Shigar's Prosperity and the Legendary Chandan Tree
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Once upon a time, a saying was famous throughout Baltistan: "If you lack food or prosperity, go to Shigar". This was because Shigar was known for its abundant agriculture and fertile land, unlike Khaplu and Kharmang, where the scarcity of land limited agricultural activities. The secret to Shigar's prosperity [reportedly] laid in a Chandan tree, known locally as "Chandanne nkholam".This ancient tree stood tall at a spot from where the entire lush and thriving Shigar valley was visible. Invaders once attacked and destroyed much of Shigar, including its greenery. However, they were baffled when, upon returning to the viewpoint (initially called "Nar e lo"), they saw Shigar green and flourishing again. They could not comprehend how the valley remained verdant after their destruction. To uncover the mystery, the invaders offered money to an old woman, who revealed the secret: the Chandan tree was the source of Shigar's vitality. They cut down the tree, but the valley's greenery persisted. Returning to the old woman, they were told to burn the tree's roots using apricot seed kernels. Even then, the greenery diminished only slightly because a part of the root remained, sustaining Shigar's verdancy to this day. Years later, an argument broke out between a man from Skardu and one from Shigar. The Skardu man insulted the Shigar man by calling him a "Cow thief." The Shigar man, known for his poetic nature, responded in verse, highlighting Shigar's wealth and abundance, contrasting it with Skardu, where families shared a single goat for milk. He spoke of Shigar as a land of gold, milk, diamonds, and the Chandan tree. He implied that while Skardu struggled for basic sustenance, Shigar thrived with livestock and agriculture. His poetic retort, mentioning the Chandan tree, underscored Shigar's enduring prosperity. The Shigar man apologized if his words offended, explaining that the tale was shared to emphasize Shigar's richness and the legendary tree's role in their heritage.
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