Siedlungsentwicklung im östlichen Hindukusch: Das Beispiel Chitral Town (North-West Frontier Povince, Pakistan)

Abstract

The present study investigates the development of settlement and bazaar structures of Chitral, capital of the Chitral District in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. During colonial times, Chitral gained the position of a mountainous transit station within the trade network connecting Central and South Asia. Based on historical sources, different periods of urban growth can be reconstructed. During the second half of the 19th century, trading activities are solely characterized by the dominance of caravan traffic and the establishment of caravan-serais. British colonial interventions created an important stimulus in extension and functional differentiation of the Chitral Bazaar. After the partition of British India in 1947 further expansion of the commercial area can be reconstructed. Contemporary growth of Chitral can be illustrated using matched pairs of photographs. The rapid development results from a complex interaction of expanding bazaar sections and modern built-up areas with private and public services, and residential areas. The dominant driving forces for these processes are regional population growth, increasing exchange relations within the Chitral Valley as well as with the lowlands of Pakistan, and extensions of governmental administration. Furthermore the issues of ethnic relations in trading activities in comparison to other bazaars of Northern Pakistan are discussed, together with the impact of Afghan refugees on bazaar development.