Most of the state lay in
the valley of the Panjkora river which rises in the Hindu Kush mountains and
joins the Swat River near Chakdara. Apart from small areas in the
south-west, Dir is a rugged mountainous country with peaks rising to 5,000
metres (16,000 ft) in the north-east and to 3,000 metres (10,000 ft) along
the watersheds with Swat to the east and Afghanistan to the west. Area:
5,282 kmē. Capital:
Dir. Main Language: Pashto.
Dir was a small former princely state located in the modern North-West
Frontier Province in Pakistan. The state ceased to exist in 1969 when it was
incorporated into Pakistan. The area once occupied by the state (5,282 kmē)
now forms two districts of Pakistan - Upper Dir and Lower Dir. The two
districts were part of Malakand Division until divisions were abolished as
an administrative tier. It is about 88 miles (140 Kms.) north-east of
Peshawar.
On 18th February 1948, the ruler of Dir, Muhammad Shah Jehan acceded to
Pakistan. Small minorities of Hindus and Sikhs who left for India during
partition. The rulers of Dir originally held the title of Khan but from June
1897 onwards were styled Nawab Khan Bahadur. The royal status of the rulers
was abolished in 1972.
.... Dir (Dhir) State founded.
1947 Under Pakistani suzerainty.
28 Jul 1969 Incorporated into Pakistan.
The Hephtalites.......................................c.
410 - c. 550
The Pratiharas........................................c.
550 - 988