Oshikhandass
| Oshikhandas اوشیکھنداس | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country |
 |
| Autonomous region |
 |
| District | Gilgit |
| Tehsil | Danyore |
| Population (2011 estimate) | |
| • Total | 7,200[1] |
Oshikhandass is a village in Gilgit-Baltistan. It lies the east of Gilgit city. Oshikhandass is part of the Bagrot Valley and had approximately 7,200 inhabitants in 2011. Approximately 55% of the population belongs to the Shia Imami Ismaili sect of Islam that follows the 4th Aga Khan; and 45% are Shia Isna Ashari Muslims, also known as Twelver Shias. The local economy is primarily agriculture based. There are three government schools, two of which for girls and one for boys. In addition there are five private schools. The altitude of the village is 1,500 metres (4,900 ft).[2]
This village links Bagrot Valley and Jalalabad to the city Gilgit via Danyor. The Karakorum Highway runs through the town. The languages spoken in Oshikhandass are Shina and Burushaski. The Nanga Parbat lies to the east of the village and can be seen from there.
History
The historic name of Oshikhandass was "Punal Dass". The name of this village Oshikhandass evolved from two languages. "Oshi" means wind in Shina language, "Khan" means 'town' in the Burushaski language and "Dass" means 'uncultivated land' in both languages. This land was under custody of the valley. It was cultivated by the people who came from Hunza and Bagrot in July 1937 led by Khuda Amman. These people were sent by the Mir of Hunza, as he made a verbal agreement with the people of Bagrot Valley. Those people (who came from Hunza on the request of the people of Oshikhandass) constrcuted the water channel which supplies water to the village even today. The water channel is linked to the river which comes from Glaciers of Karakoram through Bagrot valley. Most of the water of Oshikhandass comes from the Bagrot Glacier.
Oshikhandass Welfare and Development organization (OWDO) is a registered welfare organization in the village. This organization was founded in 2005 by Manzoor Hussain, a social worker. Many people from Oshikhandass work in Gilgit, as shopkeepers and in other small enterprises.