DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3909#0217
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services, such as musicians. &c.; crime appears to be rate, there is no such class as prostitute, and fornication, if
unmarried parties of either sex are the offenders, is punished with stripes. Adultery is punished with death by
stoning ; in case of a murder, the relation of deceased can kill the murderer, in default of a relation of deceased,
the assembly of the tribe confiscate the murderer's land and property. Women appear to have greater liberty
and power than amongst the Mahomedan tribes within our border and more in accordance with Mahomedan
law; for instance, a widow can marry whom she chooses though she is expected to make a suitable match from
one of her own clan, a daughter receives a share in land as well as other property.
The language seems quite distinct from Pushtoo, Persian, flindee, or any language that I have heard,
it is not understood by even the Syads, the neighbours of the Chilasees, though they may be able to distinguish
a few words. These people appear to be the same who inhabit Durreil and Tangeer opposite to Chilas proper
Trans Indus, and west of Gilgit. What may be termed the regular Jirgah of Chilas did not come into me, they
represented by petition that they dared not without permission accorded by their own ruler, they, however,
sent their relations; this was quite sufficient as I never summoned but only intimated a wish to see them.
I regret that owing to sickness in the station I could not detain the men who did come to get more information
from them, a beginning, however, has been made, and this can be added to and modified as further opportunities
offer."
2.
The " Chronological account of the conquest of Gilgit" is included in that of Dardistan
on page 81. The following account, quoted from the Lahore Chronicle of February and
March 1866, contains some interesting anecdotes:—
" In the month of July, on a hot and sultry day after a march of 15 miles we entered the Eadgar of
Astor, and were glad to throw ourselves on the grass and seek the shade of the apricot trees. We were not
long thus allowed to enjoy our quiet, for a message came that if convenient the Thanadar would pay his re-
spects. Now much as we would have preferred repose and meditation, we could not think of refusing a request
which to the Asiatic is of great consideration and importance : so having adjusted our attire and trimmed our
minds for the interview we were pleased to give our consent.
It is now nearly five years since that interview took place : if recollection performs her functions, and
memory serves true her office, we place that day in the foremost rank of those days which may be considered as
the happiest of our lives. Here seated on a chair, surrounded on all sides by great, chiefs and brilliant soldiere,
we looked upon a scene far surpassing the utmost stretch of imagination. Here, on our right, was seated the
Thanadar; on our left was the favorite son of Guzung Fur, king of Hunza : further down, on either side,
were the ambassadors from Nugur and Chitral—below were seen the deputies from Chilas and Boonjie—lower
down, shining in gold and silver, stood out the traitor Ahmed Khan, now chief of Gilgit.* In the background,
adding lustre to the scene marched the forces of His Highness the Maharajah of Kashmir. Such was the
spectacle imperfectly told, but perhaps the greatest that Astor had ever seen ; in the distance and far away
extending on either side crowded villages, old and young, to look upon the great Chiefs who had so long
fought with valor and success against Golab and Rumbhir Singh. After having shaken bands with one and
all, and asked questions about the manners, customs, laws, &c. &c. of each country, we asked permission to
see some of the celebrated dogs for which the Gora-man or Adam-ferosh (late King of Yasin and Gilgit) used
* There seems to be a mistake in this name.
services, such as musicians. &c.; crime appears to be rate, there is no such class as prostitute, and fornication, if
unmarried parties of either sex are the offenders, is punished with stripes. Adultery is punished with death by
stoning ; in case of a murder, the relation of deceased can kill the murderer, in default of a relation of deceased,
the assembly of the tribe confiscate the murderer's land and property. Women appear to have greater liberty
and power than amongst the Mahomedan tribes within our border and more in accordance with Mahomedan
law; for instance, a widow can marry whom she chooses though she is expected to make a suitable match from
one of her own clan, a daughter receives a share in land as well as other property.
The language seems quite distinct from Pushtoo, Persian, flindee, or any language that I have heard,
it is not understood by even the Syads, the neighbours of the Chilasees, though they may be able to distinguish
a few words. These people appear to be the same who inhabit Durreil and Tangeer opposite to Chilas proper
Trans Indus, and west of Gilgit. What may be termed the regular Jirgah of Chilas did not come into me, they
represented by petition that they dared not without permission accorded by their own ruler, they, however,
sent their relations; this was quite sufficient as I never summoned but only intimated a wish to see them.
I regret that owing to sickness in the station I could not detain the men who did come to get more information
from them, a beginning, however, has been made, and this can be added to and modified as further opportunities
offer."
2.
The " Chronological account of the conquest of Gilgit" is included in that of Dardistan
on page 81. The following account, quoted from the Lahore Chronicle of February and
March 1866, contains some interesting anecdotes:—
" In the month of July, on a hot and sultry day after a march of 15 miles we entered the Eadgar of
Astor, and were glad to throw ourselves on the grass and seek the shade of the apricot trees. We were not
long thus allowed to enjoy our quiet, for a message came that if convenient the Thanadar would pay his re-
spects. Now much as we would have preferred repose and meditation, we could not think of refusing a request
which to the Asiatic is of great consideration and importance : so having adjusted our attire and trimmed our
minds for the interview we were pleased to give our consent.
It is now nearly five years since that interview took place : if recollection performs her functions, and
memory serves true her office, we place that day in the foremost rank of those days which may be considered as
the happiest of our lives. Here seated on a chair, surrounded on all sides by great, chiefs and brilliant soldiere,
we looked upon a scene far surpassing the utmost stretch of imagination. Here, on our right, was seated the
Thanadar; on our left was the favorite son of Guzung Fur, king of Hunza : further down, on either side,
were the ambassadors from Nugur and Chitral—below were seen the deputies from Chilas and Boonjie—lower
down, shining in gold and silver, stood out the traitor Ahmed Khan, now chief of Gilgit.* In the background,
adding lustre to the scene marched the forces of His Highness the Maharajah of Kashmir. Such was the
spectacle imperfectly told, but perhaps the greatest that Astor had ever seen ; in the distance and far away
extending on either side crowded villages, old and young, to look upon the great Chiefs who had so long
fought with valor and success against Golab and Rumbhir Singh. After having shaken bands with one and
all, and asked questions about the manners, customs, laws, &c. &c. of each country, we asked permission to
see some of the celebrated dogs for which the Gora-man or Adam-ferosh (late King of Yasin and Gilgit) used
* There seems to be a mistake in this name.