Oshikhandass
Oshikhandass is a village in Gilgit. It is in the east of Gilgit city. Oshikhandass is part of Bagrote region its consists of about 1100 houses with about 11,000 residents. Approximately 40% of the population belongs to the Ismaili sect of Islam that follows the Aga Khan; 60% population is Shia Muslim. The local means of economy is agriculture. There are three government schools out of which two for girls and one for boys besides there are five private schools.The average altitude of 1,500 metres(4,900 ft).[1]
This village links Bagrot Valley and Jalalabad village to the city Gilgit. The metaled road crosses the KKH in the way towards city. The languages spoken in Oshikhandass are Shina and Burushiski. In early decades after 1940 people from hunza and Bagrot valley were living here. With the passage of time some other people also became residents of this village as it was near Gilgit city. Those people include people from Astore, Yasin and Haramosh. Nanga Parbat lies in the east of this village and it could be seen from there.
History
the historic name of oshikhandass was punal dass after some years when different type of people gather and give it new name by thinking that using two language realize people that we are one .the name was 'OSHIKHANDASS The name of this village Oshikhandass is evolved from two languages. "Oshi" means wind in Shina language, "Khan" means 'Town' in Burushaski language and "Dass" means 'uncultivated land' in both languages. This land was under custody of valley. It was cultivated by the people came from Hunza and Bagrote in July 1937 led by Khuda Amman, that time he was as ALLA LAMBARDAR and a professional farmer as well as expert in mountains cannels. Those people were sent by the Mir of Hunza as he made a verbal agreement with the people of Bagrot valley. Those people made the water channel which supply water to this village even today. The water channel is liked to the river which comes from Glaciers of Karakoram through Bagrot valley. Oshikhandass Welfare and Development organization (OWDO) is the first registered welfare organization in this village. This organization is founded in 2005 by Manzoor Hussain a social worker of this village. Other welfare organizations are also engage in development of this village includes social economic and cultural development institutions of AKDN. Most of people of Oshikhandass are doing business in Gilgit, like shopkeepers and other small enterprises. The basic need water of Oshikhandass is coming from Bagrot Glacier.