5 In this paper we refer to the language as the Kundal Shahi language, and simply as Kundal Shahi
abbreviated KS in contexts where there is no potential confusion as to whether we are talking about the language or the village.
2.3 Linguistic environment
As stated above, the Qureshis in Kundal Shahi share their village with Hindko-speaking tribes, although within the village area the latter are only a small minority. All the villages surrounding Kundal Shahi are
Hindko-speaking. In the upper parts of the Jagran Nallah, permanent settlements of Gujars are found.
Hindko is the predominant language of the Neelam Valley. Kashmiri, too, is spoken in several villages of this area. In some of these villages, the Kashmiri speakers live among the Hindko speakers. A few other
villages are entirely Kashmiri. Also in the main Neelam Valley, both settled and nomadic Gujars are found. In the highest inhabitable parts of the valley on the Pakistani side of the LoC there are two villages where
Shina is spoken Phulawai and Taobat. Pashto is spoken in two villages of the Neelam Valley that are located on the LoC, Dhakki and Changnar Chaknot.
2.4 Speakers
The Qureshi tribe in Kundal Shahi comprises approximately 1,500 to 2,000 people. Some fifty years ago, all members of the tribe would use the Kundal Shahi language actively on a daily basis. However, in more
recent years a process of language shift has been taking place, so that the newer generations roughly, people under twenty years old do not learn to speak their ancestral language anymore and learn Hindko
instead as their native language.
According to our interviewees, at the current time only some 20 percent of the members of the tribe still use the language actively on a daily basis. A much larger group more than 50 percent can still understand
the language even though they do not use it in daily conversation. The younger children no longer fully understand the language, although they usually know at least some words and phrases.
Among the other tribes living in Kundal Shahi, there are some people who have learned the language of the Qureshis to some extent. However, this is not very common, as Hindko is the language that is normally
used in interaction between the Qureshis and other tribes.
2.5 History
