by Shirin Dil Khan
The Nawabs of Dir belong to the Akhun Khel family, who claim to have established their state in the mid-17th century, or possibly somewhat later.
Historically, there is little evidence of this family's existence before the 1870s and they seem to have concocted much 'old history' recently. Their residence, or 'Dir Nawab Fort' , is situated in the center of Dir town, in NWFP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province now) in Pakistan. It was a small state, and mostly over-shadowed by its larger neighbors Swat and Chitral, historically. Its first prominent ruler, who came into contact with the British, was Muhammad Shareef Khan, Khan of Dir from 1884 to 1904, who was originally styled 'Khan' but later on, in 1897, due to his loyalty to the British during the Frontier Uprising, was given the title of 'Nawab'. After him, the 4th and last Nawab of Dir was Shahjahan Khan, and Dir state was formally abolished and became part of Pakistan in 1969.
The former Nawab's residence or fort, is a long rambling building, enclosing several compounds, outhouses, watchtowers and big and small lawns and gardens, within a walled enclosure. It was mostly renovated and reconstructed in its present form, in around the 1920s, or 1930s. It is still owned by the Dir ex-Nawabi family, although sadly they seem not to have taken too much interest in it.
The Nawabs of Dir belong to the Akhun Khel family, who claim to have established their state in the mid-17th century, or possibly somewhat later.
Historically, there is little evidence of this family's existence before the 1870s and they seem to have concocted much 'old history' recently. Their residence, or 'Dir Nawab Fort' , is situated in the center of Dir town, in NWFP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province now) in Pakistan. It was a small state, and mostly over-shadowed by its larger neighbors Swat and Chitral, historically. Its first prominent ruler, who came into contact with the British, was Muhammad Shareef Khan, Khan of Dir from 1884 to 1904, who was originally styled 'Khan' but later on, in 1897, due to his loyalty to the British during the Frontier Uprising, was given the title of 'Nawab'. After him, the 4th and last Nawab of Dir was Shahjahan Khan, and Dir state was formally abolished and became part of Pakistan in 1969.
The former Nawab's residence or fort, is a long rambling building, enclosing several compounds, outhouses, watchtowers and big and small lawns and gardens, within a walled enclosure. It was mostly renovated and reconstructed in its present form, in around the 1920s, or 1930s. It is still owned by the Dir ex-Nawabi family, although sadly they seem not to have taken too much interest in it.
Online sources, 2014--aerial view, Dir ex Nawabi fort/residence
Very informative. Please give more pictures.
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