Princely State of Hunza, 1850s

Hunza (also known as Kanjut) had been an independent principality for centuries, governed by rulers, known as Mirs. It was recognised by the British as a semi-independent principality in the 1850s. In the far north, in Gilgit Agency, it was officially part of Jammu and Kashmir but was never ruled directly by that state and in 1947 became part of Pakistan. A State Flag was adopted: green with a mountain range, the Hindu Kush, a white crescent and star symbolising Islam (possibly added after accession to Pakistan) and a golden bow and arrow, pointing to the lower fly.