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It may further be added that the
people used to call the heir-apparent by the name of Maqpon. Even
today this custom is prevalent in Rondu. It shows that the
heir-apparent invariably held the rank of Commander-in-Chief.
However, it is difficult to say how the word Maqpon came to be
applied to the family. It may be added that the word Maqpon is
sometimes prefixed by the word “Bruq” which means mountain. Thus
‘Bruq Maqpon’ means ‘Mountain-like Maqpon’.
It is also claimed that towards the
end of the sixteenth century or beginning of the seventeenth century
Chitral was ruled by a Reis who is said to have belonged to the
Maqpon (Iskardo) family, as some branches of the Maqpons family
still spoke of his as their ancestor.
If the version that the Raees Dynasty
of Chitral was a scion of the Maqpon dynasty is to be believed, it
can be presumed that Ali Sher Khan Anchan and his descendent
adventurers went to regain the lost territory of Chitral. The third
‘Raees’ in succession was named Shah Sang Ali. The name of ‘Sang
Ali’ meaning ‘Lion of Ali’ in Balti language assumed by the ruler
shows Balti influence in Chitral even after the extinction of the
Balti ruling family.
Genealogy of the Maqpon.
The genealogy prepared by Hashmatullah
and Biddulph agree mostly with the exception that the names of
SikSinge, Khukhur Singe and Ali Khasa are missing from the one
prepared by the latter. The genealogical table supplied to Vigne by
Ahmad Shah is very scanty.
It appears that the dates given by
Hashmatullah in respect of both the Rajas of Skardu and Khaplu are,
to some extent incorrect. In case of Skardu it seems that Behram Cho
did not precede Bukha and Sher Shah because Sultan Saeed Khan
invaded Shigar in 936 A.D. and the name of Behram Cho has been
mentioned by Mirza Mohammad Haider Dughlat.
According to
Tarikh-e-Rashidi’ by Mirza Haider Gorgaon, Sultan Saeed Khan, king
of Yarkand invaded Ladak in 938 A.H. and after subduing that country
he marched on Baltistan. On Beharam Cho aided and guided the forces
under the Sultan who conquered Shigar and other places except those
forts which were impregnable. No mention has been made of the ruler
of Shigar. As regards Behram Cho Hashmatullah is of the opinion that
he must be Beharam Cho of
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