State of Hunza
This article is part of the series: Historical regions of Pakistan This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... National Emblem of Pakistan (large) This image depicts a seal, an emblem, a coat of arms or a crest. ... The historical regions of Pakistan are former states, provinces and territories which mainly existed between 1947 and 1975 when the current provinces and territories were finally established. ...
Capital	Baltit (Karimabad)
Area	10,101 km²
Main language(s)	Burushaski, Shina
Established	11th century
Abolished	25 September 1974
Historic regions of Pakistan
Original Provinces Baluchistan East Bengal Federal Capital Territory North West Frontier Province Sind West Punjab One-Unit Provinces Image File history File links Hunza_Map. ... Burushaski is a language isolate spoken by some 50,000-60,000 Burúšo people in the Hunza, Nagir, Yasin, and parts of the Gilgit valleys in northern Pakistan. ... Shina is a Dardic Language spoken by 321,000 people in Gilgit in Northern Pakistan in Ishkoman and Yasin Valley and in parts of Hunza. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ... September 25 is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years). ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1974 calendar). ... The Chief Commissioners Province of Baluchistan was a former province of Pakistan located in the northern parts of modern Balochistan province. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) around Karachi was the original capital territory of Pakistan. ... This article details the historical North-West Frontier Province. ... The Sind is a former province of Pakistan and British India which existed from 1936 to 1955. ... The Punjab/ پنجاب province of Pakistan is part of the larger Punjab region. ... East Pakistan West Pakistan	Former States Amb Bahawalpur Chitral Dir Hunza Kalat Khairpur Kharan Las Bela Makran Nagar Phulra Swat
Other subdivisions Baluchistan States Union Gilgit Agency Trans-Karakoram Tract Divisions of Pakistan
Northern Areas Government Website

This page is about the town of Hunza in northern areas of Pakistan. Hunza is also the Muisca name of the city of Tunja located in Colombia.

Hunza (Urdu: ہنزہ) is 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. East Pakistan was a former province of Pakistan which existed between 1955 and 1971. ... Independent (as part of Pakistan) from British Empire - August 14, 1947 Separated from East Pakistan as Pakistan - March 26, 1971 Capital Karachi Language Urdu, English West Pakistan consisted of the western part of Pakistan from 1947 until 1971, when East Pakistan became Bangladesh and West Pakistan became the present-day... Amb was a small princely state in what is today the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. ... The State of Bahawalpur was a princely state of the Punjab in what is now Pakistan, stretching along the southern bank of the Sutlej and Indus Rivers, with its capital city at Bahawalpur. ... The State of Chitral, or Chitrāl, was a former princely state of Pakistan and British India which ceased to exist in 1969. ... This article details the historical State of Dir Dir, see Dir The State of Dir was a small former princely state located in the modern North-West Frontier Province in Pakistan. ... The State of Kalat was a princely state located in the centre of the modern province of Balochistan. ... The State of Khayrpur was a princely state on the Indus river in what is now Pakistan, with its capital city at Khayrpur. ... The State of Kharan was an autonomous princely state of both British India and Pakistan, located in the southwest of modern Pakistan. ... The State of Las Bela was princely state of Pakistan and British India which existed until 1955. ... The State of Makran was an autonomous princely state of both British India and Pakistan, which ceased to exist in 1955. ... The State of Nagar is a former princely state in the northernmost part of the Northern Areas of Pakistan, which existed until 1974. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The State of Swat was a princely state which existed in the north of the modern North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan until it was dissolved in 1969. ... This article details the former Pakistani region of the Baluchistan States Union. ... The Gilgit Agency was an occupied province of the Maharaja of Kashmir before November 1, 1947. ... Trans-Karakoram Tract is occupied by China now, having been part of Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir until 1963, when Pakistan had handed over it to China according to the border agreement. ... The Divisions of Pakistan were previously the third tier of government in Pakistan until they were abolished in 2000. ... The Muisca was a South American nation that lived mainly in modern day Cundinamarca and Boyacá highlands. ... Tunja is a city in Colombia, capital of the Boyacá department. ... The phrase Zaban-e Urdu-e Mualla written in Urdu Urdu () is an Indo-European language of the Indo-Aryan family that developed under Persian, Turkish, and Arabic influence in South Asia during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire (1200-1800). ... A princely state is any state under the reign of a prince, both terms being taken in the broad sense. ... The Northern Areas or Gilgit-Baltistan is the northernmost region of Pakistani-administered Kashmir. ... Gilgit is a region in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, bordering the Chinese region of Xinjiang. ... Karimabad is the capital of Hunza in Kashmir, Pakistan. ... A tehsil or taluk is an administrative subdivision or tier found in several South Asian countries. ...

History

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) 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. Prince Albert of Monaco on the left represents a principality where he wields administrative authority. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... Habib R. Sulemani (born June 5, 1971, Gulmit, Gojal, Hunza) is a young poet, writer and journalist, living in Pakistan. ... Mir is a Persian word, synonymous to emir, and it means leader of a group or tribe. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1974 calendar). ...

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. Shown in green is the Kashmiri region under Pakistani control. ... Jammu and Kashmir (Kashmiri: جۄم تٕہ کٔشِیر ज्वम त॒ कॅशीर, Urdu:جموں و کشمیر, Hindi:जम्मू और कश्मीर) (often abbreviated as Kashmir), is the northern-most state of Republic of India, lying mostly in the Himalayan mountains. ... Durbar is a term in India for a court or levee, from the Persian darbar. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ...

The Hunza valley looking across the river to Nagar

Mount Rakaposhi

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 197 KB) Summary Overview of the Hunza valley, Pakistan. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 197 KB) Summary Overview of the Hunza valley, Pakistan. ... Dr. Volker Thewalt has kindly given written permission to use this photo. ... Dr. Volker Thewalt has kindly given written permission to use this photo. ...

Government

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. Mir is a Persian word, derived from the Arabic emir (adopted in many languages under Islamic influence), and it means leader of a group or tribe. ... A Vizier (وزير, sometimes also spelled Vizir, Wasir, Wazir, Wesir, Wezir - grammatical vowel changes are common in many oriental languages) is an oriental, originally Persian, term for a high-ranking political (and sometimes religious) advisor or Minister, often to a Muslim monarch such as a Caliph, Amir, Malik (king) or Sultan. ... A minister can mean several things: A government minister is a politician who heads a government ministry A minister of religion is a member of the clergy A minister is the rank of diplomat directly below ambassador This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that...

Baltit Fort, the former residence of the Mirs of Hunza

September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... 1892 (MDCCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... July 22 is the 203rd day (204th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 162 days remaining. ... 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... July 22 is the 203rd day (204th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 162 days remaining. ... 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... September 25 is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years). ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1974 calendar). ... September 25 is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years). ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1974 calendar). ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 176 KB) Summary Overview of the Hunza valley, Pakistan. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 176 KB) Summary Overview of the Hunza valley, Pakistan. ... In former times survival of the feudal regimes of Hunza was ensured by the impressive Baltit fort, just above Karimabad. ...

Geography

The Hunza valley is situated at an elevation of 2,438 metres (7,999 feet). For many centuries, Hunza has provided the quickest access to Swat and Gandhara for a person traveling on foot. The route was impassable to baggage animals; only human porters could get through, and then only with permission from the locals. PTDC Motel at Malam Jabba Ski Resort, Swat, NWFP, Pakistan. ... Gandhāra (also Ghandara, Ghandahra, Chandahara, and Persian Gandara) is the name of an ancient kingdom in eastern Afghanistan and north-west province of Pakistan. ...

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.

A Hunza Rajah and Tribesmen, 1891. E. F. Knight

Download high resolution version (731x738, 109 KB)Taken from E. F. Knights Where Three Empires Meet 1893. ... Download high resolution version (731x738, 109 KB)Taken from E. F. Knights Where Three Empires Meet 1893. ...

Climate

The temperature in May is maximum 27 C (81 F) and minimum 14 C (57 F) and Octber maximum is 10 C (50 F) and 0 C (32 F). Hunza's tourist season is from May to October, because in winter the Karakoram Highway is often blocked by the snow. The Karakoram Highway (KKH) is the highest international road in the world. ...

Transport

Today, the famous Karakoram Highway crosses Hunza, connecting Pakistan to China via the Khunjerab Pass. Travelling up the valley from the south, Hunza is the land to the left, and the former state of Nagar to the right of the river. Regular bus and van services operate between Gilgit and Karimabad. PTDC Office at Gilgit and Islamabad arranges tours and transport for visitors. The Karakoram Highway (KKH) is the highest international road in the world. ... The Khunjerab Pass is a high mountain pass on the northern border of Pakistan with China. ... Gilgit is a region in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, bordering the Chinese region of Xinjiang. ... Karimabad is one of the neighborhoods of Gulberg Town in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. ... Logo of PTDC A motel of PTDC at Malam Jabba ski resrot in Swat, NWFP PTDC or Pakistan Tourism Development Corporartion is an organization of Government of Pakistan. ... Gilgit is a region in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, bordering the Chinese region of Xinjiang. ... Islamabad (Urdu: اسلام آباد, abode of Islam), is the capital city of Pakistan, and is located in the Pothohar Plateau in the northwest of the country. ...

Spectacular scenery

From Hunza there are spectacular views of some of the most beautiful and magnificent mountains of the world which include Rakaposhi 7,788 m (25,551 ft), Ghenta Peak (7,090m), Hunza Peak (6,270m), Darmyani Peak (6,090m) and Bublimating (6,000m). Hunza Valley is also host to the ancient Baltit Fort and Altit Fort. Baltit Fort stands on top of Karimabad whereas Altit Fort lies at the bottom of the valley. Rakaposhi is a mountain in the Karakoram region of the Pakistani Himalaya. ... In former times survival of the feudal regimes of Hunza was ensured by the impressive Baltit fort, just above Karimabad. ... Altit Fort is an ancient fort in the Hunza valley in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. ... In former times survival of the feudal regimes of Hunza was ensured by the impressive Baltit fort, just above Karimabad. ... Karimabad is the capital of Hunza in Kashmir, Pakistan. ... Altit Fort is an ancient fort in the Hunza valley in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. ...

People of Hunza

As much as the beauty of the valley is famous for its beauty, the people of Hunza are noted for their friendliness and hospitality. The local language is Brushuski but most people understand Urdu and English. The literacy rate of the Hunza valley is believed to be above 90%, virtually every child of the new generation studies up to at least high school. Many pursue higher studies from prestigious colleges and Universities of Pakistan and abroad. Burushaski (ISO/DIS 639-3 bsk) is a language isolate spoken by some 50,000-60,000 Burusho people in the Hunza, Nagir, Yasin, and parts of the Gilgit valleys in northern Pakistan. ... The phrase Zaban-e Urdu-e Mualla written in Urdu Urdu () is an Indo-European language of the Indo-Aryan family that developed under Persian, Turkish, and Arabic influence in South Asia during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire (1200-1800). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

Most of the people of Hunza are Ismaili Muslims, followers of His Highness the Aga Khan. The Hunza region is home to people of three ethnicities:

• The Gojal area is mainly populated by Wakhi speakers;
• The Shinaki area is mainly inhabited by Shina speakers;
• The Kanjut area is mainly inhabited by Burushaski speakers.

The Burushaski language is understood throughout Hunza. It is a language isolate. In addition to Burushaski, there also speakers of Wakhi, Shina and Domaaki. Located in the Upper Hunza region, Gojal is geographically the largest Tehsil of the Northern Areas of Pakistan and borders the Xinjiang-Uighur region of China. ... The Wakhi Tajiki language is an Iranian language in the subbranch of Southeastern Iranian languages (see Pamir languages). ... Shinaki are the people belonging to the lower part of the hunza, mainly includes nasirabad (old name Hindi), Murtazabad etc. ... Shina is a Dardic Language spoken by 321,000 people in Gilgit in Northern Pakistan in Ishkoman and Yasin Valley and in parts of Hunza. ... Burushaski is a language isolate spoken by some 50,000-60,000 Burúšo people in the Hunza, Nagir, Yasin, and parts of the Gilgit valleys in northern Pakistan. ... Burushaski (Other names are Burushaski, Brushas, Brushias) is a language isolate spoken by some 50,000_60,000 people in the Hunza, Nagir, Yasin, and some parts of Gilgit valleys in northern Pakistan. ... A language isolate is a natural language with no demonstrable genealogical (or genetic) relationship with other living languages; that is, one that has not been demonstrated to descend from an ancestor common to any other language. ... Adjective; of or relating to Wakhan, the extreme northeastern region of Afghanistan that borders China, Tajikistan, and Pakistan. ... Shina is a Dardic Language spoken by 321,000 people in Gilgit in Northern Pakistan in Ishkoman and Yasin Valley and in parts of Hunza. ...

The people of Hunza are collectively termed Hunzakuts, while Burusho refers only to the speakers of Burushaski. The majority of the people are Ismaili Shia Muslims who are followers of the Aga Khan. The present Aga Khan has provided a lot of funding for the area to help with agriculture and the local economy. The Burusho (or Burushas) are an ethnic group living in northeastern Pakistan, most of whom inhabit the Hunza Valley. ... The Ismāīlī (Arabic الإسماعيليون, Persian: اسماعیلیان Esmailiyan) branch of Islam is the second largest Shīˤa community after the Twelvers, who are dominant in Iran. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم) is an adherent of Islam. ... Aga Khan (Persian: آقا خان ) is the hereditary title of the Imam (spiritual and general leader), of the Nizari (Nizari Ismaili) sect (result of the 1094 split with the Mustaˤliyya who followed Nizars younger brother Al-Mustali) within the Ismaili branch of Islam. ... Aga Khan IV (Prince Karim Aga Khan or Prince Karim El Husseni) (born December 13, 1936) is the current (49th) Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims since July 11, 1957. ...

See also

• Gilgit
• Northern Areas
• Karakoram Highway
• Karakoram Mountains

Gilgit is a region in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, bordering the Chinese region of Xinjiang. ... Shown in green is the Kashmiri region under Pakistani control. ... The Karakoram Highway (KKH) is the highest international road in the world. ... Karakoram- In the mountainious region of Gilgit-Baltistan or the Northern Areas of Pakistan, the Karakoram is one of the great Himalayan mountain ranges, with many of the highest and most daunting peaks of the world. ...

External links

• Government of Northern Areas
• Government of Pakistan
• PIA guide to Northern Areas