Yasin Valley

History

Despite its sparse population, Yasin Valley has held strategic importance historically. This is due to the fact that it leads to a high mountain pass leading to the Yarkhun Valley and subsequently to the Broghil Pass in Chitral. These passes facilitate connectivity with the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan and further to Tajikistan.

Early period

Yasin Valley served as the administrative center of Worshigum, which was under the suzerainty of the Mehtars rulers who emerged from Chitral. The Mehtars of Yasin were great warriors and fought against the Sikhs and the Dogras of Kashmir in Gilgit Agency. But more often, they fought with each other, intrigued and murdered each other.

In 1895, the British took control of the territory under the Gilgit Agency. By this point, Yasin had become firmly recognized as part of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

People

The primary languages of Yasin Valley are Burushaski language and Khowar Language. English, Wakhi, and Shina are also widely understood.

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 V 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 some migrants from different parts of the country.

Havaldar Lalak Jan Shaheed who was given the Pakistan Military's highest award Nishan-e-Haider for his bravery in Kargil War in 1999, belonged to Hundur in Yasin valley.

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 on Shandur Road then in few Kilometers from Gupis traverse to the right crossing the China Bridge on Ghizer River, 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.

Villages

Administratively, Yasin constitutes Yasin Sub Division, 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, Thaus, 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, Gulbashoroot, Chilpi, Sheghetan, Hundur, Tersat, Umalsat and Darkut, which leads to the Pass to Boroghol. Hundur is the headquarters of this union council.
• Thoi Valley union council consists of the villages of Ghaingchel, Ishkaibar, Karimabad, Dalkoi, Dapis, Shamsabad(Druch), 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, height 4,570 m, Buroghul pass connect Yasin with Brughol, height 3798 m while the Thoi Pass connects Yasin to Yarkhun Chitral, height 4499 m. Assumber pass connects Yasin to Ishkoman. 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 Ishkoman Valley. one pass is from Darkot yasin to Thoi is called Ghamubar Pass 4,300 m that takes 3 beautiful days. Attar pass height 4700 m Connects Darkut with Ishkoman Valley and Attar Lake. Three passes (Nazbar, Zagar and Chumarkhan Pass) from Nazbar yasin connect to Mastuj Chitral, height 5009 m, 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).

Gallery

File:River in Yasin Valley.jpg File:Sandhi Village Yasin.jpg|Sandi Village File:Darkot valley.jpg|Darkot valley areal view form Attar pass side Yasin File:Mighty Mountains with Snow.jpg File:Winter Landscape with touch of autumn.jpg File:Barkolti, Yasin.jpg|River Yasin cross Barkolti File:Gojalti, yasin...jpg|The lands of Yasin

References

References

1. (2023). "A Mountain Oasis - Daily Life in a Village in the Yasin Valley, Pakistan". Brill.
2. "Yasin Valley". Department of Archaeology and Museums - Government of Pakistan.
3. (14 September 2017). "Yasin Valley in Ghizer District".
4. "Yasin Valley, Ghizer District, Gilgit-Baltistan".
5. (1928). "Military Report and the Gazetteer of Gilgit Agency and the Independent Territories of Tangir and Darel". Government of India Press.
6. {{LSI. 8. 2. (1919)