When studying the history of nations, it becomes clear that the rule of one nation or region by another is never permanent. Power and governance have always circulated among different races, religions, ethnicities, and civilizations. Civilizations rose to their peak, colonial powers dominated, empires were built, and eventually, these great civilizations and empires faced decline. Even after World War II, although the right of nations to have their own states was recognized, the cycle of rise and fall continued.
The history of Gilgit-Baltistan is no different; it tells the story of power shifting from one ruler to another. Different powers have ruled over this region at various times, and it has been under the control of various rulers throughout its history. However, one thing is certain: those who can prove their historical right to rule, often succeed in establishing their governance. Unfortunately, the region’s history is often distorted, and as a result, the youth are kept unaware of their past. This lack of historical awareness has left many wondering about their true identity and their future path.
One of the earliest mentions of this area comes from the 7th-century Chinese traveler, Fa-Hien, who referred to the region as “Pulor.” His description of Pulor extended from present-day Chitral and Swat in the west to Tibet in the east, and from Chilas Kohistan to Khunjerab in the north. The capital of this vast region was present-day Khaplu (Baltistan). The name “Pulor” was later modified by Arab historians to “Balor,” which some still refer to as Bloristan. In the 9th century, the region fell under Tibetan control. During this period, the Tibetans and Baltis together defeated the Chinese forces at the site of present-day Gilgit. Tibetan culture’s influence on Gilgit-Baltistan is still visible today, with the Balti language being a branch of the Tibetan language.
Following the decline of the Tibetan empire, Gilgit-Baltistan fragmented into smaller states, such as Gilgit, Chilas, Hunza, Nagar, and the regions within Baltistan, including Shigar, Khaplu, and Skardu. During the 16th century, Ali Sher Khan Anchan of the Makpon dynasty in Skardu managed to unite the region once again, establishing his rule from Chitral to Ladakh. This era is marked by grand forts in Khaplu, Shigar, and Kharmang, and tales of magnificent palaces in places like Baltit and Altit forts in Hunza.
The history of Gilgit-Baltistan further intertwines with the Mughal Empire. According to historians like Qazi Mohammad, the Mughal army fought against the Balti (Tibetan) forces in the northern mountains of Kashmir, where the Mughal forces suffered a defeat. Following this, Mughal Emperor Akbar sent an envoy to the Balti king Ali Sher Khan Anchan to establish diplomatic relations, which culminated in the marriage of a Mughal princess, Gul Khatun, to the Balti prince. Evidence of this marriage still exists today in Skardu, where a palace called “Mandokhail,” meaning “flower” in the Balti language, was constructed in her honor.
The period of the Makpon dynasty marked the zenith of Gilgit-Baltistan’s unity. However, after Ali Sher Khan’s death, internal conflicts led to the fragmentation of the region into smaller states. This period also saw incursions by the Dogra rulers of Jammu and Kashmir. During the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly after the 1840s, Gilgit-Baltistan endured political instability, with various rebellions against Dogra rule. Despite these efforts, Dogra forces maintained control until 1842, when the region came under their dominance once again.
In 1846, the British East India Company, through the Treaty of Amritsar, transferred the region of Gilgit-Baltistan to Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu and Kashmir. The local resistance against Dogra rule continued, with notable leaders such as Raja Gohar Aman and Malik Aman Mir Wali leading revolts. These resistance movements fought against the Dogra occupation, but after the death of Gohar Aman in 1860, the region eventually came under full Dogra control.
After the partition of India in 1947, Gilgit Scouts, led by Colonel Mirza Hassan Khan, along with local resistance fighters, liberated the region from Dogra rule. On November 1, 1947, they attacked the Dogra garrison in Bunji and forced the Dogra troops to flee, securing the region’s independence. However, despite the region’s liberation, some local leaders signed an accord, linking it to the larger Kashmir issue, a decision that has had lasting implications for the region’s status.
Today, Gilgit-Baltistan remains a disputed territory, with its future tied to the unresolved Kashmir conflict. The region’s political situation remains complex, and there is an ongoing debate about its rightful governance. While Kashmiri leaders consider Gilgit-Baltistan a part of Kashmir, the region’s future should not be solely defined by Kashmir’s unresolved status. Rather, it is crucial for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan to assert their historical rights, demand full autonomy, and work towards the restoration of their political and constitutional rights.
In conclusion, instead of further complicating the situation by linking Gilgit-Baltistan to Kashmir’s uncertain future, it is vital to demand that the region’s constitutional status be restored to what it was on November 1, 1947, with local governance granted control over all matters except defense and currency. This would ensure Gilgit-Baltistan’s rightful place in history and in the broader political landscape of the region.
Written by: Sheer Ali Anjum
