Gilgit- alias Dardistan- includes tributory states of Hunza, Nagar, Chilas, Punial, Ishkuman, Kuh and Ghizar- Dardic race- followers of Ismaili sect headed by the Agha Khan- Conquered by Maharaja Ranbir Singh

 Gilgit- alias Dardistan- includes tributory states of Hunza, Nagar, Chilas, Punial, Ishkuman, Kuh and Ghizar- Dardic race- followers of Ismaili sect headed by the Agha Khan- Conquered by Maharaja Ranbir Singh

Gilgit: The fourth district in the region is Gilgit which is known as Dardistan. The region includes the tributory states of Hunza, Nagar, Chilas, Punial, Ishkuman, Kuh and Ghizar. 

The people belong to the Dardic race and are closely connected with Chitralis in race, culture and language. 

They are mostly followers of Ismaili sect headed by the Agha Khan (Muslims). 

This region was conquered by Maharaja Gulab Singh’s son, Maharaja Ranbir Singh between 1846 and 1860. Thousands of Dogra soldiers lost their lives in the campaigns that led to the conquest of this inhospitable but strategically very important region. 

The whole Dardistan including Gilgit has been merged with Pakistan and is governed by the Pakistani Central Government. This area has not been included even in the so called “Azad-Kashmir” (literally means Free/Liberated Kashmir. That is what the Pakistanis call the portion of Kashmir under their occupation).