The name Kohistan means “the Land of Mountains” and indeed this region is known for its high and rugged mountains. Indus is the name of the river which is called in Pashtu as, “Abaseen” meaning, “The father of the rivers”. Name of the language given by its speakers for it is, “ Kostayn=Kohistani” while the prefix, “Indus” has been used by the foreign linguists & researchers in nineties to differentiate it from other Dardic Kohistani languages Like; Gawri Kohistani, Torwali Kohistani as well as Kohistani Shina (Shina Kohistani) which is spoken on Eastern side of the region. Similarly, the area is known as Indus Kohistan and here also the prefix, “Indus” is used to differentiate it from Swat Kohistan, & Dir Kohistan.
Indus Kohistani is the major language of the west bank of the Indus River. There are two main dialects of Indus Kohistani – one that is spoken along the Indus River, in settlements such as Seo, Pattan and Jijal. The other is spoken in the Duber and Kandia Valleys, which are more remote.
Indus Kohistani is an endangered Dardic language of the Indo-Aryan family, spoken by about 353552 persons according to the census of 2023. It is mainly spoken in the Bankad, Ranolia, Dubair, Jijal, Pattan, Kayal areas of district Kohistan lower and Seo and Kandia areas of district Kohistan Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. About 20 to 25 percent of whom have migrated to the main cities of Pakistan and are settled there. Among these are Shangla, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Islamabad, and Karachi as well as Gilgit Baltistan. Likewise, Shina Kohistani speakers as per the census report of 2023 are 425232. Thus, total population as per census report 2023, consisting of 3 districts (UK, LK & KPK) is 784711 individuals.
Trail orthography has been developed based on Arabic script with a few characters that are distinct from Urdu & Pashto. An education program in Indus Kohistani language is in place with one school for children in Ranolia Bazar colony, Tehsil Bankad, district Kohistan lower established and managed by IPN. This is called IK MLE school and has completed its 10 years journey in March 2024. Very little literature for children, adults and researchers has been produced in Indus Kohistani language. It is being rigorously preserved, rejuvenated and promoted.
Please see the Indus Kohistani literature published and in Pipeline so far by clicking here.
