Baltistan
Baltistan
بلتستان སྦལ་ཏི་སྟཱན་། | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 35°18′N 75°37′E / 35.300°N 75.617°E | |
Administering Country | Pakistan |
Territory | Gilgit-Baltistan |
Government | |
• Type | Divisional Administration |
• Commissioner | Shuja Alam (PAS) |
• Deputy Inspector General (DIG) | Cap. (R) Liaquat Ali Malik (PSP) |
Area | |
• Total | 31,000 km2 (12,000 sq mi) |
Population (2017)[1] | |
• Total | 303,214 |
Languages |
Baltistan (
Prior to the
The region is inhabited primarily by the Balti people, a largely Muslim ethnic group of Tibetan descent. Baltistan is strategically significant to both Pakistan and India; the Siachen conflict and the Kargil War took place in this region alongside others.
Etymology
Like other Islamic regions near the Indian subcontinent, the name Baltistan is likely created by adding the Persian suffix -istan to the name of the Balti people, who lived here before the Islamic conquests. [citation needed]
Geography
The 1911
Baltistan is a rocky mass of lofty mountains, the prevailing formation being gneiss. In the north is the Baltoro Glacier, one of the longest glaciers outside of the polar regions, 56 kilometres (35 mi) long, contained between two ridges whose highest peaks to the south are 7,600 m (25,000 ft) and to the north 8,615 m (28,265 ft).[10]
The Indus river runs in a narrow gorge, widening after receiving the
Administration
The Baltistan is one of three divisions of Gilgit-Baltistan. The Division of Baltistan is administrative under a Commissioner of BPS-20 belonging to Pakistan Administrative Service group of Central Superior Services of Pakistan. The Current Commissioner Baltistan Division is Mr Shula Alam (PAS).
Valleys and districts
Valley | District | Area (km2) | Population (1998) | Capital |
---|---|---|---|---|
Khaplu |
Ghanche | 9,400 | 88,366 | Khaplu |
Skardu |
Skardu | 18,000 | 219,209 | Skardu |
Shigar |
Shigar | 6,450 | 60,295 | Center Shigar |
Kharmang |
Kharmang |
5,520 | 62,522 | Tolti
|
Roundu |
Skardu | 80,000 | Thowar | |
Gultari |
Skardu | |||
Shyok ° |
Leh, India | 4,000 (2011) | Turtuk |
°Although under Indian control since 1971, geographically, the Turtuk part of Shyok Valley, is part of Baltistan region.
History
Origins
Tibetan
Today, the people of
For centuries, Baltistan consisted of small, independent valley states connected by the blood relationships of its rulers (rajas), trade, common beliefs and cultural and linguistic bonds.[19] Baltistan was known as Little Tibet, and the name was extended to include Ladakh.[10] Ladakh later became known as Great Tibet. Locally, Baltistan is known as Baltiyul and Ladakh and Baltistan are known as Maryul ("red country").[20]
In 1190,
During the 14th century, Muslim scholars from Kashmir crossed Baltistan's mountainous terrain to spread Islam.
The
Ali Sher Khan Anchan included Gilgit and
In 1840, the region was subjugated by the Dogra rulers of Jammu under the suzerainty of the Sikh Empire.[30][31] On 29 August 2009 the government of Pakistan announced the creation of Gilgit–Baltistan, a provincial autonomous region with Gilgit as its capital and Skardu its largest city.[citation needed]
Tourism
Skardu has several tourist resorts and many natural features, including plains, mountains and mountain-valley lakes. The
Glaciers
Baltistan is a rocky wilderness of around 70,000 square kilometres (27,000 sq mi),[32] with the largest cluster of mountains in the world and the biggest glaciers outside the polar regions. The Himalayas advance into this region from India, Tibet and Nepal, and north of them are the Karakoram range. Both ranges run northwest, separated by the Indus River. Along the Indus and its tributaries are many valleys. Glaciers include Baltoro Glacier, Biafo Glacier, Siachen Glacier, Trango Glacier and Godwin-Austen Glacier.
Mountaineering
Baltistan is home to more than 20 peaks of over 6,100 metres (20,000 ft), including
Name | Height | Date climbed | Location | |
---|---|---|---|---|
K2 | 8,610 m (28,250 ft) |
31 July 1954 | Shigar District | |
Gasherbrum I | 8,030 m (26,360 ft) |
7 July 1956 | Ghanche District | |
Broad Peak | 8,090 m (26,550 ft) |
9 June 1957 | Ghanche District | |
Muztagh Tower | 7,300 m (23,800 ft) |
6 August 1956 | Ghanche District | |
Gasherbrum II | 7,960 m (26,120 ft) |
4 July 1958 | Ghanche District | |
Hidden Peak |
8,070 m (26,470 ft) |
4 July 1957 | Ghanche District | |
Khunyang Chhish |
7,852 m (25,761 ft) |
4 July 1971 | Skardu District | |
Masherbrum | 7,821 m (25,659 ft) |
4 August 1960 | Ghanche District | |
Saltoro Kangri | 7,700 m (25,400 ft) |
4 June 1962 | Ghanche District | |
Chogolisa | 7,665 m (25,148 ft) |
4 August 1963 | Ghanche District |
Demographics
The region has a population of about 303,214 as of 2017.[1] It is a blend of ethnic groups, predominantly Baltis,[33] and Tibetans. A few Kashmiris settled in Skardu, practicing agriculture and woodcraft.
Religion
Before the arrival of Islam, Tibetan Buddhism and Bön (to a lesser extent) were the main religions in Baltistan. Buddhism can be traced back to before the formation of the Tibetan Empire in the region during the seventh century. The region has a number of surviving Buddhist archaeological sites. These include the Manthal Buddha Rock, a rock relief of the Buddha at the edge of the village (near Skardu) and the Sacred Rock of Hunza. Nearby are former sites of Buddhist shelters.
Islam was brought to Baltistan by Sufi missionaries during the 16th and 17th centuries, and most of the population converted to Noorbakshia Islam. The scholars were followers of the Kubrawiya Sufi order.[34] Most Noorbakhshi Muslims live in Ghanche.[35]
Fauna
Baltistan has been called a living museum for wildlife.
Culture
Balti music and art
According to Balti folklore,
Dance
Classical and other dances are classified as sword dances, broqchhos and
Architecture
Balti architecture has Tibetan and Mughul
Polo
Polo is popular in Baltistan, and indigenous to the Karakoram region, having been played there since at least the 15th–16th century.[40] The Maqpon ruler Ali Sher Khan Anchan introduced the game to other valleys during his conquests beyond Gilgit and Chitral.[41] The English word polo derives from the Balti word polo, meaning "the ball used in the game of polo".[42] The game of polo itself is called Hrthapolo means horse riding game in Balti.[43]
Media
The
Notes
- ^ a b Gilgit-Baltistan, City Population web site, retrieved 12 May 2022.
- ^ "How Many Languages Are Spoken In Pakistan". economy.pk. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ISBN 1860648983
- ISBN 978-81-7062-301-4
- ^ Proceedings - Punjab History Conference. Punjabi University. 1968.
- ISBN 978-81-7387-086-6
- ISBN 1860648983
- ^ Atul Aneja, A 'battle' in the snowy heights[dead link], The Hindu, 11 January 2001.
- ^ "In pictures: Life in Baltistan". bbc.com. July 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 16 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 57–59.
- ^ Dani 1998, p. 219.
- ^ Pirumshoev & Dani 2003, p. 243.
- ^ Karim 2009, p. 62.
- ^ Tarar, Mustansar Hussain (1991), Nanga Parbat (in Urdu)
- ^ Where Indus is Young
- ^ a b Afridi, Banat Gul (1988). Baltistan in history. Peshawar, Pakistan: Emjay Books International.
- ^ Tarekh e jammu, molvi hashmatullah
- ^ Hussainabadi, Muhammad Yousuf: Baltistan per Aik Nazar 1984
- ^ "A Socio-Political Study of Gilgit Baltistan Province" (PDF).
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ Yousaf Hussain Abadi, A view on Baltistan
- ^ Tareekh e Baltistan.
- ^ "Baltis".
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ISBN 9781935501343.
- ^ "Baltistan - North Pakistan". Archived from the original on 15 June 2013.
- ^ "Little Tibet: Renaissance and Resistance in Baltistan". Himal Southasian. 30 April 1998. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ Hussainabadi, Muhammad Yousuf: Tareekh-e-Baltistan 2003
- ISBN 978-1-935501-34-3.
- ISBN 9788183860673.
- ISBN 978-3-909105-24-3.
- ^ Ali, Manzoom (12 June 2004). Archaeology of Dardistan.
- ISBN 978-1-4094-2531-1.
- ^ "ABOUT GILGIT-BALTISTAN". Archived from the original on 14 July 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
- ^ Hussain, Ejaz. "Geography and Demography of Gilgit Baltistan". Gilgit Baltistan Scouts. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- ^ "NYF". Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ "Sofia Imamia Noorbakhshia". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015.
- ^ "Beautiful Gilgit Baltistan". Archived from the original on 18 October 2012.
- ^ "BALTI MUSIC AND ART". Archived from the original on 10 February 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ Hussainabadi, Muhammad Yousuf: Balti Zaban 1990
- ^ Wallace, Paul (1996) . A History of Western Himalayas . Penguin Books, London.
- ISBN 0-486-43357-9, p. 98.
- ^ Dani, Ahmad Hassan: History of Northern Areas of Pakistan, National Institute of Historical Research, Islamabad, 1991.
- ^ Skeat, Walter William (1898). A Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language. Harper. p. 629.
- ^ Afridi, Banat Gul (1988). Baltistan in history. Peshawar, Pakistan: Emjay Books International. p. 135.
- ^ "Radio Pakistan".
- ^ "dailyk2".
- ^ "Daily Bad e Shimal".
- ^ "Nuwa-e-Sufia".
- ^ "5cntv urdu news web".
Bibliography
- Aggarwal, Ravina (2004), Beyond Lines of Control: Performance and Politics on the Disputed Borders of Ladakh, India, Duke University Press, pp. 199–, ISBN 0-8223-3414-3
- Dani, Ahmad Hasan (1998), "The Western Himalayan States", in M. S. Asimov; C. E. Bosworth (eds.), History of Civilizations of Central Asia, Vol. IV, Part 1 – The age of achievement: A.D. 750 to the end of the fifteenth century – The historical, social and economic setting, UNESCO, pp. 215–225, ISBN 978-92-3-103467-1
- Karim, Afsir (2009), "Strategic dimensions of the trans-Himalayan frontiers", in K. Warikoo (ed.), Himalayan Frontiers of India: Historical, Geo-Political and Strategic Perspectives, Routledge, pp. 56–66, ISBN 978-1-134-03294-5
- Pirumshoev, H. S.; Dani, Ahmad Hasan (2003), "The Pamirs, Badakhshan and the Trans-Pamir States", in Chahryar Adle; Irfan Habib (eds.), History of Civilizations of Central Asia, Vol. V – Development in contrast: From the sixteenth to the mid-nineteenth century, UNESCO, pp. 225–246, ISBN 978-92-3-103876-1