Since the mid-19th century boundary-making in the Pamirian Crossroads had involved the
redefining of contested spheres of influence between Great Britain and Russia. Remote mountain
microstates had enjoyed a comparatively high degree of autonomy from their immediate
neighbours. The incorporation of the Hunza Valley into the British-Kashmirian realm followed a
successful military intervention. The colonial project has significantly affected living
conditions in the Hunza Valley. Hunza matters addresses the transformation from four
perspectives. First the changing physical infrastructure are analysed from a road perspective.
Initially pack animals and porterage were involved in crossing high passes. Daring
geostrategic projects emerged shedding light on early plans for connecting British India with
China by motor road. Much later the Karakoram Highway was built. The latest stage of
infrastructure development is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Second environmental
resource utilisation strategies have changed over time. Emphasis has shifted from a
predominantly agriculture-based economy towards a market-oriented income generation including
extractivism remittances and services. Third bordering and ordering is strongly linked to
actors and factors. Fourth new light is shed on prevalent myths that are associated with
Alexander the Great and the Silk Roads longevity and an ideal state. A developmentalism
discourse has been transformed in Chinese occupation narrative. All four perspectives are
displayed on the basis of archival evidence that has been collected from a wide range of
sources augmented by empirical material collected during four decades.
