Hunza (Urdu: ہنزہ) was a former princely state in the northernmost part of the Northern Areas of Pakistan, which existed until 1974. The state bordered the Gilgit Agency to the south, the former princely state of Nagar to the east, China to the north and Afghanistan to the northwest. The state capital was the town of Baltit (also known as Karimabad). The area of Hunza now forms the Aliabad tehsil of Gilgit District. Hunza along with Nagar, Gilgit and Baltistan are claimed by India as part of the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
History
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A Hunza Rajah and Tribesmen by E. F. Knight (1891)
Hunza was an independent principality for 900 years. The British gained control of Hunza and the neighbouring valley of Nagar between 1889 and 1892. The Tham (Chief/Mir) of Hunza escaped to China.
The British retained Hunza's status as a 'principality' until 1947. According to Habib R. Sulemani, the people of Hunza were ruled by a local Mir for more than 900 years, which came to an end in 1974.
Although never ruled directly by neighbouring Kashmir, Hunza was a vassal of Kashmir from the time of Maharaja Ranbir Singh of Jammu and Kashmir. The Mirs of Hunza sent an annual tribute to the Kashmir Durbar until 1947, and along with the ruler of Nagar, was considered to be among the most loyal vassals of the Maharaja of Kashmir.
Government
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Baltit Fort, the former residence of the Mirs of Hunza
The state was governed by hereditary rulers who took the title Mir (ruler) and were assisted by a council of Wazirs or Ministers. Details for early rulers are uncertain with the first definite dates available from 1750 CE onwards.
Reign Mirs of Hunza[1]
Uncertain dates Salim Khan II
Uncertain dates Shah Sultan Khan
1710 - uncertain date Shahbaz Khan
Uncertain dates Shahbeg Khan
~1750 - 1790 Shah Kisro Khan
1790 Mirza Khan
1790 - 1825 Salim Khan III
1825 - 1864 Ghazanfur Khan
1864 - 1886 Mohammad Ghazan Khan I
1886 - 15 September 1892 Safdar Ali Khan
15 September - 22 July 1938 Mohammad Nazim Khan
22 July 1938 - ? 1946 Mohammad Ghazan Khan II
? 1946 - 25 September 1974 Mohammad Jamal Khan
25 September 1974 - State of Hunza Dissolved
Geography
Main article: Hunza Valley
The Hunza valley is situated at an elevation of 2,438 metres (7,999 feet). The former capital Baltit has an elevation of 2477 metres (8129 feet)[2]
For many centuries, Hunza has provided the quickest access to Swat and Gandhara for a person travelling on foot. The route was impassable to baggage animals; only human porters could get through, and then only with permission from the locals.
Hunza was easily defended as the paths were often less than half a metre (about 18") wide. The high mountain paths often crossed bare cliff faces on logs wedged into cracks in the cliff, with stones balanced on top. They were also constantly exposed to regular damage from weather and falling rocks. These were the much feared "hanging passageways" of the early Chinese histories that terrified all, including several famous Chinese Buddhist monks.
The last independent ruler was Mir Safdar Khan, who ruled from 1886 to December 1891 - until the British conquest in December 1891. His younger brother Mir Mohammad Nazim Khan was installed by the British and Maharaja (Raja) of Kashmir in September 1892. (Ref: History of The Northern Areas of Pakistan By Prof. A.H. Dani, Islamabad 1991)
Hunza in North Pakistan
The Northern Areas of Pakistan lie under the great mountain ranges of the Himalayas : Karakorum, Hindu Kush, Hindu Raj and the Pamir, surrounded by high peaks of 6500 to 8600 meters.
Administratively it was divided into five districts, which were run by DC,s, which came under the Chief Secretary based in Gilgit. The chief secretary is controlled by Federal Government Islamabad.
Gilgit the capital of Northern Areas has been inhabited for thousands of years, various waves of invaders arrived over the years. Due to strategic location it was situated in.
The early inhabitants were animist and Zoroastrians brought from in Iran. Which was modified by the Indo Aryans in 1700 BC.
From the 1st century Gilgit was like Kashgar, a major trade centre. From 4th century to 11th century AD, it was under the Buddhism influence of the Sogdiana dynasty. Later Kushans Hindu Shahis and then Islam was introduce in this area.
Northern Area is connected by air and road with other cities of Pakistan including Islamabad (the Capital). There are daily flights to Skardu and Gilgit, which is subject to weather. It’s linked with the Karakorum highway through the Indus valley. 620 Kilometres to Gilgit and 832 Kilometers to Skardu. It’s a two days drive to reach Gilgit & Skardu.
The Northern Areas are a scenic area, which covers thousands of Square Kilometres and has high snow capped mountain, surrounded by green valleys rivers, Glaciers, High meadows and passes. The Northern Area are also frequented by tourists for activities such trekking, climbing and White Water Rafting.
Situated at an elevation of 2,438 meters, Hunza Valley's tourist season is from May to October. The temperature in May is Maximum 27 C and minimum 14 C, in July the max temperature is 30 C. The temperature in October are maximum 10 C and minimum 5 C.
Most of the people of Hunza are Ismaili Muslims, followers of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan. The local language is Burushiski. English & Urdu are also understood by many people.
Karimabad the capital of Hunza, offers an impressive view of Rakaposhi 7,788 meters and as well as a view of Ulter Peak 1 and 2, Ladyfinger, Diran Peak and Golden Peak. The snow of Rakaposhi glitters in the moonlight.The fairytale like castle of Baltit, above Karimabad, is a Hunza landmark built 800 years ago. Stilted on massive legs, its wooden look out over the valley.
Mountaineering And Hiking
Hunza is ideal for mountaineering, trekking and hiking, special permits are required for mountaineering.
Today's Hunza
Today Hunza is rapidly developing region, investment in education and industries such as agriculture, building construction, tourism and leisure and health programmes.
Development in Hunza really started to take place after 1978, when the Karakorum highway opened between China & Pakistan, this opened up a major trade route between Islamabad and the Sinking province of China. This resulted in rapid changes in the Northern Area of Pakistan. People came into border business with China. The Aga Khan Network with the collaboration of Government of Pakistan brought fruitful result to life of people of Hunza.
There are self-help schools in every second village in the valley and all children male and female attend schools, apparently 100 percent, this is the reason, why Hunza people are different from not only other valleys in Northern Pakistan but also from rest of the country.
The Tourism started in Pakistan in the 1980,s. The flow of tourism was in Hunza valley, till now, which brought the economic revaluation. Hunza has been a tourist destination from a long time.
People of Hunza
Most of the people of Hunza are Ismaili Muslims, followers of His Highness the Aga Khan. The local language is Brushuski, Urdu and English are also understood by a number of people.
See also
* Hunza Valley (main article on Hunza)
* Northern Areas
* Karakoram Highway
* Karakoram Mountains
References
1. ^ Ben Cahoon, WorldStatesmen.org. Pakistan Princely States. Retrieved on 2007-10-03.
2. ^ Falling rain - Location of Baltit
External links
* Government of Northern Areas
* Government of Pakistan
* PIA guide to Northern Areas
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Writing system: Arabic, Cyrillic, Latin
Language codes
ISO 639-1: --
ISO 639-2: --
ISO 639-3: wbl
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19th century - 20th century - 21st century
1940s 1950s 1960s - 1970s - 1980s 1990s 2000s
1971 1972 1973 - 1974 - 1975 1976 1977
Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV
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Nazir Sabir is a Pakistani mountaineer. He was born in Ramanji a small hamlet in Chiporsun, upper Hunza known as Gojal. He is the only Pakistani to have climbed Mount Everest and four of the five 8000m peaks in Pakistan, including the world’s second highest peak K2 in 1981, Gasherbrum II and Broad Peak in 1982, Gahserbrum 1( Hidden Peak 8068m ) in 1992 and he became the first climber from Pakistan to have summitted Everest on May 17, 2000 with Mountain Madness Everest Expedition led by Christine Boskoff of the USA.