Kharmang Valley: The land of waterfalls and Forts
Kharmang Valley: The land of waterfalls and Forts is located in the Baltistan region near the Kargil district. This region was known as Kartakhsha in the past but, later on, it was named Kharmang 4-5 centuries ago after many defense forts were constructed here in the era of Ali Sher Khan Anchan because of its geopolitical significance.
Kharmang is a picturesque valley along the River Indus and leads to the old trade route to Kargil and onward to Kashmir. Mehdiabad, Tolti, Pari, Kharmang Khas and Olding are important and beautiful Valleys in the Kharmang District.
Towns in Kharmang
There are numerous small towns in transit to Kharmang such as Ghasing, Akhonpa, Manthokha, Madhupur, Madhupur Nala, Mantho, and Rongol, Gohari, Hilalabad, Hilalabad Nala (Malbrooq, Lotan, etc.
Kamangu, Kamangu Gons, Tolti, Mayurdu, Pari, Ghandus, Suksi Thang, Kendarik, Ghavis, Palpal dou, Baghicha, Karmang Khaas, Hamzigond, Sinkarmo, Morol, Ganokh, Dansar, Olding, Brrolmo and Brasel. Also, Kusuro, Ganokh, Angut, etc.
Forts in Kharmang Valley
The Fort is located in Kharmang ‘s principal town. It was built by the Maqpon dynasty in the seventeenth century. The purpose of the fort construction was to protect from the enemies, there was a secret route to the riverside for nourishment and water transportation.
Located in Khurramang Valley, this historical palace has many advantages; especially the carvings in the interior of this palace are very different and charming from other palaces in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Khermong Baicha is a neighboring village of Kharmang Khaas. The palace belongs to the Royal Maqpon family RAJGAN of Kharmang. Another historical palace just above on the mountain top is known as the KARTAKHSHA & this is the old & actual name of present Kharmang valley. Since having an abundance of KHAR (forts) palaces thus it’s named Kharmang, The land of Forts.
The original structure of KARTAKHSHA has collapsed now, however, it still exists. The specialty of this place is the DARGAH (Ziarah of Mou e Mubarak associated with Holly prophet) preserved in a safe truck & existed there for ages.
The Kharmang district is bounded by the Kargil and Leh of Ladakh on the south, the Ghanche District of Gilgit-Baltistan on the upper east, the Skardu District on the north and the Gilgit-Baltistan District on the west by the Astore District. This region became a district in 2015 when Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah announced a new Kharmang district in District Head Quarters (DHQs).
Tolti Valley Of Kharmang
Tolti Valley, in Kharmang District, has a fertile land. The town lies on the River Indus’ left bank. The road is ideal for moving slightly from Skardu to reach out along the left bank of the Indus.
Kharmang Olding
Olding Valley is another famous town located just near the outskirts of India-Pakistan in the Kharmang District. Olding kharmang is a historic and defensive Village.
Kharmang Mehdibad Valley
Mehdiabad is the gateway of Kharmang Valley on the left bank of the Indus, which was called “Parkuta” in the past. It was a mini-state during the regime of local Kings dependent on Skardu. Mehdiabad has a rock carving and stone pasting of Buddhist remains. It also has a Nallah that leads to the Deosai Plateau via Katisho, Dapa and Chatpa.
Current Supreme Appellate Court Chief Justice Wazir Shakeel Ahmed Also hails from Mehdiabad of Kharmang District. There are several little towns in the Kharmang district. Mehdiabad is the district’s largest town.
Katisho (Mehdiabad)
Katisho (Mehdiabad Nala) is a Union Council of the district Kharmang located in the north of the town of Skardu. It is composed of 12 valleys. With most people communicating in the Balti language, Dapa, Katisho, Chatpa, Nooldo, Sundo, Tolti Broq, Balti Khar, Mallawa, Shamail, Kangulchhu, Quliwa and Koltor.
Waterfalls in Kharmang
There are two famous waterfalls in Kharmang, (Manthoka waterfall and Khamush waterfall). Manthoka Waterfall is one of the spectacular waterfalls in the Kharmang district. This Waterfall is perhaps Gilgit Baltistan’s most-visited waterfall.
The breathtaking Khamush Waterfall is located in Kharmang Baghicha Valley on the Skardu-Kargil road, nearly 120 km from Skardu City. This Waterfall is the most prominent cascade in the Gilgit Baltistan region.
The population of Kharmang District
The Kharmang district’s approximate population is about 30,000 family units, about 70,000 individuals. The basic source of pay is subsistence domesticated animals raised abroad and urban focuses of Pakistan for their jobs and horticulture, and semi-gifted labor.
“Pari Village” apples are extremely popular in Kharmang due to their taste and shading. Additionally, dry organic products are a significant source of income for some families, especially dry apricots and fresh apricots.
Read also: A Brief History of Union Council Katisho
