Introducing Chakdara
This is an old trading junction on the northern side of the Malakand Pass, where Alexander the Great forded the Swat River en route to India. Its strategic location has long been known – at nearby Damkot Hill archaeologists have found evidence of Gandharan Buddhist occupation as well as a Hindu Shahi fort. Mughal emperor Akbar garrisoned Chakdara in 1587 during an unsuccessful attempt to subdue Swat. The attempt was repeated three centuries later by another great leader, the young Winston Churchill. Nervous after the Chitral siege, in 1897 the British built the present bridge, fort and hilltop picket (named for Churchill). The Pakistan army occupies the fort so Damkot Hill is off limits to visitors.
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Last updated: Apr 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Another disastrous flood - Kalasha valley?
by underbluesky 16 August 2010
The bridge in Chakdara was swept away by freak floods is restored and the light traffic will start between Peshawar and Chitral by tomorrow…
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RE: KKH
by chitralguy 10 August 2010
Bonjour, You better postpone it for a week because things are in mess on KKH. In addition, Chitral-Peshawar road is blocked, especiall…
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RE: Islamabad to Chitral by Bus??
by peaceguy1 11 June 2010
There are daily 2 buses leave from Pirwadhai bus terminal, 9:00 PM, 10:00 PM, for Chitral and arrive in Chitral around 10:00 AM. It is…
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