Dio Qandaal's Cave

Muhammad Ismail

Research Data

Dio Qandaal's Cave

Description

There is a cave is known as Deer-e-Khoh, Dio-e-Khoh, and Dio Qandaale Khoh whereby these names reflect the ancient role of this area as a gateway towards Dir, a valley in the Swat region, where once upon a time a giant (dio) lived. The cave, located in Kargah Nullah, 11 kilometers from Gilgit city and 600 feet above the roadside, served as a safe haven for bandits (dacoits) who robbed locals. To counter the dacoits, the locals devised a plan using a local grass called "Khamoo" in the Shina language. This grass, known for its water-absorbing properties, was used to fill the cave with water, drowning the robbers who frequently came from Chitral. Dio Qandaal's Cave, also referred to as Dio Khoo, is unique due to its distinctive shape and formation. Water continuously drips from its sloping sides throughout the year, despite the absence of a visible water reservoir above the cave. This was attributed by locals to the fact that the cave was created by the giant Dio Qandaal who lived there thousands of years ago. Dio Qandaal domesticated goats and sheep, and his favorite goatherd was a large takine (Budorcas taxicolor). One evening, as the flock returned to the cave, a prince named Behram Shahzada attacked and killed the takines outside the cave. Disguising himself in the goat's skin, the prince entered the cave, bleated "Dio Qandaal hircine", and pretended to be the goatherd. Dio Qandaal, believing it was his goatherd, closed the cave's door, lit a fire, and went to sleep. In the middle of the night, the prince emerged from the goat's skin and heated two iron bars in the fire. While Dio Qandaal slept, the prince used the heated bars to blind him. Dio Qandaal woke up in agony, realizing he was blind, and started throwing large stones in a frenzy. The prince defended himself and retaliated with his sword. Their fierce battle continued until Dio Qandaal broke through the cave's door and fled. The door, now 600 feet away from the cave, marks the site of his escape. Eventually, the prince killed Dio Qandaal.

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