Buddhist Archaeological Sites
Once part of the Gandhara civilization, Swabi contains many important archaeological sites, which are tourist attractions. Alexander the Great crossed the Indus River where the village of Hund now lies on its right bank. Hund is an archaeological treasure; it was the capital of the Hindu Shahi for nearly three hundred years.
Rani Ghat is another Gandhara archaeological site, containing the ruins of a famous palace belonging to the queen of that era. She was famous for paying Swabi villagers for clean air—they were not allowed to pollute it by winnowing their crops. The ruins on the top of a mountain still attract visitors. As a part of the origin of the Buddhist Gandhara civilisation, it has also garnered re-construction funds from Japanese research institutes. With the help of this money, the local non-governmental organization Shewa Educated Social Workers Association built a walkway to the historical sites, as well as fences to protect the area. It also built a rest house on Baga Mountain. This area attracts many tourists, including Japanese who come here to learn about Buddhism in ancient times.
Aurel Stein recorded in his survey of the Mahaban range "it remains for me to explain the opinion to which I have been led as regards the character and identity of this remarkable site. The nature of the ruins described and the remains they have furnished, makes it clear beyond all doubt; that they mark the position of a Buddhist sanctuary possessed of shrines and monastic establishments.
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