Hunza     Hunza was a former princely state in the northernmost part of the Northern Areas of Pakistan, which existed until 1974. The state bordered the Gilgit Agency to the south, the former princely state of Nagar to the east, China to the north and Afghanistan to the northwest. The state capital was the town of Baltit (also known as Karimabad). Rulers of this state were Muslim (Ismaili) and have an area of 10,101 km². Languages: Burushaski and Wakhi. The area of Hunza now forms the Aliabad tehsil of Gilgit District. Hunza along with Nagar, Gilgit and Baltistan are claimed by India as part of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Hunza was an independent principality for 900 years. The British gained control of Hunza and the neighbouring valley of Nagar between 1889 and 1892. The Tham (Chief/Mir) of Hunza escaped to China. Although never ruled directly by neighbouring Kashmir, Hunza was a vassal of Kashmir from the time of Maharaja Ranbir Singh of Jammu and Kashmir. The Mirs of Hunza sent an annual tribute to the Kashmir Durbar until 1947, and along with the ruler of Nagar, was considered to be among the most loyal vassals of the Maharaja of Kashmir. On 3rd November 1947, the ruler, Mohammad Jamal Khan sent a telegram to Mohammad Ali Jinnah acceding his state to Pakistan. The Hunza valley is situated at an elevation of 2,438 metres (7,999 feet). The former capital Baltit has an elevation of 2477 metres (8129 feet). For many centuries, Hunza has provided the quickest access to Swat and Gandhara for a person travelling on foot. The route was impassable to baggage animals; only human porters could get through, and then only with permission from the locals. Most of the people of Hunza are Ismaili Muslims. The local language is Brushuski, although Urdu and English are also widely understood.              15..           Hunza State founded.            1891           Under suzerainty of Kashmir.     25 Sep 1974           Incorporated into Pakistan.   The Hephthalites......................................c. 410 - c. 550 The Pratiharas........................................c. 550 - 988 Bokhara..................................................988 - 999 The Ghaznavid Empire.....................................999 - 1148 The Ghurid Empire.......................................1148 - 1213 Khwarazm................................................1213 - 1220 The Mongols.............................................1221 - 1332 The Timurids............................................1379 - 1506 ? Rulers (title: Mir) Salim Khan II Shah Sultan Khan Shahbaz Khan............................................1710 - 17.. Shahbeg Khan Shah Kisro Khan........................................~1750 - 1790 Mirza Khan.....................................................1790 Salim Khan III..........................................1790 - 1825 Ghazanfar Ali Khan I....................................1825 - 1864 Mohammad Ghazan Khan I..................................1864 - 1886 Safdar Ali Khan.........................................1886 - Dec 1891 The last independent ruler was Mir Safdar Khan, who ruled from 1886 to December 1891 - until the British conquest in December 1891. His younger brother Mir Mohammad Nazim Khan was installed by the British and Maharaja (Raja) of Kashmir in September 1892. Mohammad Nazim Khan, Tham of Hunza...............15 Sep 1892 - 22 Jul 1938 Mohammad Ghazan Khan II..........................22 Jul 1938 - 1945 Mohammad Jamal Khan S/o M. Ghazan Khan II...........Apr 1945 - 25 Sep 1974 He died in 1976. His son Ghazanfar Ali Khan II becomes the non-sovereign head of the state from 1976. Most of the family members are now settled in United Kingdom. State of Hunza was dissolved by Z. A. Bhutto, Prime Minister of Pakistan on 25 Sep 1974.     Pakistan's autonomous region of Gilgit-Baltistan Countries / Territories   Chiefa Coins