Dardistan

Dardistan is the name given to a region of Central Asia, bordering on Baltistan, the north-western portion of Cashmere. The country, which consists of lofty mountains and high-lying valleys, is little known, and its limits are variously given. But its interest depends mainly on the fact that its inhabitants, the Dards, are an Aryan people, speaking a Sanskritic tongue mixed with Persian words. They had been called 'Stray Aryans in Tibet,' and are Moslems converted from Buddhism at a comparatively recent period: the rajah of Cashmere is constantly endeavouring to subject them completely to his authority. The chief districts are Hasora, Gilghit, and Tassin; some would also include Chitral (q.v.) in Dardistan. See Leitner's Tour in Dardistan (1867–70), and CASHMERE.