Baltistan
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Baltistan (Urdu: بلتستان), also known as بلتیول (Baltiyul) in the Balti language, is a region in northern Pakistan (administratively situated in Northern Areas. Northern Areas were part of Jammu and Kashmir and came under Pakistani control in 1947) , bordering Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China. It is situated in the Karakoram mountains just to the south of K2, the world's second highest mountain. It is an extremely mountainous region, with an average altitude of over 3,350 m (11,000 ft). It is inhabited principally by Balti Shia Ithna Ashri and its aliied sect Sofia noorbakhshias of Tibetan descent who converted from Tibetan Buddhism prior to the 16th century.
Baltistan was an independent state but was occupied by the Raja (King) of Kashmir in the nineteenth century. In 1947 when India and Pakistan gained independence, it was still part of Kashmir. Now the region is divided between Pakistan and India. The districts of Skardu (Skardo) and Ganche, which are part of the Northern Areas of Pakistan, its main town is Skardu. It contains the highest peaks of the Karakoram, including K2. Indian-controlled Baltistan (the district of Kargil) which is disputed and claimed by Pakistan is located in the north of Indian-administered Kashmir.
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[edit] Geography
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This article is largely based on the article Ladakh and Baltistan in the out-of-copyright 11th edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, which was produced in 1911. It should be brought up to date to reflect subsequent history or scholarship (including the references, if any). When you have completed the review, replace this notice with a simple note on this article's talk page. Thanks! |
Baltistan is often called "little Tibet". The adjoining territory of Baltistan forms the west extremity of Tibet, whose natural limits here are the Indus from its abrupt southward bend in 74 45 E., and the mountains to the north and west, separating a comparatively peaceful Tibetan population from the fiercer Aryan tribes beyond. Muslim writers about the 16th century speak of Baltistan as Little Tibet, and of Ladakh as Great Tibet, thus ignoring the really Great Tibet altogether. The Balti call Gilgit a Tibet, and Dr Leitner says that the Chilasi call themselves But or Tibetans; but, although these districts may have been overrun by the Tibetans, or have received rulers of that race, the ethnological frontier coincides with the geographical one given. Baltistan is a mass of lofty mountains, the prevailing formation being gneiss. In the north is the Baltoro Glacier, the largest out of the arctic regions, 35 miles (56 km) long, contained between two ridges whose highest peaks to the south are 25,000 ft (7,600 m) and to the north 28,265 ft (8,615 m). The Indus, as in Lower Ladakh, runs in a narrow gorge, widening for nearly 20 m. after receiving the Shyok. The capital, Skardu, a scattered collection of houses, stands here, perched on a rock 7,250 ft (2,210 m). above the sea. The house roofs are flat, occupied only in part by a second storey, the remaining space being devoted to drying apricots, the chief staple of the main valley, which supports little cultivation. But the rapid slope westwards is seen generally in the vegetation. Birch, plane, spruce and Pinus excelsa appear; the fruits are finer, including pomegranate, pear, peach, vine and melon, and where irrigation is available, as in the North Shigar, and at the deltas of the tributary valleys, the crops are more luxuriant and varied.
[edit] See also
- Northern Areas of Pakistan
- Gilgit-Baltistan
- Balti language
- Balti people
- Baltit Fort
- Karakoram
- Karakoram Highway
- Skardu
- Skardu Airport
- Ladakh
- Awaz Welfare Trust International
[edit] Notable people
- Malika Baltistani, Chairperson Gilgit Baltistan National Alliance, started stuggle for the democratic and constitutional rights of Gilgit Baltistan in 1971. As founder chairperson Gilgit Baltistan Laddakh United Front challenged and defied Frontier Crimes Regulation (F.C.R) by holding a public rally in Kharmang, Baltistan in 1974. In recognition for her struggle she is titled "Mather e Gilgit Baltistan", (Mother of Gilgit Baltistan). Recently she held an international conference on the present state of Gilgit Baltistan in New York. Her son Rashid Sami is presently chairman, Council of Guidance, Baltistan Students Federation (BSF) formed in 1985.She is the famous oopurtunist person living in Karachi and seller and trader of Balti Name.Malika as it is her given name neither belongs to ruler family nor have any identity in the area but became famous in 80s with ppp politicians Waeed Katpar and Ghafoor Bhargari for their cocktail parties. She is a rootless person, married with a Bihari man in Karachi.It is a total lie that she is called or given the title of Mather gilgit baltistan, one can ask her who gave her the title??? shame on such lier.
- Raza Ansari (Late) was the founder editor of "Sada e Baltistan", first newspaper from Gilgit Baltistan. His columns and written work became a guide line for the democratic and constitutional movement in the region.
- Rashid Sami Bihari,son of Malika Baltistani, a journalist and film maker, is presently Chairman, Council of Guidance, Baltistan Students Federation (BSF). It is strange how a non-Balti ( Bihari) became the chairman of BSF. He wants to use the name and platfor of BSF to glitte his business and political carrier. I am affraid that he will use BSF to become a member (Technocrate) of NALA in future. He is also working to revive and preserve Balti dialect, Balti Qasida (reciting verses in honor of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and his family, Hazrat Ali (A.S) and his family, Balti Noha and Balti music in original form.It is a sad history of Baltistan that all rootless personalities use the Baltis to achieve their vested interests and goals. Shame to BSF as it could not find a native Balti for its Chairmanship.ISI and RAW or CIA will pay more than Rashid Sami if BSF put itself for sale or auction.
fida Hussain issar president Akhtar Hussain Groo Sahib
[edit] Sources
- This article incorporates text from the article "Ladakh and Baltistan" in the Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
- History of Northern Areas of PAkistan by Prof Ahmad Hassan Dani
- Baltistan in History by Banat gul Afridi
- Baltistan per Aik Nazar by Yusuf Husainabadi
