Gilgit history

Ancient Roots and First Mentions

Gilgit is one of the oldest settlements in the region, with a history stretching back centuries. The exact date of the city's founding is lost in time, but it is known that in antiquity, this area was called Sargin. Later, the name transformed into Gilit, before eventually acquiring its modern pronunciation.

By the 1st millennium AD, Gilgit was already a thriving centre, as evidenced by numerous archaeological finds. The city played a vital role as the capital of local dynasties, including the Trakhan dynasty, which ruled these lands for many centuries.

Key Factors of Formation

Gilgit's transformation into a significant city was driven by a unique combination of geographical and economic factors:

• Strategic Geography: The city is situated in a narrow valley amidst the majestic Karakoram mountains, near the confluence of the Gilgit and Hunza rivers. This made it a natural defensive point and a convenient location for settlement.
• The Silk Road: Gilgit served as a crucial transit point on one of the branches of the ancient trade route connecting China with South Asia. Here, caravans stopped to rest before attempting the challenging mountain crossings.
• Political Influence: Due to its location, the city historically served as an administrative and military centre, controlling passage through the mountain passes.

Early Culture and Economy

In the early period of its history, Gilgit was a major centre of Buddhism. The most striking evidence of this cultural flourishing is the famous Gilgit Manuscripts, discovered here in 1931. These documents, dating back to the 5th–6th centuries, are considered among the oldest surviving Buddhist texts in the world, highlighting the high level of literacy and spiritual culture of the ancient population.

The economy of early Gilgit was built not only on servicing trade caravans carrying silk, spices, and precious stones. Local residents also developed terrace farming, growing fruits and grains in high-altitude conditions, which allowed the city to sustain itself with food and prosper in a harsh climate.

Major Historical Milestones

The history of Gilgit is a chronicle of a vital crossroads of civilizations, where trade routes and cultures converged. Below are the key events that shaped the city's identity.

• 1st–2nd centuries AD — Gilgit establishes its status as a strategic trade hub on a branch of the Silk Road linking Central and South Asia.
• 5th–6th centuries — The famous "Gilgit Manuscripts" are created, unique Buddhist texts on birch bark, testifying to the region's spiritual flourishing.
• 7th century — A monumental image of the Buddha is carved into the cliff face of the Kargah ravine, which remains one of the main attractions today.
• 14th century — Preachers arrive in the valley, marking the beginning of the gradual spread of Islam and a shift in religious traditions.
• 1840s — The Dogra dynasty establishes control, incorporating these lands into the sphere of influence of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
• 1877 — The British Empire establishes the Gilgit Agency, turning the city into an important outpost within the "Great Game".
• 1913 — The "Gilgit Scouts" corps is formed, a paramilitary unit that played a significant role in the history of the region.
• 1931 — Local residents accidentally discover ancient manuscripts in the ruins of a stupa, creating a global archaeological sensation.
• 1947 — A historic change of power occurs, ending British and Kashmiri administration in the region.
• 1978 — The Karakoram Highway is ceremoniously opened, a legendary high-altitude road connecting Gilgit with the outside world.
• 1986 — The Khunjerab Pass, the highest border crossing in the world, opens for international tourism and trade.
• 2009 — The administrative region receives the official name Gilgit-Baltistan and gains rights to extensive self-governance.

Stages of City Development and Transformation

Gilgit has journeyed from an isolated mountain settlement to a bustling administrative and commercial centre. Below are the key stages that defined the modern economic and urban character of the city:

• Creation of British Colonial Infrastructure (Late 19th Century).
  The construction of suspension bridges across rivers and the laying of telegraph lines transformed Gilgit from an inaccessible outpost into a logistics hub. This laid the foundation for the first organised urban planning, including the "Cantonment" area.
• Opening of Gilgit Airport (Mid-20th Century).
  The advent of air links with Islamabad became critical for the city's economy. Before the arrival of reliable roads, this was the only method for the rapid transport of goods and people, allowing the city to develop even during the winter isolation of the passes.
• Commissioning of the Karakoram Highway (1978–1986).
  The most significant economic driver in the city's history. The highway connected Gilgit with China and the rest of Pakistan, turning it into the region's main transit hub. This led to rapid growth in roadside trade, the emergence of markets, and a reduction in the cost of imported goods.
• Becoming a Centre for International Mountaineering and Tourism.
  With the opening of the region to foreigners, Gilgit transformed into a base camp for expeditions to the Karakoram and Hindu Kush. This stimulated the construction of hotels, restaurants, and the development of the service sector, which became a basis of employment for the local population.
• Founding of the Karakoram International University (2002).
  The opening of the first major higher education institution radically changed the cultural and demographic landscape. Gilgit became an educational hub attracting youth from across the region, accelerating urbanisation and cultural exchange.
• Administrative Reform and Capital Status (2009).
  Obtaining broad autonomy within Gilgit-Baltistan led to the expansion of the government apparatus. This triggered a construction boom: new administrative buildings appeared, urban infrastructure improved, and the demand for housing increased.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Gilgit is a reflection of its complex history, where the harsh conditions of the high mountains intertwined with the influence of the colonial era and modern commercial expansion. The city cannot boast of classic European styles like Baroque or Gothic; its appearance was shaped by the necessity of survival in a seismically active zone and strategic military objectives.

Evolution of Styles and Eras

The city's development evolved somewhat chaotically, dictated by the landscape of the narrow valley. Three key architectural layers can be identified:

• Traditional High-Altitude Architecture (Pre-19th Century).
  Historical buildings characteristic of the Gilgit-Baltistan region. The main materials are river stone, clay, and wood. Houses were built with flat roofs, used for drying apricots and grain. Structures were often reinforced with wooden beams for earthquake resistance (a technique similar to "cator and crib" or timber framing, but in a local execution).
• Colonial Style and Engineering (Late 19th — First Half of 20th Century).
  With the arrival of the British and the creation of the Gilgit Agency, the Chinar Bagh district and the Cantonment territory appeared in the city. Utilitarian colonial architecture prevails here: single-storey bungalows with verandas, wide avenues, and administrative buildings with elements of Victorian functionalism. Engineering architecture—suspension bridges—holds a special place.
• Modern Utilitarianism (From the 1980s).
  After the opening of the Karakoram Highway, the city began to grow rapidly upwards. Concrete frame construction predominates. Facades are often devoid of decoration, with an emphasis on the functionality of retail spaces on the ground floors. In recent years, a "neo-traditional" style has gained popularity in hotel construction, imitating the ancient forts of the region.

Iconic Structures and Districts

The appearance of Gilgit is defined by several key landmarks that serve as reference points for travellers:

• Gilgit Suspension Bridge.
  One of the most recognisable symbols of the city. Built in the colonial era, it is a striking example of the engineering art of that time and still connects the riverbanks, remaining an important transport artery for pedestrians and light vehicles.
• NLI Market.
  The centre of modern city life. This is a complex of buildings constructed on the site of the former Northern Light Infantry barracks. The architecture here is strictly commercial, but the atmosphere of an Eastern bazaar makes this place the colourful heart of Gilgit.
• Cantonment District (Cantt).
  The greenest and most orderly part of the city, preserving the layout of British military settlements. Government residences and old gardens are located here, contrasting with the dense development of the commercial quarters.

Prominent Figures of Gilgit

The history of Gilgit was shaped by rulers, military strategists, and explorers whose decisions determined the fate of this region at the crossroads of empires. Below are key figures who played an important role in the city's chronicle.

• Raja Gohar Aman
  Role: Ruler of Yasin and Gilgit (19th Century)
  A significant historical figure of the pre-colonial period. Gohar Aman is known for his prolonged resistance to the expansion of the Dogra dynasty (rulers of Kashmir) into these lands. His rule was marked by complex political alliances and a struggle to preserve the sovereignty of local principalities in the Karakoram mountains.
• Colonel Algernon Durand
  Role: First British Political Agent in Gilgit
  In the late 19th century, Durand re-established the Gilgit Agency, cementing the British presence in the region at the height of the "Great Game"—the geopolitical rivalry with the Russian Empire. He is also the author of the book "The Making of a Frontier", which serves as a valuable source of information about the life and structure of Gilgit in that era.
• Brigadier Ghansara Singh
  Role: Last Governor of Gilgit (1947)
  Appointed by the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, Singh represented the Dogra administration during the partition of British India. His arrest on November 1, 1947, became a turning point, marking the end of the Kashmiri dynasty's rule in Gilgit.
• Major William Brown
  Role: Commander of the "Gilgit Scouts"
  A British officer who led the local paramilitary formation in 1947. Amidst political uncertainty, he made the decision to support the change of power, which led to the arrest of the governor and the subsequent transfer of administrative control over the region to Pakistan. He described the events of those days in detail in his memoirs, "The Gilgit Rebellion".
• Group Captain Shah Khan
  Role: Military Officer and Participant in the 1947 Events
  Served in the "Gilgit Scouts" corps and played a vital role in organising the actions of the local garrison in November 1947. Together with Major Brown, he coordinated operations that led to the change of power in Gilgit-Baltistan and the establishment of a new administration.
• Nazir Sabir
  Role: Mountaineer and Public Figure
  Although Nazir Sabir hails from Hunza, his professional and public activities are closely linked to Gilgit. He became the first Pakistani to conquer Everest and the second in the world to summit K2. Sabir has made a significant contribution to the development of the region as a centre for international mountain tourism.