The Making of a Frontier

While dealing with the British frontier history in 19 century a stretch of frontier known as the region of the Eastern Hindu Kush occupies a special importance. It comprised the districts and states of Baltistan or Little Tibet, Gilgit, Hunza and Nagar, Chitral, and the Indus Valley from Bunji to Sazin. Almost all of these were either directly under the rule of, or tributary to, Kashmir, one of the most important native states of British India. The importance of this portion of the frontier lies mainly in the proximity of the Russian outposts. The book presents a live record of the experiences of a frontier officer in times of peace as well as in those of war. The author also gives an indepth account of the British policy pursued on the Gilgit frontier, the steps taken to give it effect and the result attained. As such it deals with a constant struggle to raise this part of frontier from a condition of incessant war, anarchy, and oppression, into a state of fairly established peace, prosperity, and good governance. Various circumstances leading to the establishment of the British agency at Gilgit as well as objectives behind it have also been discussed in full length. Besides, the book also contains a description of Kashmir Valley, Chitral, Hunza and Nagar, and Dardistan as experienced by the author. The British expedition of Hunza-Nagar has been dealt separately. Finally, a word of explanation has also been given about the Indus Valley tribes such as Gor, Darel, Tangir, Chilas and their relation to Kashmir.