Gilgit’s Religious Rituals: A Deep Dive into Religious Rituals
The CKNP, and its surrounding territories, are part of a rich cultural and historical area that has developed over time through diverse influences and traditions. These have been in place since the 5th millennium BC.
The mountain ranges of Hindukush and Karakorams, which separate the Indian Subcontinent from the highlands in Central Asia and China appear to be impenetrable. However, over time, routes and mountain passes allowed people to travel long distances and transmit cultures. These mountain ranges are more like a porous network than a barrier.
Archaeological findings in the Upper Indus Valley, Gilgit, and Hunza Valleys tell us that important cultural movements have been able to overcome the obstacle for hundreds of thousands of years.
The rock carvings and petroglyphs found in the Indus gorge from Shatial to Gilgit, Hunza, and Baltistan and as far west as Western Tibet and Ladakh, which document the lives of the first inhabitants of the region, give information on cultural diversity, climate changes, flora, fauna and the evolution of religion from prehistory to the epi paleolithic era, or the 9th/ 8th millennium BC.
Dardistan and Boloristan
In historical texts, this area was called ‘Dardistan and Boloristan.’ British historians used the term Dardistan to describe the ethnically diverse and culturally homogeneous inhabitants of the region as one group, based on accounts from Herodotus’ and Sanskrit text which refers to the people in the area as “Dards”. Locals have never called or referred to themselves as Dards. The only exception was a brief period during medieval times when inscriptions pointed out Dard kings living in the Kishanganga Valley. Boloristan may be linked to the Patola Shahi rulers who were known as Bolo or Balor in the Arab world and thus the name Boloristan.
The northern mountain valleys are home to descendants of the earliest Indo-Aryan tribes who migrated between 2000 BC and 1500 BC from the Trans-Pamir area.
Prehistory of the Rock Art People
It is estimated that the first inhabitants of this region lived in the 5th millennium B.C.
They hunted and gathered food collectively, and lived in rock shelters or dried-out river channels. The Indus River was crossed by logs or rafts, as they had no boat-making knowledge. They used animal skin to protect themselves from the cold. In later stages, they created a family system that included roles for women, men, and children.
They practiced a religion that was based on fearing and worshiping mountains.
The “People of the Rock Art”, as they are called, started the tradition of engravings on rocks in the Northern Areas. This was carried forward by their descendants until the present day.
The Megalith Builders
Megalith Builders is the name of the next group to dominate and inhibit this area. The newcomers with direct links to Chitral or Swat introduced the art of megalith construction and pit burial. The art of stone-cutting was practiced and copper, bronze, and iron were used for tools and other items, indicating economic activity. The terraced fields were created along the mountain slopes, and irrigated by cutting channels in rivers and streams. The use of domesticated horses and cattle was also common, but not widespread.
Dardic Persons
In his descriptions of the region, Herodotus mentions the ‘Dardics’ who lived in the Northern Areas of today during the reigns of the Achaemenian empire (4th century BC). He mentions that these people were subjugated by the Achaemenian Empire. The Gandharians, along with other tribes and the Dards, paid tribute to the Achaemenian Empire and served in their armies. Herodotus describes the Dards as a people or a state. They mined gold and traded it, which led to the region becoming a center for economic and trading activity and opening a trade route between Central Asia China, and India.
Scytho- Parthians
Around the first B.C., Asia established its rule in this region. Moga, their first king, defeated Gopadasa who was likely a Buddhist. Scythians introduced Kharoshti and Taxila-style stupas to the area and established close trade relationships with Taxila. Scythian rule was followed by Gondophares Parthians for about two generations, between 1 BC to 1 AD. Rock carvings from this period show the influence of Parthians in local culture. They have a distinctive Parthian touch and portray themes that were new to this region such as Parthian soldiers, chariots, and so on.
Kushans
After extending their empire into Central Asia, Kabul Valley, and Indus Valley they moved north to establish their control in this area at the beginning of the 1st century AD. Kushans traded with Central Asia and China using gold mined in this area. This led to the opening of numerous silk routes. At least one of these passed through present-day Northern Areas. The Kushans brought prosperity and stability to the region and Buddhism flourished during their rule.
Post-Kushan Period
Sassanians, originally from Persia, took control of this area at the beginning of the 3rd century AD. Kidar Kushans, a branch of Kushans, still ruled this area as subordinates under the Sassanians. As can be seen from the rock carvings, the culture of this area was heavily influenced by India. Gupta Brahami slowly replaced Kharoshti. During this time, Buddhism flourished and the area became a popular trade route between China and India, as well as Central Asia. Both traders and pilgrims used it. Sassanian influence began to diminish towards the end of the 4th century.
White HunsÂ
White Huns, a warrior tribe from Central Asia, conquered Kabul Valley Indus Valley, and Northern Areas at the beginning of the 6th century. The Huns ruled via several local Shina and Burushiski Kings called ‘Rajas,’ who were subordinates to the Hun Empire. The Huns did not practice Buddhism, so the Hun Emperor stopped the official sponsorship of Buddhism during their reign. However, the local people continued to practice Buddhism.
From Medieval Times To Modern Times
The local rajas became independent as the Hun power decreased. From 612 AD until 750 AD, the area was ruled by the Patola Shahi Dynasty. The Patola Shahi were Buddhists and had strong ties to the Chinese empire. The
Chinese called the Patola ‘Pa lo la,’ while the Arabs called them Balol or ‘Balor. The Arab conquest drove the Turks out of Central Asia, and most of this area fell under their control. The Turks, who were most likely fire-worshippers, lived in a region where the majority of people still practiced Buddhism.
Inscriptions on rock revealed that locals called ‘Dards,’ ruled over the northern Kishanganga Valley. The only time the locals have used the term “Dards” to describe themselves is in this instance.
The Skardu valley was later under Tibetan control for some time. During Medieval Times, the following dynasties controlled different parts of Northern Areas from the 7th century AD until the early 19th century AD.
- Tarkhans in Gilgit
- Maglots from Nagar
- Ayash Hunza
- Burushai de Punial
- Makpons of Skardu
- Amachas Shigar
- Yabgus (Khplu)
The Tarkhan Dynasty was founded by a prince from Badakhshan. Tarkhan rulers became Muslims in the early 8th century, while the majority of the population remained Buddhist.
Both the founders of the Maglot Dynasty in Nagar and the Ayash Dynasty in Hunza are Tarkhan Princesses.
After a long Tibetan reign, the Makpon dynasty was founded in Skardu at the beginning of the 13th century. The origins of the dynasty can be traced to a local “Fakir” Makpon Bokha. According to a conflicting report, Ibrahim Shah of Kashmir is the one who founded the Makpon Dynasty and established his rule. Mir Shamsuddin Iraqi introduced Islam to this region in the 16th century.
In Medieval Times, the area was not under Mughal rule. Gilgit remained independent even after Akbar conquered Kashmir, Baltistan, and parts of Baltistan.
To counter the Russian threat, the British established the Gilgit Agency at the end 19th century and appointed a representative under a lease contract with Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir.
Gilgit was handed back to Dogra Maharaja by Dogra on the 1st of August 1947.
In response to Dogra’s accession to India, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan began an armed conflict against him.
Gilgit Scouts led by Muslim officers from Kashmir State Forces were able to control the Northern Areas of Azad Kashmir and the Azad Kashmir region by the time the ceasefire was declared on January 1, 1949.
In 1949, the Northern Areas were annexed to Pakistan.
Pakistani Culture, Customs and Traditions
Pakistan, also known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia. There are many ethnicities and cultures in Pakistan, including Punjabis, Kashmiris Muhajirs Pashtuns Shinaki, and others. These groups, in addition to their own cultures, have formed a new culture heavily influenced by the cultures of neighboring countries. Pakistan’s culture is distinct from the cultures of other South Asian nations.
Languages
More than 60 languages are spoken by the country’s residents. Urdu, with 75% of its speakers, is the country’s national language. Urdu, in addition to being the national language of Pakistan, is also the symbol of Muslims and the common language of the country. Urdu is the primary language of the country but only 8% use it as their first language. The government uses English for all legal and administrative matters.
The majority of the population uses a variation of English known as Pakistani English. The constitution also recognizes Arabic, in addition to these languages, as an important language for the teaching of Islam.
Punjabi is the most commonly used language in Punjab, with 44.15 percent of the population speaking it. Sindhi (12%) is mainly spoken in Sindh. Saraiki (10%) is primarily spoken in Hindko and South Punjab. Each of the five provinces in the country has a language that is not recognized under national law.
Cuisine
Pakistani food is also influenced by the cuisines of its neighbors, as in many other Asian countries. In Pakistan, foreign influences come from Afghanistan and the Middle East generally. Different regions have different cooking techniques and styles. Sind and Punjab, for example, are known for their spicy food that is similar to Indian cuisine. In contrast, the northern and western provinces, such as Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, prepare milder and less spicy food, similar to Central Asian cooking styles. Pakistani food includes biryani, boiled risotto, and kebabs.
International styles, in addition to local cuisines, have also influenced the nation. Fusion food is common, especially in urban areas. Pakistani Chinese cuisine is an example of fusion food. The diversity of the country ensures that despite all the international influences, there is always a variety of delicious food.
Pakistan Celebrations
Pakistan celebrates several holidays. Pakistan, like any country with a Muslim majority, observes the holy Ramadan month. All Muslims fast during this month and go to the mosque more frequently. There are also related festivals, such as Eid ul-Fitr or Eid ul-Adha, to mark the end of Ramadan.
In addition to religious celebrations, Pakistan also celebrates Independence Day every year on the 14th of August. This date represents the day that Pakistan gained its freedom from British India. In all mosques, people gather to pray in honor of this special day. The morning begins with a 21-cannon salute to honor those who died in the struggle for independence. Singing the national anthem, and decorating cities and buildings are also part of the celebrations.
