What is Yasin Valley?
The '''Yasin Valley''' is a high mountain valley in the [[Hindu Kush]] mountains, in the northwest region of [[Gilgit-Baltistan|Gilgit]] in the [[Northern Areas]] of Pakistan. Yasin is separated from the [[Ishkoman]] Valley by a high mountain pass. To reach Yasin one must take the [[Karakoram Highway]] north from [[Islamabad]], and then turn left to reach [[Gupis]] in [[Ghizar]]. After [[Gupis]], one continues northwest to reach the Yasin Valley. Yasin valley has a spectacular natural beauty. == History == Yasin was originally ruled by the [[Khushwakhte Dynasty]], part of the [[Katur Dynasty]] of [[Chitral District|Chitral.]] The Rajas of Yasin were great warriors and fought against the [[Sikh]]s and the [[Dogra]]s of [[Kashmir]], but they eventually lost power and the ownership of Yasin changed hands several times between the rule of the [[Mehtar]] of [[Chitral]], and the [[Maharaja]] of [[Kashmir]]. ===British era=== Although not highly or densely populated, Yasin was of strategic importance because it leads to a high mountain pass, to [[Yarkhun]] in Chitral, and then to [[Broghol]] Pass, the [[Wakhan Corridor]] of [[Afghanistan]], and into [[Tajikistan]]. Yasin could have formed an invasion route from [[Russian Empire|Czarist Russia]] into [[British India]]. ==People== The primary language of Yasin Valley is the [[Burushaski language]]. The [[Khowar language]] is also spoken. The majority of the people in Yasin are [[Ismaili]]es who lead their lives according to the Islamic principles more concerned with the imam of the time. Currently Prince [[Karim Aga Khan IV|Karim Aga Khan]] is the Imam and spiritual leader of the Ismailies. However, other sects of Islam like [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]], and [[Shia Islam|Shia]] also live in Yasin. Ethnically the people of Yasin are of Brosho origin. There are migrants from different parts of the country, mainly from Chitral and from outside the country. == Passes == The [[Darkut Pass]] connects Yasin with [[Broghol]] pass and Chitral. The [[Thoi Pass]] connects Yasin t