The Early history of Chitral is shrouded in mystery.This mountainous
country which was first referred to as Kohistan or land of the mountains was
said to be inhabited by a race called "Khows" speaking a separate language
Khowar, or language of the Khows. Some people say that it was Khowistan -
the abode of the Khows. Separate parts of the country came to be called
Torkhow - Upper Khow, Mulkhow - Lower Khow, names which persist to the
present day. An early Sanskrit inscription at a village called Barenis (27
miles away from Chitral) of about AD 900 records that the country was
Buddhist, under King Jaipal of Kabul. It is believed that Upper Chitral was
under Buddhist influence in the past and even today there are a few rocks in
Torkhow area known as "Kalandar-i-Bohtni" (Mendicant of Stone). It is a
figure of a stupa; the upper part of which has been cut into the figure of
Buddha and may be of Chinese origin. No records of this period exist.
Marco Polo, who passed through the Pamirs, referred to the country as Bolor.
History relates that first a Chinese army and then an Arab (Mongols?) army
invaded Chitral from the north by the Broghal pass when the upper part of
the country is said to have been converted to Islam. The southern district
remained non-Muslim till very late and were then converted to Islam. A
Mongol tribe called Yarkhuns invaded Chitral via the Broghal pass and may
have given their name to the Yarkun valley. They were opposed by Somalek,
leader of the Khows. Another incursion is attributed to Changez Khan and his
Tartars.
Chitral nevertheless has remained an independent state for centuries with
its own culture and language. In the late nineteenth century it became part
of British India. It was a princely state in 1947, which acceded to Pakistan
in that year. The rule of the Mehtar came to an end in 1954 and power was
henceforth exercised by the political agent posted at Chitral. The state was
merged into Pakistan in 1969. The recorded history of Chitral is divided
into six epochs as follows:
Iranian rule
The Achemeanian Empire of Persia was extended to these regions during 400
BC. Its more than two thousand years since this empire receded but its
supremacy was so strongly established that many Persian cultural traits are
still in practice in Northern Areas as well as few parts of Chitral. In some
valleys surrounding Chitral such as Wakhan, Shaghnan, and upper parts of
Chitral people speak Persian language. Even Khowar, which is the native
language of the local people (Khow), contains much borrowing from Persian.
Zoroastrianism, an Old Persian religion, has also left behind some of its
traces in this area. Traditions also tell about leaving of dead bodies
unburied in caves in the wilderness or in the hollow of trees. Such
practices were specific in this religion. A festival on 21st March (Nouroz)
the first day in Persian calendar still prevails in Chitral. It is
celebrated in few valleys every year. (Israr Chitral A historical sketch)
Kushan rule
The Kushan dynasty established its rule in this area in 200 AD. In the
second century Kanishka the most powerful emperor of Kushan dynasty had
extended his rule all over Northern India, probably as far as south Vindyas
and all over the remote region up to Khotan beyond the Pamir pass.
Chinese rule
The Chinese extended their influence in the 4th century AD and remained in
power until the 8th century. The rock inscription of Pakhtoridini near Maroi
refers to Chinese rule. Another inscription in Barenis refers to the Kushans.
According to Sir Aurel Stien, the inscription says that Jivarman ordered to
make the pertinent drawing of a stupa. Such rock carvings have created
confusion for writers like Buddulph and many others to believe that Chitral
formed part of the last Hindu Shahi ruler of Kabul. It's also believed that
the northern parts had embraced Islam by the end of 9th century when Arabs
defeated Bahman, chief of the country. By the time of withdrawal of Arabs
many people had accepted Islam. (Souvenir, 2nd Hindukush Cultural
Conference, p.19-21)
Kalash rule
In the 11th century AD southern Chitral was invaded by the Kalash from
Afghanistan, who occupied the country as far to the North as Barenis
village, while the upper parts were under another chief Sumalik. some Kalash
Chiefs Rojawai, such as Nagar Shah and Bala sing ruled Southern Chitral from
11th to 13th centuries A.D.
Rais rule
In the beginning of 11th century Shah Nadir Rais occupied southern Chitral
and defeated the Kalash. Shah Nadir Rais extended his dominion from Gilgit
to the present southern boundaries of Chitral. Rais family ruled over
Chitral for about three hundred years when
Katura family succeeded them.
During the Rais rule in Chitral its boundaries extended from Narsut in the
extreme south of the state to Gilgit in the east. The rulers had an
effective council of chiefs of the local tribes to run the affairs of the
country. The ruler of this family also worked for the dissemination of the
teachings of Islam in the state.
There were no regular state forces to defend the state frontiers so the
local headmen and chiefs called all the persons of their tribes to fight for
the state under the collective defense system. The Mehtar (ruler) had
friendly relations with the rulers of surrounding countries. (Baig, Hindu
Kush study series vol. two)
Katur rule
The Katur succeeded the Rais dynasty in 1595. Muhtaram Shah I was the
founder of Kature rule in Chitral, whose descendants ruled over Chitral
until 1969 when the State was merged as a district of NWFP.
During the rule of Amirul Mulk in 1895, Umra Khan the chief of Jandool
crossed the Lawari pass and invaded lower Chitral. As a result, there was
fierce fighting in which the Mehtar of Chitral and British officers were
besieged in Chitral fort for 42 days. Troops from Gilgit and Nowshera came
to the rescue of the besieged fort and the British rule was extended over
entire Chitral in April 1895. Shuja ul Mulk emerged as the ruler after the
war who ruled for 42 years until 1936.
During the Pakistan movement there was a campaign in Chitral in favor of
independence. The people backed all India Muslim League and Mehtar Muzafarul
Mulk openly declared his backing to the Pakistan movement. In May 1947 H.H.
Muzafarul Mulk informed the Viceroy about his intention to join the new
state of Pakistan. The accession instrument was signed on November 7, 1947.