close
Jump to content

Hunza Valley

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the former princely state, see Hunza (princely state).
Hunza Valley
Hunza Valley is located in Gilgit Baltistan
Hunza Valley
Hunza Valley
Hunza Valley is located in Pakistan
Hunza Valley
Hunza Valley
Naming
Native nameہُنزݳ دِش‎ (Burushaski)
Geography
CountryAdministered by Pakistan in the disputed Kashmir region
State/ProvinceGilgit-Baltistan
Coordinates36°19′01″N 74°39′00″E / 36.316942°N 74.649900°E / 36.316942; 74.649900 [1]
RiverHunza

The Hunza Valley,[a] also known as Hunza-Nagar Valley,[2] is a mountainous river valley traversed by the Hunza River in Gilgit-Baltistan region, in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.[3][4]

Geography

[edit]
BERJAYA
Hunza Valley in early spring

The valley stretches along the Hunza River, which forms near Passu by the confluence of several streams fed by melting glaciers in the upper watershed of Karakoram range, including Shimshal, Khunjerab, Chupursan, and Misgar. Further downstream, Hopar River from Hopar Valley and Hispar River from Hispar Valley combine near Nagarkhas, and fall into Hunza River. The valley widens around Karimabad, and is home to many settlements such as Aliabad, Chalt, Nasirabad and Rahimabad. Further south a section of Hunza River Valley lies in the political district of Gilgit. Here Nalter River, coming from Naltar Valley, joins Hunza River. At Danyor, Hunza Valley opens into the Gilgit Valley, where Hunza River merges with the Gilgit River.[5][6][7][8] Ishkoman Valley lies to the northwest, Shigar Valley to the southeast, Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor to the north, and China's Xinjiang region to the northeast, of Hunza Valley.[9]

BERJAYA
Hunza Valley in late autumn

The valley floor sits at an elevation of 2,438 meters (7,999 feet). Geographically, the Hunza Valley is divided into three parts: Upper Hunza (Gojal), Central Hunza, and Lower Hunza (Shinaki). The topography of the valley is characterized by steep valleys, rugged peaks, glaciers and active tectonic fault zones. The Karakoram mountain range envelopes the entire region. Geologically, the area is traversed by the Main Karakoram Thrust, a significant structural boundary associated with deep-seated geothermal activity. This fault system contributes to the emergence of natural hot springs across the region.[10] Of the total area of valley, 90% is 3,000 meters above sea level and 30% is 5,000 meters above sea level.[11] Politically, the valley is divided among the districts of Hunza, Nagar and Gilgit. The valley is situated along the Karakoram Highway, northwards from the city of Gilgit.[12]

History

[edit]
Main articles: State of Hunza and Mir of Hunza

Buddhism and, to a lesser extent, Bön were the primary religions in the area before the advent of Islam.[13] The region holds several surviving Buddhist archaeological sites, such as the Sacred Rock of Hunza. Since then, most of the population has converted to Islam, predominantly following the Ismaili sect. The Hunza rock inscriptions were written in the ancient Brahmi script, created by Buddhist monks as expressions of worship and culture.[14] With most locals converting to Islam, they had been mainly left forgotten, but are now being restored.[15]

Hunza Valley was central in the network of trading routes connecting Central Asia to the subcontinent. It also provided protection to Buddhist missionaries and monks visiting the subcontinent, and the region played a significant role in the transmission of Buddhism throughout Asia.[16]

BERJAYA
Baltit Fort, the former residence of the Mirs of Hunza

Historian Ahmad Hassan Dani believes that the Sakas (Scythians) used the Karakoram route to invade Taxila. The Sacred Rock of Hunza has petroglyphs of mounted horsemen and ibex, along with Kharoshti inscriptions that list the names of Saka and Pahlava rulers.[17] The rock also contains inscriptions from the Kushan period, showing the Saka and Kushan suzerainty over the Hunza and Gilgit regions.[18]

Hunza began to separate from the Gilgit Valley as a separate polity around 997 CE, but decisive separation occurred with the establishment of the Ayash ruling family in the 15th-century. The valley was then divided among neighbouring, and often rival, states of Hunza, which controlled upper watershed, and Nagar, and internecine battles between the two states were endemic.[19] Following the invasion of Kashmir by the Mughal nobleman Mirza Haidar Dughlat, the Mir of Hunza established diplomatic relations with Kashgaria (Yarkand Khanate). After Kashgaria came under Chinese control, he continued relations with Kashgaria by paying an annual tribute of gold dust of 16 tolas to the Chinese government in Yarkand. In return for that token tribute, Hunza enjoyed territorial rights in the Raskam Valley and grazing rights in the Taghdumbash Pamir.[20][21]

BERJAYA
Nilt forts, Nagar

In the early 1800s, Hunza Valley played a vital role in the British "Great Game". After the British suzerainty was established over South Asia by 19th century, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was created under the 1846 treaty of Amritsar. The British gained control of Hunza and Nagar during the Anglo-Brusho war, locally known as Jangir-e-Lae. Jangir-e-Lae was fought between the people of Nagar state and the troops of the British Raj at Nilt from 1 to 23 December 1891.[22] The British troops faced strong resistance from the people of Nagar under the leadership of the Tham (chief) of that time, Azur Khan, at the Nilt Nallah (known as Jamila Mo Har).[23] The people of Nagar fought for more than 20 days but were defeated due to a lack of armaments. Over 100 Nagaris lost their lives and 127 were imprisoned. On the British side, four British officers and over 50 Dogra levies lost their lives.[24] The British retained Nagar's status as a principality.[25] Even after the revolt against the Maharaja of Kashmir and unconditional accession to Pakistan in 1948, Nagar's status continued to be that of a princely state. Hunza too accepted the British suzerainty in 1891. The Mir of Hunza, Mir Safdar Ali Khan, fled to Kashgar, China, and the British army installed his brother Mir Nazim Khan (1892–1938) as a puppet ruler of Hunza Valley, but all orders were passed by British officers who were appointed in the capital Gilgit."[26] Hunza princely state bordered Xinjiang (autonomous region of China) to the northeast, Pamir to the northwest, the Gilgit Agency to the south and the former princely state of Nagar to the east, and survived until 1974. The state capital was the town of Baltit (now known as Karimabad); another old settlement is Ganish.[27]

During the 1960s, people started protesting against the despotism of the Mir, demanding the abolition of Begar and reduction in taxation. In 1970, they organized a march to Gilgit to register their demands with the authorities, while Gilgit sent scouts against the people. The scouts opened fire on the demonstrators in Chalt, killing nine people and wounding many more. The leaders of the protest were imprisoned.[28] Later, on 25 September 1974, Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto dissolved the princely states of Nagar and Hunza, set the prisoners free and gave democratic representation to the Northern Areas Council, now the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.[29]

2010 landslide

[edit]
BERJAYA
Attabad Lake in August 2020

On 4 January 2010, a landslide blocked the river and created Attabad Lake (also called Shishket Lake), resulting in 20 deaths and 8 injuries and effectively blocked about 26 kilometres (16 mi) of the Karakoram Highway.[30][31][32][33] The new lake extends 30 kilometres (19 mi) and rose to a depth of 400 feet (120 m) when it was formed as the Hunza River backed up.[34] The landslide completely covered sections of the Karakoram Highway.[31][34]

2018 rescue mission

[edit]

On 1 July 2018, Pakistan Army pilots rescued 3 foreign mountaineers stuck in a snow avalanche above the height of 19,000 feet (5,800 m) on Ultar Sar Peak near Hunza. The weather conditions had made it difficult for the Army helicopter to go forth with a rescue operation on the 7,388 metres (24,239 ft) high Ultar Sar. Nonetheless, they completed it. Bruce Normand and Timothy Miller from the UK were successfully rescued alive while their companion Christian Huber from Austria had succumbed to the avalanche.[35][36] Britain's High Commissioner Thomas Drew in Pakistan termed the mission "remarkable and dangerous".[37][38]

Tourism

[edit]
Baltit fort as seen from Ultar Hunza
Baltit Fort as seen from Ultar Hunza

The Hunza Valley is home to several high peaks that rise above 7,000 m in its the surroundings. It has a diverse religious history with it being home to several historic religious sites like the ancient watchtowers in Ganish village, Baltit Fort on top of Karimabad which was built by the Mirs about 800 years ago and is a historic landmark for Hunza, and Altit Fort (at the bottom of the valley). Hiking treks include Ondra Poygah Gulmit and Leopard Trek Shiskhat.[39] The valley is popularly believed to be one of the inspiration for the mythical valley of Shangri-La in James Hilton's 1933 novel, Lost Horizon.[40]

Valleys

[edit]

It contains several sub-valleys such as:

Meadows and pastures

[edit]
BERJAYA
Bar Ter meadows

The meadows in Hunza Valley include:

  • Kacheli
  • Taghafari
  • Thayngi
  • Barkot
  • Bar Ter
  • Tadakh
  • Barpu
  • Hamder
  • Sumayar Bar
  • Sumayar Teir
  • Silkiyang
  • Hapakun

Mountain peaks

[edit]
BERJAYA
Golden Peak, Hispar Valley

The valley is also home of several mountains, including:

Lakes

[edit]
BERJAYA
Rush Lake, Hoper Valley

Hunza also houses several lakes in its vicinity including:

BERJAYA
A view of Borith Lake in summer

Glaciers

[edit]

Famous glaciers in the region are:

  • 57 km long Batura Glacier, the fifth-longest glacier in the world outside the polar region,[41]
  • Hopar Glacier
  • Miar Glacier
  • Hisper Glacier
  • Biafo Glacier
  • Barpu Glacier
  • Minapin Glacier
  • Pisan Glacier
  • Silkiyang Glacier
  • Summayar Glaciers
  • Nilt Glacier
  • Phomarikish Glacier Hisper
  • Khai Ghamoo Hisper
  • Darnchi Glacier Hoper
  • Ghander Chish Glacier Hisper
  • Hamder Glacier Hoper
  • Ghulmet Rakaposhi Glacier
  • Thole Nala Glacier
BERJAYA
Snow Lake, Hispar Valley

Mountain passes

[edit]

Passes into the valley include:

  • Khunjerab Pass, standing at a height of 4,693 meters (over 15,000 feet above sea level), is the highest paved international border crossing in the world. Strategically located on Pakistan's northern border and China's southwest border.[42]
  • Hispar Pass also known as Hispar La
  • Chaprot Pass
  • Chumar Bakur Pass
  • Daiter Pass/Daiter Pass between Naltat and Daiter
  • Poland La Hoper to Arandu
  • Khurdopin pass/Hisper to Shimshal
  • Gapa pasas/Chaprote to Naltar Valley
  • Ghaintur Pass/Hoper to Sumayar Valley
  • C'hilbi (Ghulmet/Pissan Valley)

Mines and Minerals

[edit]

The valley is considered to be one of the most gemstone-rich valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan. It contains numerous mining sites that yield a range of precious and semiprecious gemstones.

Mining Sites

[edit]
  • Chumar Bakhoor, Sumayar
  • Hapakun, Minapin
  • Aquamarine mines in Phakker
  • Marble and granite deposits in Pissan, Minapin, Nagar Khas, and Sumayar.

Minerals

[edit]
  • Jet (Gemstone): Jet deposits are found in various areas of Nagar District such as, Minapin, Chalt and Nagar Khas.
  • Marble: Marble deposits are found in Pisan, Minapin, Nagar Khas and Sumayar regions of Nagar.

Demographics

[edit]
Main article: Burusho people

The local languages spoken include Burushaski, Wakhi and Shina. The literacy rate of the Hunza valley is more than 95%. The establishment of community schools that provide high quality education, and the influence of the Aga Khan Mirs, contributing towards building universities for higher education have directed towards the high literacy rate in Hunza Valley, especially for girls.[43] The historical area of Hunza and present northern Pakistan has had, over the centuries, mass migrations, conflicts and resettling of tribes and ethnicities, of which the Shina people are the most prominent in regional history. People of the region have recounted their historical traditions down the generations. The Hunza Valley is also home to some Wakhi, who migrated there from northeastern Afghanistan beginning in the nineteenth century onwards.[44] The majority of residents in Hunza belong to the Ismaili Shia sect. They believe that Aga Khan V is their religious figurehead and transcendent. He is also believed to be the biggest promotor and contributor towards the literacy success and overall well-being of the people of Hunza and the valley itself.[40]

The longevity of Hunza people has been noted by some,[45] but others refute this as a longevity myth promoted by the lack of birth records.[46] There is no evidence that Hunza life expectancy is significantly above the average of poor, isolated regions of Pakistan. Claims of health and long life were almost always based solely on the statements by the local mir (king). An author who had significant and sustained contact with Burusho people, John Clark, reported that they were overall unhealthy.[47]

However, whether or not their putative longevity is true, it is undoubtable that the Hunza people lead a healthy lifestyle along with a healthy diet. Many researchers have lived with the Hunza people to answer this mystery including Robert McCarrison who did not discover a single person with diseases such as cancer, stomach ulcers or appendicitis. The research shows that high levels of exercise due the landscape and geography allows for them to be active and agile which factors in with their longevity, along with consumption of apricot seeds and oils, and the glacier water which contains minerals.[48][better source needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Burushaski: ہُنزݳ دِش‎, romanized: Hunza Dish; Wakhi/Urdu: وادئ ہنزہ
  1. ^ "Rakaposhi Nagar on Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  2. ^ Poggi, Francesco; Montalti, Roberto; Intrieri, Emanuele; Ferretti, Alessandro; Catani, Filippo; Raspini, Federico (2023). "Spatial and Temporal Characterization of Landslide Deformation Pattern with Sentinel-1". In Alcántara-Ayala, Irasema; Arbanas, Željko; Cuomo, Sabatino; Huntley, David (eds.). Progress in Landslide Research and Technology, Volume 2 Issue 1. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. pp. 321–329. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-39012-8_15. ISBN 978-3-031-39012-8. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  3. ^ Kreutzmann, Hermann (2020). Hunza matters: bordering and ordering between ancient and new Silk Roads. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 570. ISBN 9783447113694.
  4. ^ Martin, Sokefeld (2005). "From Colonialism to Postcolonial Colonialism: Changing Modes of Domination in the Northern Areas of Pakistan". The Journal of Asian Studies. 64 (4): 939–973. doi:10.1017/S0021911805002287. JSTOR 25075905. S2CID 161647755.
  5. ^ "Nagar Valley". visitgilgitbaltistan.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  6. ^ "Dividing governance: Three new districts notified in G-B". The Express Tribune. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Nagar Valley, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan". myadventure.pk. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  8. ^ "27th highest peak".
  9. ^ "Mountainous Valley situated in the northern part of India". dreamstime.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  10. ^ Muhammad, Said; Haq, Anwarul (2023). "Spatial distribution of radon contamination in hot springs water and its cancer and non-cancer risks in the Hunza-Nagar valley, Pakistan". Environmental Geochemistry and Health. 45 (8): 5829–5840. Bibcode:2023EnvGH..45.5829M. doi:10.1007/s10653-023-01596-7. PMID 37160537. preprint Freely accessible.
  11. ^ Spies, Michael (2019). Northern Pakistan: High Mountain Farming and Changing Socionatures. Lahore Pakistan: Vanguard books. p. 63. ISBN 9789694026091.
  12. ^ "27th highest peak".
  13. ^ Neelis, Jason (2011). "Capillary Routes of the Upper Indus". Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks. Brill: 257–288. doi:10.1163/ej.9789004181595.i-372.34. JSTOR 10.1163/j.ctt1w8h16r.11.
  14. ^ Susan E. Alcock; John Bodel; Richard J. A. Talbert (15 May 2012). Highways, Byways, and Road Systems in the Pre-Modern World. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 21–. ISBN 978-0-470-67425-3.
  15. ^ Zara Khan, Vandalized Buddhist inscriptions in Gilgit-Baltistan are now being restored, Mashable Pakistan, 28 May 2020.
  16. ^ Behrendt, Kurt (2003). The Buddhist Architecture of Gandhāra. BRILL. p. 25. ISBN 978-90-474-1257-1.
  17. ^ Puri 1996, pp. 185–186.
  18. ^ Harmatta 1996, p. 426.
  19. ^ Dani 1998, pp. 223, 224.
  20. ^ Pirumshoev & Dani 2003, p. 243.
  21. ^ Mehra, An "agreed" frontier 1992, pp. 1–14.
  22. ^ Syed, Yahya. Broshaal Ke Qabail. Gilgit: North News Agency.
  23. ^ Zulfiqar Ali, Khan; Farman Karim, Baig. "128th Anniversary of the Anglo-Burusho War". PAMIR TIMES. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  24. ^ Syed, Yahya. Broshaal Ke Qabail. Gilgit: North News Agency.
  25. ^ Masud, Khan. "Anglo-Brusho War Of 1891". Daily Times.
  26. ^ Valley, Hunza. "Hunza Valley". skardu.pk. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  27. ^ History of Hunza, 12 December 2011, archived from the original on 22 December 2021, retrieved 2 October 2021
  28. ^ Martin, Sokefeld (2005). "From Colonialism to Postcolonial Colonialism: Changing Modes of Domination in the Northern Areas of Pakistan". The Journal of Asian Studies. 64 (4): 939–973. doi:10.1017/S0021911805002287. JSTOR 25075905. S2CID 161647755.
  29. ^ Ahmad, Sajjad (1 November 2020). "HISTORY: THE GILGIT-BALTISTAN CONUNDRUM". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  30. ^ Waheed, Abdul (4 January 2013). "The Attabad Landslide Disaster". Pamir Times. Archived from the original on 12 October 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  31. ^ a b Ahmed, Kamran (23 May 2010). "Pakistan: The water bomb". ReliefWeb. Dawn. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  32. ^ "Annual Report 2011". Yumpu. National Disaster Management Authority, Government of Pakistan. pp. 40–41. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  33. ^ "SHISHKET LAKE CRISES – 2010 – CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS" (PDF). ndma.gov.pk. NDMA. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2019.[dead link]
  34. ^ a b Michael Bopp; Judie Bopp (May 2013). "Needed: a second green revolution in Hunza" (PDF). HiMaT. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015. Karakorum Area Development Organization (KADO), Aliabad
  35. ^ "Pakistan Army Pilots rescued 3 foreign mountaineers". en.dailypakistan.com.pk. July 2018. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  36. ^ "Mountainers News on Thenews.com.pk". thenews.com.pk. July 2018. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  37. ^ Farmer, Ben (July 2018). "Britain's High Commissioner in Pakistan admired Pak Army Pilots for rescued the two British Climbers". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  38. ^ "Major General Asif Ghafoor also tweeted about it". forces.net. 2 July 2018. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  39. ^ admin (12 July 2021). "Amazing Views of Hunza Valley…". Trip Venture. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  40. ^ a b Craig, Tim (10 April 2023). "High up on a Pakistani mountain, a success story for moderate Islam". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  41. ^ "Earth from Space: Batura Glacier". www.esa.int. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  42. ^ shahid, ariba (20 October 2023). "Khunjerab Pass linking Pakistan, China to stay open all year round". Reuters.
  43. ^ Siddiqui, Shahid. "Hunza disaster and schools". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  44. ^ Frembgen Wasim, Jurgen (2017). The Arts and Crafts of the Hunza Valley in Pakistan: Living traditions in the Karakoram. Karachi: Oxford University Press. p. 1. ISBN 978-0-19-940520-6.
  45. ^ Wrench, Guy T., Dr. (2009) [1938]. The Wheel of Health: A study of the Hunza people and the keys to health (reprint ed.). Review Press. ISBN 978-0-9802976-6-9. Retrieved 12 August 2010.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  46. ^ Tierney, John (29 September 1996). "The optimists are right". The New York Times.
  47. ^ Clark, John. "Hunza – the truth, myths, and lies about the health and diet of the "long-lived" people of Hunza, Pakistan – Hunza bread and pie recipes". biblelife.org. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  48. ^ Shea, Samantha (17 February 2024). "People in this remote valley live to 100—they follow 5 distinct diet and lifestyle habits for longevity". www.cnbc.com. CNBC. Retrieved 24 March 2024.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons logo
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hunza Valley.
Wikivoyage logo
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Northern_Areas_(Pakistan).

General

[edit]
  • Leitner, G. W. (1893): Dardistan in 1866, 1886 and 1893: Being An Account of the History, Religions, Customs, Legends, Fables and Songs of Gilgit, Chilas, Kandia (Gabrial) Yasin, Chitral, Hunza, Nagyr and other parts of the Hindukush, as also a supplement to the second edition of The Hunza and Nagyr Handbook. And An Epitome of Part III of the author’s "The Languages and Races of Dardistan". First Reprint 1978. Manjusri Publishing House, New Delhi.
  • http://emergingpakistan.gov.pk/travel/place-to-visit/gilgit-baltistan/hunza-valley/ Archived 22 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hunza_Valley&oldid=1354334091"