Yasin Valley

Yasin (یاسین Yāsīn), also known as Babaye-i-Yasen (بابائے یاسین) or Worshigum (ورشیگوم Worśigūm), is a high mountain valley in the Hindu Kush mountains, in the northwestern Ghizer District in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Yasin Tehsil is situated on its territory.

History

Although sparsely populated, Yasin was of strategic importance because it leads to a high mountain pass, to Yarkhun in Chitral, and then to Broghol Pass, the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan and into Tajikistan. Thus, Yasin could have formed an invasion route from Czarist Russia into British India.

Early period

Yasin was originally ruled by the Khushwakhte Dynasty, a collateral line of the Mughal sultans of Dalhi, which came from Khorasan (Persia). The Rajas of Yasin were great warriors and fought against the Sikhs and the Dogras of Kashmir, but this house eventually lost power.

Chitral rule

From 1880, Yasin was under suzerainty of Maharaja of Kashmir, initially ruled by the Mehtars of Chitral, until it got its own ruler again, now also styled Mehtar, in 1892.

Yasin mehtars

Population

The primary languages of Yasin Valley are the (Khowar and Burushaski language). The Shina language is also spoken.

The majority of the people in Yasin are Ismailis, who lead their lives according to the Islamic principles more concerned with the imam of the time. Currently Aga Khan IV is the imam and spiritual leader of the Ismailis. However, other branches of both as Sunni and Shia Islam also live in Yasin.

Ethnically, the people of Yasin are of Burusho origin; however, there are the migrants from different parts of the country, mainly from Afghanistan.

The people of Yasin are known for their honesty, hard work and bravery.

Geography

Yasin is separated from the Ishkoman Valley by a high mountain pass. To reach Yasin one must take the Karakoram Highway north from Islamabad, and then turn left to reach Gupis in Ghizar. After Gupis, one continues northwest to reach the Yasin Valley.

The part of the valley where Khowar is spoken is known in the Shina language as Arinah.[1]

Villages

Administratively, Yasin constitutes Yasin Tehsil, which is part of Ghizer District. It is further divided into four local councils: Yasin, Sultanabad, Silgan and Thoi. Yasin consists of the villages of Chiliharang, Damalgan, Gindai, Noh, Morka, Atkash, Bujayot, Manichi, Thodass and Nazbar Valley. Thodass is the headquarters of this union council. Sultanabad union council consists of the villages of Chumarkhan, Taus, Barkhachi, Sultanabad (Met, Huyelti), Ghojalti, Sandi, Dalsandi and Qorqolti Valley. Taus is the headquarters of this union council. Selgaan union council consists of the villages of Barandass, Barkolti, Chilpi, Sheghetan, Hundoor, Terchet, Umalsat and Darkut, which leads to the Pass to Boroghol. Hundoor is the headquarters of this union council. Thoi union council consists the villages of Ghaingchel, Ishkaibar, Karimabad, Dalkoi, Dapis, drach, Harp, Rahimabad, Kuno, Shot, Chiryat, Ishqamdass, Draskin, Nalti, dass, Thelti, Ishqamghoro, Mahrakabun and Mushibarnala, which leads to Yarkhun Pass. Harp is the headquarters of this union council.

Passes

The Darkut Pass connects Yasin with Wakhan and Chitral, hight 4267 meters or 14000 feet, Buroghul pass connect Yasi with Brughol, hight 3798 meters, or 12460 feet. while the Thoi Pass connects Yasin to Yarkhun Chitral,hight 4690 meters or 15387 feet. Assumber pass connects Yasin to Ishkomen. Darkot Pass is an historical pass which has been labelled as a restricted zone by the government of Pakistan. This pass used to be the shortest means of communication between the Oxus and Indus. Most tourism is along the Assumbur Pass to the Ishqamen valley. one pass is from Darkot yasin to Thoi, Three passes from Nazbar yasin connect to Mastuj Chitral hight 5009 meters or 16434 feet, one pass from Bujayote Nala to Bawoshter Ghizat Shamaran, one other pass from Khaimet bar to Chitral (sources Aina e Dardistan By Hidayat ullah Akhter, edited by Javed sajid Sultanabad Yasin)

References

  1. ↑ Grierson, George A. (1919). Linguistic Survey of India. Volume VIII , Part 2, Indo-Aryan family. North-western group. Specimens of the Dardic or Piśācha languages (including Kāshmiri). Calcutta: Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India. p. 133.

External links and sources

Coordinates: 36°21′56″N 73°20′15″E / 36.36556°N 73.33750°E / 36.36556; 73.33750

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