Unveiling the Yashkun Tribe: Cultural Heritage and Historical Roots


Unveiling the Yashkun Tribe: Cultural Heritage and Historical Roots

The Yashkun (यशकुन) People or Yashkuns (Shina: یشکن) are a sub-group of the Shina, a Dardic-speaking ethnic group, most of whom reside in the Gilgit (गिलगित) division of Gilgit-Baltistan (गिलगित-बाल्टिस्तान) and Chitral (चित्राल) and Kohistan (कोहिस्तान) districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (ख़ैबर पख़्तूनख़्वा), Pakistan (पाकिस्तान). They speak a Dardic language called Shina (शिना) and are scattered throughout northern Pakistan. Most researchers assert that the Yashkun were immigrants to northern Pakistan from Central Asia (मध्य एशिया). However, other authorities maintain that the Yashkuns were indigenous to northern Pakistan.

History

McCrindle claims Yashkuns descend from the ancient tribe of Aśvakan/Aśvakas (Kambojas) (कम्बोज). Some Yashkuns live in the Hindu Kush (हिन्दू कुश) region where the Kambojas once ruled. As Dardic Shina they are related to other indigenous groups such as the Pashai and Nuristânis (Kafiristanis).

The Yashkun share etymological connections with the Askunu of Nuristan (नूरिस्तान) and the Asawan caste found in Indian kamboj. genetically yashkons have 73.68 percent west eaursaian DNA.

Demography

The Yashkuns form the majority of the population in Gor (Goharabad), Chilas (चिलास), Tangir, Darel valley, the Indus (सिंधु) Valley below Sazin, the upper Gilgit Valley, Gupis, Yasin, Punial, Astore Valley, Chitral, Nagar, Hunza (हुंज़ा), Kohistan, Hodur, Khinar, Astore, Gurez, Dras, Talil and Soro.

Deepak Kamboj

Deepak Kamboj

Deepak Kamboj started and conceptualized the powerful interactive platform - KambojSociety.com in September 2002, which today is the biggest and most popular online community portal for Kambojas in the world. He was inspired by the social and community work carried out by his father Shri Nanak Chand Kamboj. He has done research on the history, social aspects, political growth and economical situation of the Kamboj community. Deepak Kamboj is an author of various articles about the history of Kamboj community and people.