Langar of Akhund of Swat: Assessment of its Different Facets.

Abstract

Akhund Abdul Ghafur belonged to the Safi tribe of Mohmand. The colonial Britishers and the local writers have extensively written on him. He was the ascendant of the Mianguls who ruled Swat State from 1917 to 1969. The shrine/mosque of Akhund of Swat at Saidu Sharif is held in great reverence by the masses till today. A langar was attached to the mosque that remained operational for more than a century. The community kitchen was a place where the food was distributed daily to the need and the travelers. In the public kitchen, every individual could enjoy food irrespective of his religion, nationality, race and ethnicity. The langar has a significant historical value as it not only augmented the influence of Akhund of Swat and his descendants but also had a significant impact on the lives of the people residing in the area. This paper aims at tracing the historical background of the langar, its continuation in different periods of history, the resources that were required for it, analysis of its socio-economic aspects and its value for the general masses.