DIR  , an

independent state in the North-West Frontier Province of India, lying to the north-east of Swat . Its importance chiefly arises from the fact that it commands the greater part of the route between Chitral and the Peshawar frontier . The quarrels and intrigues between the khan of Dir and Umra Khan of Jandol were among the chief events that led up to the Chitral Campaign of 1895 . During that expedition the khan made an agreement with the British Government to keep the road to Chitral open in return for a subsidy . Including the Bashkars, an aboriginal tribe allied to the Torwals and Garhuis, who inhabit Panjkora Kohistan, the population is estimated at about roo,000 .