Yasin Valley

The Yasin Valley(یاسین ), Tehsil Yasin or Babaye-i-Yasen (بابائے یاسین) or Worshigum (ورشیگوم) is a high mountain valley in the Hindu Kush mountains, in the northwest region of Gilgit in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. 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. Yasin valley has a spectacular natural beauty.

History

Yasin was originally ruled by the Khushwakhte Dynasty, a collateral line of the Katur Dynasty of Chitral. The Rajas of Yasin were great warriors and fought against the Sikhs and the Dogras of Kashmir, but this house eventually lost power and the ownership of Yasin changed hands several times between the rule of the Mehtar of Chitral, and the Maharaja of Kashmir.

British era

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.

People

The primary language of Yasin Valley is the Burushaski language. The Khowar language is also spoken.

The majority of the people in Yasin are Ismailies who lead their lives according to the Islamic principles more concerned with the imam of the time. Currently Prince Karim Aga Khan is the Imam and spiritual leader of the Ismailies. However, other sects of Islam like, Sunni, Shia also live in Yasin.

Ethnically the people of Yasin are of Brosho origin; however, there are the migrants from different parts of the country, mainly from Chitral and even from outside the country like Central Asia.

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

Tribes

Shahmoney, Sadad Khundian (Kalifas),Hakeemey, Meerza khany, Qazian,Mohmmad Baigy(Rakmunay), Tholbapay/Kawsalay, sukhay/ Matelay, T'halay, Hilbitingay, Ghulbashiray, Phokanay, Mashooqey (Descendants of the Great Moguls of the India. offshoot of the Deeramiting in Hunza, brother of Deeram Daltash who came to Yaseen) Brushey( they are settle in yasin, nazber also in puniyal, nagir) Dramiting),Wazirbagay, shodoqey.khoshqone,nasiray, fookaney, lashkarbegay, Chunayey, Dashhmany, Mulayaey, Hokiyey, Miranay, [shahlalkay], khototay, Bayokey,, Khybarey, Botay, Khushwaqtay(The ruling family of Yasin, these people migrated from Chitral and this is one of largest tribe of Gilgit Baltistan, they are also called ROYAL Family), Mandokey (Fatakey),Lowqey, (Honrayo/Zondary/rono,they belong with the khandian e somalike they are rajas as will it is the largest family of gilgit baltistan and chitral) Ghalghovey, Wazerey, Baigalay( the Baigal family is also the largest family of Gilgit-Baltistan and royal family of chitral where it is known as Raees Baigal.The base tribe of the Raees baigal is known as Gabari The Jahangirian Sultans. Sultan Awais Gabari was the last king of the territory who was forced by Baber and Yousofzais in 16 century to retire upward and established his rule throughout upper Oxus.Sultan Awais Gabari's decentants rule the chitral, wakhan,Badakhshan,Upper Dir for centuries.The last one was Shah Raees who was D-throned by his cousin the current katurey dynasty. so the Baigal tribe is further sub divid they are known as Atamay, chonakocz, morkalikocz, shakarbegey, nunbabar.), Zargarey, Bapey. here are some links which trace back the history of Raees Baigal family.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bajaur_(1519) http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=bgMfoWsRGK4C&pg=PA1044&lpg=PA1044&dq=sultanate+Gabari&source= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahangiri

Villages

' 'yasin' ,gandi, Noh, Taus, Nazbar, Ghojalti, Sandhi, Sultanabad, Thoi, Bharkolti, Hundur, Umalsat(املست), Datkut, Qurqulti, Gahyeen Chail, Ishkaibar, Murka, Mashar, Saranmooj, Dalsadi and Shaman, moroong, burakut, ghasum,Gartenz,.other villages of yasin, batakush uskurthan,nurmall,yavooz,khabar,shokan,

Passes

The Darkut Pass connects Yasin with Broghol pass and Chitral whilst the Thoi Pass connects Yasin to Yarkhun Chitral and Asumber pass connects Yasin to Ishkomen. Darkot Pass is a historical pass which discriminately has been labelled as restricted zone by Government of Pakistan. This pass used to be the shortest means of Communication between oxus and Indus ([www.yasinvalley.com]www.yasinvalley.com). Local and Foreign Tourism love to trek along the Assumbur pass to Ishqamen valley.

External links

• Representative web site of the Valley