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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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