From Subjugation to Extinction A Tragic History of The Indigenous People of Gilgit-Baltistan
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Gilgit-Baltistan, one of the most mountainous regions on Earth, has been home to ancient peoples with a fascinating and unique culture and traditions. It is in a strategically located territory at the crossroads of some of the world’s powerful empires. Far from a blessing, its strategic location has attracted endless suffering for its people. They have become sandwiched between expansionist and hostile colonial powers for centuries. Now Gilgit-Baltistan is left divided between the new colonial masters, India and Pakistan since the partition of the Subcontinent in 1947.In this article, I discuss the geological history of the land, ancient geographic features of the national territory of the historic Gilgit-Baltistan, and the fatally adverse consequences of colonization on culture, biodiversity, and political life of the people introduced by the British and then carried on by Pakistan. Based on his analysis, the author warns the new geostrategic development may lead to an ‘extinction crisis’ of the ancient people of the region and leave with irreparable damage to its sensitive ecology.
Source: Fourth World Journal
DOI: 10.63428/mv3dg035
Author: Amir Wali Khan
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4409831568