Source: Graana.com
Baltit Fort is an ancient fort that’s 700 years old. It’s in Gilgit Baltistan, near Karimabad. It used to be the central place for the rulers of Hunza until 1945.
The fort is in a good spot because it gives a comprehensive view of Hunza. This helped the rulers see any danger inside and outside their state. Many people like visiting this fort because it’s in a great location below the Ultar Glacier. After it was fixed up in 1990 by the Aga Khan Foundation, it became a favourite spot for tourists.
Graana.com has gathered everything you need to know about Baltit Fort Fort Hunza, including its location, history, and more.
Baltit Fort is a tall building with three floors, perched on top of a big rock. On the bottom floor, there are storage rooms and stairs that go up to the higher levels. The second floor has a large open room, and another set of stairs leads to the third floor. In winter, people mainly use the second floor, which has a room for meetings, a place to eat, a kitchen, a guest room, and rooms for the people who work there. In summer, the third floor is used more often. It has an extra bedroom and a room where guests are welcome.
Called ‘Mirs’, The leaders of Hunza knew it was tough for enemies to attack their region, but not impossible. To protect their people, they built strong forts to defend against outsiders and sieges.
Initially, the Mirs lived in Altit Fort. Subsequently, they constructed Baltit Fort, perched high above the Hunza valley near the glacier, providing a strategic advantage. Baltit Fort is about 700 years old. Its foundation goes back to the ancient times of the 8th century, but it has been changed and added over the period of time. Carbon dating shows that some changes were implemented in the 13th century.
In the early 15th century, a Hunza Mir named Ayashoo II married Princess Shah Khatoon. She brought artisans with her who influenced the fort’s design we experience today. The architecture and culture of Baltistan bore the influence of Tibetan traditions. So, the changes made by the new Princess were inspired by the Potala Palace in Lhasa. They added coloured glass, a front design similar to colonial buildings, and applied limewashing to the fort.
Hunza was a small region ruled by a leader called the Mir, a position passed down within a family. They believed their power came from the sky. The rulers traced their ancestry back to a prince named Azar Jamshed from a place called the Kayan Dynasty. One of Azar Jamshed’s grandsons, Sahib Khan (also known as Girkis), was given control over Hunza Valley. Another grandson, Maghlot, controlled the Nagar valley. Maghlot killed his brother Sahib Khan during a hunting trip, taking control of Hunza Valley. Since Maghlot had no sons, his daughter Nur Bibi became the ruler. She changed the family line when she married a prince named Shah Khan Ayasho from Afghanistan. This lineage continued until 1974, when the last ruler, Mir Muhammad Jamal Khan, governed Hunza.
Baltit Fort has a unique design that makes visitors experience like they’ve travelled back in time. The main structure of the fort is made of pegged timber frames. This type of construction can handle earthquakes better than other rigid materials.
Visitors enter the fort through a stone staircase and a long wooden door. These small doors were made to keep the harsh winter weather out and to defend against intruders. The upper floor has an open square space with a wooden skylight, standard in forts. This area has many rooms and storage spaces for wheat grain. The central kitchen with a big traditional fireplace and secret meeting rooms are also on this floor. There’s even a small hidden space for keeping treasures or gold.
From the first portion, you can go down to the ground floor. This part of the fort has undergone changes with the passage of time. Experts can experience the differences in the walls, tunnels, and floors, but it’s still unclear if it was used for prisoners, guards, or soldiers.
The upper floor has a courtyard with amazing views of the valley. There’s a beautifully crafted wooden throne and wooden ceiling here. This is where the leader of Hunza, called Mir, would meet villagers and hold events. There are pictures of the royal family in the reception rooms, weapons, and Ibex heads. A carved skylight in the ceiling provides light. There are detailed carvings on the door of Mir’s bedroom, which has a golden carpet and historical agreements on the walls. Coloured glass windows overlook the valley. There’s also a private dining room with a fireplace.
A door on the upper portion leads to the fort’s backyard. There used to be a watchtower here, but the British demolished it. Visitors can see Mir’s water channel and the Ultar glacier from here.
In 1945, Baltit Fort was empty because King Mir Jamal Khan, along with his family, shifted to Karimabad, Hunza. Mir Ghazanfar gave the fort to the Baltit Heritage Trust to fix and protect. The trust was created to look after the fort. In 1985, the (AKTC) Aga Khan Trust for Culture asked Richard Hughes and Didier Lefort to make a strategy to protect Baltit Fort. Hughes was a British engineer, and Lefort was an architect from France. They worked together on this plan.
Their ideas became a detailed plan to stop the fort from getting worse. Hughes knew how to make buildings safe from earthquakes and soil problems. Lefort was good at designing buildings. After they finished their plan, the work to restore the fort began. They also made a museum inside the fort. The Fort used to be on UNESCO’s list of essential places from 2004. On September 29, 2006, the former president, Mr. Farooq Laghari, and Prince Karim Aga Khan unveiled the newly restored Baltit castle in Karimabad.
To go inside Baltit Fort, foreign tourists pay 1200 Pakistani Rupees, while locals and tourists from within the country pay 600 Rupees.
Baltit Fort is open every day. In the summer, it’s open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and in the winter, it’s open from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. You can visit Baltit Fort any day of the week.
Frequently Asked Questions about Baltit Fort in Hunza:
Baltit Fort is a historic fort located in Karimabad, Hunza Valley, Pakistan. It is a well-preserved ancient structure with significant cultural and architectural importance.
Baltit Fort has a history dating back over 700 years, making it one of the oldest and most iconic landmarks in the Hunza Valley.
Baltit Fort was originally constructed by the local rulers of Hunza in the 8th CE. It has undergone several renovations and expansions over the centuries.
Baltit Fort holds immense cultural and historical significance. It represents the rich heritage and traditions of the Hunza Valley and serves as a testament to the region’s architectural expertise.
Yes, Baltit Fort is open to the public. Visitors can explore the fort, learn about its history, and appreciate the stunning architecture and artefacts inside.
Yes, visitors are allowed inside the fort. There are guided tours available that provide detailed information about the fort’s history, the royal family, and the cultural heritage of Hunza.
While tourists are encouraged to explore and learn, there are certain areas within the fort that might be restricted to preserve its historical artefacts and architecture. Visitors are expected to follow the guidelines provided by the authorities.
The staff or guides generally allow photography inside Baltit Fort, but it’s advisable to check with them about specific photography regulations, especially in sensitive areas.
Yes, there might be an entry fee for visiting Baltit Fort. The fee contributes to the maintenance and preservation of this historical site.
Yes, Baltit Fort has been on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites since 2004, recognising its cultural and historical significance.
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