Nagar Valley[2] once a princely state, now stands as one of the ten districts within the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan.[3][4][5] This valley is situated along the renowned Karakoram Highway, as one travels northward from the city of Gilgit. The valley is home to many high mountain peaks including Rakaposhi (7788m), Diran Peak (7265m), Golden Peak and Rush Peak.
The Nagar valley is administratively divided into two tehsils: Nagar-I and Nagar-II.[6] All the villages of upper Nagar including Shayar, Askurdas, Sumayar, Nagarkhas, Hoper Valley, and Hispar come under Nagar-I, which collectibely form Sas Valley. The villages of lower Nagar including Chalt Paeen, Chalt Bala, Sonikot, Akbarabad, Rabat, Bar, Buddalas, Chaprote, Sikandarabad, Jafarabad, Nilt, Thol, Ghulmet, Pisan, Minapin, Miachar, Dadhimal, Phakker, and Hakuchar are part of Nagar-II.
Both tehsils are also commonly referred to by their size. Nagar-I is called as 'Chota Nagar' (چھوٹا نگر) in Urdu, meaning Small Nagar, while Nagar-II is often called 'Bara Nagar' (بڑا نگر) meaning Big Nagar. Burushaski and Shina languages are predominantly spoken in the valley. Although Brushuski is spoken with a different accent and possibly in a different dialect in Nagar-I, which is known as Khajuna locally.[3]
The Rush Lake, the highest alpine lake of Pakistan and the 27th highest in the world, also lies in this valley.[7]
Geography
The topography of the Nagar Valley is characterized by hills and mountains, making it a mountainous region overall. The road leading from Hunza to Nagar-I is almost entirely unpaved. The roads in and around the region are constantly affected by landslides, especially during the summer season. Some parts of the Sas Valley road are also in dire condition. The Karakoram mountain range envelopes the entire region, including the Rakaposhi peak, Diran peak and Golden peak. Of the total area of Nagar valley, 90% is above 3,000 meters above sea level and 30% is 5,000 meters above sea level.[8]
History
Nilt forts, Nagar
Nagar was an independent principality for more than 1,200 years. The British gained control of Nagar during the Anglo-Brushohe war, locally known as Jangir-e-Lae. Jangir-e-Lae was fought between the people of Nagar state and the troops of the British Raj at Nilt from 1 to 23 December 1891.[9]
The British troops faced intense resistance from the people of Nagar under the leadership of the Tham (Chief) of that time, Azur Khan, at the Nilt Nallah (known as Jamila Mo Har).[10] The people of Nagar fought for more than 20 days but were defeated due to a lack of armaments. Over 100 Nagaris lost their lives and 127 were imprisoned. On the British side, four British officers and over 50 Dogra levies lost their lives.[9] The British retained Nagar's status as a principality.[11] Even after the revolt against the Maharaja of Kashmir and unconditional accession to Pakistan in 1948, Nagar's status continued to be that of a princely state.
During the 1960s, people started protesting against the despotism of the Mir, demanding the abolition of Begar and reduction in taxation. In 1970, they organized a march to Gilgit to register their demands with the authorities, while Gilgit sent scouts against the people. The scouts opened fire on the demonstrators in Chalt, killing nine people and wounding many more. The leaders of the protest were imprisoned.[2] Later, on 25 September 1974, Prime Minister of PakistanZulfiqar Ali Bhutto dissolved the princely states of Nagar and Hunza, set the prisoners free and gave democratic representation to the Northern Areas Council, now the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly.[12]
(( Daiter Pass /Daiter Pass bitwen Naltat and Daiter ))
(( Poland La Hoper to Arandu ))
((Khurdopin pass/Hisper to Shimshal))
(( Gapa pasas /Chaprote to Naltar Valley ))
((Ghaintur Pass/ Hoper to Sumayar Valley ))
C'hilbi (Ghulmet/ Pissan Valley)
Mines and Minerals
Nagar is considered to be one of the most gemstone-rich valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan. It contains numerous mining sites that yield a range of precious and semiprecious gemstones.
Leitner, G. W. (1893): Dardistan in 1866, 1886 and 1893: Being An Account of the History, Religions, Customs, Legends, Fables and Songs of Gilgit, Chilas, Kandia (Gabrial) Yasin, Chitral, Hunza, Nagyr and other parts of the Hindukush, as also a supplement to the second edition of The Hunza and Nagyr Handbook. And An Epitome of Part III of the author’s "The Languages and Races of Dardistan". First Reprint 1978. Manjusri Publishing House, New Delhi.
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