'Dardistan' is a term coined by
Gottlieb William Leitner for the
Northern Areas of
Pakistan. Currently there is no tribe known as
Dard or region Dardistan in modern world.
Historical Origin:
Herodotus(III. 102-105) is the first author who refers to the country of Dards, placing it between Kashmir and Afghanistan. "Other Indians are those who reside on the frontiers of the town 'Kaspatyros' and the Pakytan country".
Kaspatyros or
Kaspapyros is evidently
Kashmir and
Pakytan is
Pashtuns or
Afghans.
It also has reference in
Mahabharta where it mentions the tribute of the ant-gold
Paopilika brought by the nations of the north to one of the
Pandu sons. King
Yuhisthira.
The Dards are also the
Darada of the
Sanscrit writers. The
Darada and
Himavanta were the regions to which
Buddha sent his missionaries.
==
Dardic languages:==
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Dameli language
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Domaaki language
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Gawar-Bati language
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Kalami language
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Kalasha language
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Kashmiri language
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Khowar language
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Kohistani language
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Ningalami language
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Pashayi language
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Phalura language
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Shina language
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Shumashti language