Statesmanly statecraft in Ancient and Medieval Hunza!
By Karim Khan
History and historiography (the art and science of writing history) although should ideally be left at the sole disposal of historically important and great figures or authorities who, because of their ancestors’ great and memorable background, may be in a better position to have commented so nicely and so greatly. But since history is not limited or confined to only one or two or more historical figures or events, so others who are left out, start feeling willfully ignored or not considered as part of history, i.e., the ones who do not have by chance such kind of major role in establishing or running the state in view of their vision of best Statesmanship or Statecraft. The ones who are thus unfortunately left out, start feel themselves outside history’s mainstream dynamics.
So, without any kind of bias or ill-feeling, we all sincerely acknowledge with humble gratitude the role especially of the great scholar, historian late Qudratullah Baig and a host of some others for having chronicled our ancient or later phases of history, which actually is a Medieval time, to the best of their literary and scholarly capability. So, what is meant to say here is that if historiography is left at the sole discretion of some great families like the respected ones just mentioned or alluded to here, still others who did not have such a historic role in history feel alienated and estranged. Similarly, if the families who had a pioneering role in establishing the State of Hunza more than thousands of years ago like Chushaig Boto’s, then still some others are left out and do not own their actual overall historical legacy, if it is not honest and impartial. For instance the clan or tribe of Chushating in Hunza had the pioneering role as detailed and elaborated below, still others do not like it for personal grudges or other reasons of liking or disliking it. So, what is meant is that if history is left at the mercy of any possible superiority complex or bias, then the purpose of recording history is killed, if unfortunately at all it is left to interpret it whatever way they want to. This would harm history and their otherwise great role in it instead of serving it as desired.
So, great family people talk of making others great as well, not only themselves! This is the best model or style of visionary leadership like in the distant and later past by our Thamo, Wazirkutz and Ghulwating as is generally thought that history is wholly and solely confined to these families alone. God Almighty Himself in his sacred heavenly scripture of Holy Quran awards credit to Muhsineen more than hakmin or rulers. The present day leadership style of our Holy Imam (a.s) is itself in line with this great Quranic teaching and vision to empower others as well and make heroes of them.
So, to be honest and fair and frank, Qadiro was, to me and to a big majority of others, no less than a Wazir, but unfortunately because of their alloted role in our history, they did not as such hold any such public office except being great engineers in the form of blacksmiths and musicians. But through his sheer dint of merit, ready wit and intelligence, he can rightly be said to be one of the far greatest Statesmen. If he was given further chance apart from merely and only calling him to the royal court at a time when the great State of Hunza and its rulers were in need of his services to consult him and decipher and figure out as to what is actually meant by the rivals’ witty and clever remarks and comments about Hunza and its ruling style and way of governance. So, because of his vision, intelligence, ready or quick wit, he was there at the royal court of Hunza at critical junctures of history when the intelligence and administrative acumen of all the so-called wise courtiers except Bericho used to be exhausted and in a difficult or awkward situation and it was questioned. But unfortunately, he is still remembered merely as Bata Qadiro or Berix Qadiro by our prople and less as wise Qadiro.
Who now bothers to ask about Chushaig Boto of Burong tribe, who founded the ancient great State of Hunza and did not offer himself as the candidate for being the King despite his background of ancestors also part of rulers at the headquarters and elsewhere in the Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral regions.
