A window to Northern Areas-III, The Muslim dated July 6,1997
Author: Syed Shamsuddin
Author: Syed Shamsuddin
In the ‘History of
Jammu and Kashmir’ by Maulvi Hashmatullah Khan Lakhnavi, there is a mention of
ancient rulers (Rajas) of Gilgit called Aghurtham and Baghurtham who have been
famous rulers of Brushal. It is to be noted that the word ‘Tham’ in Brushaski
means ruler. When delved deep, it transpires that the words like Berish (the
land of Berish), Malokush, Kanjukush etc.,
were further embellished by the Tibetans, the Baltis and Ladakhis by
pronouncing at ease as like Brushal in their own tongue. The Aghutham’s rock
still lies amidst Gilgit river near Thopchar in Gilgit city which is called
“Aghurthamai Giri”. Likewise, Aghurtham’s Forte is situated at Konodas, Gilgit
near Gulsher Mohellah where the remains are. It has been observed that the
carvings on the above rock and that of the Karagha nullah and the one at Hal
Nal near Nagaral are identical and hence seem to have been engraved with the
same hands and at the same time.
The famous Chinese
traveller Huyuan Sung, who travelled down to Swat crossing the Northern Areas
via Karghah nullah which took well over six months during sixth century AD,
mentions the rock carvings of Gilgit. As
far Aghurtham and Baghartham are concerned, they ruled over the Brushal before
6th century AD.
The word Sargin Geleet
in fact, originates from Brushiski from Sherkin meaning securing as in a
sanctuary or on a hunting ground. Giri means wildlife like Markhor etc. Meaning
in Sheena as ‘sharah’. It appears that the tract constituting the present
Gilgit was first used as a land for hunting wildlife while the above word
gradually went into the jargon that gave rise to Gilgit instead of ‘Sherkin
Geleet’.
Likewise the word
Baremoos land comes from sliding and flood. This has a bearing on the village
Barmas of Gilgit town. There is yet another remain of graveyard near Mohellah
Nagaral Gilgit called Khultoshing, on the pattern of Barmoos. Iltishin in
Brusheski means graveyard hence it appears that the place was the graveyard at
the time of Brushal which later passed through the jargon in Sheena as
Khultoshing. There are still words of Brusheski like Kapalkhan, Khomar, Jutial,
Sikar, Sakwar, Shilmish, Naltar, Brumai, Astotre, Halimal, Danyore, Chamoghar,
Jotel, Matumdas so on and so forth which all originally seem to have flowed
from Brusheski but later underwent degenerative phases on being used by people
of other linguistic groups.
Bagrote valley in
Gilgit carries immense historical and cultural significance in the area. It is
noteworthy that the brutal passage of time brings in its trail, drastic changes
in the socio-economic context and the said valley has not been immune from that. Once Bagrote valley was famous
for its abundant wildlife, fruits, crops and agricultural produce besides the
signs of ‘shamanism’ to be found there. It brings forth unequivocally that the
area of entire Brushal seems to have remained under the spell of ‘shamanism’
while Bagrote valley stood in the vanguard in the above context.
It has been observed
that the carvings on the above rock, that of the Kargha nullah and the one at
‘Hal Nal’ near Nagaral Mohellah, Gilgit town are identical hence seem to have
been engraved with the same hands and at the same time.The famous Chinese
traveller Huyuan Sung, who travelled down to Swat crossing the Northern Areas
via Kargah nullah which took well over six months during sixth century AD,
mentions the rock carvings of Gilgit. As far Aghurtham and Baghurtham are
concerned they ruled over the Brushal before 6th century A.D.
This tract was replete
with superstitions like ‘dayal’. Let us discuss as to how the word Bagrote
became known.
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