Chitral is the capital of the Chitral District, situated on the Chitral River in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Chitral also served as the capital of the princely state of Chitral until 1947.

The city has an average elevation of 1,500 m (4,921 ft) and it has a Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and cold winters, with heavy snowfall occurring routinely in Chitral Valley.

The Kho Chitralis came to Chitral as part of the Indo-Aryan migration into South Asia. They settled in northern parts of Chitral near the Torkhow and Mulkhow Region.

The existence of Gandharan Grave Culture in Chitral, found in various grave sites scattered over its valleys indicate its proximity towards the Gandharan culture.

Chitral is also associated with the Iron Age tribes known as Daradas. The Darada country stretched from Chitral in the west to the Kisanganga valley in the north of Kashmir.

The Daradas are said to have gone to war against Arjun according to the Hindu Epic Mahabharata. Chitral is also attributed to be the seat of the ancient realm of Kamboja, which contains mentions in Hindu epics.

The area which now forms Chitral was reportedly conquered by the Persian Achaemenids & was a part of one of their easternmost satraps. Chitrali culture & vocabulary is heavily influenced by Persian & is said to show a mix of both Avestan & Sanskrit.

In the third century CE, Kanishka, the Buddhist ruler of the Kushan empire, occupied Chitral. The inhabitants of Chitral at this point were primarily Buddhists.

Under the Kushans, many Buddhist monuments (stupas/monasteries) were built around the area. The Kushans also patronised Buddhist art, some of the finest examples of the image of Buddha were produced in the region under the Kushan rule.

Rock inscriptions found near the village of Barenis indicate that the area was once part of the Hindu Shahi under its fourth King.