The Hidden Treasure of Gilgit City (Documentary)

Contents

1.    Introduction:............................................................................................................................ 3

1.1      Ancient Civilization:......................................................................................................... 3

1.1.2 Archeological Heritage:...................................................................................................... 4

2.    Literature Review:.................................................................................................................... 5

3.    Objectives of Documentary:.................................................................................................... 6

4.    Research Methodology............................................................................................................ 7

5.    Main Characters:...................................................................................................................... 8

5.1. Objects:................................................................................................................................. 8

5.2. Places:................................................................................................................................... 8

5.3. Peoples:................................................................................................................................. 8

6.    Expected Results:..................................................................................................................... 9

7.    Schedule Field Visits:............................................................................................................ 10

8.    Time Line:.............................................................................................................................. 11

9.    Budget:................................................................................................................................... 12

References:.................................................................................................................................... 13

 1.     Introduction:

This Documentary will reveal the history of hidden ancient places in Gilgit city and their historic importance. The following lines present a brief overview of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) as well as Gilgit city.  Gilgit-Baltistan formerly known as the Northern Areas is the northern most political entity within Pakistan. Gilgit-Baltistan is situated within the Karakorum Range, consisting of the three largest glaciers outside the Polar Regions, and highest mountain systems of the world that include the Karakorum, Himalayas, Pamir’s,  and the Hindukush. This high altitude region is also a politically strategic region sharing borders with Afghanistan, China's, India. ^[i] The last 30 years have seen a revolutionary development in the area by the construction of the Karakorum Highway (KKH) and the development initiatives by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). This has been coupled with the patronage of recent provincial status and autonomy in 20`09 whereby Gilgit City became the provincial capital of GB. Gilgit City is the administrative and commercial capital Gilgit-Baltistan- the so called 5th Province of Pakistan. The unique feature about this city and its surroundings is the backdrop of one of the most ecological sensitive, scenic, ancient inland trade routes.

1.1   Ancient Civilization:

The Karakorum and Hindukush have always been rather porous barriers, offering shorter, seasonal routes between South and Central Asia. Traders, conquerors, saints and travellers have been passing through this route since over 4000 years. Evidence of human activity can be traced in this region in the form of world’s largest collection of rock carvings dated from 7th century. In the past, this area has been a point of attraction and apple of discord because of its location at the cross roads of civilizations. Through this region, flow of silk from China and spices from India went to the west, and the great overland trade routes known as the Silk Routes blossomed. Throughout the ages we see struggle over the control of trade routes between the neighboring Central Asian states, the kingdoms of Northern Areas and the Chinese Empire.

It is through this link that this `region became the eastern most extent of the Greek Empire in 327 BC. This was followed by the Great Asoka Empire along with the Buddhist leanings in 272-235 BC. Consequently, we see the development of the great Gandharain civilizations as a result of fusion between Greek and Buddhist ideas.  ^[ii]

1.1.2 Archeological Heritage:

Important archaeological sites include cave paintings, megalithic stone circles, and Buddhist stupas and monasteries numerous ancient rock carvings and inscriptions have also been discovered throughout the Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly along the Silk Route. The history of the Gilgit-Baltistan has been reconstructed based upon this “rock art”, and there is a high likelihood that more sites await discovery. The Gilgit manuscripts are among the oldest manuscripts in the world, and the oldest manuscript collection surviving in Pakistan, having major significance in the areas of Buddhist studies and the evolution of Asian and Sanskrit literature.

The manuscripts are believed to have been written in the 5th to 6th Century CE, though some more manuscripts were discovered in the succeeding centuries, which were also classified as Gilgit manuscripts. ^[iii]  The Gilgit city contain various heritage sites as it had been ruled by different civilizations dated from 7th century including Greek Empire, Asoka Empire, Buddhists and Gandharan civilizations, Mughal Empire and Sikh empire. Evidence of human activity can be traced in this region in the form of world’s largest collection of rock carvings. Several archaeological sites, including the Kargah Buddha, the Noorpurstupas, the Mughal Minar, the Hand touch Foot Touch Stone, Oldest Market, Buddluph library, the rock containing 12 ancient Prince names and the Danyore Inscription (a huge boulder bearing inscriptions from the 7th/8th century A.D.) are the only archaeological site in the Gilgit city which is currently protected under the Pakistan Antiquities Act.^[iv]

 2.     Literature Review:

 Many research studies have been conducted on geographical and historical importance of Gilgit city; which are of great significance from a local as well as global perspective. Gilgit city is home to important archeological places such as Kargah Buddha, Hand Touch Foot Touch Stone, Noorpur stupas, the Mughal Minar, Danyore Inscription and Buddluph Public Library. Many books have been written on history and importance of Gilgit archeological places such as book Aks of Gilgit-Baltistan, Tareekh-e-Zillah Gilgit, and Bloristan. These books provide brief information about Gilgit-Baltistan, its importance in history as well as its archeological and geographical importance. Many research articles are also been written by researchers from Gilgit-Baltistan. Foreigner researchers also visit Gilgit-Baltistan to study and research about civilization, archeology, and rock carvings and try to explain their importance and meaning in history. Many different websites also provides information about Gilgit city and its important historical monuments for such as My Gilgit^[v] and Pamir times. ^[vi]

 3.     Objectives of Documentary:

                                               

 A number of attempts have been made by researchers and scholars to document the historic significance and heritage of GB but there is no visual documentary film available about archeological places of Gilgit city.

The objectives of this documentary are to:

❖    Document and reveal factual information and brief history about ancient archeological places within Gilgit city.

❖    Highlight the importance of such historic and the potential of their contribution to boost up economy through tourism.

❖    Convey messages to Local Government to protect and maintain these places for tourist which is back bone in economy of Gilgit-Baltistan.

❖    Document the untold stories and perception around archeological sites

4.        Research Methodology

The following tools will be used to gather data for the documentary. It is basically a historical/ethnographic study using field work (Participant observation

And In-depth Interviews. (Max 5).

5.     Main Characters:

The documentary will include the following main characters.

5.1. Objects:

❖     Kargah Buddah

❖     Muglia Minar

❖     Old Bridges

❖     Danyore Rock Inscriptions

❖     Hand Touch Foot Touch Rock

❖     Buddliph Municipal Library

❖     The Gilgit Manuscript

5.2. Places:

❖     Main City

❖     Hainzal Gilgit

❖     Danyore Gilgit

❖     Jutial Gilgit

❖     Kargah Gilgit

5.3. Peoples:

❖     Sharbaz Ali barcha

❖     Dr Manzoom

❖     Dr Mueez

6.     Expected Results:

 

v  This documentary will explore the hidden treasures of Gilgit city which are important in our history.

v  By watching this documentary people will

v  be aware about hidden ancient treasures in Gilgit city which is important to their history, civilization and culture.

v  The documentary will also provide guidance for the local and as well as non-local tourists about ancient archeological places within city.

v  It will also grab the attention of Tourism Department of Gilgit-Baltistan to reserve, maintain and protect these places for tourist which can contribute a greater part in economy.

7.       Schedule Field Visits:

Saturday & Sunday (Producing, Recording, Interviewing and Editing) [1] 

Monday to Friday (Collecting, Organizing, drafting and analyzing recorded data)

     1. Finalization of proposal (1 week)

2. Collection of data (4 weeks)

3. Scripting (2 weeks)

4. Editing (3 weeks)

5. Final Cut (2 weeks

8.       Time Line:

      The duration of this documentary will be 30 minutes.

9.     Budget:

               

S.No	Expenditure Items	Cost
1	Press kit (rent)	10,000/-
2	Travel expenses	8000/-
3	Refreshment	5000/-
4	Graphic Designing/Editing	6000/-
5	Total Exp	31,000/-

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 References:

^[i] www.tourism.gov.pk/mountaineering.html

^[ii]  Pakistan & the Karakoram Highway  By Sarina Singh, Lindsay Brown, Paul Clammer, Rodney Cocks, John Mock

^[iii] Interview from Sherbaz Ali Barcha on Archeology of Gilgit city  (13/09/2015; 01:15 pm to 02:30 pm)

^[iv] Interview From Sherbaz Ali Barcha

^[v]  www.mygilgit.com.pk

^[vi]  www.pamirtimes.com.pk

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