Miangul Sir Abdul Wadud was born in the
Muslim Gujjar family of
Saidu Sharif in 1881. He was the grandson of
Saidu Baba from paternal and
Aman ul-Mulk, Mehtar of
Chitral from maternal side. He was educated privately. In 1915, when the tribes of upper Swat elected
Syed Abdul Jabbar Shah as their ruler, he opposed the election and went into exile at Dalbar. Abdul Jabbar could not defend the territory in a counterattack on Nawab of Dir in 1916. Anarchy ensued. Abdul Wadud returned and took up arms against Abdul Jabbar in 1916. As a result, the Jirga of Swat decided to oust Abdul Jabbar and appointed Abdul Wadud to replace him in 1917. Abdul Wadud established his rule in Swat with the help of the Mandanr tribe, and annexed
Buner and
Chakesar to his dominion. By 1923, he controlled most of the Swat area. == Wāli of Swat ==