Hunza (Pre-independence Pakistan)

Last modified: 2002-03-23 by jonathan dixon
Keywords: pakistan | british india | hunza | mountains | bow and arrow | crescent |
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redrawn by Jarig Bakker from an image by Chris Kretowicz, 31 Mar 2001

• About Hunza
• Description of the flag
• Arms

• Indian Princely States in the modern territory of Pakistan
• Pakistan

State of Hunza in Gilgit Agency which is North of North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. Recognized by the British as a semi-independent principality in 1850s, Hunza progressively lost sovereignity in the process of constitutional changes in Pakistan. State was incorporated into Pakistan in 1974. Last ruler was Mir Mohammad Jamal Khan 1946-74. Hunza is supposedly one of the most beautifull corners of the world.
Chris Kretowicz, 31 Mar 2001

From Encyclopaedia Universalis CD-ROM 1998:

The Hunza are a mountain ethnic group located in the Karakoram area in Pakistan. They might have settled in the Karakorum are more than 15 centuries ago.

Black mountains with snow, below a green "sky". In the green field, white crescent and star and golden bow and arrow, pointing to the lower fly.
Source: Flags of Aspirant Peoples

The symbolism of the flag is quite clear: green, crescent and star for Moslims, mountains and snow for the country (mountains in the area are schistous, thus explaining the black colour). I am a bit puzzled by the bow and arrow, because the Hunza are famous for their gardening and water management skills (the mir himself must prove his skills) but not for hunting.
Ivan Sache, 16 Sep 1999

from Chris Kretowicz, 31 Mar 2001