Slawharad was first mentioned in the chronicles in 1136 as Prupoy. It was also mentioned later under the names of Proposhensk, Propolsk, and Propoysk. In the 14th century, Propoysk became a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and eventually of Poland, where it was a part of Mstsislaw Voivodeship. Propoysk was badly damaged during the Russo–Polish War. In September 1772, as a result of the First Partition of Poland, the town was transferred to the Russian Empire and became a part of Mogilev Governorate. It was the center of Propoyskaya Volost of Bykhovsky Uyezd. As of 1881, the population of Propoysk was 3400. In the 19th century, the town was one of major centers of iron production, however, the production stopped in 1872. It was also an important river port. In 1919, Mogilev Governorate was abolished, and Slawharad was transferred to Gomel Governorate. On July 17, 1924, the governorate was abolished as well, and Propoysk became the administrative center of Propoysk Raion, which belonged to Mogilev Okrug of Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. On January 15, 1938, the raion was transferred to Mogilev Region. In January 1939, the population of Propoysk included 1,038 Jews, 22 percent of the total population. During the Second World War, the town was occupied by German troops and severely damaged. The Jews of the town were murdered in several operations in November 1941. On May 23, 1945, Propoysk was renamed Slawharad, and Propoysk Raion was renamed Slawharad Raion. In 1986, it was considerably affected by the Chernobyl disaster.
Economy
Industry
The industry in Slawharad produces food and serves local agriculture.
Transportation
The town is located on the highway connecting Roslavl in Russia with Bobruysk. There are also road connections with Mogilev, Chavusy, and Bykhaw.
Culture and recreation
The Propoysk Castle did not survive, but its location, the Castle Hill, between the Sozh and the Pronya, is an archaeological monument. There are several monuments of architecture which were built in the 18th and the 19th century. The most notable one is the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos, located close to the Castle Hill.
