The Unsung Glory: A Tribute to the Heroes, Martyrs, and Ghazis of the Freedom Struggle of Gilgit-Baltistan (1947–48)
“When the will of a people converges with the call of destiny, freedom becomes inevitable.”
The 1st of November marks one of the most momentous and defining chapters in the history of Gilgit-Baltistan — a day when courage triumphed over coercion, faith eclipsed fear, and a handful of determined souls, guided by love for their homeland and devotion to Pakistan, altered the course of history.
In 1947, when the Subcontinent reeled from the tremors of Partition, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, isolated by geography but united in spirit, decided to take their destiny into their own hands. On that fateful day, the Gilgit Scouts and the brave local populace rose in defiance against Dogra domination, casting off the yoke of oppression and hoisting the banner of freedom in the icy winds of Gilgit.
The liberation of Gilgit-Baltistan was not a product of chance; it was the result of vision, discipline, and strategic precision. It cannot be gainsaid that no struggle of this kind, nor any military movement, can be undertaken haphazardly. Such acts demand careful strategizing from a military point of view, especially when confronting a well-trained, battle-hardened, and well-armed force. These moments require rigorous tactical planning — how to outmaneuver, overpower, or subdue the enemy during a formidable campaign. The heroes of Gilgit-Baltistan displayed precisely that — a blend of spontaneous uprising and calculated military mastery that ensured victory against the odds.
Under the inspirational command of Major (later Colonel) Mirza Hassan Khan — a son of the soil and a seasoned officer trained at the Dehra Dun Military Academy, who was decorated with the Military Cross during World War II for his feats of bravery and tactical acumen — together with Major Ehsan Ali Khan (later Colonel), the first commissioned officer from Gilgit-Baltistan who arrived at the scene precisely on the historic day, and Subedar Major (later Captain) Raja Muhammad Babar Khan, along with the distinguished Viceroy’s Commissioned Officers (VCOs) — the Gilgit Scouts and local volunteers displayed remarkable coordination, courage, and resolve. The revolt was swift, disciplined, and blood-earned, culminating in the surrender of Brigadier Ghansara Singh, the Dogra Governor of Gilgit, and the establishment of local control within hours — a feat unparalleled in the annals of regional history.
Yet, the flame of freedom did not stop at Gilgit. It spread to the rugged valleys of Skardu, Kharmang, Astore, and Baltistan, where countless unsung heroes and ghazis — villagers, scouts, and tribal fighters — engaged in fierce battles under the harshest of conditions. Many attained martyrdom; their resting places, scattered across the mountains, remain silent chronicles of sacrifice and valor.
Among those immortalized in the hearts of the people is Shaheed Amir Hayat, the first martyr of the Gilgit-Baltistan Freedom Struggle, whose grave at Haiderpura stands as both a symbol of pride and a poignant reminder of neglect. His sacrifice — like that of so many others — demands proper recognition and preservation as part of Pakistan’s national heritage.
Their triumph was not merely military but deeply moral and ideological. It embodied the principles of faith, unity, and self-determination. It was a declaration to the world that even in the remotest corners of the Himalayas, people yearned for and achieved their right to freedom — not as mercenaries, but as patriots devoted to the creation of Pakistan.
As we commemorate this sacred day, we pay solemn homage to those gallant souls — the heroes, martyrs, and ghazis — whose courage carved the destiny of Gilgit-Baltistan. Their devotion and sacrifice deserve not only remembrance but rightful recognition in the national narrative.
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan, ever loyal to the vision of Pakistan, continue to honor that legacy — a legacy born of courage, sustained by faith, and sanctified by sacrifice.
May the indomitable spirit of 1st November 1947 forever guide the generations of Gilgit-Baltistan — to stand united, dignified, and steadfast, as their forebears did amidst the mountains that echo with the songs of freedom.
Long live the legacy of the liberators of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Long live Pakistan.
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