Dardistan

Dardistan is a term coined by Gottlieb William Leitner for northern Pakistan, Kashmir and parts of north-eastern Afghanistan. It is inhabited by Dards speaking Dardic languages. It includes Chitral, the upper reaches of the Panjkora River, the Kohistan (highland) of Swat, and the upper portions of the Gilgit Agency. Mentioned by the classical historians Pliny the Elder, Ptolemy, and Herodotus, the Dards (Daradae, Daradrae, or Derdae) are said to be people of Aryan origin who ascended the Indus Valley from the Punjab plains, reaching as far north as Chitral. They were converted to Islam in the 14th century and speak three distinct dialects of Gilgit, Khowar, Burushaski, and Shina, employing the Persian script in writing.

Historical origin

Herodotus (III. 102-105) is the first author who refers to the country of Dards, placing it between Kashmir and Afghanistan. It is also referenced in Mahabharata, where it mentions the tribute of the ant-gold pipilika brought by the nations of the north to one of the sons of Pandu, king Yudhishthira.

The Dards are also the Darada of the Sanskrit writers. The Darada and Himavanta were the regions to which Buddha sent his missionaries.

Geography

Map of Dardistan

More than 75% of Dardistan is located in mountainous regions.

Dardic languages

• Dameli language
• Domaaki language
• Gawar-Bati language
• Kalami language
• Kalasha language
• Kashmiri language
• Khowar language
• Kohistani language
• Ningalami language
• Pashayi language
• Phalura language
• Shina language
• Shumashti language

See also

• Dardic people
• Dardic languages

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Dardistan". Encyclopædia Britannica. 7 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 829.