Yasin Valley


Yasin, also known as Babaye-i-Yasen or Worshigum in the Khowar Language,, is a high mountain valley in the Hindu Kush mountains, in the northwestern Ghizer District in the territory of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The valley is about from city of Gilgit. The Yasin Tehsil is situated on its territory.

History

Although sparsely populated, Yasin was of strategic importance because it leads to a high mountain pass to Yarkhun Valley and then to Broghil Pass in Chitral, connecting with the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Early period

Yasin valley was administrative centre of Worshigum which remained under the suzerainity of Mehtars who emerged from Chitral. The mehtars of Yasin were great warriors and fought against the Sikhs and the Dogras of Kashmir in Gilt agency.

Yasin Mehtars

The primary languages of Yasin Valley are Burushaski language and Khowar Language. Urdu is also widely understood.
The majority of the people in Yasin are Ismailis, who lead their lives according to the Islamic principles more concerned with the imam of the time. Currently Aga Khan IV is the imam and spiritual leader of the Ismailis. However, other branches of both as Sunni and Shia Islam also live in Yasin. Ethnically, the people of Yasin are of Burusho origin; however, there are some migrants from different parts of the country.
The people of Yasin are known for their honesty, hard work and bravery. Havaldar Lalak Jan Shaheed who was given the Pakistan Military's highest award Nishan-e-Haider for his bravery in Kargil War in 1999, belonged to Hundur in Yasin valley.

Geography

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.
The part of the valley where Khowar is spoken is known in the Shina language as Arinah.

Villages

Administratively, Yasin constitutes Yasin Tehsil, which is part of Ghizer District. It is further divided into four local councils: Yasin, Sultanabad, Silgan and Thoi.
The Darkut Pass connects Yasin with Wakhan and Chitral, height, Buroghul pass connect Yasin with Brughol, height while the Thoi Pass connects Yasin to Yarkhun Chitral, height. Assumber pass connects Yasin to Ishkoman. Darkot Pass is an historical pass which has been labelled as a restricted zone by the government of Pakistan. This pass used to be the shortest means of communication between the Oxus and Indus. Most tourism is along the Assumbur Pass to the Ishkoman Valley. one pass is from Darkot yasin to Thoi. Three passes from Nazbar yasin connect to Mastuj Chitral, height, one pass from Bujayote Nala to Bawoshter Ghizat Shamaran, one other pass from Khaimet bar to Chitral.

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