Ganish
Oldest Village Of Hunza
The following script was taken from the GOV site
| Name of Site | Ganish Hunza |
| Period / Age | 11th Century |
| Location | Ganish Hunza |
| Legal Status | Not protected under any Act. |
| Ownership | Private |
| Cultural Heritage Type | Historical settlement. |
| Significance | One of the earliest settlements of Hunza valley. A part of a complex of two other historic cities Baltit and Altit as well as Hunza- Haldeikish, 'a cultural enclave’ of great historic significance. |
Description of Site:
Ganish village is located on flat land near the Hunza River and the Hunza hill at an altitude of 7,500 ft. Though it has several new Khuns (clusters), Bitan Khun, Suni Khun, Buldus, Ganish Shukonoshal, Chaboikushal and Tsill Ganish, Ganish Khun is the oldest. The original layout of Ganish Khun is mostly intact, even after damage caused by a flood in 1960 and the construction of the KKH through it in the 1970's. Garnish’s existing historic fabric is a typical central Hunza Khun layout, which comprises of 39 houses dating back to the 15th century. This fabric contains a number of buildings (Imam-bargah, Himaltar and Shikaris Sawab-Ha, mosques, schools, guest house etc) and open spaces that are outstanding in their spatial layout, architecture and decoration. Ancient chinar’s, mulberry and willow trees testify to the age of the settlement.
The village’s surroundings consist of thousand of year’s old meticulously constructed terrace houses, lush green agricultural terraces, orchards and meadows. The orchards and meadows terrace down to the Hunza River and create a most beautiful form of landscape.
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Salient Feature(s):
The historic settlement nestles in the man-made surroundings consisting of agricultural terraces that lie beneath the breath taking view of Karimabad, the Baltit fort, the Altit settlement and its fort as well as the famous Rakaposhi, Ultar, Golden Peak, and Diran mountains. Added to this the settlement over looks the Hunza River. Garnish’s historic Khun has retained much of its original form and is a testimony to the fabric of traditional settlements, its buildings, and the historical architecture of the Hunza valley.
State of Conservation and Site Management:
Approached by the Ganish residents, AKCS-P/AKTC developed a conservation and rehabilitation master plan for the settlement. The Ganish Town Management Society is implementing the master plan in stages. The Society is responsible for raising funds through an entrance fee from tourists, and by motivating Ganish residents to provide voluntary manpower for on-going projects. AKCS-P/AKTC provides the necessary technical input and management guidelines.
SACRED ROCKS in Ganish
Description of Site: Inscribed on a stone ridge between the Hunza River and the KKH. The ridge is divided into four parts which are covered with hundreds of carvings and inscriptions. The site offers unobstructed views of the Altit Fort as well as Burundo-bar and the high mountain pasture of Ghawhos.
Salient Feature(s): Many inscriptions in different scripts can be found on these rocks which include an inscription made by a Chinese envoy, as well as various animal carvings, and Buddhist topics. State of Conservation and Site Management: Endangered by erosion, pollution due to a close by brick factory, and the influx of tourism. The rock contains a ruby vein with crystals of minor quality; however, holes were drilled for their extraction.
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All the above scrip was taken from http://www.northernareas.gov.pk where I do thanks and pay my respect to the Management of the GOV site. Sajjad Hyder |
