Sunday, August 24, 2025

Hunza Reservists in the Gilgit Scouts (1913–1947)

The Gilgit Scouts, raised in 1913, are remembered as one of the most significant frontier forces of British India. But their legacy cannot be understood without acknowledging the indispensable contribution of Hunza men—both regulars and reservists—who defended the northernmost borders of the subcontinent in one of the most turbulent eras of global politics.


The Geopolitical Backdrop: The “Great Game”

By the late 19th and early 20th century, Central Asia was the chessboard of imperial rivalry between the Russian Empire and the British Raj. Russia’s advances into Central Asia and its presence in the Pamirs threatened to spill southwards. The British, anxious about India’s security, established the Gilgit Agency in 1877 (re-established in 1889 after a brief withdrawal).

Hunza, perched on the high Karakoram, held special significance:

  • Its passes (Mintaka, Kilik, Khunjerab, Shimshal) connected directly to Chinese Turkestan (Xinjiang).
  • The Hunza Mir, through tradition and loyalty, maintained flexible ties with both British India and China, making Hunza a frontier of diplomacy as much as defense.
  • The hardy Hunzakuts, accustomed to high-altitude survival, became the natural choice for recruitment.

Formation of the Gilgit Scouts (1913)

When Colonel John Biddulph Kelly raised the Gilgit Scouts in August 1913, the force replaced unreliable tribal levies with a disciplined, semi-regular corps. It consisted of around 656 men organized into companies drawn from Hunza, Nagar, Punial, Yasin, and Ishkoman.

The Mir of Hunza cooperated actively with the British, ensuring steady recruitment from his principality. Hunza men were often regarded as the most reliable of the Scouts, combining agility in mountain warfare with deep loyalty to their ruler.


The Hunza Reservist System: A Unique Military Model

While some Hunza men served as permanent Scouts, many were enrolled as reservists. This system was innovative:

  • Household Contribution: Each household in Hunza was expected to provide at least one able-bodied man for military service.
  • Training & Arms: Reservists underwent periodic training and kept their rifles and kit ready at home.
  • Dual Role: They lived civilian lives as farmers, herders, and traders, yet could be mobilized instantly for emergencies.
  • Community Integration: This arrangement ensured every family had a stake in frontier defense, blending military readiness with social cohesion.

Strategic Frontier Duties

Hunza reservists were deployed in some of the most challenging environments:

  • Pass Guardians: Patrolling Khunjerab, Shimshal, Darkot, and Mustagh passes.
  • Escort Services: Providing protection for British explorers, officers, and surveyors venturing into the Pamirs and Wakhan.
  • Supply & Communication Lines: Carrying loads across glaciers and mountains, ensuring the mobility of the Scouts.
  • Cross-Border Vigilance: Keeping watch over movements of traders, pilgrims, or suspected Russian and German agents during wartime.

The Gilgit Scouts in World War I

During the First World War (1914–1918), the Gilgit Scouts played a critical role despite not being deployed in overseas battles. The northern frontier became a silent battlefield of the Great Game, where espionage and propaganda replaced open conflict.

  • Surveillance: The Scouts closely monitored suspected Ottoman and German agents trying to stir anti-British sentiments in Central Asia.
  • Coordination: They worked with the British Consulate in Kashgar (Xinjiang) to exchange intelligence.
  • Defense-in-Depth: Outposts stretched from Gilgit to the Chinese frontier, with Hunza reservists forming the backbone of forward patrols.

Although their efforts rarely made headlines, their vigilance ensured the northern approaches into India remained sealed at a time when global empires were collapsing.


Subsidies and Political Bargains

In recognition of Hunza’s role, the British provided annual subsidies to the Mir of Hunza. This financial support reinforced the Mir’s authority, kept Hunza loyal to the Raj, and acknowledged the importance of its people in the defense of the empire’s most remote frontier.


Transition and 1947: Defining Moments

By 1947, as the British prepared to withdraw from India, the Gilgit Scouts—staffed heavily by Hunza men—found themselves at the heart of history.

  • On 1 November 1947, they revolted against the Dogra governor, Brigadier Ghansara Singh, bringing an end to Dogra rule in Gilgit.
  • Hunza reservists and Scouts stood side by side in the bloodless coup that secured the region’s accession to Pakistan.
  • The tradition of loyalty and discipline they had nurtured since 1913 now shaped the destiny of the entire Gilgit-Baltistan region.

Conclusion

The service of Hunza men as reservists in the Gilgit Scouts was not merely a military arrangement—it was a political contract, a social obligation, and a legacy of frontier resilience.

It linked Hunza to the larger currents of global geopolitics, integrated its people into statecraft, and positioned the valley as a decisive actor in the turbulent transition from empire to nationhood.

Hunza reservists remain a reminder that even in the most remote corners of the Karakoram, ordinary mountain men shaped the grand strategies of empires and the birth of new nations.

RELATED: LIBRATION & GILGIT SCOUTS


Friday, August 22, 2025

Women’s Education in Hunza: A Century of Transformation

A century ago, women in Hunza rarely had access to formal education. Social norms confined them to household responsibilities, and opportunities for learning were minimal.

The arrival of DJ schools in 1946 supported by the Imam of the time and implemented by the community leaders followed establishment of first DJ Girls school in Baltit (now Karimabad) in early 60's with six girl students. Later the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) transformed the landscape. By the mid-20th century, Hunza witnessed a quiet revolution: girls began attending school alongside boys. Literacy rates climbed, and with education came empowerment.

Today, Hunza is often cited as a model for women’s education in Pakistan. Women serve as teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. The social fabric has changed dramatically, with women’s voices shaping decision-making at both household and community levels.



This progress is not without challenges — limited job opportunities, cultural resistance in some pockets, and the pressures of modernization. Yet, the commitment to women’s education remains unwavering.

As H.H. Aga Khan IV has said:

“The empowerment of women is not only a matter of social justice but also of economic necessity. Where women are empowered, societies flourish.”

Hunza’s journey proves that when a society invests in the education of its daughters, it invests in its future.

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Hunza’s Journey from Isolation to Global Recognition

For centuries, Hunza remained a remote mountain principality, cut off from much of the world. Its geography, though breathtaking, limited communication and development. Villagers relied on subsistence farming, barter, and strong communal ties for survival.

The 19th and 20th century, however, marked a turning point. The establishment of Gilgit Agency and 1891 British adventure proved as a starting point. Establishment of Diamond Jubilee Schools in 1946 introduced education to each village. The construction of the Karakoram Highway in the 1970's linked Hunza to Pakistan and China, opening pathways for trade, tourism, and education. Literacy soared, with Hunza emerging as one of Pakistan’s most educated regions. Women, once confined largely to domestic life, began to play an active role in schools, health care, and entrepreneurship.

Today, Hunza is celebrated internationally — not just for its majestic mountains and glaciers, but also for its progressive outlook. The people’s emphasis on education, gender equity, and community-based development offers lessons for other regions. See proposed ROAD-MAP.

Yet, challenges remain: environmental threats from climate change, cultural erosion, and the risks of over-commercialized tourism. The journey from isolation to recognition is remarkable, but the path ahead requires balancing tradition with modernity. See proposed ROAD-MAP.

“My wish for my Jamat is that they should balance their worldly life with their spiritual life. If they do so, they will progress in both.” — H.H. Aga Khan IV.

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Mass Education in India

 DIKSHA, which stands for Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing, is a national platform for school education in India, developed by the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) under the Ministry of EducationLaunched in 2017, it aims to provide digital learning resources to teachers and students across the country, supporting 36 Indian languagesDIKSHA is built on open-source technology called Sunbird and allows states and union territories to customize its use to fit their specific needs. 


Here's a more detailed look:
Purpose:

**Unlocking Free Digital Education: DIKSHA for Hunza & Beyond**  

Education is the foundation of progress, and in today’s digital age, learning should be accessible to all. Fortunately, India’s **DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing)** platform is now available in our region—**completely free of cost**—offering a wealth of educational resources for students, teachers, and lifelong learners.  

**Why Should Hunza & Nearby Regions Use DIKSHA?**  

✅ **Free & Accessible** – No cost for students or teachers.  

✅ **Multilingual Support** – Resources available in multiple languages.  

✅ **Flexible Learning** – Study anytime, anywhere with digital content.  

✅ **Teacher Empowerment** – Training modules and lesson plans for educators.  

✅ **Local Customization** – States and union territories can adapt DIKSHA to their needs.  

**How Can You Access DIKSHA?**  

Simply visit the official DIKSHA platform, download the app to explore or use a dish to get free access through DTV from a satellite (see the facility at my home):


🔗 [DIKSHA Official Website](https://diksha.gov.in/)  

This is a **golden opportunity** for students and teachers in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, and surrounding regions to enhance their learning experience with India’s advanced digital education infrastructure.  

Let’s embrace this resource and work towards a **brighter, more educated future** for our youth!  

Spread the word—share this post with parents, teachers, and students!**  

🚀.

DIKSHA Education Available in our region as well, Screen shot from the idea demonstration model at my home in Hunza.

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