The Baltit Fort stands on moraines of Ultar glacier in the central Hunza valley, among the Karakorum range, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan.
The rich beauty of Baltit Fort can be traced back 700 years, to Ayasho II, Tham/Mir (ruler) of Hunza, who married Princess Shah Khatoon (Sha Qhatun) from Baltistan in the early 15th Century.
Front Face of Baltit FortBaltit Fort
This fort is the first ever to be restored (1990-96) by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, as a pilot project of currently on-going conservation of a number of monuments of northern Pakistan.
The Trust is also active in the restoration of monuments and historic sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Vazir House Swat) and in Punjab (Shahi Hammam and Wazir Khan Mosque).
The Fort remains open all year round and seven days a week, with the idea of being a self-sustaining cultural centre supported by the sale of entry tickets, souvenirs and generous donations of individuals and organizations interested for the promotion and preservation of cultural and historical heritage of this part of world.
Cannon at Baltit FortBaltit Fort
In olden times a number of small independent states existed in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Among them, Hunza and Nagar were the traditional rival states, situated on opposite sides of the Hunza (kanjut) river. The rulers of these two states, known as Tham, built various strongholds as expressions of their power.
The Hunza rulers initially resided in the Altit Fort, but later, as a result of a conflict between the two sons of the ruler (Sultan), Shah Abbas (Shάboos) and Ali Khan (Aliqhάn), Shaboos shifted to the Baltit Fort, making it the capital of Hunza. The power struggle between the two brothers eventually resulted in the death of younger one, and Baltit Fort established itself as the seat of power in the Hunza state.
Ayasho II, Tham was the first to modify the face of Altit and, subsequently Baltit Fort. Baltistan - the land of Balti people - had a strong cultural and ethnic relationship with the Ladakh region of undivided India.
Drawing of Baltit FortBaltit Fort
Consequently, the structure of Baltit Fort was influenced by the Ladakhi/Tibetan architecture, with some resemblance to the Potala palace in Lhasa. Additions, renovations and changes to the building were made through the centuries by the long line of rulers of the Hunza region, which was on the historic Silk Route.
One of the biggest changes in the structure of Baltit Fort came with the invasion of British in December 1891, which resulted in Tham/Mir Safdarali Khan, ruler of Hunza, his wazir Dadu (Thara Baig III), fleeing to Kashgar (China) for political asylum with their companions and families.
The Baltit Fort is a wood-and-stone structure with mud plaster. It is a three story building, with granaries and some stores in the basement on a glacier moraine hill with man-made narrow terraces for the stability of its ancient foundations.
Canon at Baltit FortBaltit Fort
Bilateral relations between Hunza and Nager had remained fractured right from the very first episode of installation of Mirs from Gilgit in 9th century.
After consultations with the warlords of Hunza, Mir Ghazzan Khan 1 decided to manufacture, in the very first year of his reign, a cannon in Hunza in early 1863, to face the alarming political conditions around Hunza. News coming from across the river indicated that the rival State of Nager had invited Hassan Afendi from Kashmir for crafting a cannon.
Mir Ghazzan Khan 1 managed to acquire the services of a cannon designer, Adina Baig from Badakhshan in Central Asia.
He initially faced shortage of material, but discovered a solution in a short span of time and by accumulating local material and services. This led to the successful manufacturing of the cannon before the rival state of Nager.
Hunza State victoriously test fired its cannon in 1863, and is on display at Baltit Fort, signifying its importance in local history.
Swords and Shields at Baltit FortBaltit Fort
An ancient collection of sword and weapons, mostly brought from China and Russia.
Baltit Fort EntranceBaltit Fort
With the conquest of Hunza and Nager states by the British forces in December 1891, the fortified wall and watch towers of the old Baltit village and watch towers of the Fort on its north-western end were demolished on the directions of the British authorities.
Side View of Baltit FortBaltit Fort
A side view of the Baltit Fort, overlooking the valley of Hunza River.
Terrace of Baltit FortBaltit Fort
The British installed Tham/Mir Sir Muhammad Nazim Khan K.C.I.E, as the ruler of Hunza State in September 1892.
During his reign, he made several major alterations to the Baltit Fort. He demolished a number of rooms on the third floor and added a few rooms in the British colonial style on the front elevation, using lime wash and coloured glass panel windows.
Baltit Fort remained officially inhabited until 1945.
Throne of the RulerBaltit Fort
The second floor features an impressive open terrace with a royal throne under a beautiful Mogul style wooden canopy, living rooms, bay windows with balcony and breath-taking views.
The Fort is set amidst the Hunza and Nager Valleys, which are on either side of River Hunza, running from east to west.
The the area is surrounded by mountains like Rakaposhi (7788m), Diran Peak (7257m), Golden Peak (7027m), Ultar (7388m), and Bubulimoting ('Lady Finger', 6000m).
Diwan-e-Khas (Royal Chamber)Baltit Fort
Diwan-e-Khas - the royal chamber - reveals a creative face of how the rulers lived.
This room was used as a guest house, winter bedroom of the Mir of Hunza and for private meetings in olden times. Placed here were different artifacts, portraying the social coherence that prevailed during the regime of the Royal family.
Prominent artifacts include Stone Age cooking wares, imported carpets, mystic carvings and water sets brought from China.
Rugs that enhance the environment were the main production of Hunza.
There was a trend amongst the prominent families of Hunza of bringing carpets from China or purchasing them from the trade caravans that moved along the Silk Route, and they were not manufactured in the area till the late 1990s.
This carpet was made in Khutan (China), some 300 years ago.
Rani KottBaltit Fort
Tibetan musical instruments, Chinese currency notes, Kashmiri glass work, local rugs, colorful royal seats and string musical instruments used during the recitation of devotional poems (qasayid) from Persian literature during religious gatherings in Rani Kott, and provide a glimpse of the cultural links with neighbouring cultural regions.
Sitting Area at Baltit FortBaltit Fort
The sitting area of the Fort, with old carved wooden cabinets and decorative plates.
Sitting Area at Baltit FortBaltit Fort
The sitting area
Kitchen of Baltit FortBaltit Fort
The first floor of the Fort has most of the stores, the main kitchen (pictured here), guard rooms, a dungeon and a winter guest room.
They are connected to each other by elaborate labyrinths.
Local Artifacts at Baltit FortBaltit Fort
Featured here are some antique local artifacts.
The Fort's beautiful wood carvings are eye-catching, and were adopted in many later buildings in Hunza valley.
The structure's wooden cribbage work (known locally as Kator), is the real reason of its stability over so many centuries, despite various natural hazards.
Curators:
Moin Uddin Hunzai and Akbar, Baltit Heritage Trust
