a tribal agency. In 1970, when the Malakand Division was formed, this state was given the status of a district. In 1996, to facilitate access to administrative and central offices, it was divided into two parts.
According to Wajid Ali, all government offices and administrative buildings were located in Lower Dir. Afterward, Dir was divided into Dir Upper and Dir Lower. The headquarters of Dir Lower is in Balambat and the major commercial city is Timergara, while the headquarters and important commercial center of Dir Upper is Dir Town.
To the east of Dir Upper is the Swat District, to the west is the Afghan province of Kunar, to the north is Chitral, and to the south is Lower Dir District. Dir is connected to Afghanistan by the Shingara Pass and to Chitral by the Lowari Pass.
Origin of the Name Dir and Various Opinions
There are various opinions at the local level about the origin of the name Dir. According to some people, Dir is derived from ‘deer’ or ‘delay’.
In this regard, resident Wajid explains, “Once, a bus used to run from Islamabad and Peshawar to Dir, but this bus always arrived late, which led to the name Dir gradually evolving from ‘delay’.”
Some people also believe that since Dir has been historically rich, there was a scholarly and notable figure whose statue was named Dir, and hence the entire area was named Dir. Some researchers suggest that Dir is a Sanskrit word meaning a place of worship or monastery.
The area is also known for its Gandhara civilization references, which are evidenced by the local museum. Due to this, this etymology is given more importance. According to some local elders, the name Dir was originally due to the town of Dir, which was the capital of the Dir State and is still the district headquarters of Dir Upper.
The Yusufzai tribes living in Dir are called Malizi, associated with the four sons of Male Baba. Additionally, prominent tribes in Lower Dir and Upper Dir include the Utman Khel, Wardag Miyar, Roghani, Gujjar, Swati, Tarkilani, etc.
The Last Nawab of Dir
There are several stories about the last Nawab of Dir in books. It is said that the last Nawab of Dir, Shah Jahan, was an extremely cruel person who made life miserable for his people. A local resident told Urdu News that Shah Jahan would periodically send his servants to collect ghee, chickens, and firewood from every house for his palace.
Wajid Ali said that the Nawab did not want the people of Dir to handle pens. However, today, the people of Dir are embracing modernity after living an ancient lifestyle, and the infrastructure, health, education, and tourism facilities are improving day by day. People now have easier access to better education, health, and other basic facilities.
Famous and Lesser-Known Tourist Spots in Dir
The tourist significance of Dir cannot be denied these days. The misty mountain ranges, beautiful natural scenery, fragrant rose flowers, archaeological treasures, and seasonal fruits are a source of satisfaction for tourists and nature lovers.
Attaullah Sagar, who has long worked on the beauty of Dir, has captured many of Dir’s spots in photographic form and has also represented the area during tours with several national and international tourists. He discussed Dir’s beautiful tourist spots, issues, and facilities with Urdu News.
Attaullah mentions that when you descend from the Swat Motorway at Pul Chowki, the route leads to tourist spots in Dir, Chitral, and Bajaur. Moving further from Chakdara, you reach the Timergara area, which is the junction of four districts: Dir Upper, Dir Lower, and Lower Chitral.
Attaullah informed Urdu News that Timergara has several hotels where tourists often stay, or if there’s a vehicle breakdown, they stay there for repairs. Timergara is a place where tourists choose their next tourist destination. Nearly all tourist spots are present up to about 45 kilometers ahead.
Attaullah mentioned that moving forward from Timergara, the first beautiful spot is Laram Top, which is currently a center of attention for tourists. After that comes Shahi Banshahi, which connects both districts of Dir. This place, apart from being very beautiful, also serves as a hub for various facilities.
He said that Shahi Banshahi has hotels, parks, rest houses, and even a national ground. The temperature here is exactly suited to the human body, making it neither too hot nor too cold. During snowy days, people come here to skate.
The beautiful waterfalls of Dir are located in this area, and other natural scenery captivates tourists. Attaullah Sagar mentioned that parking facilities are available in this area, the roads are good, though a section of six to seven kilometers is somewhat rough, but the road beyond that is completely clear.
After leaving Shahi Banshahi, beautiful turns are encountered where one feels like stopping to enjoy the beautiful valleys.
Local people told Urdu News that people from Punjab and other parts of Pakistan choose Shahi Banshahi and then proceed to Munda and further to Barawal.
Other notable tourist spots include Maskini Dara, Barawal, Kalpani, Midaan, and Ganbut Banda. Maskini is a beautiful area where many TikTokers come to make videos.
Attaullah said that often national and international tourists choose Kumrat, known for its beautiful springs of clean water that captivate viewers. However, upon returning from Kumrat, people realize that there is a place that has not yet gained much attention. For their aesthetic satisfaction, people then head towards Barawal, a very beautiful area that has not yet been focused on.
According to him, “Additionally, the largest and most famous river in the area is ‘Panjkora,’ which holds both tourism and historical significance. This river, originating from the high mountains of Hindu Kush in Dir and Kohistan, plays a crucial role in the economy of the entire district and is also renowned for its association with the Gandhara civilization.”
The Livelihood of Dir’s People
Urdu News also inquired about the local people’s lifestyle and famous products. The primary source of livelihood for the people here is farming and agriculture, while handicrafts are also practiced at the domestic level.
Wajid Ali mentioned that the local people are traditional and hardworking. Most people engage in farming, and many have migrated to countries like Saudi Arabia for labor.
The local craft and handicraft industry is highly valued. The famous Dir cap is well-known, and the knives from Dir are renowned worldwide, made by local hands.
Wajid Ali explained the meaning of a couplet by famous Pashto poet Abasin Yousafzai: “Abasin Sahib says that Japan can do everything, but it cannot make a knife like the one made in Dir.” Along with Dir’s handicrafts, the hospitality and local delicacies are also famous. Japanese fruits, apricots, walnuts, mulberries, peaches, and other fruits are found in this area.
Hospitality of the People of Dir
Kumail Aslam, a journalist from Lahore, shared her experience of visiting Dir and the local people’s behavior with Urdu News, saying that she experienced a sense of warmth and friendliness.
“In Dir, the affection we received was beyond description. The people there are gentle and have a high level of warmth. The hospitality of the Dir people is remarkable. They conversed with us, and I will never forget their manner of talking. The special thing was that the children there were very nice, always ready to assist us.”
According to Kumail Aslam, the people of Dir seem relatively very happy.
