Oshikhandass is a village in Gilgit-Baltistan. It is east of Gilgit city. Oshikhandass is part of the Bagrot Valley and had approximately 7,200 inhabitants in 2011. Approximately 55% of the population belongs to the Shia Imami Ismaili sect of Islam that follows the 4th Aga Khan; and 45% are Shia Isna Ashari Muslims, also known as Twelver Shias. The local economy is primarily agriculture based. There are three government schools, two of which are for girls and one are for boys. In addition there are five private schools. The villagealtitude is 1,500 metres. This village links Bagrot Valley and Jalalabad to Danyor, a city in Gilgit. The Karakorum Highwayruns through the town. Shina and Burushaski are the main languages. Nanga Parbat, which lies to the east of the village, can be seen from Oshikhandass. The village was previously part of India before the India-Pakistan division. After the division, the village was annexed to Pakistan.
History
The historic name of Oshikhandass was "Punal Dass". The name of this village Oshikhandass evolved from two languages. "Oshi" means wind in Shina language, "Khan" means 'town' in the Burushaski language and "Dass" means 'uncultivated land' in both languages. This land was under custody of the valley. It was cultivated by the people who came from Bagrot Valley and Hunza in July 1937 led by Khuda Amman. These people were sent by the Mir of Hunza, as he made a verbal agreement with the people of Bagrot Valley. Those people constructed the water channel which supplies water to the village even today. The water channel is linked to the river which comes from Glaciers of Karakoram through Bagrot valley. Most of the water of Oshikhandass comes from the Bagrot Glacier. Oshikhandass Welfare and Development organization is a registered welfare organization in the village. This organization was founded in 2005 by Manzoor Hussain, a social worker. Many people from Oshikhandass work in Gilgit, as shopkeepers and in other small enterprises.
