Hunza

Hunza is the northernmost part of a region known as the Northern Areas of Pakistan. It comprises an area of 3,900 mi² (10,101 km²) and borders China.

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For many centuries it has provided the quickest access to Swat and Gandhara (in modern north Pakistan) for a person on foot. The route was impassable to baggage animals, only human porters could get through, and then only with permission from the locals.

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It 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.

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Travelling up the valley from the south, Hunza is the land to the left, and Nagar to the right of the river. They traditionally have been separate principalities.

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From Hunza there are spectacular views of the beautiful and magnificent 7,788m (25,551 ft) Rakaposhi.

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The famous Karakoram Highway crosses Hunza, connecting Pakistan to China via the Khunjerab Pass.

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Hunza has three parts, not divided administratively but ethnically: Gojal, mainly populated with Wakhi speakers; Central, with Brushaski speaking people and Shinaki, the Shina speaking people. Brushaski is understood throughout Hunza.

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Until 1974, Hunza was a princely state with its capital situated at Baltit (also known as Karimabad). It is now ruled directly from Islamabad through the administration based in Gilgit, the regional capital of Gilgit-Baltistan.

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Hunza was an independent principality for 900 years. The British gained control of Hunza and the neighbouring valley of Nagar from 1889 to 1892. The Tham (Chief) of Hunza escaped to China.

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The British kept its status as a 'principality' until 1947. According to Habib R. Sulemani, the people of Hunza and Gojal were ruled by a local Mir for more than 950 years, which came to an end in 1974. The Mirs were assisted by Wazirs whose role was rather like a Prime Minister.

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The people of Hunza are called 'Hunzukuts', while Burusho is the term used for only Brushaski speaking people. The majority of the people are Ismaili, a sect in Shia Islam. They are followers of The Aga Khan. The Aga Khan-IV has put a lot of funding into the area to help with agriculture and the local economy.

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Burushaski, (like the Basque language in Europe), is not known to be related to any other language. While Burushaski is the main language spoken in Hunza, there are three other languages spoken by small numbers of people. They are Wakhi, Shina, and Domaski. Domaski is dying out, as the youngsters of Domaski families prefer to speak Burushaski.

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Hunza, although never ruled directly by Kashmir, was a vassal of Kashmir since the days of HH Maharaja Ranbir Singh of Jammu and Kashmir. The Tham, who later changed his title to Mir, of Hunza sent an anuual Nazarana (tribute) to the Kashmir Darbar until 1947 and alongwith his nieghbour the ruler of Nagar was considered to be the most loyal vassal of Kashmir out of the Dardic peoples.

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Hunza is also the muisca name of the city Tunja located in Colombia.

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Apropos to the letter ? Not ?Mir of Hunza? by Mrs Rifat A Khan from Gilgit, printed in Daily Times, Pakistan on 12th Sept. 2005. The word Mir was drawn from the Arabic Amir and shortened to Mir, Its true that Mir is the Head of a Tribe, Clan or State.

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There are Mirs in Balochistan, Sind and other areas who are called Khan, Nawab and Mir. This has become a family title of the people who had been enjoying leadership and respect of their people. Mrs Rifat should correct her knowledge about the independence of Hunza and accession to Pakistan. No body fought in Hunza to abolish the state. Hunza was a welfare state and had acceded to Pakistan in 1948 after signing a respectable agreement with the Govt. of Pakistan. No one in Hunza fought to abolish the state it was few miscreants from Hunza in Karachi who had been bribed to stage a protest in Karachi 2600Kms. Away from Hunza. They did not dare to voice disagreement, as their parents were fed on state welfare in Hunza and the same people (about 15) who protested in Karachi are now living in Hunza and Gilgit are sorry for being part of anti state sloganeers, Hunza State was abolished by Bhutto. Why? There is a big question mark. Certainly the reason is not the people of Hunza fought for. The writer seems to be well informed about capital punishment for using title of Mir as Bhutto and his sons were hanged and killed. Because they were also called Mirs though they did not hold any state. There are numerous Mirs and Nawab in Pakistan who should relinquish their family titles, as some one named Mrs Rifat wants to punish them for being from respectable families. Mrs Rifat (if it is a true name) seems to have a personal grudge with a Mir; it is advisable to wash your soiled cloths inside your house not in the streets. The Mir Family enjoys respect in Hunza. Mir Ghazanfar is the Deputy Chief of Northern areas Legislative Council. Mir enjoyed a landslide victory in the recent elections.

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Nadir Baqai

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Islamabad.

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Dated 12th Sept. 2005

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Northern Areas of Pakistan: REDIRECT Gilgit-Baltistan...

Mi²: REDIRECT macrophage...

China: :This article is about Chinese civilization. For the modern-day state commonly referred to as "China", see People's Republic of China. For other meanings, see China (disambiguation)....