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INTODUCTION TO THE STUDY AREA
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION:
Hussaini Village is situated in Hunza valley, 145 km North of Gilgit and 45 km from Ali Abad in Central Hunza. Hunza River flows in to the east while the Karakoram Highway (KKH) passes to its west.
Hussaini Village is situated on 74*.54' and 03" East longitude to 36*.26' and 53" North latitude at an altitude of 2556 meters (Source-GPS) above sea level.
South of Hussaini is Gulmit (the headquarters of Gojal magistracy - tehsil), Ghulkin is to the southwest, while Passu is in the north with famous Batura glacier. Hussaini glacier is located to the west with famous Shisper peak, 7611 meter.
Hussaini is a small village of Gojal (Upper Hunza) in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. It is situated on the both banks of Hunza River. The old main village is on the western-bank and at the lateral moraine of Hussaini glacier and below Borith Lake. The newly irrigated land, called Zarabod, is on the left bank. The total population is 545 souls, living in 75 households.
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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF HUSSAINI VILLAGE
There is no written history of the village. The history of the village can only be traced in the old folk stories and events, orally transferred from one generation to another. According to the known history, Hussaini has been settled twice. The people, who first settled here, were called Ghosanos. The origin of the Ghosano is not exactly known, however, some people say that these people were the descendents of the Warshighoom State, called Mehtarjaos (the princes but not legitimate to share in the governance)2.
Ghosanos had a very close working and family relation with the neighbouring village called Passu; almost all the ceremonies like marriage and festivals were celebrated together. The people from Passu were, and still, called Paswik and from Ghusani were called Ghusano. Once, Paswiks were invited in a party by Ghsanos, but due to the unknown causes, they quarreled with each other in the party. Most of Ghusanos were killed in the village. Some of them ran away downstream with the Hunza River. They were chased by Passuweks up-till Gilgit. Sirang Momad (Muhammad) and his son Sirang Qmut were Paswik heroes who followed the Ghusanos down to Gilgit. Raja of Gilgit arrested Sirang Momad and his son Sirang Qmut and gave shelter to Gusanos. The people from Ghosani left the village, and the ruler of Gilgit settled them some where around Gilgit.
Now the land of Hussaini was waiting for the new comers. A prince named Musofir ran away with his brother Majower from Ptukh Wakhan (presently in Afghanistan) due to tug of war in contest for throne of the state. Their elder brother was crown prince. He was unhappy with his brothers due to his position. The younger brothers were always scared of the elder brother because he could kill them to save his throne. One day both of the brothers left the sate and Majower escaped to Ishkomen valley (Presently in the Ghizer district of the Northern Areas), and Musofir came to Hussaini and settled there.
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ZARABOD
As it has been mentioned that Hussaini consists of two localities, the old settlement and the newly irrigated area called Zarabod. Zarabod is a Persian word: Zar means gold while abod means cultivated land. Thus, Zarabod formed by the combination of Zar and Abod. Why has it been named as Zarabod? The people of the village narrate that one of the princes of the former Hunza State, named as Bakhtawar (Baxtawor), was brought-up by a Sisunik (an inhabitant of Hussaini). Bakhtawar was the then Crown Prince who was killed by his brother Abdulla Khan. Therefore, the Hussaini people boycotted with Mir (ruler) of Hunza because of this killing. At that time, the people of Hussaini were strong enough in terms of fighting and wealth; and, therefore, the ruler of Hunza was scared of any revolt from these people. The Mir sent message through a messenger that he would accept all demands if these people would compromise with him. Now, the ball was in the Sisuniks court. They took two plates of gold with them to Mir and demanded for Zarabod. Mir excepted the gold and handed over Zarabod to the people of Hussaini. And, thus, Zarabod got its conception in this manner, and was cultivated.
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BORITH:
Borith is a hamlet and situated in the surroundings of the Borith Lake and to the northwest of Hussaini. The altitude of Borith is roughly 8500 feet above sea level. According to the people of Hussaini, the people of Hussaini used this land as winter grazing land. But these days, there are some disputes over this land between the peoples of Hussaini and Ghulkin.
According to the elders of Hussaini, a clan of Ghulkin requested Mir Jamal Khan, the last ruler of former Princely State of Hunza, to permit the aforementioned clan to cultivate the land. Mir did so along with an agreement that these people will grow the crops only and would not plant any tree and will not use the land for winter grazing, as this is the legitimate pastoral land of the Hussaini people. However, with the passage of time the people from Ghulkin started planting trees there to occupy the land. Anyhow, the winter grassing right still remains with the Hussaini peopley.
In contrast, the community from Ghulkin does argue on the other way round. This problem, however, needs a rational investigation to know about the disputes between the two neighbouring villages so that to have a consensus on their actual issue.
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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY AREA
The study was conducted with the following objectives:
1. To find out the socio-economic and physical condition of the village;
2. To know the demographic pattern and education level of the study area;
3. To see the housing condition, pattern, amenities, and layout of the village;
4. To find out the problems of the study area and give suitable suggestion for their solution;
5. To find out way and means for future development of the village.
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SELECTION OF THE STUDY AREA
Hussaini was selected for the study keeping in view the following points:
1. To carryout the socio- economic survey of this village, as no previous study of socio-economic and geographical nature existed about the area.
2. The village is easily accessible, as it is on the KKH and because of the road, tremendous changes have occurred in the area, that I wanted to study. |
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