Raees Dynasty
Raees Dynasty, founded by Shah Nadir Raees, ruled the princely state of Chitral from 1320 to 1660. The Raees dynasty was of Central Asian origin most probably from Eastern Turkistan or from Badakhshan. A number of rulers succeeded one after the other during the Raees dynasty and a few of them known in history of the area like Shah Nasir, Shah Tahir Raees, Shah Mahmood and Shah Abdul Qadir. In the late period of Raees rule its power greatly weakened due to internecine fights over succession which was taken advantage of by the Katoors. While the Raees were busy fighting each other the Katoors mounted an attack on the ruling family with the help of other prominent tribes and took over the reigns of the state. The prominent features of Raees rule were the unification of Upper Chitral and Lower Chitral into a single state, spread of Islam, introduction of Islamic system, introduction of taxation and a good administrative system. The dynasty ruled over Chitral till 1590 uninterruptedly when Muhtaram Shah Kator overthrew Shah Mehmood Raees in 1590. However Shah Mehmood Raees regained his power in 1630.The Raees rule lingered on till 1698 when Shah Alam Katoor replaced the last Raees ruler Shah Abdul Qadir Raees who ruled from 1697-98.
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