Gojal

Batura glacier

Gojal, also known as Upper Hunza, is an area north of Gilgit in the far north of Pakistan near the Chinese and Afghan borders. It is the largest tehsil of the Gilgit-Baltistan autonomous area of northern Pakistan.

Gojal is a series of small and large valleys sharing borders with Hunza in the south, China in the north and east, and Afghanistan in the north-west. Shishkat is the first village of Gojal. Except for the Shimshal, Misgar and Chipursan valleys, all the villages of Gojal can be seen from the Karakorum Highway (KKH), which crosses Gojal, entering China at the Khunjerab Pass.

History

The valleys and villages of Gojal were settled over time by people from surrounding regions. In the opinion of most researchers^{[citation needed]}, Kirghiz nomads initially used the areas in upper Gojal as winter pastures. It is said that later on when Wakhies migrated from Wakhan to this region, the Kirghiz nomads left. It is very difficult to determine when the Wakhies settled in Gojal. However, it is narrated that the earlier Wakhi migrated from Wakhan and settled in the Yishkuk (Chipursun) valley and later the Boiber areas. It is also narrated that when Hunza was under the Central Government of Gilgit the Ishkook settlement was wealthy and paid 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 inferred that different valleys in upper Gojal were inhabited by the Wakhi speaking migrants prior to the emergence of the Hunza state. Later, the oral history holds, a catastrophic flood destroyed the Ishkook settlement during the 18th century.

Settlement of Gulkin

There is no accurate historical record of the origin of the village, though it is estimated to be around 600 years old. According to local folklore, there were settlements here while the lake was still in existence, this area being used as pastureland in summer. The name is derived from two words of the local Wakhi dialect, 'Ghulk', meaning 'well' and 'kin', meaning 'whose'. Being an area of low rainfall, the most vital requirement is water for irrigation, livestock, drinking and domestic use. Khawaja Ahmed, and Ismaili Muslim who came here with the Mir of Hunza, asked him for land. After the Mir agreed, Khawaja Ahmed mobilised the people of the area to construct a water-channel to irrigate the land. This made cultivation possible and the Ismaili settlement flourished. Now small scale health and educational institutions, electricity and water-sully facilities are available in the village. Through the involvement of capacity-building NGOs, there is also a handicraft production centre and opportunities for other vocational training. The Jammatkhana, the central religious institution for all Ismaili Muslims, holds a strong position in the community. Apart from its religious functions, it provides a central location for community meetings, festivals, celebrations, resolution of disputes and other community activity. In Upper Hunza, winters are long and can become bitterly cold. Snowfall brings with it the Himalayan ibex, descending in search of grass under the snow cover. Summers are hot in the north, though more pleasant than the harsh temperatures in summer are around 30 degrees Celsius. In winter the temperature remains below freezing point, further dropping at night

Geography

Geographically Gojal is located between 70 latitude and 61 and is spread over an area of 8,500 km² of land, at an elevation ranging from 2,340m to 4,877m, above the sea level.

Gojal is a mountainous region forming the western part of the Karakoram and Eastern Pamir mountain range. This area also hosts the 56 km long Batura glacier the fourth longest of Pakistan (after Siachin, Hispar and Biafo).

The region is home to lofty ice capped peaks, roaring rivers, lush green pastures and long glaciers.

Villages

The main villages of this district include: Shishket (now Nazeemabad), Gulmit, Ghulkin, Husseini (older names Sisoni/Ghusani), Borith, Passu, Shimshal, Khyber, Ghalapan, Morkhoon, Jamalabad, Gircha, Sartiz, Sost, Khudaabad, Misgar, Yarzerech, Raminj, Kirmin, Reshit Khill, Shersabz, Ispenj, Shitmerg and Zoodkhoon.

Administration

Gulmit, the winter-capital of the then Hunza state until 1974, is the main town (Tehsil Head Quarters) 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 is supported by two police stations and a magistrate.

Tourist Sites

Passu Valley

Passu is known for the Batura Glacier and Passu Glacier, and Mount Tupopdon at the north end of the villages. Inspired by its unique structural attributes, tourists have promoted the peak by giving it new names. Some call it "Passu Cones" and others "Passu Cathedral". Mount Tupopdon is the most photographed peak of the region.

With its diverse places, people and customs, Passu is the mixing bowl of ancient civilization and dream of nature lovers, is well known for its contrasting landscapes of the world. From times, immemorial, the village has served as a mountainous resort, situated in the spectacular Karakoram Mountains on the old silk route 150 km from Gilgit in the west banks of Hunza River and border on China. Many adventurers, eco-tourists, historians and nature lovers visit the area.

Passu is a high mountainous region, with nothing below 2,500 metres; specific mountain peaks include Passu (7284 metres), Shisper (7611 metres), Batura (7785 metres), and the most remarkable is Passu cathedral peak at 6500 metres.

Shimshal Valley ŠIMŠAL DIYOR

Shimshal's inaccessibility does not stop tourists from visiting the area as there is a great deal of natural beauty.

Chipursan Valley

Chipursan valley is a network of small and large villages close to the border of Afghanistan and parts of China. Historians say that this was the earliest human settlement of the entire region. Chipursan is home to the Irshad Pass that connects Gojal Valley with Afghanistan. Also located in the vicinity of Chipursan Valley are Ishkoman, Buroghil and Yasin valleys.

Misgar Valley

Misgar valley is a narrow human settlement located very close to the Chinese border, almost parallel to Chipursan. Misgar is home to the Qalamdarchi Fort Fort of the Naked Saint. This "fort" was created by the British rulers of Hunza Valley to keep an eye on the movement of Soviet troops and spies in the region. Kilik and Mintika Passes were used by traders, troops, travellers and spies in the past. This fort is in a dilapidated condition. Parts of the fort are being used by Jawans of Pakistan Army.

See also

• Hunza
• Burusho

External links

• Blankonthemap The Northern Kashmir WebSite
• PAMIR TIMES
• GOJAL NET
• Ghulkin Village
• Gojal Photo Gallery
• Gojal Eco Tourism Study
• [1]
• [2]