Punial State in Pakistan was formerly a
princely state
A princely state (also called native state or Indian state) was a nominally sovereign entity of the British Raj, British Indian Empire that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule, ...
(under the British it was a "Special Political District" of the
Gilgit Agency
The Gilgit Agency ( ur, ) was an agency of the British Indian Empire consisting of the subsidiary states of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir at its northern periphery, mainly with the objective of strengthening these territories agains ...
and not a Princely State) in the northwest part of the
Northern Areas
Gilgit-Baltistan (; ), formerly known as the Northern Areas, is a region administered by Pakistan as an administrative territory, and constituting the northern portion of the larger Kashmir region which has been the subject of a dispute bet ...
which existed until 1974. The state bordered the
Gilgit Tehsil to the south, the former princely state of
Yasin to the west,
Ishkoman
The Ishkoman ( ur, ) valley lies in the north of Ghizer District in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and the Pamir Wakhan Corridor. Its altitude ranges from 7,000 to 12,000 feet (2,100 to 3,700 m) above sea level.
See also
* ...
to the north and
Afghanistan
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...
(
Wakhan Corridor
The Wakhan Corridor ( ps, واخان دهلېز, translit=wāxān dahléz, fa, دالان واخان, translit=dâlân vâxân) is a narrow strip of territory in Badakhshan Province of Afghanistan, extending to Xinjiang in China and separatin ...
) to the northwest. The State Had Two Capitals while ruled by two Islamic dynasties from different religious background which included the
Katur Dynasty
The Katoor dynasty (also spelled Katur and Kator) was a dynasty, which along with its collateral branches ruled the sovereign, later princely state of Chitral and its neighbours in the eastern Hindu Kush region for over 450 years, from around ...
(Sunni) and
Aqa Shah Dynasty (Ismaili). The state capital was the town of
Sher Qila until 1889, it was soon replaced by the town of
Gahkuch
Gahkuch ( ur, ) is the capital city of Ghizer District in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The city lies on the way to Ishkoman
The Ishkoman ( ur, ) valley lies in the north of Ghizer District in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan a ...
, after Aqa Shah Ruler
His Highness
Highness (abbreviation HH, oral address Your Highness) is a formal style (manner of address), style used to address (in grammatical person, second person) or refer to (in grammatical person, third person) certain members of a reigning or formerl ...
Aqa Sultan Akbar Shah expanded the States boundaries by forming a small military relief force named the
Punial Levi's in 1889. The area of Punial now forms the above named
tehsil
A tehsil (, also known as tahsil, taluka, or taluk) is a local unit of administrative division in some countries of South Asia. It is a subdistrict of the area within a district including the designated populated place that serves as its administr ...
of
Ghizer District.
Punial was an independent principality for several centuries. The
British
British may refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies.
** Britishness, the British identity and common culture
* British English, ...
gained control of the area and the neighbouring valleys by mid 19th century followed by a military engagement of severe intensity. The first Rah of Punial was
Isa Bagdur of
katur Dynasty
The Katoor dynasty (also spelled Katur and Kator) was a dynasty, which along with its collateral branches ruled the sovereign, later princely state of Chitral and its neighbours in the eastern Hindu Kush region for over 450 years, from around ...
, a much disliked ruler, who the local people hated for his bloodiest action at the
Siege Of Madoori
A siege is a military blockade of a city, or fortress, with the intent of conquering by attrition, or a well-prepared assault. This derives from la, sedere, lit=to sit. Siege warfare is a form of constant, low-intensity conflict characterize ...
when he sided with the
Dogra
The Dogras or Dogra people, are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group in India and Pakistan consisting of the Dogri language speakers. They live predominantly in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, and in adjoining areas of Punjab, Himachal ...
Ruler in killing the neighboring people of Yasin at their homeland. He was guilty for killing 2000 local inhabitants of Yasin. The British got the news of this bloody massacre and soon sent a relief force to enter the action. In 1885 a new dynasty emerged within the state and they belonged to the
Nizari Ismaili
The Nizaris ( ar, النزاريون, al-Nizāriyyūn, fa, نزاریان, Nezāriyān) are the largest segment of the Ismaili Muslims, who are the second-largest branch of Shia Islam after the Twelvers. Nizari teachings emphasize independent ...
Sect Of Islam. The dynasty was well supported by the British as well as the Ismailis of the Area. This Dynasty was later known in the history as
Aqa Shah Dynasty and they named their State as Takht-E-Punial ( ''The Punial State ).'' Isa Bagdur got the terrible news of him being disposed by the British when he was in his residence and the story goes,
"He was in his palace (
Gahkuch
Gahkuch ( ur, ) is the capital city of Ghizer District in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The city lies on the way to Ishkoman
The Ishkoman ( ur, ) valley lies in the north of Ghizer District in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan a ...
Fort) dealing with his vizier's in the court when a guard rushed into the court and exclaimed, My King! We are about to be attacked by the Britishers, they are coming with a much larger army. My King! You need to leave this place."
Seeing the warning he migrated to
Sher Qila leaving behind his people in death, as the British arrived they didn't harmed anyone yet they told the local population that you have been free from the rule of a bloody vampire. God has given his devine favour upon you and has send this Akbar Shah ''( His Highness Aqa Akbar Shah, First Ismaili Ruler Of Punial State )'' as your Lord (Aqa) to be your Guardian And The Chosen One That God has given his devine favour. Meanwhile, in exile Isa Bagdur was succeeded by his son
Akbar Khan, who in 1913 was deposed by the British and replaced by his son,
Anwar Khan, succeeded in turn by his son
Jan Alam
Jan, JaN or JAN may refer to:
Acronyms
* Jackson, Mississippi (Amtrak station), US, Amtrak station code JAN
* Jackson-Evers International Airport, Mississippi, US, IATA code
* Jabhat al-Nusra (JaN), a Syrian militant group
* Japanese Article Numb ...
.
Takht E Punial
The
Takht E Punial Takht may refer to:
Places Iran
* Takht-e Olya, a village in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran
*Takht-e Sofla, a village in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran
* Takht, Golestan, a village in Mindasht County, Golestan Province, Iran
*Takht, Hamadan, a vill ...
was the official state name of Punial used by rulers of
Aqa Shah Dynasty. Religiously they were from the
Nizari Ismaili
The Nizaris ( ar, النزاريون, al-Nizāriyyūn, fa, نزاریان, Nezāriyān) are the largest segment of the Ismaili Muslims, who are the second-largest branch of Shia Islam after the Twelvers. Nizari teachings emphasize independent ...
Sect Of Islam. According to old folklore they had migrated from the town of
Altae now known as
Altit. Their Forefathers were the
heirs
Inheritance is the practice of receiving private property, titles, debts, entitlements, privileges, rights, and obligations upon the death of an individual. The rules of inheritance differ among societies and have changed over time. Officia ...
of the rulling family of Hunza, but two heirs of the family clashed because of religious indifference. The Youngest One had accepted the
Ismaili
Isma'ilism ( ar, الإسماعيلية, al-ʾIsmāʿīlīyah) is a branch or sub-sect of Shia Islam. The Isma'ili () get their name from their acceptance of Imam Isma'il ibn Jafar as the appointed spiritual successor (imām) to Ja'far al-Sa ...
teachings while the older one was still attached to his forefathers religion. In result the Youngest Son had to leave the town after getting a letter from his closest companion warning him that his Older Brother is planning to kill him and has send a hand full of agents to capture him. Seeing the warning the youngest son planned to move southwards of the state, while being accompanied by his most trusted and loyal companions. He got successful in his mission and had no other choice but to hide his identity among the people to avoid persecution. Later on, he vowed to teach the
Ismaili
Isma'ilism ( ar, الإسماعيلية, al-ʾIsmāʿīlīyah) is a branch or sub-sect of Shia Islam. The Isma'ili () get their name from their acceptance of Imam Isma'il ibn Jafar as the appointed spiritual successor (imām) to Ja'far al-Sa ...
teachings among the people but was little successful in his attempt. News reached his identity had been exposed to the states agents so he decided to move even south of the state and eventually ended reaching the town of
Gahkuch
Gahkuch ( ur, ) is the capital city of Ghizer District in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The city lies on the way to Ishkoman
The Ishkoman ( ur, ) valley lies in the north of Ghizer District in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan a ...
in early 19th century. From their he started to preach the
Ismaili
Isma'ilism ( ar, الإسماعيلية, al-ʾIsmāʿīlīyah) is a branch or sub-sect of Shia Islam. The Isma'ili () get their name from their acceptance of Imam Isma'il ibn Jafar as the appointed spiritual successor (imām) to Ja'far al-Sa ...
teachings to the locals and got successful. Later he send a handful of
Ismaili
Isma'ilism ( ar, الإسماعيلية, al-ʾIsmāʿīlīyah) is a branch or sub-sect of Shia Islam. The Isma'ili () get their name from their acceptance of Imam Isma'il ibn Jafar as the appointed spiritual successor (imām) to Ja'far al-Sa ...
Pir's to neighbouring valleys of
Punial
The valley of Punial (Urdu: پونیال) is situated in Ghizer District in the Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, where hundreds of thousands of tourists visit annually. Punial is a mountainous valley situated at an elevation of about 5000–9000 fee ...
and
Ishkoman
The Ishkoman ( ur, ) valley lies in the north of Ghizer District in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and the Pamir Wakhan Corridor. Its altitude ranges from 7,000 to 12,000 feet (2,100 to 3,700 m) above sea level.
See also
* ...
to preach the
Ismaili
Isma'ilism ( ar, الإسماعيلية, al-ʾIsmāʿīlīyah) is a branch or sub-sect of Shia Islam. The Isma'ili () get their name from their acceptance of Imam Isma'il ibn Jafar as the appointed spiritual successor (imām) to Ja'far al-Sa ...
teachings and after a great struggle got little amount of success in his attempt. Later after his death his Son made great friendly relations with the
British
British may refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies.
** Britishness, the British identity and common culture
* British English, ...
and eventually got favoured by the British Raj with the title
Lord
Lord is an appellation for a person or deity who has authority, control, or power over others, acting as a master, chief, or ruler. The appellation can also denote certain persons who hold a title of the peerage in the United Kingdom, or ar ...
and was given protection by the British.
After the concealment period (1800 to1885 ) two concealed descendants of the dynasty sacrificed their life to preach the Ismaili teachings among the local people and got popular support by the British as well as the Local People. They had concealed their identity among the people that's why no written records have been found so far. After the Concealment period their descendants openly declared their identity to the people with the help of the British and Their Loyal Supporters which resulted in the establishment of the First
Ismaili
Isma'ilism ( ar, الإسماعيلية, al-ʾIsmāʿīlīyah) is a branch or sub-sect of Shia Islam. The Isma'ili () get their name from their acceptance of Imam Isma'il ibn Jafar as the appointed spiritual successor (imām) to Ja'far al-Sa ...
State
State may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Literature
* ''State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State
* ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States
* ''Our S ...
in Punial and
Gahkuch
Gahkuch ( ur, ) is the capital city of Ghizer District in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The city lies on the way to Ishkoman
The Ishkoman ( ur, ) valley lies in the north of Ghizer District in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan a ...
was chosen as the states capital.
The State Rulers From (1885 until Present):
''• His Highness Lord Aqa Sultan Akbar Shah''
( Aqa Shah I , 1885 - 1912 )
• ''His Highness Lord Inayat Wali Shah''
( Aqa Shah II , 1912 - 1933 )
''• His Highness Lord Lt. Col Mir Ali Shah''
( Aqa Shah III , 1933 - 1946 )
''• His Highness Lord Lt. Col Amir Hussain''
( Aqa Shah IV , 1946 - 1966 )
''• His Highness Lord Ismail Shah''
( Aqa Shah V , 1966 - 1982)
• ''His Highness Lord Mayoon Shah''
( Aqa Shah VI , 1982–present )
His Highness Lord Mayoon Shah is the current ruler of the Aqa Shah Dynasty, he is known as the Aqa Shah VI. He took the duties as the 6th Lord (Aqa) of the Punial State in 1982 at the age of just 19 years. Earlier 10 years before his succession the rulling system had ended due to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's FCR policy, which took away all the authorities of the Royal Families within the Northern Areas of Pakistan. He was able to bring developments in his state by building various schools for the children with the help of
Aga Khan Education Services
Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) is one of the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) supporting activities in the field of education. The others are the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), the Aga Khan University (AKU), the University of C ...
. He made construction projects for safe drinking water supply for his people as well as distribution of Electricity to different houses within the area. He also developed new Roadways with an agreement with the
Government Of Pakistan in 2001. During
The Kargil War he added the
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army (, ) is the Army, land service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The roots of its modern existence trace back to the British Indian Army that ceased to exist following the partition of India, Partition of British India, wh ...
by sending aids for the soldiers of Northern Light Infantry which helped in boosting their morale, eventually soon after the news of withdrawal of the Pakistan Army from Kargil was made, aids didn't properly arrived to the Soldiers of Pakistan due to sudden changes in the routes. His actions were well recognized by the Government Of Pakistan and was decorated with
Hilal E Pakistan for his services in the action. In 2005 he got the news of the birth of his grandson and his future heir in his residence at Aqa Shah Palace at Ayshi Bala.
His Royal Highness Lord Prince Sameer Shah was born on 7 September 2005 he was the son of the eldest son of Lord Mayoon Shah, with the Crown Prince's arrival sudden changes were made in the Succession Act. His Royal Highness Lord Prince Sameer Shah was named as the successor after His Highness Lord Mayoon Shah as the future Aqa Shah VII while the father of the Crown Prince will act as
King Consort. The
Crown Prince
A crown prince or hereditary prince is the heir apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The female form of the title is crown princess, which may refer either to an heiress apparent or, especially in earlier times, to the wif ...
is currently handling all the affairs of the state and is also making great development projects for his people with the help of
Aga Khan Education Services
Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) is one of the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) supporting activities in the field of education. The others are the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), the Aga Khan University (AKU), the University of C ...
,
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) is a private, non profit organization, established by the Aga Khan Foundation in 1982 to help improve the quality of life of the villagers of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. It is a Non Governmental Organiz ...
,
Aga Khan Health Services
The Aga Khan Health Services is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) that supports activities in the health field, and manages more than 200 health facilities, including a network of Aga Khan Hospitals.
It works closely with the ...
and
Aga Khan Trust For Culture
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a family of institutions created by Aga Khan IV with distinct but complementary mandates to improve the welfare and prospects of people in the developin ...
. His aim is to provide a great living for his people and to enable much changes in his state as much as possible. His master building project was the construction of Prince Ali Muhammad House in Ayshi Bala which was completed in 2020, the design for the building was graphed by himself and the building served as the personal residence of the Youngest Son of
His Highness The Aga Khan IV. In accordance for his devoted services for promoting better life for the people and encouraging development projects within the Northern Areas of Pakistan, The Government Of Islamic Republic Of Pakistan conferred upon him the decoration of
Sitar-e-Pakistan in 2022.
References
{{coord missing, Gilgit-Baltistan
Princely states of India
Former subdivisions of Pakistan
Ghizer District
Muslim princely states of India