Book Review: Beyond the Gorges of the Indus: Archaeology before Excavation by Karl Jettmar

Karl Jettmar retired from the University of Heidelberg in 1986. He was an expert in the field of Central Asian Anthropology, archaeology, and art history. This book not only bring out the ancient history of the Northern Areas of Pakistan, but it also an appeal for the conduct of archaeological excavations. Between 1954 and 1989, various expeditions to the Trans-Himalayan zone allowed Jettmar to acquire unique and intimate knowledge regarding the area. During one of the journeys Rhabar Hassan was the guide and interpreter (p. 102).

Karl Jettmar states that the women in Darel were confined to their houses, but in Tangir they participated  working in the fields (p. 52). The author also mentions about the presence of an Assistant Political Agent residing in Tangir/Darel (p. 53). In these valleys a horse and a gun distinguished a wealthy and an underprivileged person. In Darel during weddings some dances were shared by men and women (p. 62). Jettmar writes that a British force had succeeded in conquering Chilas and defended it against the uprising Kohistanis. He stresses that the people of Astore were eager to instigate the British into such an intervention, because this finally stopped the raids by the Chilasis (p. 47).

Gilgit Valley was conquered three times by the rulers of Baltistan (p. 122). Under Dadi Juvari three notables from Darel built long canals in Gilgit (p. 161). The author states that in 1841 when a landslide from the Nanga Parbat had dammed the river and created a lake which extended back over 55 km and when the dam broke the water level at Attock caused a rise of 80 feet (p. 84).

Further in the book there is mention of the discovery of Gilgit Manuscripts. Gilgit Manuscripts represent the Buddhist and pre-Tibetan period of Baltistan up to the middle of the 8th century A.D (P. 186). Other themes under discussion include the illicit digging at Dasht-i-Taus, Ali Ahmad Jan (SSP Gilgit Police) order of transporting part of a boulder in his private house, stupa carvings near Chaprote, Turk tribes, gold washing, Tarkhane dynasty in Gilgit,  remains of a castle in Naupur, Shastri's visit to Gilgit and migrations in Baltistan (p. 183).

Jettmar makes interesting revelations when he writes similar rituals of brining sexual fulfillment and children to those women who had problems in Dardistan. Jettmar admits that he got more concise descriptions from Bubur in Punyal (p. 198). In the olden days in the Haramosh valley, in the pul-festival similar rights and duties were given to the character as given to the Budalak in Kalash. 

Jettmar mentions that Fussman considered the Sakas as the Iranian nomads of Central Asia (p. 97). Jettmar says that the Shin people were the last wave of immigrants (p. 107). The author states that 560 of all the Middle Iranian inscriptions were found at one site alone at Shatial Bridge (p. 111).

In this work the reader gets an interesting perspective into the social conditions of Baltistan, Tangir and Darel. The ancient trading networks, dynasties, rock arts and inscriptions are also discussed in detail. I started reading this book in 2020 and discontinued after reading less than a hundred pages. Today on the 10th of December 2023 I finish reading this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.