This chapter documents the regional and local parties that emerged in Gilgit-Baltistan since 1947. These parties became a vehicle to voice local sentiments and resent- ments. The essay also argues that the silencing of local voices has... more
This chapter documents the regional and local parties that emerged in Gilgit-Baltistan since 1947. These parties became a vehicle to voice local sentiments and resent- ments. The essay also argues that the silencing of local voices has become part of the political unconsciousness informing nationalist discourses in post- colonial period. The region’s political setup has produced certain subjective feelings which in turn have produced a political narrative with nationalist trappings. This paper analyzes the process, procedures, actors and factors in postcolonial period that have contributed to weakening of local political narra- tive and power in Gilgit-Baltistan and paved the way for the ascendency of ideology of national-level political parties and power of federal government over Gilgit-Baltistan.
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Historically, the region of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan was governed through "microstates" and tribal councils in different valley domains. For centuries, this political system enabled people to manage individual relationships, local... more
Historically, the region of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan was governed through "microstates" and tribal councils in different valley domains. For centuries, this political system enabled people to manage individual relationships, local economies, social affairs and state politics. The arrival of the Dogra Raj and British rule in Gilgit-Baltistan in the second half of the nineteenth century weakened the local social contract, disintegrating local power structures over time.
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Creativity is one of the most fascinating facets of humans that has fascinated thinking minds since the dawn of civilisation. Because of the mysterious nature and mystical aura surrounding creativity, it has elicited attention of the... more
Creativity is one of the most fascinating facets of humans that has fascinated thinking minds since the dawn of civilisation. Because of the mysterious nature and mystical aura surrounding creativity, it has elicited attention of the thinkers and sages in different societies and cultures for more than the last four millennia. In pre-Socratic Greece, creativity is attributed to the goddess Muse who presided over the arts and science. In Egypt and Levant priests weaved grand stories around the creation of the universe and its entities. Spiritual and fiery beings called jinn inspired Arab poets in the pre-Islamic period. They carry the meaning of invisible, hidden and mysterious. 1 Aristotle in his book, 'Poetics,' 2 tried to explain the origin and development of poetry and its different kinds. There is a long list of poets, thinkers, sages, priests and philosophers who have attempted to explicate creative élan that transforms the ordinary and transient experience into an infinite metaphor and infuses meaning into a work of art.
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The existing identity of Gilgit-Baltistan is solely dependent on the definition manufactured by the state. Its marginality is further enhanced by the absence of power after the abolition of local principalities in the region during the... more
The existing identity of Gilgit-Baltistan is solely dependent on the definition manufactured by the state. Its marginality is further enhanced by the absence of power after the abolition of local principalities in the region during the second half of the twentieth century. This papers explores that factors, actors and processes which have contributed to complete hegemony of the state narrative or identity.
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This essay intends to take stock of the relationship between the Crusaders and Nizārīs of Syria, and the process of the formation of the assassin legend. Its main focus will be the examination of the misperceptions of the Crusaders about... more
This essay intends to take stock of the relationship between the Crusaders and Nizārīs of Syria, and the process of the formation of the assassin legend. Its main focus will be the examination of the misperceptions of the Crusaders about the Nizārīs Ismailis and how the lack of knowledge about Islam in general and the Ismailis in particular gave way to imaginative speculation to fill the gaps of knowledge.
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State, culture and religion are major factors whose int raction influences and shapes the character of a society. When examining t he in eraction between state, culture, and religion in society, and their cumulative influ ence on it one... more
State, culture and religion are major factors whose int raction influences and shapes the character of a society. When examining t he in eraction between state, culture, and religion in society, and their cumulative influ ence on it one has to take into consideration the complex nature of the interaction . A alyzing the function of each aspect in isolation presents a fragmentary picture of a complex social phenomenon. The society functions properly when state, culture and religion interact in harmony. Disharmony in interaction results in intellectual p overty, cultural stagnation, and parochial attitudes on the one hand, and alienation of the masses from prevalent economic, political, and religious issues on the ot her. Thus, to analyze the interaction between culture, state and religion it is imperativ e to take into account the interaction between these three elements.
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Most of the valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan are ruled by customary laws. This proved conducive to local communities to manage their affairs related to land, pastures, water, minerals and community assets. The paper maps major customary laws... more
Most of the valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan are ruled by customary laws. This proved conducive to local communities to manage their affairs related to land, pastures, water, minerals and community assets. The paper maps major customary laws governing resource management in Gilgit-Baltistan. In terms of land it provides historical overview of land laws under the rule of Mirs (ruler), colonial and post-colonial period. Also, it discusses typologies of land tenure in Gilgit-Baltistan. Typologies include: private land, Khalsa land or state-owned land, Shamilat or community lands and pasture lands.
It is felt that many of the customary practices prevalent in Gilgit-Baltistan contain many of the broad elements existing in statutory laws. This research shows that the ideas of justice, equity, accountability, fairness and respect for gender are integrated into conceptions of customary laws. One common feature across all customary systems is the immense emphasis on restorative justice. Modern conceptions of retributive justice as practiced by contemporary nation-states and in Pakistan is less important than the restoration of honor of the individual transgressor and preservation of community harmony. The liminal status of Gilgit-Baltistan has direct bearing over the practice of customary laws and its clash with modern laws.
This study reveals the liminal or unclear status of Gilgit-Baltistan and enables governments to regulate and rule the region through different policies and procedures in various parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. As a result, Gilgit-Baltistan presents a case where the land is regulated through anomalous and paradoxical laws cohabiting the same space and time in the region. To overcome the contradictions within the existing system it is suggested that the customary laws should be formalized so that communities of Gilgit-Baltistan might be able to keep the communal spirit alive instead of disintegrated into individuals following different laws at the same time
It is felt that many of the customary practices prevalent in Gilgit-Baltistan contain many of the broad elements existing in statutory laws. This research shows that the ideas of justice, equity, accountability, fairness and respect for gender are integrated into conceptions of customary laws. One common feature across all customary systems is the immense emphasis on restorative justice. Modern conceptions of retributive justice as practiced by contemporary nation-states and in Pakistan is less important than the restoration of honor of the individual transgressor and preservation of community harmony. The liminal status of Gilgit-Baltistan has direct bearing over the practice of customary laws and its clash with modern laws.
This study reveals the liminal or unclear status of Gilgit-Baltistan and enables governments to regulate and rule the region through different policies and procedures in various parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. As a result, Gilgit-Baltistan presents a case where the land is regulated through anomalous and paradoxical laws cohabiting the same space and time in the region. To overcome the contradictions within the existing system it is suggested that the customary laws should be formalized so that communities of Gilgit-Baltistan might be able to keep the communal spirit alive instead of disintegrated into individuals following different laws at the same time
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Like other words, the very word civilization is not as sublime and humane as it appears, for it has a seamy side which tends to be overlooked in the narcissist representation of civilization in the nationalist and academic discourse. Like... more
Like other words, the very word civilization is not as sublime and humane as it appears, for it has a seamy side which tends to be overlooked in the narcissist representation of civilization in the nationalist and academic discourse. Like other things in the world, the idea of civilization also degenerates in the shape of wars and contributes to the construction of inhuman “Others”. This paper tries to trace how the very word of civilization is employed to differentiate one group of human beings from other cultural groups. The inherent narcissism in the idea of civilization makes people to deem people other than their own group as animals or sub-human. Hence, the age old practice of comparing civilized nations with barbarians.