Nihang are mythical water dragons from the Chitrali Mythology in northwestern Pakistan. The name "Nihang" comes from the Persian word "nahang" for crocodiles but is also used for other sea creatures. Nihangs looked like winged snakes, also found in myths in many parts of mainland Pakistan and East Asia. They were huge, scaly creatures and were famous for their golden manes. The most famous one lived in a lake in Mastuj area of Chitral and frightened the local people. However, its reign of terror ended when an ancient warrior fought against it using a double-hilted sword and killed it.[1][2]
The Chitrali dragon has similarities to both Eastern and Western dragons. It looks like East Asian dragons with its thick furlike mane, lives in water, and has a long, slender, serpent-like body. But unlike Eastern dragons, the Chitrali dragon is seen as a mean creature that spreads fear in its area. People living near lakes have long believed in creatures like this in the Hindu Kush mountains. Even a Chinese traveler from the 7th century, Xuanzang, mentioned a dragon living in a lake in the region. While the exact lake he talked about isn't known, some believe it could be Lake Dufferin on the border of Chitral.[1]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Nizam, Muhammad Huzaifa. "Chitrali Mythology". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ↑ Jones, David E. (2016-05-06). An Instinct for Dragons. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-95132-1.