Exclusive: Photos of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 1960 Visit to Hunza by the Late Abdul M. Ismaily (“Papa Jaan”)
Editor’s note: The following exclusive photos of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Hunza were captured in 1960 by the late Abdul M. Ismaily, lovingly known as “Papa Jaan” by his family and friends, and are published here with the permission of the Ismaily family. We are thankful to the Ismaily family for their generosity, and appreciate the efforts of our regular contributor, Mr. Muslim Harji, for facilitating the publication of the photos on this website.
Please click on photos for enlargements
The Jamat of Hunza accept the gracious deedar (glimpse) of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, as he visits the Princely State in the Northern Areas of Pakistan in 1960. Hunza was then governed by the Mir of Hunza, who is seen following Hazar Imam. The kingdom was then abolished, coming under the direct rule of the Pakistan Federal Government in 1974. The entire Northern region is now known as Gilgit-Baltistan with Karimabad (or Baltit), being the capital of Hunza. Photo: Abdul M. Ismaily. Copyright.
The volunteers of the Hunza Jamat with the photographer, Papa Jaan, seated third from right, during Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Hunza in 1960. Photo: Abdul M. Ismaily. Copyright.
Mawlana Hazar Imam conversing with the Mir of Hunza on stage, as other leaders and volunteers look on during his visit to Hunza in 1960. Photo: Abdul M. Ismaily. Copyright.
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THE IMPACT OF A RELIGIOUS LEADER
(Excerpt from the “Dom of Hunza” by Anna Schmid, published in “Disapperaring Peoples,” edited by Barbara Brower and Barbara R. Johnson)
To his [the Aga Khan’s] followers, his speeches as well as his other oral advices to his followers, are not just reminders but guidelines for the conduct of daily life. His advice on specific topic is read out in jamaat khana, and every follower is expected to observe it (e.g. when the Aga Khan decreed that drugs should be abandoned, the Ismaili community stopped selling cigarrettes).
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In a salutation style reminiscent of his beloved late father, Prince Aly Khan (1911-1960), Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, acknowledges the respect and warmth by which he is received during his arrival to meet with the Ismailis of Hunza in 1960. Photo: Abdul M. Ismaily. Copyright.
The brother of the Mir of Hunza, Col. Ayash Khan in uniform, is seen standing with their family members outside the bungalow where Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, resided during his visit to Hunza in 1960. Photo: Abdul M. Ismaily. Copyright.
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THE AGA KHAN’S JOURNEY TO HUNZA IN 1961
(A personal recollection by Watson Sims)
“I thought of an incident in 1961, when I was Associated Press bureau chief for that area. Prince Karim, newly-installed as the Aga Khan, decided to visit his Ismaeli Muslim followers in the ancient land of Hunza, then, as now, part of Pakistan, and I was invited to come along.
With the Aga Khan sometimes personally at the controls, we flew in a twin-propeller plane to the mountain outpost of Gilgit.
Next came a journey by Jeep over narrow and often dizzying trails to the Hunza River, southern border of the ancient kingdom. There an awesome prospect lay before us.
Years earlier, the river had flooded and washed away the only bridge to Hunza. Hundreds of feet above the river, three steel cables had been stretched 1,000 yards to connect hills on each side. Suspended from two cables were hooks to carry cargo such as our Jeep.
The dangerous crossing of the Hunza River. Photo: Abdul M. Ismaily. Copyright.
Attached by pulley to the third cable was a wooden box, five feet square, with sides rising 18 inches. This was our only way to Hunza.
The five journalists in the party, which included one other American, were horrified, and despite urging from Pir Ali Allana, the Aga Khan’s advance man, none would get into the box.
“Come on, Sims,” pleaded Pir Ali. “We’ve GOT to do this.” He sat in the box, and, fearfully, I climbed in beside him.
Far across the river, men pulled on a rope, and, swaying and shaking, the box shot out over the swift-flowing stream. During World War II combat in submarines and torpedo boats, I had rarely known a more uneasy experience. Then came another yank on the rope, and the box flew farther over the river.
Pir Ali’s teeth had chattered as loudly as mine, but then he suddenly became astonishingly calm. “It’s all right,” he said. “We are going to make it.”
“H-h-h-do you know that?” I asked.
“I’ve had my horoscope read,” he said. “It is not God’s will that I should die here.”
Having never had my horoscope read, I was less reassured, but Pir Ali’s faith proved justified, and after a passage that seemed to take years, we reached the other side.”
Account reproduced from Ismailimail.
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Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, graciously presents an opportunity to lady members of the Hunza Jamat to receive his affectionate blessings and deedar during his visit to Hunza in 1960. Photo: Abdul M. Ismaily. Copyright.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, is presented with a Nazrana (gift) by the Mir on behalf of the Hunza Jamat. Photo: Abdul M. Ismaily. Copyright.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, approaches a banner making a reference to the Qur’anic verse 174 in Chapter 4 (Sura an-Nisa) during his visit to Hunza in 1960. A.J. Arberry’s translation of verse 174 reads: “O men, a proof has now come to you from your Lord; We have sent down to you a manifest light.” Photo: Abdul M. Ismaily. Copyright.
Date posted: Wednesday, February 10, 2016.
Date updated: February 11, 2016 (the date of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Hunza as well as some of the captions have been updated based on corrections we have received from numerous readers. See feedback from M. Schaukat Hayat and Gul Baig. If readers come across other errors, we ask that they send us a note at simerg@aol.com or complete the feedback form at the end of this post. We apologize for our errors, and are happy to stand corrected.
Last updated: December 26, 2016 (04:10 am, EST, fomatting).
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This are historic images. Thanks a lot for sharing.
I was wondering if there is any video footage too?
Thanks for sharing such beautiful pictures of Mowlana Hazir Imam. He also visited Ghizer, so do please share some photos of the Ghizer visit if you have them.
Reblogged this on The gilgit baltistan post.
Thanks, Simerg for sharing these rare pictures of Imam of the Time.
I heard the tale of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s first visit to Hunza from my grandfather and grandmother. After reading the post and seeing the photos, I could finally imagine how soulful and inspiring this visit would have been, having heard my grandparent’s narrative. Thank you for sharing these precious and historical photos.
I take this opportunity to convey my special thanks to the late “Papa Jaan” and his his family for preserving these photos, and making them available to the worldwide jamat.
Regards
Abid A. Shah
Most of us, Hunza et beyond, got the chance to see for the first time the holy glimpse of Mawlana Hazar Imam Imam and the historic occasion. Thanks to you all!
These pictures are historical and inspiring one. The person in uniform is Col Ayash Khan, brother of Mir Muhammad Jamal Khan, and not the Mir himself.
Hopefully this is the final correction that we we will be making on these pictures! Of course we welcome the names of as many people as possible seen in group photos.
Thank you to the family of “Papa Jaan” for sharing memorable pictures of the first visit of an Ismaili Imam in the history to meet his murids in Northern Areas of Pakistan. With the blessings of Mowlana Hazar Imam the lives of his murids have totally changed which one could not have imagined.
Thanks for sharing a remarkable memory of 1960 with the entire population of Hunza. It is a day of socio-economic transformation for Hunza. His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to the region and his continuous guidances are the key to changes for the community. To see elders of the region having the happiest moment from this historical visit is really heart provoking!
These pictures are worth a million. Thanks for sharing with us.
Salim (from Montreal).
Dear Editor:
These are unbelievable…incredible photos.
Some of the script in the posted piece needs to be corrected.
1. Mawlana Hazar Imam visited Hunza in 1960, 23rd October, not in 1961.
2. The ladies alongwith a uniformed man are not volunteers of the Hunza Jamat as mentioned in the caption. It is the last King of Hunza, Mir Muhammad Jamal Khan with his wife and daughters (five daughters). [NOTE: As per Gul Baig, the uniformed person is Col. Ayash Khan, brother of the Mir – this correction has now been applied – Editor]
3. In the second last picture, it is again the Last King of Hunza Mir Jamal Khan.
There are still hundreds of men and women in Hunza alive, who have witnessed the visit of Mawlana Hazar Imam, including my mom who recognized some men in the photographs. If possible please provide the pics in higher resolution.
Thanks to the Ismaily family and their honourable family member and father “Papa Jaan,” who took the photos, for providing this treasure to us, the people of Hunza. My mom recognized her father, who was then a volunteer, sobbing into tears.
Facebook: M Schaukat Hayat
Thank you Mr. Hayat for drawing our attention to the errors in the text and the captions. We have incorporated your changes.
Thanks for preserving and sharing these rare photos of Moulana Hazir Imam’s first visit to the Hunza Valley. Since then, great socio-economic development has taken place in the lives of the Jamat. We thank Moula for his blessings. of Moula.
Beautiful pictures which so many have not seen. Thank You
Amazing collections of photos, deserves all the credit and appreciation for preserving such a valuable memories for generations to come.
786
Many thanks indeed to all those who produced this exclusive photo document! The captions are so useful!! Please keep giving us such beautiful things to read and gaze at!!