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Coordinates: 35°50′46″N 71°47′09″E / 35.84611°N 71.78583°E / 35.84611; 71.78583
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{{Short description|City in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan}}
{{About|the town of Chitral|other uses|Chitral (disambiguation)}}
{{About|the city of Chitral|the former princely state|Chitral (princely state)|the district|Chitral District}}
{{Coord|35|50|N|71|47|E|type:city(20000)_region:PK|display=title}}
{{pp-sock|small=yes}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=September 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Chitral
| name = Chitral
| native_name = {{hlist|{{nq|ݯھیترار}}|{{nq|چترال}}}}
|official_name = چترال
| native_name_lang = ur
|native_name = Chetrar
| other_name =
|settlement_type =
| nickname = Qāshqār
| settlement_type = [[City]]
| image_skyline = Chitral montage.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = <div style="background:#fee8ab;"> '''Clockwise from top:'''<br />{{hlist|View of Chitral Valley and [[Tirich Mir]]|Shahi Qilla|[[Shahi Mosque, Chitral|Shahi Mosque]]|[[Chitral Fort]]}}</div>
| pushpin_map = Khyber Pakhtunkhwa#Pakistan
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| coordinates = {{coord|35|50|46|N|71|47|09|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Pakistan}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Administrative units of Pakistan|Province]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of Pakistan|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Lower Chitral District|Lower Chitral]]
| leader_title = [[Mayor]] {{nobr|([[Lower Chitral District|Lower Chitral]])}}
| leader_name = Shahzada Aman Ur Rehman<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/946691-lg-polls-pti-sweeps-elections-in-upper-lower-chitral|title=LG polls: PTI sweeps elections in upper & lower Chitral|date=2 April 2022|access-date=10 January 2023|work=The News International newspaper)}}</ref>
| leader_party = [[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf|PTI]]
| leader_title1 =
| leader_name1 =
| leader_title2 =
| leader_name2 =
| leader_title3 =
| leader_name3 =
| leader_title4 =
| leader_name4 =
| established_title = Established
| established_date = {{start date and age|1885}}
| founder = British government
| government_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lgkp.gov.pk/districts/district-chitral-upper-lower/|title=District Chitral (Upper & Lower)|access-date=18 January 2022|website=Department of Local Government, [[Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]}}</ref>
| named_for = [[Field (agriculture)|Field]]
| government_type = [[Municipal Corporation]]
| governing_body = [[Local government in Pakistan#District|District Government]]
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 14,850
| elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{cite journal|url=https://dergipark.org.tr/download/article-file/546617|title=Spatial variability pattern and mapping of selected soil properties in hilly areas of Hindukush range northern, Pakistan|first1=Munir|last1=Ahmada|first2=Dost|last2=Muhammadb|first3=Maria|last3=Mussaratb|first4=Muhammad|last4=Naseerc|first5=Muhammad A.|last5=Khand|first6=Abid A.|last6=Khanb|first7=Muhammad Izhar|last7=Shafi|via=dergipark.org.tr|page=355|doi=10.18393/ejss.466424|journal=Eurasian Journal of Soil Science|year=2018|volume=7|issue=4|access-date=29 August 2019|doi-access=free}}</ref>
| elevation_m = 1494
| population_total = 49780
| population_as_of = 2017
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = [[Chitrali people|Chitralis]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2017census"/>
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Urdu]]<ref name="iranicaonline"/>
| demographics1_title2 = Regional
| demographics1_info2 = [[Chitrali language|Chitrali]]<ref name="iranicaonline">{{cite web|url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/indo-iranian-frontier-languages-and-the-influence-of-persian|title=Indo-Iranian Frontier Languages|publisher=Encyclopaedia Iranica|date=15 November 2006|access-date=6 November 2015}}</ref>
| timezone1 = [[Pakistan Standard Time]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:00
| postal_code_type = [[Zip Code]]
| postal_code = 17200<ref>[https://www.postalcodezone.com/chitral-postal-code-17200-nwfp-peshawar-pakistan Postal code]</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.loresult.com/postal-code/chitral-gpo/ | title=List of Postal Codes of GPOs of Chitral Pakistan Post 2023 }}</ref>
| area_code = 0943
| registration_plate = CL
| website = {{URL|https://lowerchitral.kp.gov.pk/}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Chitral''' ({{langx|khw|{{Nastaliq|ݯھیترار}}|lit=field|translit=ćhitrār}}) is a city situated on the [[Kunar River|Chitral River]] in northern area of [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]. It serves as the capital of the [[Lower Chitral District]], and was previously the capital of [[Chitral District]], and before that the capital of [[Chitral (princely state)|Chitral princely state]]. The region was encompassed into [[West Pakistan]] between the years 1969 and 1972. It has a population of 49,780 per the 2017 census.<ref name="2017census"/>


== History ==
<!-- images and maps ----------->
{{see also|Chitral (princely state)}}
|image_skyline = Ataliq bazaar.JPG
Nothing definitive is recorded about the town’s first settlers. In the 3rd century AD, [[Kanishka]], the ruler of the [[Kushan Empire]], occupied Chitral. In the 4th century AD, the Chinese overran the valley. Raees rule over Chitral began in 1320 and came to an end in the 15th century. From 1571 onwards Chitral was the capital of the princely state of Chitral under the rule of the [[Katur Dynasty]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Chitral, a Study in Statecraft|url=http://www.iucn.pk/publications/Chitral-A%20Study%20in%20Statecraft.pdf|publisher=IUCN}}</ref>
|image_caption = Ataliq bazaar, Chitral
|image_blank_emblem =


=== Ancient era ===
<!-- Location ------------------>
[[file:Singoor.png|thumb|left|Gankoreneotek Grave in [[Singoor]].]]
|coordinates_region = PK
The existence of the [[Gandhara grave culture|Gandharan Grave Culture]] in Chitral,<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&issn=0003598X&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA92286550&sid=googleScholar&linkaccess=abs|title=New exploration in the Chitral Valley, Pakistan: an extension of the Gandharan Grave culture|first1=Ihsan|last1=Ali|first2=Cathy|last2=Batt|first3=Robin|last3=Coningham|first4=Ruth|last4=Young|date=1 September 2002|journal=Antiquity|volume=76|issue=293|pages=647–654|doi=10.1017/S0003598X00091055 |s2cid=53462554 |accessdate=11 March 2023|via=go.gale.com}}</ref> found in various grave sites scattered over its valleys gives an insightful knowledge of its inhabitants following the [[Indo-Aryan migrations]], after the decline of [[Indus Valley Civilisation|Indus Valley civilization]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7xv-CwAAQBAJ&q=Gandhara+Grave+Culture+chitral&pg=PA291|title=A Companion to South Asia in the Past|last1=Schug|first1=Gwen Robbins|last2=Walimbe|first2=Subhash R.|date=13 April 2016|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-119-05547-1|language=en}}</ref> The Gankorineotek cemetery in [[Singoor]] is home to several ancient burial sites, dating back to the [[Vedic period]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hemphill |first1=Brian E. |last2=Zahir |first2=Muhammad |last3=Ali |first3=Ihsan |date=29 December 2017 |title=Skeletal Analysis of Gandharan Graves at Shah Mirandeh, Singoor, Chitral |url=https://www.prdb.pk/article/skeletal-analysis-of-gandharan-graves-at-shah-mirandeh-sing-7912}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2021 |title=Scientists say discovery of 3,000-year-old burial site key to tracing origins of Pakistan's Chitral |url=https://arab.news/5w9g3 |accessdate=3 December 2022 |website=Arab News PK}}</ref>
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{PAK}}
|subdivision_type1 = [[Subdivisions of Pakistan|Province]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Image:PK-NWFP.svg|22px]] [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]


The area which now forms Chitral was reportedly conquered by the [[Achaemenid Empire|Persian Achaemenids]] and was a part of one of their easternmost satraps.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Notes on Chitral|publisher=L.D. Scott|year=1903}}</ref> In the third century CE, [[Kanishka]], the Buddhist ruler of the [[Kushan Empire|Kushan empire]], occupied Chitral. Under the Kushans, many Buddhist monuments were built around the area, mainly Buddhist stupas and monasteries. The Kushans also patronised Buddhist art; some of the finest examples of the image of Buddha were produced in the region under the Kushan rule.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Gurdon's Report on Chitral|publisher=Gurdon|year=1903}}</ref>
<!-- Seat of government and towns-->
|seat_type =
|seat =
|parts_type =
|parts_style =
|parts =


=== Kator era ===
<!-- Politics ----------------->
[[File:Shahi Mosque, Chitral.jpg|thumb|left|Chitral's [[Shahi Mosque, Chitral|''Shahi'' Mosque]]]]
|government_footnotes =
From 1571 to 1969, Chitral was the dominion of the [[Katoor Dynasty|Kator Dynasty]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Chitral, a Study in Statecraft|url=http://www.iucn.pk/publications/Chitral-A%20Study%20in%20Statecraft.pdf|publisher=IUCN|access-date=6 November 2015}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=May 2023}} The British and Sikh garrison suffered a [[Chitral Expedition|siege]] by the Chitralis, possibly aided by Afghan forces, in 1895. The garrison was relieved after six weeks, and the British installed the young [[Shuja ul-Mulk]] as ''Mehtar'' ("ruler"). He ruled for the next 41 years.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Chitral|volume=6|pages=251–252|first=Thomas Hungerford|last=Holdich|author-link=Thomas Holdich}}</ref>
|government_type =
|MNA= Shehzada Moinudin
MPA= Salim khan (Minister for welfare and population)
|established_title = Municipal Corporation
|established_date = 1969
|established_title1 =
|established_date1 =
|established_title2 =
|established_date2 =
|established_title3 =
|established_date3 =
|languages = [[Khowar]]<br />[[Persian language|Persian]]


=== Accession to Pakistan ===
<!-- Area --------------------->
In 1947, following the division of the British colony of India, princely states were offered the choice to either remain independent or to choose one of the two new dominions. Initially, Chitral chose to remain an independent Monarchy. Later, the Mehtar of Chitral, who was a friend of Quaid E Azam [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah|Mohammad Ali Jinnah]], acceded to Pakistan and thus Chitral became one of the [[princely states of Pakistan]]. Through 1969 to 1972, it was fully integrated into Pakistan as the administrative district of Chitral.<ref name="OsellaSoares2010">{{cite book|last1=Osella|first1=Filippo|last2=Soares|first2=Benjamin|title=Islam, Politics, Anthropology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k0_QuKXhOuQC&pg=PA58|year=2010|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-4443-2441-9|page=58}}</ref>
|area_magnitude =
|area_footnotes =
|area_total_km2 = 14850
|area_total_sq_mi =


=== Role in the First Kashmir War ===
<!-- Elevation -------------------------->
Chitral played an instrumental role in the 1947–1948 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948|first Kashmir war]]. Immediately after acceding to Pakistan, [[Muzaffar ul-Mulk|Mehtar Muzaffar ul-Mulk]] proclaimed [[Jihad]] to 'liberate' [[Kashmir]] from the [[Dogras|Dogra]]s. At this point, the Gilgit scouts were retreating and the Dogra forces had made gains in the Burzil pass. Under these circumstances, the [[Chitral Scouts|Chitral scouts]] relieved the [[Gilgit Scouts|Gilgit scouts]] in Domel and Kamri sectors whilst the [[Chitral Bodyguard]] force went towards [[Skardu]]. The Chitral bodyguards under the leadership of a Chitral Prince laid one of the longest sieges in military history which ended with the fall of Skardu, the surrender of the Dogras, and the capture of [[Baltistan]]. During this time, the Chitral scouts assimilated with the Gilgit scouts and went on towards taking the Kargil pass.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/ChitralBookMarch2014/Chitral%20Book%20march%202014_djvu.txt |title=Full text of "An Illustrated History of Chitral Scouts 1900-2015"|website=archive.org|access-date=2 February 2020}}</ref>
|elevation_footnotes =
|elevation_m = 1100


== Geography ==
[[File:City of Chitral.jpg|thumb|left|Chitral city]]
The city has an average elevation of {{convert|1500|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.


== Climate ==
<!-- Culture -------------------------->
In contrast to more southerly valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chitral has a dry [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Csa'') with almost no rainfall during the very hot summers. Precipitation occurs mainly from spring thunderstorms brought about by western frontal systems. In the winter the nighttime temperature occasionally drops to −10&nbsp;°C. Winter snowfall in the town can be quite heavy with an accumulation of up to 60&nbsp;cm being quite common, at higher elevations snowfall can reach as high as {{convert|20|m|ft|-1}}{{Citation needed|date=January 2013}}.


{{Weather box
<!-- Population ----------------------->
|location = Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
|population_as_of = 2006
|width = auto
|population_footnotes =
|single line = Y
|population_note =
|metric first = Y
|population_total = 20,000
|Jan record high C = 16.9
|population_density_km2 =
|Feb record high C = 21.0
|population_density_sq_mi =
|Mar record high C = 28.0

|Apr record high C = 34.3
<!-- General information --------------->
|May record high C = 38.3
|timezone = [[Pakistan Standard Time|PST]]
|Jun record high C = 42.5
|utc_offset = +5
|Jul record high C = 44.4
|timezone_DST =
|Aug record high C = 42.2
|utc_offset_DST =
|Sep record high C = 39.8
|latd=35 |latm=53 |lats= |latNS=N
|Oct record high C = 34.4
|longd=71|longm=48 |longs= |longEW=E
|Nov record high C = 27.0

|Dec record high C = 20.7
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|area_code = 0943
|Jan high C = 8.8
|Feb high C = 9.9
|website = http://www.chitraltoday.com (Chitral Today), the outspoken voice of Chitral
|Mar high C = 15.1

|Apr high C = 22.5
[http://www.chitraltimes.com www.chitraltimes.com]
|May high C = 28.2
|footnotes =
|image_map =
|Jun high C = 34.4
|mapsize =
|Jul high C = 35.9
|Aug high C = 34.4
|map_caption = Location within [[Pakistan]]
|Sep high C = 31.1
|pushpin_map=Pakistan
|Oct high C = 25.1
|Nov high C = 18.7
|Dec high C = 11.6
|year high C = 23.0
|Jan mean C = 4.1
|Feb mean C = 5.3
|Mar mean C = 9.6
|Apr mean C = 15.5
|May mean C = 20.3
|Jun mean C = 26.1
|Jul mean C = 28.0
|Aug mean C = 26.5
|Sep mean C = 22.1
|Oct mean C = 16.2
|Nov mean C = 10.8
|Dec mean C = 5.9
|year mean C = 15.9
|Jan low C = −0.6
|Feb low C = 0.6
|Mar low C = 4.2
|Apr low C = 8.5
|May low C = 12.5
|Jun low C = 17.8
|Jul low C = 20.2
|Aug low C = 18.7
|Sep low C = 13.1
|Oct low C = 7.2
|Nov low C = 2.9
|Dec low C = 0.2
|year low C = 8.8
|Jan record low C = -11.0
|Feb record low C = -11.0
|Mar record low C = -3.7
|Apr record low C = 0.0
|May record low C = 4.4
|Jun record low C = 8.9
|Jul record low C = 11.1
|Aug record low C = 10.6
|Sep record low C = 5.6
|Oct record low C = 1.1
|Nov record low C = -3.0
|Dec record low C = -12.2
|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation mm = 38.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 63.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 97.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 71.7
|May precipitation mm = 43.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 5.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 4.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 8.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 7.3
|Oct precipitation mm = 15.6
|Nov precipitation mm = 20.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 38.5
|Jan sun = 134.0
|Feb sun = 133.7
|Mar sun = 150.4
|Apr sun = 188.6
|May sun = 247.0
|Jun sun = 286.3
|Jul sun = 285.4
|Aug sun = 258.6
|Sep sun = 231.0
|Oct sun = 214.0
|Nov sun = 182.5
|Dec sun = 130.7
|source 1 =NOAA (1971-1990) <ref name= NOAA>{{cite web
|url = ftp://dossier.ogp.noaa.gov/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-II/PK/41506.TXT
|title = Chitral Climate Normals 1971-1990
|publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
|accessdate = 16 January 2013}}</ref>
|date=November 2011
}}
}}


== Demographics ==
'''Chitral''' or '''Chetrar''' ({{lang-ur|چترال}}), translated as ''field'' in the native language [[Khowar]], is the capital of the [[Chitral District]], situated on the western bank of the [[Kunar River]] (also called Chitral River), in [[Pakistan]]. The town is at the foot of [[Tirich Mir]], the highest peak of the [[Hindu Kush]], {{convert|25289|ft|m|abbr=on}} high. It has a population of 20,000, while the district (of 14,833&nbsp;km² or 5,727 sq mi), has a population of 300,000. The altitude of the valley is {{convert|3700|ft|m|abbr=on}}.
{{main|Languages of Chitral}}
[[Urdu]] is the official language of the city.<ref name="iranicaonline"/> According to the 1981 census, [[Khowar language|Khowar]] is the main language and is spoken by 98% of the population. [[Kalasha-mun|Kalasha]] is also spoken by a small population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kpktribune.com/index.php/en/population-demography/405-khyber-pakhtunkhwa/kp-divisions|title=Population Demography|website=Kpktribune.com|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228024229/http://kpktribune.com/index.php/en/population-demography/405-khyber-pakhtunkhwa/kp-divisions|archive-date=28 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>


As per the 2017 census, Chitral has a population of 49,780.<ref name="2017census">{{cite web |title=Khyber Pakhtūnkhwā / North-West Frontier (Pakistan): Province, Major Cities, Municipalites & Towns - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/pakistan/cities/khyberpakhtunkhwa/ |website=Citypopulation.de |access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref>
== Geography ==
The easiest access to Chitral is in the southwest along the Chitral or [[Kunar Valley]] towards [[Jalalabad]]. This route is open all year and provides direct access to [[Kabul]]. However the Pakistan–Afghanistan border ([[Durand Line]]) prevents this being used as an internal route to [[Peshawar]] and the south. The other routes are over mountain passes. To the south, the [[Lowari]] Pass (3,200 m or 10,499&nbsp;ft) leads 365&nbsp;km (227&nbsp;mi) to Peshawar. In the north, the easiest route during summer runs over the [[Broghol]] Pass (3,798 m or 12,460&nbsp;ft) to Afghanistan's [[Wakhan Corridor]], however during winter this route is usually closed. To the east, there is a 405&nbsp;km (252&nbsp;mi) route to [[Gilgit]] over the 3,719 m (12,201&nbsp;ft) [[Shandur]] Pass. And in the west, the [[Dorah Pass]] (4300 m or 14000&nbsp;ft) provides an additional route to Afghanistan. The territory is home to rare [[falcon]]s and the [[snow leopard]], and is cut off by snow from the rest of the country for six months a year, a problem soon to be relieved by the completion of the [[Lowari Tunnel]] which will reduce transit time to Chitral as well as allow the district to be connected to the rest of the country even during the cold winter months.


=== Historical demographics ===
== Languages ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+''Religion in the town of Chitral''
!Religion
!Population (1901)<ref>{{cite web |date=24 October 2023 |title=Census of India 1901. [Vol. 17A]. Imperial tables, I-VIII, X-XV, XVII and XVIII for the Punjab, with the native states under the political control of the Punjab Government, and for the North-west Frontier Province. |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/saoa.crl.25363739.pdf |jstor=saoa.crl.25363739}}</ref>
!Percentage (1901)
|-
|[[Islam]] [[File:Star_and_Crescent.svg|15x15px]]
|3,452
|{{Percentage|3452|8128|2}}
|-
|[[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|16x16px]]
|2,709
|{{Percentage|2709|8128|2}}
|-
|[[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|19x19px]]
|1,826
|{{Percentage|1,826|8128|2}}
|-
!Total
|'''8,128'''
|'''{{Percentage|8128|8128|2}}'''
|}


==Educational institutions==
The main languages spoken in this area of Pakistan are [[Khowar]] and about 13 other dialects. The people of the Kalash Valley speak the [[Kalash language]]. Urdu is widely spoken and understood in major towns and to some extent [[Pashto]] is also spoken.
* [[University of Chitral]]


== Population ==
== Notable people ==
{{further|List of Chitrali people}}
The main tribe, the Khow, speak [[Khowar language|Khowar]] (or Chitrali), one of the [[Dardic languages]], which is also spoken in parts of [[Yasin Valley|Yasin]], [[Gilgit]], Ghizer and [[Swat (Pakistan)|Swat]]. [[Pashto language]] is also spoken and understood by some in the city. Chitral is known for the famous [[Kalash|Kalash tribe]] polytheist native inhabitants that ruled the region for centuries later invaded by "Khow". The Kalasha reside in an enclave of three remote valleys west of Ayun, which is ten miles (16&nbsp;km) down from Chitral town. The Chitral culture is Islamic and contrasts considerably with the urban cities of Pakistan as well as the adjacent district of Gilgit. Women are nearly invisible except to their male relatives and other women. They avoid walking the streets of the town, so men or children do most of the shopping. Travel requires the company of a close male relative and sometimes the wearing of a [[burqa]].<ref>"Crossing the Great Divide What could an American teaching and living in a remote Pakistani village learn from her students and neighbors? Plenty.", Cara Anna, Special to The Plain Dealer. The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio, January 23, 2005. pg. 11</ref> There is also a sizeable population of [[Nuristani people|Nuristanis]], [[Tājik people|Tajiks]]{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} and [[Uzbeks]]{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} most of whom arrived from Afghanistan in the late 1980s.{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}}
* [[Falak Naz|Falak Naz Chitrali]] (Member of [[Senate of Pakistan]])
* [[Wazir Zada]] ([[Member of the Provincial Assembly|Member of Provincial Assembly]] of [[Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|KPK]])
* [[Abdul Akbar Chitrali]] ([[Member of the National Assembly|Member of National Assembly]] of [[National Assembly of Pakistan]])


== Sport ==
== See also ==
* [[Chitral Tehsil]]
Unlike the rest of Pakistan where cricket dominates, [[polo]] is most popular sport, with [[football]] being the most played sport.{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}} A number of sport festivals and tournaments are held throughout the year, including the [[Shandur]] polo tournament held at the highest polo ground in the world. Around 15,000 people travel to Shandur for the tournament, which lasts around a week.{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}


== References ==
Chitral has also produced some national players such as [[Muhammad Rasool]] who plays for the [[national football team]]. There are many [[football club]]s in Chitral.
{{notelist}}
[[Image:Shundor Lake.jpg|thumb|320px|Shundor [[Polo]] ground]]
{{Reflist}}


==Newspapers==
== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_work.asp?id=32850|last=Decker|first=D. Kendall|year=1992|title=Languages of Chitral|publisher=Ishi Press International |isbn=4871875202}}
*Chitral News [http://www.chitralnews.com]
* {{cite book|author=Durand, Col. A.|year=1899|url=http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/scanned/durand.htm|title=The Making of a frontier}}
*Chitral Today, English site [http://www.chitraltoday.com]
* {{cite book|author=Leitner, G. W.|year=1893|title=Dardistan in 1866, 1886 and 1893: Being An Account of the History, Religions, Customs, Legends, Fables and Songs of Gilgit, Chilas, Kandia (Gabrial) Yasin, Chitral, Hunza, Nagyr and other parts of the Hindukush, as also a supplement to the second edition of The Hunza and Nagyr Handbook. And An Epitome of Part III of the author's The Languages and Races of Dardistan|edition=First reprint|publisher= Manjusri Publishing House|location= New Delhi|isbn=4871877787}}
*Chitral Today, Urdu site [http://www.urd.chitraltoday.com]
*Chitral Times, Urdu site [http://www.chitraltimes.com]


== Further reading ==
==Educational Institutions==
* {{cite encyclopedia | title = CHITRAL | last1 = Allan | first1 = Nigel J. R. | last2 = Buddruss | first2 = Georg | url = https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/chitral-citral-river-valley-in-the-upper-indus-system | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. V, Fasc. 5 | pages = 487–494 | year = 1991 }}
*Government Commerce College, Shahi Masjid Road, Chitral, affiliated with [[University of Malakand]] [http://www.uom.edu.pk/affiliated.php]
*Government Technical and Vocational College, Gorem Chassma Road, Chitral
*Government Degree College, affiliated with [[University of Malakand]] [http://www.uom.edu.pk/affiliated.php]
*Government Girls Degree College, affiliated with [[University of Malakand]] [http://www.uom.edu.pk/affiliated.php]
*Government Centennial Model High School
*Government Centennial Model School for Girls
*Singoor Public School
*Chitral Public School
*[[Langlands School and College]], formerly known as [[Sayurj Public School]]
*Pamir Public School
*Iqra Model School
*Islamia Model School Bombagh
*Aga Khan School

==History==
===Buddhist and Pagan period===

{{Cquote | Chitral was a [[Buddhist]] country before the extention{{sic?}} of Islam, and the traces of Buddhism are still found.<ref>E.J. Brill's First Encyclopaedia of Islam, 1913-1936 By M Th Houtsma, T W Arnold, A J WensinckEdition: reprint, illustrated Published by BRILL, 1993 Page 863 ISBN 9004097961, 9789004097964</ref>}}

{{Cquote |Equally interesting are the remains of what may have been a Pagan temple at Chaghan Saray, in the Kunar valley, in the extreme east of Afghanistan.<ref>The Afghans By Willem Vogelsang Edition: illustrated Published by Wiley-Blackwell, 2002 Page 184 ISBN 0631198415, 9780631198413</ref>}}

{{Cquote |The northernmost portion of the [[Durand Line]] commenced from Chitral where the British Chinese and Russian empires met. On the Afghan side of the border most of the population was non-Muslim but by 1900 it had been converted to Islam by [[Abdur Rahman Khan|Abd al- Rahman]]'s integrationist policy, and the area was renamed [[Nuristan]].<ref>Pakistan and the emergence of Islamic militancy in Afghanistan By Rizwan Hussain Page 51 </ref>}}

A [[British India|British]] garrison, sent from Gilgit to oversee the smooth transition of power to the heir apparent after a ruler was murdered, was [[Chitral Expedition|besieged in Chitral Fort]] for over a month in 1895.<ref>''Much Sounding of Bugles: The Siege of Chitral, 1895'', John Harris, Hutchinson 1975</ref>

== See also ==
*[[Badshah Munir Bukhari]]
*[[Chitral Airport]]
*[[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]
*[[Languages of Chitral]]
*[[State of Chitral]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}

== References ==
* {{cite book |url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_work.asp?id=32850 |last=Decker |first=D. Kendall |year=1992 |title=Languages of Chitral }}
* {{cite book |author=Durand, Col. A. |year=1899 |url=http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/scanned/durand.htm |title=The Making of a frontier}}
* {{cite book |author=Leitner, G. W. |year=1893 |title=Dardistan in 1866, 1886 and 1893: Being An Account of the History, Religions, Customs, Legends, Fables and Songs of Gilgit, Chilas, Kandia (Gabrial) Yasin, Chitral, Hunza, Nagyr and other parts of the Hindukush, as also a supplement to the second edition of The Hunza and Nagyr Handbook. And An Epitome of Part III of the author’s The Languages and Races of Dardistan |date=First Reprint 1978 |publisher= Manjusri Publishing House |location= New Delhi}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{wikitravelpar|Chitral}}
{{Wikivoyage|Chitral}}
{{Commons category|Chitral (city)}}
* [http://www.khyberpakhtunkhwa.gov.pk/ Government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]
* [http://www.pakistan.gov.pk Government of Pakistan]
* {{Official website|http://www.chitral.gov.pk/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110225010611/http://khyberpakhtunkhwa.gov.pk/ Government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]
* [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=ydg Yidgha, A Language of Pakistan]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131113155012/http://www.pakp.gov.pk/index.php/members/bydistrict/en/19/90 Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Government website section on Lower Dir]
* [http://merachitral.blogspot.com Chitrali Blog]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120702153921/http://complex.pakresponse.info/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=IYXTHUT6_Cs%3D&tabid=65&mid=436 United Nations]


{{Lower-Chitral-Union-Councils}}
{{PakistanCities}}
{{Pakistan topics}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Populated places in Chitral District]]
[[Category:Chitral| ]]
[[Category:Lower Chitral District]]
[[Category:Tehsils of Lower Chitral District]]
[[Category:Union councils of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]
[[Category:Populated places in Lower Chitral District]]
[[Category:Union councils of Lower Chitral District]]
[[Category:Hill stations in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Hill stations in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Pre-Islamic heritage of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Valleys of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Populated places along the Silk Road]]
[[Category:Populated places along the Silk Road]]
[[Category:Hindu Kush]]

[[bs:Čitral]]
[[ca:Chitral]]
[[de:Chitral]]
[[fr:Chitrâl]]
[[hi:चित्राल]]
[[it:Chitral]]
[[pt:Chitral]]
[[ru:Читрал (город)]]
[[simple:Chitral]]
[[sv:Chitral]]
[[uk:Читрал (місто)]]
[[ur:چترال]]

Latest revision as of 09:53, 3 December 2024

This article is about the city of Chitral. For the former princely state, see Chitral (princely state). For the district, see Chitral District.

Chitral
  • ݯھیترار
  • چترال
City
Clockwise from top:
Nickname: 
Qāshqār
Chitral is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Chitral
Chitral
Chitral is located in Pakistan
Chitral
Chitral
Coordinates: 35°50′46″N 71°47′09″E / 35.84611°N 71.78583°E / 35.84611; 71.78583
Country Pakistan
Province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
DistrictLower Chitral
Established1885; 140 years ago (1885)
Founded byBritish government
Named forField
Government
[2]
 • TypeMunicipal Corporation
 • BodyDistrict Government
 • Mayor (Lower Chitral)Shahzada Aman Ur Rehman[1] (PTI)
Area
 • Total
14,850 km2 (5,730 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
1,494 m (4,902 ft)
Population
 (2017)[4]
 • Total
49,780
 • Density3.4/km2 (8.7/sq mi)
DemonymChitralis
Languages
 • OfficialUrdu[5]
 • RegionalChitrali[5]
Time zoneUTC+5:00 (Pakistan Standard Time)
Zip Code
17200[6][7]
Area code0943
Vehicle registrationCL
Websitelowerchitral.kp.gov.pk

Chitral (Khowar: ݯھیترار, romanized: ćhitrār, lit. 'field') is a city situated on the Chitral River in northern area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It serves as the capital of the Lower Chitral District, and was previously the capital of Chitral District, and before that the capital of Chitral princely state. The region was encompassed into West Pakistan between the years 1969 and 1972. It has a population of 49,780 per the 2017 census.[4]

History

See also: Chitral (princely state)

Nothing definitive is recorded about the town’s first settlers. In the 3rd century AD, Kanishka, the ruler of the Kushan Empire, occupied Chitral. In the 4th century AD, the Chinese overran the valley. Raees rule over Chitral began in 1320 and came to an end in the 15th century. From 1571 onwards Chitral was the capital of the princely state of Chitral under the rule of the Katur Dynasty.[8]

Ancient era

Gankoreneotek Grave in Singoor.

The existence of the Gandharan Grave Culture in Chitral,[9] found in various grave sites scattered over its valleys gives an insightful knowledge of its inhabitants following the Indo-Aryan migrations, after the decline of Indus Valley civilization.[10] The Gankorineotek cemetery in Singoor is home to several ancient burial sites, dating back to the Vedic period.[11][12]

The area which now forms Chitral was reportedly conquered by the Persian Achaemenids and was a part of one of their easternmost satraps.[13] In the third century CE, Kanishka, the Buddhist ruler of the Kushan empire, occupied Chitral. Under the Kushans, many Buddhist monuments were built around the area, mainly Buddhist stupas and monasteries. The Kushans also patronised Buddhist art; some of the finest examples of the image of Buddha were produced in the region under the Kushan rule.[14]

Kator era

Chitral's Shahi Mosque

From 1571 to 1969, Chitral was the dominion of the Kator Dynasty.[15][failed verification] The British and Sikh garrison suffered a siege by the Chitralis, possibly aided by Afghan forces, in 1895. The garrison was relieved after six weeks, and the British installed the young Shuja ul-Mulk as Mehtar ("ruler"). He ruled for the next 41 years.[16]

Accession to Pakistan

In 1947, following the division of the British colony of India, princely states were offered the choice to either remain independent or to choose one of the two new dominions. Initially, Chitral chose to remain an independent Monarchy. Later, the Mehtar of Chitral, who was a friend of Quaid E Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, acceded to Pakistan and thus Chitral became one of the princely states of Pakistan. Through 1969 to 1972, it was fully integrated into Pakistan as the administrative district of Chitral.[17]

Role in the First Kashmir War

Chitral played an instrumental role in the 1947–1948 first Kashmir war. Immediately after acceding to Pakistan, Mehtar Muzaffar ul-Mulk proclaimed Jihad to 'liberate' Kashmir from the Dogras. At this point, the Gilgit scouts were retreating and the Dogra forces had made gains in the Burzil pass. Under these circumstances, the Chitral scouts relieved the Gilgit scouts in Domel and Kamri sectors whilst the Chitral Bodyguard force went towards Skardu. The Chitral bodyguards under the leadership of a Chitral Prince laid one of the longest sieges in military history which ended with the fall of Skardu, the surrender of the Dogras, and the capture of Baltistan. During this time, the Chitral scouts assimilated with the Gilgit scouts and went on towards taking the Kargil pass.[18]

Geography

Chitral city

The city has an average elevation of 1,500 m (4,921 ft).

Climate

In contrast to more southerly valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chitral has a dry Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa) with almost no rainfall during the very hot summers. Precipitation occurs mainly from spring thunderstorms brought about by western frontal systems. In the winter the nighttime temperature occasionally drops to −10 °C. Winter snowfall in the town can be quite heavy with an accumulation of up to 60 cm being quite common, at higher elevations snowfall can reach as high as 20 metres (70 ft)[citation needed].

Climate data for Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.9
(62.4) 		21.0
(69.8) 		28.0
(82.4) 		34.3
(93.7) 		38.3
(100.9) 		42.5
(108.5) 		44.4
(111.9) 		42.2
(108.0) 		39.8
(103.6) 		34.4
(93.9) 		27.0
(80.6) 		20.7
(69.3) 		44.4
(111.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.8
(47.8) 		9.9
(49.8) 		15.1
(59.2) 		22.5
(72.5) 		28.2
(82.8) 		34.4
(93.9) 		35.9
(96.6) 		34.4
(93.9) 		31.1
(88.0) 		25.1
(77.2) 		18.7
(65.7) 		11.6
(52.9) 		23.0
(73.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.1
(39.4) 		5.3
(41.5) 		9.6
(49.3) 		15.5
(59.9) 		20.3
(68.5) 		26.1
(79.0) 		28.0
(82.4) 		26.5
(79.7) 		22.1
(71.8) 		16.2
(61.2) 		10.8
(51.4) 		5.9
(42.6) 		15.9
(60.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −0.6
(30.9) 		0.6
(33.1) 		4.2
(39.6) 		8.5
(47.3) 		12.5
(54.5) 		17.8
(64.0) 		20.2
(68.4) 		18.7
(65.7) 		13.1
(55.6) 		7.2
(45.0) 		2.9
(37.2) 		0.2
(32.4) 		8.8
(47.8)
Record low °C (°F) −11.0
(12.2) 		−11.0
(12.2) 		−3.7
(25.3) 		0.0
(32.0) 		4.4
(39.9) 		8.9
(48.0) 		11.1
(52.0) 		10.6
(51.1) 		5.6
(42.1) 		1.1
(34.0) 		−3.0
(26.6) 		−12.2
(10.0) 		−12.2
(10.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 38.4
(1.51) 		63.8
(2.51) 		97.3
(3.83) 		71.7
(2.82) 		43.9
(1.73) 		5.1
(0.20) 		4.9
(0.19) 		8.0
(0.31) 		7.3
(0.29) 		15.6
(0.61) 		20.4
(0.80) 		38.5
(1.52) 		414.9
(16.32)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 134.0 133.7 150.4 188.6 247.0 286.3 285.4 258.6 231.0 214.0 182.5 130.7 2,442.2
Source: NOAA (1971-1990) [19]

Demographics

Main article: Languages of Chitral

Urdu is the official language of the city.[5] According to the 1981 census, Khowar is the main language and is spoken by 98% of the population. Kalasha is also spoken by a small population.[20]

As per the 2017 census, Chitral has a population of 49,780.[4]

Historical demographics

Religion in the town of Chitral
Religion Population (1901)[21] Percentage (1901)
Islam 3,452 42.47%
Hinduism 2,709 33.33%
Sikhism 1,826 22.47%
Total 8,128 100%

Educational institutions

Notable people

Further information: List of Chitrali people

See also

References

  1. ^ "LG polls: PTI sweeps elections in upper & lower Chitral". The News International newspaper). 2 April 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  2. ^ "District Chitral (Upper & Lower)". Department of Local Government, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  3. ^ Ahmada, Munir; Muhammadb, Dost; Mussaratb, Maria; Naseerc, Muhammad; Khand, Muhammad A.; Khanb, Abid A.; Shafi, Muhammad Izhar (2018). "Spatial variability pattern and mapping of selected soil properties in hilly areas of Hindukush range northern, Pakistan". Eurasian Journal of Soil Science. 7 (4): 355. doi:10.18393/ejss.466424. Retrieved 29 August 2019 – via dergipark.org.tr.
  4. ^ a b c "Khyber Pakhtūnkhwā / North-West Frontier (Pakistan): Province, Major Cities, Municipalites & Towns - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information". Citypopulation.de. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Indo-Iranian Frontier Languages". Encyclopaedia Iranica. 15 November 2006. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  6. ^ Postal code
  7. ^ "List of Postal Codes of GPOs of Chitral Pakistan Post 2023".
  8. ^ "Chitral, a Study in Statecraft" (PDF). IUCN.
  9. ^ Ali, Ihsan; Batt, Cathy; Coningham, Robin; Young, Ruth (1 September 2002). "New exploration in the Chitral Valley, Pakistan: an extension of the Gandharan Grave culture". Antiquity. 76 (293): 647–654. doi:10.1017/S0003598X00091055. S2CID 53462554. Retrieved 11 March 2023 – via go.gale.com.
  10. ^ Schug, Gwen Robbins; Walimbe, Subhash R. (13 April 2016). A Companion to South Asia in the Past. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-119-05547-1.
  11. ^ Hemphill, Brian E.; Zahir, Muhammad; Ali, Ihsan (29 December 2017). "Skeletal Analysis of Gandharan Graves at Shah Mirandeh, Singoor, Chitral".
  12. ^ "Scientists say discovery of 3,000-year-old burial site key to tracing origins of Pakistan's Chitral". Arab News PK. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  13. ^ Notes on Chitral. L.D. Scott. 1903.
  14. ^ Gurdon's Report on Chitral. Gurdon. 1903.
  15. ^ "Chitral, a Study in Statecraft" (PDF). IUCN. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  16. ^ Holdich, Thomas Hungerford (1911). "Chitral" . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 6 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 251–252.
  17. ^ Osella, Filippo; Soares, Benjamin (2010). Islam, Politics, Anthropology. John Wiley & Sons. p. 58. ISBN 978-1-4443-2441-9.
  18. ^ "Full text of "An Illustrated History of Chitral Scouts 1900-2015"". archive.org. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  19. ^ "Chitral Climate Normals 1971-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  20. ^ "Population Demography". Kpktribune.com. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  21. ^ "Census of India 1901. [Vol. 17A]. Imperial tables, I-VIII, X-XV, XVII and XVIII for the Punjab, with the native states under the political control of the Punjab Government, and for the North-west Frontier Province" (PDF). 24 October 2023. JSTOR saoa.crl.25363739.

Bibliography

  • Decker, D. Kendall (1992). Languages of Chitral. Ishi Press International. ISBN 4871875202.
  • Durand, Col. A. (1899). The Making of a frontier.
  • Leitner, G. W. (1893). Dardistan in 1866, 1886 and 1893: Being An Account of the History, Religions, Customs, Legends, Fables and Songs of Gilgit, Chilas, Kandia (Gabrial) Yasin, Chitral, Hunza, Nagyr and other parts of the Hindukush, as also a supplement to the second edition of The Hunza and Nagyr Handbook. And An Epitome of Part III of the author's The Languages and Races of Dardistan (First reprint ed.). New Delhi: Manjusri Publishing House. ISBN 4871877787.

Further reading

  • Allan, Nigel J. R.; Buddruss, Georg (1991). "CHITRAL". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. V, Fasc. 5. pp. 487–494.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Chitral.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chitral (city).
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