The Revival of Polo in Drosh, Chitral

The Revival of Polo in Drosh, Chitral  Drosh is the second largest urban settlement in Chitral and is the southernmost outpost of the Khowar language and the traditional Kho culture. South of Drosh Khowar ceases to be spoken and is replaced by other Dardic Indo-Aryan languages including Palula, Dameli and Gojri often with Pashto serving as the language for interethnic communication. In the bustling bazar of Drosh you will hear all of these languages alongside Khowar and the looks and mannerisms of the people are quite…

Kalam and the three princely states of Swat, Chitral and Dir

Kalam and the three princely states of Swat, Chitral and Dir In the final decade of the British Raj a war between three Frontier States, with diverse political and ethnic origins set amidst some of the most beautiful valleys in the entire world, was narrowly averted by a cunning officer of the Indian Political Service. The Kalam tract, today the northernmost part of Swat District, was coveted by Chitral, Dir and Swat, each of whom had reasons to claim the valley. The Kalam Crisis as it was then known was essentially one of…