Shandur Pass

Shandur Pass is a pass located on the boundary of district Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, a disputed territory within the larger region of Kashmir. Historically part of Gilgit-Baltistan; however, recent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments have made claims for the Shandur. It is often referred to as 'The Roof of the World.

The pass hosts the annual Shandur Polo Festival, an event that features polo matches between teams representing the Chitral District and Gilgit-Baltistan (disputed territory within the larger Kashmir region). These matches are held at the Shandur Polo Ground, located on Shandur Top. The festival typically spans three days, taking place from July 7 to July 9 each year. Approximately seven polo matches are played during this festival.

Geography
Shandur Pass, which is considered one of the most serene areas of Pakistan, is at an elevation of around 12,500 feet. It connects these two regions of Pakistan via a road. It is 212 km away from Gilgit.

History
In the early 1930s, Major Evelyn Hey Cobb, who served as Britain's appointed political agent, issued an order to Niat Qabool Hayat Kakakhel, the Nambardar (local leader) of Ghizer, to establish a large polo ground in Shandur. This polo ground was subsequently named "Mas Junali," which translates to 'moonlit polo ground' in the Khowar language. Major Cobb had a strong affinity for playing polo under the moonlight.

Ali Sher Khan Anchan Maqpoun was known to play polo in Shandur during the time when Chitral was part of the Maqpoun empire. Historically, the sport was played between the small kingdom and rival groups of the Gilgit Agency.

Starting in 1936, annual polo tournaments began to be held at Shandur under the patronage of the British. Over the years, the three-day Shandur Polo Festival has evolved and grown into the grand celebration of mountain polo that it is today.

The British rulers were impressed by the unprecedented constructional works of the people of Koh-e-Ghizer. In recognition of their achievements, a prize was offered to Niat Qabool Hayat. He requested the British representatives to stock the local water streams with trout, and as a result, a significant quantity of trout was introduced to the streams of Koh-e-Ghizer, contributing to the region's environmental and economic development.

Many people from all over the world come to watch polo matches between Chitral and Ghizer At first it was a training game for cavalry or other elite units. To the warlike tribesmen who played polo with as many as 100 players to a side, it was a miniature battle. It became a Persian national game in the 6th century AD. From Persia, the game spread to Arabia, then to Tibet, China and Japan. In China, in the year 910, the death of a favourite relative in a game prompted Emperor Apaochi to order the beheading of all players.

Ali Sher Khan Anchan played polo at Shandoor when be briefly occupied Chitral. The princes and political agents of Chitral also enjoyed playing polo in Shandur. From 1936 onwards polo tournaments were held annually at Shandur at the patronage of the British. The three-day Shandur Polo Festival has developed steadily in recent years into the massive celebration of mountain polo that it is today. Since 1982 the matches are being arranged by Chitral administration, levies, Chitral scout and police. GB teams participated as guests team.

Cultural events
During the annual Shandur Polo Festival, there are polo matches played at the Shandur Polo Ground on Shandur Top, between the teams of Chitral District and Gilgit-Baltistan. Approximately seven matches are played in the three days of the festival usually held on 7 to 9 July every year. The final match is played on 9 July between Teams A of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.

Mas Junali (moonlighted polo) became a source of relation between the people of Chitral District and Gupis-Yasin/Ghizer districts. Many of the people from entire world come here to watch polo match played between Chitral and Ghizer.

Books

 * The Gilgit Game by John Keay (1985) ISBN 0-19-577466-3
 * The Kafirs of the Hindukush (1896) Sir George Scott Robertson.
 * To the Frontier (1984) Geoffrey Moorehouse, pp. 267–270. Hodder and Stoughton Ltd., Great Britain. Reprint: Sceptre edition 1988. ISBN 0-340-41725-0
 * Shandur, Durand's Boundary Line Violation (2014) by Rai Sarfaraz Shah, Ex-MNA LC Gilgit-Baltistan