Ali Sher Anchan

Ali Sher Anchan
Gyalpo, Makpon, Anchan
15th Maqpon King
Reign	1580 – 1624
Predecessor	Ghazi Mir
Successor	Abdal Wangchen (Abdal Khan)
Born	Ali Senge 1590 Skardu, Makpon Kingdom (Pakistan)
Died	1625 Skardu, Makpon Kingdom (Pakistan)
Spouse	Gul Khatoon (Mindoq Gyalmo)
Issue	Abdal Wangchen (Abdal Khan) Ahmad Wangchen (Ahmad Khan) Gyal Khatun (Silima Khatun) Padma Gyalmo (Kanwal Rani)[1]
Full name Gyalpo Ali Senge Khan Anchan
House	Maqpon
Father	Ghazi Mir
Religion	Shia Islam

Ali Sher Anchan or Ali Senge Anchan (Balti: ཨ་ལི་སེང་གེ་དབན་ཆེན།; 1580–1625), was a famous Balti Tibetan king.^[2] He belonged to the Maqpon dynasty and became the 15th King of the Makpon Kingdom. His rule saw the unification of Baltistan, expanding its borders to Ladakh and western Tibet in the east, and Ghizar and Chitral in the west. Ali Senge Anchan was a strong and successful leader, considered the greatest King of Greater Baltistan.^[3] He conquered Ladakh, Chitral, and Western Tibet. Ali Senge Anchan maintained friendly relations with the Mughal court. His reign brought prosperity to Balti art, sports, and architecture.^[4][5]

Other names for Ali Sengge Anchan are Ali Rai, Raja Sher Ali Mir, Mir Ali, Sher Ali, and Ali Zad. He introduced Polo in Gilgit, Chitral, and Ladakh and even sent musicians to learn music in the Mughal court. Ali Senge Anchan built the Skardu fort also known as Kharpocho Khar in Skardu, then the capital of the Makpon Kingdom.^[6]

Early life and Military Achievements

Following are Ali Senge Anchans's political and Military achievements and his conquests.^[7]

Makpon-Mughal relations

Ali Senge Anchan had connections with the Mughal court.^[8] Anchan lost his royal father when he was a child. His uncle the King of Shigar took him and his mother to Shigar, possibly with the plan to harm him and take over the Skardu Kingdom.^[9] At 18, Anchan fled to Delhi with twelve loyal followers. In Delhi, Emperor Akbar noticed him for his strength, and he was given command of a Mughal army to reclaim his kingdom. He married a Mughal princess named Gul Khatoon. In 1586 A.D., when Akbar conquered Kashmir, Anchan was with him.^[10]

Conquest of Ladakh

According to the tale, Ladakh's kingdom once stretched to Sermik in the west. During the 15th Makpon King Ghazi Mir's rule, Ladakhis were forced out of the Kharmang valley and the entire Purik district. Ali Senge Anchan occupied Kharbu fort and appointed a governor for the border area.^[11] Later, Ladakh's Raja, Jamyang Namgyal, attacked Purik. Anchan, along with other leaders, left through Marol, bypassed Leh, and conquered Ladakh around 1594 A.D. The Ladakh Raja, in the end, became a prisoner.^[12] To make peace, Ladakh ceded Ganokh and Gagra Nullah villages to Skardu and paid tribute to the Makpon Kings.^[13][14] This tribute was paid through the Monastery of Lama Yuru. Jamyang Namgyal's daughter was also married to Ali Senge Anchan.^[15]

Conquest of Dardistan and Chitral

While dealing with attacks on villages in Roundu Baltistan, Dras, Gultari, and Shingo Shigar, Anchan marched on Gilgit. He conquered Astore, Gilgit, Hunza, Nagar, Chilas, Chitral, and Kafiristan. To celebrate his victory, he planted a Chinar Tree near Bronshel village in Chitral. Balti folk songs praise Anchan's remarkable conquest, defining the Maqpon Empire's boundaries from Leh's Purang to Brushal's Chinar Tree:^[7][16]

‘Leh Purang na Brushal Shingel’.^[7]

Anchan is credited with starting Polo at Shundur Polo Ground, Which is the Highest Polo ground in the world.^[17][18]

Conquest of Kargil

Ali Sher Khan Anchan conquered many principalities in Kargil and introduced Balti culture and music to the region.^[17] Many Baltis and Purgis settled in Ladakh and Kargil during Anchan's reign.^[19]

References

1. https://www.google.com.pk/books/edition/The_Wonder_That_Is_Urdu/jVx6EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Kanwal+rani+daughter+of+Ali+Sher&pg=PA94&printsec=frontcover
2. Tikoo, Tej K. (2012-06-30). Kashmir: Its Aborigines and Their Exodus. Amber Books Limited. ISBN 978-1-935501-34-3.
3. Mehta, Brig J. N. (2023-01-01). History Of Jammu & Kashmir. Guarav book center. ISBN 978-93-83316-00-7.^{[permanent dead link]}
4. Tikoo, Colonel Tej K. Kashmir: Its Aborigines and Their Exodus. Lancer Publishers LLC. ISBN 978-1-935501-58-9.
5. Aggarwal, Ravina (2004-11-30). Beyond Lines of Control: Performance and Politics on the Disputed Borders of Ladakh, India. Duke University Press. ISBN 978-0-8223-3414-9.
6. Achinathang, Tashi Namgail (Achinapa) (2020-12-03). HISTORY AND CULTURE OF DARD PEOPLE OF LADAKH. Booksclinic Publishing. ISBN 978-81-946961-0-0.
7. Afridi, Banat Gul (1988). Baltistan in History. Emjay Books International.
8. Pakistan Tourism Directory. Holiday Weekly. 1997.
9. The Archaeological Review. Sindh Exploration and Adventurer Society. 2001.
10. Jasjit Singh, ed. (1995). Pakistan occupied Kashmir under the jackboot. New Delhi: Siddhi Books. ISBN 978-81-7020-680-4.
11. Jina, Prem Singh (2005). Ladakh profile. Delhi: Kalpaz Publ. ISBN 978-81-7835-437-8.
12. Bhasin, Sanjeev Kumar (2006). Amazing Land Ladakh: Places, People, and Culture. Indus Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7387-186-3.
13. Bakshi, Shiri Ram (2009). Kashmir: political problems. Kashmir Through Ages (reprint ed.). New Delhi: Sarup. ISBN 978-81-85431-96-3.
14. Afridi, Banat Gul (1988). Baltistan in History. Emjay Books International.
15. Afridi, Banat Gul (1988). Baltistan in History. Emjay Books International.
16. Bakshi, S. R. (1997). Kashmir: History and People. Sarup & Sons. ISBN 978-81-85431-96-3.
17. Akasoy, Anna; Burnett, Charles S. F.; Yoeli-Tlalim, Ronit (2011). Islam and Tibet: Interactions Along the Musk Routes. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7546-6956-2.
18. Mills, James H. (2005-05-15). Subaltern Sports: Politics and Sport in South Asia. Anthem Press. ISBN 978-1-84331-760-9.
19. "A peaceful Kargil -DAWN Magazine; September 4, 2005". 2008-10-13. Archived from the original on 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2023-11-30.