Ishkoman Valley

The large side-valley of the Gilgit River west of the Hunza valley is called Karumbar. The modern name Ishkoman refers to the valley branching off near Imit. Ishkoman was in fact a vast village fortress founded by immigrants from Chilas some three hundred years ago. They founded their dwellings in this deserted valley and most of the villages in the main valley are recently founded by refuges. Prof. Jettmar opines that Karumbar valley was the place where Mirza Haidar had his winter camp during his invasion of Balor (Palor) before his troops returned via Sarigh Chipan in the spring of the year 934 A.H. (1927 CE). Near Imit bronze objects were found on the northern bank of the Karumbar river, opposite to the modern village. They were published by Jettmar in 1979. From Imit there is a mountain path via the Irshad-Uwin pass to the Eastern Pamir`s. So, the bronze objects may be of Saka origin.