Swat Museum

POSTED ON 01/12/2023 IN

Swat Museum was founded in 1959 under the guidance of the Italian Archaeological Mission to Swat and the Wali of Swat, with the mission of housing his personal collection of artifacts. The museum was later expanded with the assistance of the Japanese government. The museum has overcome obstacles including earthquake damage in 2005, closure in 2007, and bomb damage in 2008, due to the war between the Pakistan government and Taliban. The 2,700 objects returned to the museum in July 2011 and a new seismic-resistant museum was opened on December 11, 2014.

The museum contains Gandharan statuettes and friezes depicting the lives of the Buddha along with seals, small reliquaries and other treasures, mostly from Butkara No 1 and Udegram. Additionally, there are pre-Buddhist artefacts, and an ethnographic gallery with traditional carved Swati furniture, jewellery and embroideries. A recent discovery and acquisition include a stone board game found at the Buddhist Complex of Amluk-Dara, a game played in the valley today. (Wikipedia)