Chiliss

Chiliss are an ancient people from the Indus Valley in the Hindu Kush, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan. Chiliss were according to their tradition originally came from Boneyr . Their presence is recorded as late as 1873.

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'Scattered through the different villages are about 200 families ,who are called Chiliss by their neighbours , but Galos by themselves. They have a tradition their home was originally in Boneyr , whence they emigrated to Swat to escape being forced to become Mussulmans. Being further persecuted , they resolved to stake their all on a battle after which, if defeated , they would consent to embrace the religion of Islam. They were defeated, but a certain number of them , clinging to their old faith , migrated to the Indus Valley . This did not , however , save them from being forced to become Mussulmans, but they no longer form a separate community . Like the Gaware their language is based on Sanskrit . They are treated with much respect by their neighbours , and occupy , as a rule the best land in the country [1]

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'The Chilassis relate that in former times a Hindoo Rajah , named Chachai , ruled in Chilas over the whole of Shinkari , but that , dying childless , his country became divided into republica communities , as at present . In later days a disastrous civil war broke out in the community between the two brothers , Bote and Matchuk , which ended in the defeat and expulsion of all the partizans of the latter . The Bote are now the most prosperous family in Chilas [2]

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See also

• Hindu Kush
• Shinkari

References

1. ^ Tribes of the Hindoo Koosh by John Biddulph published by Sang-Meel-Publications Page 11
2. ^ Tribes of the Hindoo Koosh by John Biddulph published by Sang-Meel-Publications Page 16