Baltistan is situated in the extreme north of Pakistan at the
boarder of Kargil and Ladakh between the great Himalaya and Karakoram ranges.
Baltistan was known as Tibet in the old history and in course of time this name
was extended to include the area of Ladakh as well. Later on, in order to
differentiate these territories, Baltistan was called “Little Tibet”. But
Ladakh and Baltistan were lacally known as.
In geological terms, Baltistan is a young land, formed only a
few millions years ago by the buckling and folding of earth’s crust as the Sub
Continent pushed with irresistible force against the immoveable mass of Asia.
Its basic contours up lifted by these un imaginable tectonic movements, have
been modified over the millennia by the opposite process of erosion, sculpted
into the form we see today by wind and water.
Baltistan was ruled by the independent local Rajas of Maqpon,
Yabgo and Amacha dynasties for centuries but it was occupied by the Maha Raja
of Jammu and Kashmir in 1840 AD by aggressive military invasion taking
advantages of the weaknesses and mutual rivalries of the local rulers.
Baltistan remained under subjugation of the Maharaja Jammu and Kashmir for 107
years and librrated in 1948 after a bloodshed struggle of the local people.
Maryul (red country) and Baltiyul (Balti Country)
respectively. Important region of Pakistan with its sub provincial headquarters
at Gilgit, spread over an area of 10118 sq miles consisting of six main valleys
i.e Skardu, Khaplu, Shigar, Kharmang, Rundu, and Gultari. It is bounded by
Ladakh in the east, occupied Kashmirin the south, Gilgit and Diamir, districts
in the west and the Chinese Province Xinjiang in its north on the trans
Karakoram mountains.
Nature has been very generous to Baltistan in its endowments
of towering peaks, gigantic glaciers and majestic rivers, not to mention the
splendor of its valleys, the meadows and the high altitude plateaus.
Baltistan has more than forty five peaks of over 20,000 feet
high and is really a mountaineer’s paradise. Baltistan is proud to have K.2,
the second highest peak of the world in its lab. It is also the land of vast
glaciers like Siachan, Baltoro, Biafo and Ringmo glaciers etc which are the
longest traverse outside Polar region. The mighty River Indus enters Baltistan
near Morol Kharmang and flows through out its length. Rivers Shayok and Shigar
along with hundreds other nullahs and stream are tributaries of the Indus
river, which irrigate most of the down parts of the country.
Baltistan lies at the altitudes ranging from about 7000 feet
at Thowar Rondu to 8500 feet at Olding Kharmang.
The winter of Baltistan is intensilty harsh but has its own
taste. The temperature remains below freezing point from November to February.
Rainfall is seldom but the snowfall on the hill tops is quite heavy, while the
snowfall in the towns particularly brings a new colour and feeling during
winter.
Baltistan possesses gorgeous sceinc beauties and is
considered “Heaven on Earth” during summer season.
It has many beautiful lakes among which Sadpara, Kachura,
Katpana lakes in Skardu, Jarba tso in Shigar, Kharfaq lake in Khaplu, Ghowrashi
lake in Kharmang and Sheosar lake in Deosai are worth mentioning.
Baltistan has many historical and tourist spots for the
attraction of the tourists, In fact it is the land of adventure because it
offers ample avenues for adventurers. Being the home for mountaineering, rock
climbing, trekking, trophy hunting, trout fishing, sight seeing of natural
beauties and rich cultural heritage, Baltistan attracts thousands of foreign
adventurers each year.
The people of Baltistan are of Mongol and Aryan stock by race
with three major ethnic groups namely Baltis, Kashmiris and Shins. The main
language is called “Balti” which is a part of western branch of Tibetan
language, whereas “Shina” is also spoken by approximately 7 to 10% of the
populationin Baltistan; the Baltis are of good nature and patient in
hospitable. They are not without some humor.
The inhabitants of Baltistan adopted Islam in 14th
century AD at the hands of Persian preachers and at present mostly belongs to
the Shina school of thought. A number of them call themselves “Nur Bakhsia”
i.e. follower of the Persian Sufi saint named Syed Muhammad Nur Bakhsh.
Baltistan is famous for its peaceful atmosphere in the world,
where crime ratio is equal to none. The characteristics of the people of the
region are also exciting as revealed by their stamina, energy, enthusiasm,
honesty and harmlessness. Baltistan has also been influenced by a verity of
cultures and civilizations during its turbulent history.
