Bahrain (Torwali: بحرین) is the main town for the Torwali people, located in the Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It is positioned 60 km north of Mingora, the principal city of Swat, and sits at an altitude of 4,700 feet on the right side of the Swat River.
The whole area, referred to as “Tehsil Bahrain,” comprises seven union councils and functions as an administrative unit in Upper Swat. The name “Bahrain,” which translates to “two rivers” in Arabic, was assigned in the 1920s by the King of Swat because of its location at the junction of the Daral and Swat rivers. Many native names in the region were changed to Arabic or Persian during this time under the rule of the Wali Swat government.
Currently, Bahrain is recognized for its riverside tourist attractions, local crafts, and the picturesque convergence of the Daral and Swat rivers. It also serves as a base camp for trekkers setting off to numerous lakes and meadows, including the Daral and Saidgai lakes.
During my childhood, the environment around me was significantly different, especially before the disastrous flood of 2010. Life felt secure and filled with promise. Now, when I think back on those times, it seems like I am revisiting a dream.
