X̌ik-Wakhi

Source: http://www.hindukushtrails.com/tribes/wakhi.asp

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The Wakhan Corridor is a narrow panhandle of alpine valleys and high mountains that stretches eastward from the province of Badakhshan following the head waters of the Amu Daria from Eshkashem to Qala-e-Panj and then the Wakhan river to Sarhad-e-Borghil. Both rivers take there sources in the Pamir Mountains. The Wakhan borders Tajikistan to the north, Pakistan to the south, and the Pamir to the east.
The corridor was established as an imperial buffer zone between the Russian and British empires in the late 19th century. Wakhan is inhabited by people speaking the local Wakhi language. They adhere to the Ismaili branch of the Muslim faith and are followers of the Aga Khan. Qala Panja is the traditional seat of the family of influential hereditary Sayeds, whose head is the local Ismaili religious and social leader or ‘Shah’ of the Wakhan.

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Badakhshon Tojikiston

Badakhshan, autonomous region (1991 est. pop. 167,100), c.24,600 sq mi (63,710 sq km), E Tajikistan, in the Pamir. It is bordered by China on the east and by Afghanistan on the south and west and is separated from Pakistan and Azad Kashmir by a narrow strip of Afghan territory. The eastern section (East Pamir) is a high plateau, and the western part (West Pamir) is cut by high ranges and deep, narrow valleys. Khorugh is the capital. The population is mainly Tajik, with small Kyrgyz and Russian minorities. Gold, salt, mica, limestone, and coal are mined. In the east livestock is raised (yaks, sheep, cattle, and goats), and in the western valleys grain, vegetables, and beans are grown. Formerly under the control of the Mongols and the Arabs, the region passed to Russian control in 1895. The area became the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in 1925. It was sometimes formerly known as Mountain-Badakhshan.

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Toshqerghan, Xinjiang China  

The Wakhis reside in relative isolation in the glacier-capped Pamir Mountains of West China near the borders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia. Towering mountains surround this specially designated Tajik district on three sides and desert on the fourth. The largest concentration of Tajiks live on the edge of Tashkorgan, a small town (population 5,000) that lies 10,000 feet above sea level on the outskirts of a large glacial valley. Tashkorgan is located just off the historically famous Silk Road, an ancient trade route between China and Central Asia. It is a full day’s bus ride from Kashgar, the nearest Chinese city.

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Gojal (Pakistan)

Close to the Chinese border, moving north from Gilgit region, is the largest Tehsil of the Northern Areas of Pakistan, commonly known as GOJAL. The equivalent terms tehsil, tahsil, tahasil, taluka, taluk, and taluq refer to a unit of government in some countries of the Indian subcontinent. … This article details only the area administered by Pakistan. …
It is also known as Upper Hunza. Gojal, basically, is a network of small and large valleys sharing borders with Hunza in the South, China in the North & East and Afghanistan in the North West. Shishkat is the first village of Gojal. Except for the Shimshal, Misgar and Chipursan valleys, all villages of Gojal can be seen while traveling on the Karakuram Highway.
The Karakorum Highway (KKH) crosses Gojal entering China at theKhunjerab Pass linking Pakistan to China and, in the future, other Central Asian states such as Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. The Karakoram Highway (KKH) is the highest international road in the world. … The Karakoram Highway (KKH) is the highest international road in the world. … Khunjerab Pass from Pakistani side Snow leopard, an endangered species, is found in the Khunjerab National Park The Khunjerab Pass is a high mountain pass on the northern border of Pakistan with the Peoples Republic of China. … Map of Central Asia showing three sets of possible boundaries for the region Central Asia located as a region of the world Central Asia is a vast landlocked region of Asia.

People have migrated into Gojal from Wakhan, parts of China (like Ruskum) and Hunza valley. The current demographic trends of the region are, somehow, reflected in in the table provided below.
Historically the people were shepherd and/or small scale farmers. But with the passage of time services industry has taken the lead and now most of the people are employed in the government and non-governmental organizations. A significant number of the locals is also engaged in trade. 

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History

There is no written history about the earlier settlement of People in Gojal valley. Different valleys and villages in Gojal were settled during different times and people from different surrounding regions. Most of the researchers are in view that initially the Kirghiz nomads were using the areas in upper Gojal as winter pastures. It is said that later on when Wakhies migrated from Wakhan to this region the Kirghiz nomad left. It is very difficult to say anything about when the Wakhies settled in Gojal. However, it is narrated that the earlier Wakhi migrated from Wakhan and settled in Ishkook (Chipursun) valley and later to Boiber areas. It is also narrated that when Hunza was under the Central Government of Gilgit the Ishkook settlement was very wealthy and regularly paying tax in terms of cattle and other dairy products to the Raja of Gilgit. As Hunza emerged as an independent state during the early 15th century so it can be infered that different valleys in upper Gojal were inhabited by the Wakhi speaking migrants even before emergence of the Hunza state . Later on, the oral history narrated holds, a catastrophic flood destroyed the Ishkook settlement during 18th century.

It is commonly believed that the first settler in Avgarch valley was the legendary Baba Sufi who came from Ghoron of of Badakhshan in Afghanistan traveling along the Amu Daria (or Oxus) River. He is said to first have settled in Sost, but soon moved to the more secluded and secure Boiber Valley where he made Avgarch his permanent home. As the population grew, people spread out and moved down to Galapan, Gircha, Sartiz, Jamalabad, Morkhun, Nazimabad and Sost, all of which comprise the Avgarch valley. The local people affiliates a old house in Sost with the Raja of Gilgit Thra Khan (1310) which was preserved by AKCSP. If this old house is really of the time of Raja Thra Khan then this house is older than that of the creation of Hunza state and is older than Altit and Baltit forts.

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According to oral traditions, like Passu, Hussaini village has been settled twice. It is said that the first people who settled in Hussaini were called Ghosanos. According to this theory Hussaini is modified from Ghusani. The origin of the Ghosano is not exactly known, however, some elders narrate that these people were the descendents of the Warshighoom state, called Mehtarjaos (the princes but not legitimate to share in the governance). It is said that these people were having very close relations with the people of neighboring village Passu and celebrating major events collectively. The elders narrate that during such an event in Hussaini people from both villages started fighting. Most of Ghusanos were killed while some of them ran away downstream with the Hunza River. Raja of Gilgit arrested Sirang Momad and his son Sirang Qmut from Passu and gave shelter to Gusanos. The people from Ghosani left the village, and the ruler of Gilgit settled them some where around Gilgit. Thus the Ghusanos was dislocated from their land. It is said that a prince named Musofir ran away with his brother Majower from Ptukh Wakhan (presently in Afghanistan) due to defeat in tug of war for throne of the state. Their elder brother was crown prince. He was unhappy with his brothers due to his position. The younger brothers were always scared of the elder brother because he could kill them to save his throne. One day both of the brothers left the sate and Majower escaped to Ishkomen valley (Presently in the Ghizer district of the Northern Areas), and Musofir came to Hussaini and settled there.

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The first settlers to the remote valley of Shimshal are estimated to have arrived some 400 – 500 years ago. At that time Shimshal was under the rule of the Mir of Hunza who sent criminals and society outcasts to Shimshal for punishment. According to oral traditions Mamu Singh was sent to the Wakhan to find a new ruler for Hunza due to murder of Girgiz (sahib Khan), by his brother Maghlot (Jamsheed Khan of Nagar). Mamu Singh did not find a ruler, but instead fell in love with a girl. After his return to Hunza he begged his father, the Wazir, to let him go back to the Wakhan and marry the girl, but his wish was refused. Finally he could not bear it any longer, returned to the Wakhan and married the girl. The young couple, as they could not go back to Hunza, settled in Avgarch. But the area was not safe and often raided by Kyrgyz, so Mamu Singh decided to look for a better place. One day, he climbed Qarun Pass and from the top looked down and saw a lush valley—Shimshal! Slowly, he and his wife moved up the valley and near today’s village of Shimshal, Mamu Singh discovered a spring, an old water channel and a small hut. People have lived here before. So Mamu Singh settled there. Later, the couple was blessed with a son, named Sher. Sher grew to become a strong young man. On a hunting trip, he discovered a flat grassy area—Pamir. However, Kyrgyz had settled in Pamir and claimed it as their land, but Sher saw it as his own property. Sher and the Kyrgyz decided to resolve the conflict with a polo game. Sher had no horse, so he had to play on a yak against the Kyrgyz on their fast horses. Nevertheless, Sher won the polo game, the intruders left and since then, the pastures beyond Shimshal Pass belong to the people of Shimshal.

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Misgar marked the last outpost of the British empire and served as a busy dispatching and telegraph station and worked as last post between Hunza and China through Mintika and kilik Passes. Today, remnants of the Silk Route and the British occupation can still be seen, making Misgar a historically fascinating place. Today the Misgar’s population is Burusho. Until the mid nineteenth century Misgar, originally a Wakhi settlement was periodically inhabited and raided by Kyrgyz nomads coming from the Wakhan. The Mir of Hunza, having an interest to secure the territory leading to Afghanistan and China ordered a few of his man to drive out any intruders and to permanently settle in Misgar. According to oral traditions the present era of the valley’s history began in 1844 during the reign of Mir Ghazan Khan I when he forced twenty-three men from Hunza to went up to Mintaka to secure the territory and settle there. Long before that, however, the area was known to the travelers and traders of the Silk Route and later, during the British occupation Misgar became an important outpost. Mir Ghazan Khan-I also settled people from Central Hunza to Khudaabad during his reign.
The last settlements in Gojal occurred during the reign of Mir Nazim Khan (1892-1931). During this period The barren lands in Shishkat was settled with Burushu from Central Hunza in 1903. Shishkat is thus also called as Nazimabad I. During same period the barren lands in Upper Sost was also inhibited by the people from Central Hunza which is called Nazimabad II. Raminj was also settled down during his reigh.

Geography

Villages

Administration

Gulmit is the main town and seat of government while Sost is the border check-post and gateway for Pakistan-China overland trade. The entire region is governed by Pakistani bureaucrats, sitting in Gilgit. Law and order situation,always peaceful, is looked after by a Magistrat [gr.16 officer]. Two police stations, established at Sost and Gulmit, are the “arms of law” in this part of the country. Gulmit is the capital of the Gojal Tehsil, in the upper Hunza region of the Gilgit territory in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. … Overview of the Karakoram Highway This article is about the town in Gojal.

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Source: http://www.nationmaster.com/ encyclopdia/Gojal

Local Oral History of Hunza

http://www.gojal.net/history_main.htm

History of Chaporson Valley, Kumpir Diyor, Yish Kuk, and Baba Ghundi

http://www.chipursantours.org/about.htm

History of Hussaini Village

http://hussainipk.piczo.com/history

Ghulkin Village

http://www.ghulkin.piczo.com/

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 History of Goro-Badakhshan, Culture and religion, archeaology.

http://www.pamirs.org/history.htm

Links, Books and publications

http://www.pamirs.org/references.htm

Xinjiang China

http://www.centralasiatraveler.com/

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