Chitral (princely state)
Chitral or Chitrāl (Persian: چترال) was a princely state in alliance with British India until 1947, then a princely state of Pakistan in 1972. The area of the state now forms the Upper and Lower Chitral Districts of the NWFP, Pakistan.
State of Chitral | |||||||||
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| 1320–1972 | |||||||||
State flag
Coat of arms
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| Status | Princely state in alliance with British India to 15 August 1947; Fully independent: 15 August 1947 – 6 November 1947 | ||||||||
| Capital | Mastuj | ||||||||
| Official languages | Persian (official, literary, and administrative language) Khowar (court, de facto language) | ||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| Mehtar | |||||||||
| History | |||||||||
• Established | 1320 | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 1972 | ||||||||
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| Today part of | Pakistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | ||||||||
| This article is part of the series |
| Former administrative units of Pakistan |
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During the reign of Mehtar Aman ul-Mulk, the dynasty's sway extended from Asmar in the Kunar Valley of Afghanistan to Punial in the Gilgit Valley. The entire region that now forms the Chitral District was a fully independent monarchy until 1885, when the British negotiated a subsidiary alliance with its hereditary ruler, the Mehtar, under which Chitral became a princely state, still sovereign but subject to the suzerainty of the British Indian Empire. In 1895 the British agent in Gilgit, Sir George Scott Robertson was besieged in Chitral Fort for 48 days, and was finally relieved by two British Forces, one marching from Gilgit and the other from Nowshera. After 1895, the British hold became stronger, but the internal administration remained in the hand of the Mehtar. In 1947 India was partitioned and Chitral opted to accede to Pakistan. After accession, it finally became an administrative district of Pakistan in 1972.