UPPER DIR: Over a century-old traditional guns, swords and other antiquities displayed at the three-day cultural exhibition during the sports festival at Dir Stadium attracted a large number of visitors. The event is being organised jointly by the district administration and SRSP.

The visitors took keen interest in the local weapons put on display. The weapons include “Petay Topak”, “Dwa Naleez Topak”, “Yaw Bandai Topak”, and a variety of pistols and swords that had been used by troops of Nawab of Dir and local people during Kashmir war in 1948 and other gun battles. Some of the guns made in 1868 and centuries old swords were also displayed in the stall.

Similarly, traditional footwear, including “Kanrrawa” made of wood, and “Drozo Saplay”, and other antiques, including Jaam (drinking water cup) made of metal, also got the visitors’ attention.

The credit for the exhibition goes to Raja Taj Mohammad, a resident of Gandarai, Kohistan valley, Upper Dir, who owned all these antiques. The district administration had requested him to display these items.

Talking to Dawn, Raja Taj said that he had collected these items through a long struggle and by spending a big amount of money. He said that he had established his own private museum in Jazz Banda, a picturesque tourist spot. He said that people having interest in the old arms and other items had been regularly visiting the mini-museum at Jazz Banda.

Raja Taj said that he needed government support to preserve these items. He even showed his readiness to offer and dedicate his collection if the government set up a museum in Upper Dir.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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