Historical Analysis of Gilgit Baltistan and Evaluation of Its Ethnic Diversity

Abstract

Gilgit Baltistan is located at the junction of central and South Asia, at the essence of three mighty mountain ranges: the Hindukush, the Himalaya, and the Karakorum, with a wholesome number of glaciers and a worthful quantity of mighty hills. Besides the ancient language, Burushaski is one aspect of cultural variation. The glimpses of historical monuments, multiple ruins of archeological sites, and Buddhist relics narrate the splendid past of this region, which works multidimensionally in projecting the beauty of this land, promoting tourism, exploring the cultural diversity, encouraging the socio-economic status and infrastructure development. The land of Gilgit Baltistan is unique and has geographical, geological, racial, linguistic, and cultural diversity. These artistic, social, ethnic, and linguistic aspects make the foundation of regional identity, which is used in local and regional politics and later emerges in large-scale conflicts and disputes. This study explores the historical prospects of Gilgit Baltistan in a chronological manner in addition to its contemporary geostrategic significance. In the current scenario, the historical analysis of Gilgit Baltistan is contributing more after the advent of the Pakistan Economic Corridor, which refers to the increasing socio-economic development and decreasing cultural conflict.