State of Nagar
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| State of Nagar | |
  This article is part of the series: |
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| Capital |
Nagar |
| Area |
5,000 km² |
| Main language(s) | Burushaski, Shina |
| Established | 14th century |
| Abolished | 25th September, 1974 |
| Historic regions of Pakistan | |
| Original Provinces
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Former States |
| Other subdivisions | |
| Northern Areas Government Website | |
The State of Nagar is a former princely state in the northernmost part of the Northern Areas of Pakistan, which existed until 1974. The state bordered the Gilgit Agency to the south and west, and the former princely state of Hunza to the north and east. The state capital was the town of Nagar. The area of Nagar now forms two tehsils of Gilgit District.
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[edit] History
Nagar was an autonomous principality in close association with neighbouring Hunza. The British gained control of both states 1889 and 1892. The British retained Nagar's status as a 'principality' until 1947 but together with Hunza it was considered a vassal of Kashmir, although never ruled directly by it. The rulers of Nagar sent annual tributes to the Kashmir Durbar until 1947, and along with the ruler of Hunza, were considered amongst the most loyal vassals of the Maharaja of Kashmir.
In 1947, the state acceded to Pakistan, but continued as an autonomous state until 1974, when Nagar and Hunza were merged into the Northern Areas.
[edit] Government
The state was governed by the hereditary rulers of the Maghlot dynasty who were styled as Mir and were assisted by a council of Wazirs or Ministers. Details for early rulers are uncertain with the first definite dates available from 1839 CE onwards.
| Reign | Mirs of Nagar |
|---|---|
| Unknown dates | Fadl Khan |
| Unknown dates | Daud Khan |
| Unknown dates | Ali Dad Khan (1st time) |
| Unknown dates | Hari Tham Khan |
| Unknown dates | Ali Dad Khan (2nd time) |
| Unknown dates | Kamal Khan |
| Unknown dates | Rahim Khan I |
| Unknown date - 1839 | Rahim Khan II |
| 1839 - 1891 | Jafar Zahid Khan (1st time) |
| 1891 - 1892 | Raja Azur Khan (acting) |
| 1892 - 1904 | Jafar Zahid Khan (2nd time) |
| 1905 - 17th March 1940 | Raja Mir Iskandar Khan |
| 17th March 1940 - 25th September 1974 | Shaukat Ali Khan |
| 25th September 1974 | State of Nagar dissolved |
[edit] Geography
The geography of Nagar was very mountainous difficult terrain which provided a certain degree of protection against invading forces. The highest mountain was the 7,788 m (25,551 ft) Mount Rakaposhi which lay to the south of the town of Nagar.
Today, the famous Karakoram Highway crosses Nagar, connecting Pakistan to China via the Khunjerab Pass. The road follows the Hunza river for some distance through Nagar and into the Hunza region.
[edit] Demographics
Nagar was home to people of two main ethnicities - the Burushaski speakers and the Shina speakers. The majority of the people were Shia Muslims.
