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History
Of Chitral
The
Early history of Chitral is shrouded in mystery. This mountainous country which
was first referred to as Kohistan or land of the mountains was said to be
inhabited by a race called "Khows" speaking a separate language Khowar,
or language of the Khows. Some people say that it was Khowistan - the abode of
the Khows. Separate parts of the country came to be called Torkhow - Upper Khow,
Mulkhow - Lower Khow, names which persist to the present day. An early Sanskrit
inscription at a village called Barenis 40 Kilo mete away from Chitral town of about AD
900 records that the country was Buddhist, under King Jaipal of Kabul. It is
believed that Upper Chitral was under Buddhist influence in the past and even
today there are a few rocks in Torkhow area known as "Kalandar-i-Bohtni"
(Mendicant of Stone). It is a figure of a stupa; the upper part of which has
been cut into the figure of Buddha and may be of Chinese origin. No records of
this period exist. Marco Polo, who passed through the Pamirs, referred to the
country as Bolor. History relates that first a Chinese army and then an Arab
(Mongols?) army invaded Chitral from the north by the Broghal pass when the
upper part of the country is said to have been converted to Islam. The southern
district remained non-Muslim till very late and were then converted to Islam. A
Mongol tribe called Yarkhuns invaded Chitral via the Broghal pass and may have
given their name to the Yarkun valley. They were opposed by Somalek, leader of
the Khows. Another incursion is attributed to Changez Khan and his Tartars.
Chitral nevertheless
has remained an independent state for centuries with its own culture and
language. In the late nineteenth century it became part of British India. It was
a princely state in 1947, which acceded to Pakistan in that year. The rule of
the Mehtar came to an end in 1954 and power was henceforth exercised by the
political agent posted at Chitral. The state was merged into Pakistan in 1969.
The recorded history of Chitral is divided into six epochs as follows:
Iranian
Rules
The Achemeanian Empire of Persia was extended to these regions during 400 BC.
Its more than two thousand years since this empire receded but its supremacy was
so strongly established that many Persian cultural traits are still in practice
in Northern Areas as well as few parts of Chitral. In some valleys surrounding
Chitral such as Wakhan, Shaghnan, and upper parts of Chitral people speak
Persian language. Even Khowar, which is the native language of the local people
(Khow), contains much borrowing from Persian.
Zoroastrianism,
an Old Persian religion, has also left behind some of its traces in this area.
Traditions also tell about leaving of dead bodies unburied in caves in the
wilderness or in the hollow of trees. Such practices were specific in this
religion. A festival on 21st March (Nouroz) the first day in Persian calendar
still prevails in Chitral. It is celebrated in few valleys every year. (Israr
Chitral A historical sketch)
Kushan
rule
The Kushan dynasty established its rule in this area in 200 AD. In the second
century Kanishka the most powerful emperor of Kushan dynasty had extended his
rule all over Northern India, probably as far as south Vindyas and all over the
remote region up to Khotan beyond the Pamir pass.
Chinese
Rules
The Chinese extended their influence in the 4th century AD and remained in power
until the 8th century. The rock inscription of Pakhtoridini near Maroi refers to
Chinese rule. Another inscription in Barenis refers to the Kushans. According to
Sir Aurel Stien, the inscription says that Jivarman ordered to make the
pertinent drawing of a stupa. Such rock carvings have created confusion for
writers like Buddulph and many others to believe that Chitral formed part of the
last Hindu Shahi ruler of Kabul. It's also believed that the northern parts had
embraced Islam by the end of 9th century when Arabs defeated Bahman, chief of
the country. By the time of withdrawal of Arabs many people had accepted Islam.
(Souvenir, 2nd Hindukush Cultural Conference, p.19-21)
Kalash
Rules
In the 11th century AD southern Chitral was invaded by the Kalash from
Afghanistan, who occupied the country as far to the North as Barenis village,
while the upper parts were under another chief Sumalik. some Kalash Chiefs
Rojawai, such as Nagar Shah and Bala sing ruled Southern Chitral from 11th to
13th centuries A.D.
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