Chilas

Chilas stands on the upper Indus beneath the mountains around Nanga Parbat. The river valley offers a passage through a harsh, dry landscape, while the Babusar Pass leads towards Kaghan. Rocks along the upper Indus bear thousands of carvings and inscriptions left by travellers and local people: ancient hunting scenes are joined by later Buddhist images and dedications. Chilas was historically part of Yaghistan, connected with the small communities of Indus Kohistan and their councils of elders.