Hunza Valley

Updated on Feb 02, 2024

Edit

Comment

Time zone PST (UTC+5)

The Hunza (Burushaski and Urdu: ہنزہ‎) is a mountainous valley in the Gilgit–Baltistan region of Pakistan. The Hunza is situated in the extreme northern part of Pakistan.

Map of Hunza Valley, Garelt

History

Hunza was formerly a princely state bordering Uyghurstan also called Xinjiang (autonomous region of China) to the northeast and Pamir to the northwest, which survived until 1974, when it was finally dissolved by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The state bordered the Gilgit Agency to the south and the former princely state of Nagar to the east. The state capital was the town of Baltit (also known as Karimabad); another old settlement is Ganish Village. Hunza was an independent principality for more than 900 years. The British gained control of Hunza and the neighbouring valley of Nagar between 1889 and 1892 through a military conquest. The then Mir/Tham (ruler) Mir Safdar Ali Khan of Hunza fled to Kashghar in China and sought what would now be called political asylum.

Mir/Tham

An account wrote by John Bidulf in his book 'Tribes of Hindukush'

The traditional name for the ruler or Prince in Hunza was Tham (also Thom or Thum), which is also a respectful greeting used by the people of both Hunza and Nager who belong to the clan of Boorish. The Shin use the term Yeshkun for the Boorish.

2010 landslide

In 2010, a landslide blocked the river and created Attabad Lake, which threatened 15,000 people in the valley below and has effectively blocked 27 km of the Karakoram Highway.

Capital of Hunza

The first seat of power of the formerly Hunza State was Altit. Later it shifted to Baltit (modern-day Karimabad). Until the fall of princely state in 1974, Baltit served as political center of Hunza and hence its capital. Today, Baltit is one of the major tourist destinations in Hunza. The center of activities has however shifted to the nearby Aliabad, which is a commercial hub in the region and has most of the governmental infrastructure.

Geography

Hunza is divided into 3 geographic subdivisions:

Gojal Valley

Gojal === Gojal === of Hunza District. The main towns, villages and valleys are:

Lower Hunza

Lower Hunza comprises the parts of Aliabad tehsil of Hunza District. The main towns, villages and valleys are:

Nasirabad

Khanabad

Mayon

Hussainabad

Khizerabad

In 1902, eight families from Nasirabad came to the place (the old name was Jhok Das) and built water channel with the help of stones (without machines) through the mountains. Then Mir of Hunza sent 4 families from central Hunza also and they were also settled there. Now, after 111 years, the population of the village is around 1850 and the number of households is around 280.

Central Hunza

Central Hunza consists of the parts of Aliabad tehsil of Hunza District. The main towns, villages and valleys are:

Climate

The temperature in May reaches a maximum of 26 °C (79 °F) and a minimum of 10 °C (50 °F); the October maximum is 23 °C (73 °F) and the minimum 2 °C (36 °F). Hunza's tourist season is generally from May to October, because in winter the Karakoram Highway is often blocked by the snow.

Transport

Travelling up the valley from the south, Hunza is to the left, and the former state of Nagar to the right of the Hunza River. Regular bus and van services operate between Gilgit and Central Hunza (Ganish Village, Aliabad and Karimabad) and also between Gilgit and Sost Gojal. PTDC Office at Gilgit, Sost and Islamabad arranges tours and transport for visitors. NATCO (Northern Area's Transport Co) runs a daily bus from Rawalpindi to Hunza.

Scenery

Several high peaks rise above 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) in the Hunza valley. The valley provides views of several tall mountains, including Rakaposhi 7,788 metres (25,551 ft), Ultar Sar 7,388 metres (24,239 ft), Bojahagur Duanasir II 7,329 metres (24,045 ft), Ghenta Sar 7,090 metres (23,261 ft), Hunza Peak 6,270 metres (20,571 ft), Darmyani Peak 6,090 metres (19,980 ft), and Bublimating (Ladyfinger Peak) 6,000 metres (19,685 ft). A watch tower is located in heart of Ganish Village, Baltit Fort stands on top of Karimabad whereas Altit Fort lies somewhat lower down the valley on another outcrop.

The valley is popularly believed to be the inspiration for the mythical valley of Shangri-la in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon.

People of Hunza

The local languages spoken include Burushaski, Wakhi and Shina. The literacy rate of the Hunza valley is believed to be more than 90%. Virtually every child is educated up to at least high school level. The Life style of People of Hunza is very simple and they are considered to be very warm and welcoming.

Most of the inhabitants of Hunza are Ismaili Muslims, followers of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, while in Ganish more than 65% are Shia Muslims.

The Hunza region is principally home to people of four ethnicities:

The Lower Hunza area - from Khizerabad to Nasirabad is mainly inhabited by the Shinaki people who are Shina speakers.

The Central Hunza area - from Murtazaabad to Attabad is mainly inhabited by Burushaski speakers, however, there is a centuries-old locally inhabiting community as well that is known as the 'Domaki' which lives in a village lying in the immediate vicinity of 'Baltit' called 'Mominabad'.

The Upper Hunza area, known as Gojal - from Shiskat to Khunjerab is mainly populated by Wakhi speakers and burusho speakers.