Darband War – an epitome of Chitralis\’ valour

Khalid Zafar

Whenever we have heard the name of Chitral we have also heard about its peace, tranquility and serene atmosphere, the dance and music of the people, the polo and other games, so they seem to be mere Utopians, and dwellers of idealistic world. 

But I think they are not as idealistic, the inhabitants of Sir Thomas Moor’s “Utopia” as we think. They also have like other nations love for their religion, country; and have presented their lives to the mother land without staying for a single moment whenever in need.

I am going to relate such a story to you which may bewilder, astonish and surprise most of the readers for I am going to narrate blood curdling event, horrifying bloodshed, retreating of the vanquished and celebration of the triumphant, for all these things are related to the people whom we know as the inhabitants of Utopia. This is the story of a war, Darband war, fought between Chitrali militia and the grand army of Badakhshan led by Mir Mahmud Shah himself with 12,000 personnel along with four canons, muzzle loaded guns (matchlocks and flintlocks), swords, shields, armors etc.

The story begins such that Mir Mahmud had dethroned his nephew Mir Jahandar Shah who was the genuine ruler of Badakhsan and banished him out of his country. When this wronged prince came to Chitral, Mihtar Amanul Mulk not only gave him asylum and security but also gave him aid to snatch back his throne.

He sent with him some force from Chitral so that he may get back his crown; but unfortunately his own people who were with him and assuring him their favor mutinied against him and went to the Mir’s side hence this campaign not only resulted to failure but also enraged Mir to the high degree.

Mir sent a letter to Mehtar Amanul Mulk in verse form threatening him about the dire consequence of this enmity and wrote him to be ready for the results. He in one of his stanzas menaces Mehtar of Chitral by saying: “I have Turks, Uzbeks, Tajik and Afghan soldiers, in my army, I have strong cavalry, I’ve cannons and much more; you have nothing to fight against us you are cowards and I’ll conquer the entire Chitral by only beating my war trumpets, I’ll crush you all and turn the whole of Chitral into dust”.

Mehtar of Chitral replied to the Mir in the same verse form but in more decent manner, he told him that the Chitralis will defend their mother land at any cause and in one of his couplet he says “If you have Turks, Uzbeks, Tajik and Afghans to us the aid of Allah is adequate” and wrote the dwellers of Chitral will wait for him.

Now the military leaders were called on and they got together on war basis, each and every aspect and possibility of the attack was considered and unanimously decided that every inch of the land will be defended indifferent to the consequence. Chitral militia and royal body guards were ordered to keep themselves red alert for any kind of circumstances, borders connecting Chitral to Afghanistan such as Dokdara, Arandu, and Gobor were sealed and more forces were added to those already performing their duties there vigilantly.

The obligation of securing the valley of Chitral from any kind of intrusion through Boroghol pass was given to Hakim Roshan Ali Khan of Rech and Pahlawan Mehtar of Yasen. Boroghol is a small valley situated at the extreme north of Chitral which connect it to Tajikistan through a narrow strip of Wakhan (Afghanistan). Its altitude, the narrow and craggy route and the harsh atmosphere of the extremely cold area makes the place inapt for any kind of adventure, so the possibility of Mir’s attack through that area was less, never the less the defenders remain vigilant and alert throughout the whole long winter.

Darband war. It was spring 1868 probably would be May, for after melting of the snow the thawed pass would be favorable for his invasion, the news came of 12000 force hence the valley of Yarkhoon and its adjoining valleys were evacuated and the inhabitants were herded to Mastuj, heralds were sent to various places with the news of Mir’s intrusion, and huge fires were alighted on mountain tops to make the people aware of the attack, on seeing the fire many enthusiastic volunteers ready to shed the last drop of their blood arrived in no time.

The military leaders Pahlawan Mehtar and Hakim Roshan Ali Khan were experienced warriors so they on observing the geographical aspects of the terrain selected a place for the battle known as “DARBAND” – a narrow ravine with steep and high mountains along both sides, the pass between the two mountains in Yarkhun is very deep and narrow, the mountain ridges are so hair pinned and steep that the stones and rocks seemed to be held there through some sticky substance, and are ready to come down in any moment. The manoeuvre was such that the volunteers would ascend to the mountains with levers and other tools to hurl down massive rocks when the Badakhshi army reached there, and the soldiers netted down the whole plain area through which one could pass the ravine, the mesh was made up of strong ropes and a creeper, locally termed as Chontruk.

Mir’s army being wearied of the long journey stationed at some distance from the battle field, they were tired as well as didn’t expect any retaliation from Chitralis so they slept soundly, meanwhile some of the Chitrali guerrilla fighters intruded into their camps and gave them serious loss, wounding many of them and also killing many others. This insolence incensed the already enraged king, so he couldn’t wait even for the night to put off her black robe completely, hence bade his warriors to crush everything coming in their way.

When these enraged soldiers growling in their fury, with full tilt and un aware of the idiosyncrasy of the area and also the pernicious result of their campaign, entered Darband; they were stunned, astonished and baffled like John Milton’s fallen angels, for when Mir’s cavalry in such a speed tried to cross the netted area, the horses stumbled down and from above the volunteers loosed down already heaved massive rocks which came down howling like thunderbolts, devastating everything coming to their way.

When some of the Badakhshi soldiers in such a desperate and inconceivable condition strived to escape from the stones, they fell under the swords, spears, arrows and Roshnais of Chitrali soldiers; Roshnai was a modern type rifle which uses cartridges as ammo, this was a dire weapon as compared to the complex muzzle loaded guns: and Chitrali militia used this weapon for the first time in this war. One of the sharp shooters also injured the Mir himself from very far a distance.

The brave sons defended their mother land for three days, at last Mir himself fled back to Badakhshan, the Chitrali army chased them up to Boroghol and seized from them four canons, captured many of their men, also horses, swords, shields, armors, provisions etc fell to Chitralis as booty. When the saviors returned from the battle field they were greeted marvelously by the people, feasts on large accounts were arranged and parties celebrated. Mehtar Amanul Mulk dispatched two of the captives with a letter (in verse) to the Mir, telling him not to attack Chitral again. Chitral has remained under the control of various nations, they say the Chinese came here for the first time and ruled for centuries, the previous name of the area which was “Qashqar” was also derivation of the word “Kahsghar”.

After Chinese the descendants of “Alexander the great” came there and ruled Chitral for decades, they still live in Chitral and are famous as the Kalash tribe. From them the Rais family of Arab origin snatched the throne in 14th century, and ruled till 16th century. Katoor family of Mongol origin took over the reign and swayed till 1947 although British forces had overthrown Katoor dynasty in 1895. Basic purpose of relating this biography of Chitral is that it has remained the center of attraction for many nations and many wars have been waged and battles have been fought but this “DARBAND war” is very famous over there and known even to the kids also. The orally transmitted victory song which was sung by the victorious soldiers dancing around the big fire is known to everyone.

1. LAI RAOSHO LAI BERATA? (you were calling us cowards, did you find us so?) 2. DOL DIKO U GIAK BERAWA? (You said, you could conquer Chitral only by beating your trumpets, Could you?) 3. ISPA THUEK ROSHNAEO (with our Roshnai rifles ) PESAW PHRETAM PESHANEO (we shot them aiming their foreheads) LAI RAOSHO LAI BERATA? (you were calling us cowards, did you find us so?) DOL DIKO U GIAK BERAWA? (You said you could conquer Chitral only by beating your trumpets, Could you)?

The interesting thing about this event is that it’s missing from Badakhshan’s history.  

Note: I had written this article for the yearly students journal of Jahanzeb College (ELUM).