Geographical Settlements

The Pahari people are native to the Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions of South Asia. Their settlements extend across the steep southern slopes and valleys of the great mountain ranges in India and Nepal, forming a unique cultural landscape shaped by altitude, terrain and climate.

In India, Pahari communities are primarily found in the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In Himachal Pradesh, districts like Kangra, Chamba, Kullu, Shimla and Sirmaur are home to various Pahari groups such as the Gaddi, Kinnaura, Sirmuri and Churachi. These areas are located at an altitudes ranging from 1,000 to over 9,000 feet above mean sea level. The rugged terrain of the Western Himalayas, coupled with mountain passes locally known as “Galliats,” has influenced both the lifestyle and architecture of the people.

In Uttarakhand, Pahari culture is expressed through the communities of Garhwalis and Kumaonis, residing in districts like Dehradun, Nainital, Almora and Pauri Garhwal. These regions are characterized by terraced farming on steep slopes and a strong connection with rivers and forests.

The Pahari identity also thrives in Nepal, provinces such as Bagmati, Karnali and Sudurpaschim. These communities are often referred to as 'Parbate' and are closely linked to the Khasa ethnic group. The steep hills and narrow valleys have led to distinctive patterns of settlement and livelihoods, primarily agro - pastoralism.

Though dialects and customs vary, the Pahari people across share a deep connection with their mountainous geography, which continues to shape their cultural identity and way of life.

Jammu and Kashmir is the main region where Pahari culture has grown, evolved and flourished. The Pahari people live in the mountains, especially along the Pir Panjal and Shamshabari ranges at heights between 2,000 to 9,000 feet. These mountains, valleys, rivers and passes have played a major role in shaping their daily lives, especially traditions and lifestyle.

Pahari settlements are mostly found in the districts of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Uri, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Rajouri, Poonch, Doda and Kishtwar. The geography in these areas is a mix of thick & dense forests, high meadows and narrow mountain routes called "Galliat", a word from the local Hindko language.

The Kishanganga Valley and Shamshabari Hills in northern Kashmir are home to some of the oldest Pahari communities. People here mostly follow a mix of farming and animal herding depending on the seasons and the land.

Old government records from 1901 to 1941 recognized them as a special group associated closely with the mountains. Their imprints are also traced beyond line of control in Muzaffarabad, Mirpur and Neelum Valley in Pakistan Administered Kashmir where they share common ethnographic & cultural values.

The Pir Panjal range runs roughly from south to north Kashmir and separates Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu region from the Kashmir region. All the six blocks are in the Pir Panjal range. Poonch and Bhaderwah-Kishtwar lie on the southern slopes of this range in the Poonch and Doda districts respectively, while the other areas are in the Kashmir region on the northern slopes of the Pir Panjal. Kaj-i-nag and Shamshabari are on the northern banks of the Jhelum.

The Pir Panjal region is more than a geographical entity it is a sacred landscape etched with centuries of spiritual, cultural and ecological significance. Named after revered Sufi mystics (pirs) and drawing from ancient Indian associations like Panchala, this mountain belt has served as a spiritual corridor for saints, sages and seekers from diverse traditions. Its high-altitude meadows, shrines, caves and pilgrim trails reflect a profound intertwining of nature and faith, where the sacred is embedded in the everyday. The range includes historically significant mountain passes which have served as spiritual retreats, trade corridors and military routes. The confluence of mountain passes (Peer Ki Gali, Hajipir, Tatakuti, Banihal and Shamshabari) and rivers like Poonch, Rambiara, Veshaw, Rajouri Tawi and Kishanganga in the Pir Panjal reflects a sacred symbiosis: the mountain as the cosmic spine and the river as the circulating life-force.

For the Pahari tribe, the Pir Panjal is not merely a homeland but a living memory cape that shapes their identity, worldview and oral traditions. In an age of cultural homogenization, the Pir Panjal stands as a powerful symbol of pluralism, resilience and the sacred continuity of the Pahari way of life and holds a very prominent place in the culture and religious significance for both the Pahari Muslims, Sikh pahari and Hindus Pahari residing in this region. Mountains are portrayed as sacred in local myths and legends and stories mostly associate their formation with gods, saints, or divine personalities. Major peaks in the Pir Panjal Range include: Mount Kolahoi (5,425 meters), Mount Harmukh (5,100 meters), and Mount Shamsabari (5,156 meters).