Nothing definitive is recorded about the town's first settlers. In the 3rd century AD,
Kanishka, the ruler of the
Kushan Empire, occupied Chitral. In the 4th century AD, the Chinese overran the valley. Raees rule over Chitral began in 1320 and came to an end in the 15th century. From 1571 onwards Chitral was the capital of the princely state of Chitral under the rule of the
Katur Dynasty.
Ancient era . The existence of the
Gandharan Grave Culture in Chitral, found in various grave sites scattered over its valleys gives an insightful knowledge of its inhabitants following the
Indo-Aryan migrations, after the decline of
Indus Valley civilization. The Gankorineotek cemetery in
Singoor is home to several ancient burial sites, dating back to the
Vedic period. The area that now forms Chitral was reportedly conquered by the
Achaemenid Persians and incorporated into one of their easternmost satrapies. In the third century CE,
Kanishka, the Buddhist ruler of the
Kushan empire, occupied Chitral. Under the Kushans, many Buddhist monuments were built around the area, mainly Buddhist stupas and monasteries. The Kushans also patronised Buddhist art; some of the finest examples of the image of Buddha were produced in the region under the Kushan rule.
Kator era From 1571 to 1969, Chitral was the dominion of the
Kator Dynasty. The British and Sikh garrison suffered a
siege by the Chitralis, possibly aided by Afghan forces, in 1895. The garrison was relieved after six weeks, and the British installed the young
Shuja ul-Mulk as
Mehtar ("ruler"). He ruled for the next 41 years.
Accession to Pakistan In 1947, following the partition of the British India, the princely states were given the choice to either remain independent or accede to one of the two new dominions. Initially, Chitral chose to remain an independent monarchy. Later, the Mehtar of Chitral, acceded to Pakistan and thus Chitral became one of the
princely states of Pakistan. Through 1969 to 1972, it was fully integrated into Pakistan as the administrative district of Chitral.
Role in the First Kashmir War Chitral played an instrumental role in the 1947–1948
first Kashmir war. Immediately after acceding to Pakistan,
Mehtar Muzaffar ul-Mulk proclaimed
Jihad to 'liberate'
Kashmir from the
Dogras. At this point, the Gilgit scouts were retreating and the Dogra forces had made gains in the Burzil pass. Under these circumstances, the
Chitral scouts relieved the
Gilgit scouts in Domel and Kamri sectors whilst the
Chitral Bodyguard force went towards
Skardu. The Chitral bodyguards under the leadership of a Chitral Prince laid one of the longest sieges in military history which ended with the fall of Skardu, the surrender of the Dogras, and the capture of
Baltistan. During this time, the Chitral scouts assimilated with the Gilgit scouts and went on towards taking the Kargil pass. == Geography ==