Baltit Fort
Baltit Fort is a famous fort of Hunza Valley which was given as Dowry by King of Baltistan to his daughter.
Often it happens in
history of subcontinent that kings and princes build magnificent forts and
palaces for their mistresses. From Taj Mahal to Noor Mahal, it seems that every
king was willing to go to any extent to prove his love.
Baltit Fort is also an ancient
fort in middle of Karakoram Mountain range in north of Pakistan, which a ruler
chose for his daughter and built as her dowry in princess's in-laws.
Although the opinion of
historians regarding construction of this fort is still divided. It is certain
that when the fourth crown prince of Ayasho family, the ruler of Hunza, Prince
Ayasho II was married to Shah Khatoon, the daughter of Raja Abdal, the ruler of
Baltistan, this fort was chosen for residence of the princess.
After the marriage of his
daughter, King Raja Abdal sent a team of expert builders from his kingdom to
Hunza Valley with dowry, who participated in construction or expansion of Baltit
Fort.
Many stories regarding
construction of Baltit Fort have been going on for centuries. Even today, the
locals tell same stories to the tourists who come to this fort.
The fort is generally
believed to be around 700 years old and its construction started in 14th
century. However, carbon dating research in recent years has shown that there
was a fort at the site even before that.
Tibetan Architecture
Baltit Fort also regularly
shows glimpses of Tibetan architectural style. In the 1990s, it was handed over
to Aga Khan Trust by Mir family of Hunza, who completed its restoration and
turned it into a museum. It is now managed by Baltit Heritage Trust. It was
also included in UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2004.
The region of Baltistan is
across Indus River from Hunza. Although in modern times this entire region is
known as Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan, but historically, the history
of its different parts is connected with different cultures.
Historically, Baltistan
has had a close relationship with Tibet. Several hundred years ago it used to
be a part of Tibet including Ladakh. Locally, even today, this area is referred
to as 'Little Tibet'.
Experts see similarities
between the construction of Baltit Fort and Potala Palace, the former residence
of Dalai Lama in Lasa, Tibet. Although the Potala Palace was built in 16th
century, the two royal residences not only have a similar architectural style but are both built on a high peak at the foot of high mountains, making it
difficult for an enemy to approach.
Modern History of Baltit Fort
Karimabad was once the
capital of Hunza Valley state.
Rani of Hunza Attiqa
Ghazanfar, wife of Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan of Hunza, says that this fort was
used as residence of the ruling family of Hunza Valley for several hundred years.
She said that Mir Jamal Khan, the last ruler of Hunza state, was also born in
this fort.
In the year 1945, he had a
separate residence built for himself in Hunza Valley and shifted to it.
However, Baltit Fort is still used for special ceremonies.
According to Rani Attiqa
Ghazanfar, after the accession of state to Pakistan, the task of protecting and
restoring this fort was not just for her or government of Pakistan. Therefore,
the fort was handed over to Aga Khan Trust at no cost for restoration and
maintenance.
Visit to Baltit Fort
It is clear that this fort
consisting of three floors was not built together. It was added over time. It
is said to have only one floor at the time of construction. Rani Attiqa
Ghazanfar also agrees with this.
Baltit Fort consists of 62
gates and 53 rooms. In the construction of this fort, in addition to stone,
traditional wooden work has been done to strengthen the walls. Large windows,
shutters, porticoes and galleries with embossed wooden carvings present a
masterpiece of architect's art.
The first floor is open on
all four sides, while the second floor houses guest house and royal court,
where the rulers of Hunza conducted state affairs for many years. The place
where the rulers used to hold court is still preserved here and tourists are not
allowed to sit at this place.
The third floor is said to
have housed the rulers of Hunza. An oven-like pit is found in the Mir of
Hunza's room, where the king's wine cask was kept.
A hole in lower part of
the meeting place for common pilgrims still exists today. It is said that when
a citizen came to the king with a plea, he would first make an offering in form
of wheat, barley, apricots or other commodities which was put into this hole.
The lower floors mainly
consist of warehouses and rooms where food items were stored.
Baltit Fort Museum
Today, it houses artefacts
related to the history of fort and region, and objects reflecting the daily
life. It is said that in 18th century, when British army attacked to
capture Hunza Valley, the rulers here were treated by a Russian spy who
presented them with a modern gun and a bullet.
However, when British
soldiers came to conquer the fort with their guns, even this gun was not used
and Hunza defenders armed with old and traditional weapons could not fight
them. So that gun is still preserved in its original condition in three storied
building of this fort.
Royal robes of Hunza
rulers and queens are also present in the fort, but it is not stated in what
period they were used. Locally made carpet on the wall present a good look.
According to tradition, the basement was used as a prison where criminals were
punished.
Apart from the local and
traditional music of Hunza, the local cuisine still attracts tourists. Ancient
musical instruments are also preserved in the fort. Locally in Hunza, musical
instruments similar to those displayed in the fort are still used at weddings
or celebrations.
Iron cooking utensils are
also preserved in kitchen of the fort. Even now, on the fourteenth day of lunar
month, a traditional meal can be enjoyed at the royal banquet table for a fee.
According to the tourists,
if fort is visited during moonlit night, apart from the beautiful view of Hunza
Valley, the towering Raka Pushi Mountain can be seen in front, which captures
everyone.
Was Baltit Fort built as a Dowry for a Princess?
As to how, why and when
the Baltit fort was built, there is very little concrete evidence in history.
According to folklore, Princess Shah Khatoon wanted a clear view of her parentages
in her residence. Due to which the Baltit Fort was formally built on Tibetan
style of architecture.
Rani Attiqa Ghazanfar said
that there is no doubt that story of princess of Baltistan is connected with
construction of this palace, but she says that this palace existed before the
marriage of princess and the princess came to this palace after getting
married.
She says that 'it is
possible that after she moved, the princess made the necessary changes in
palace with the help of experts from Baltistan. There have been constructions
and changes in this fort in every period.
Apart from being the
former manager of Baltit Fort, Sher Baz Kaleem is also a historian. Sher Baz
Kaleem said that the construction of Baltit Fort is attributed to Princess Shah
Khatoon, which is still under investigation. He claimed that scientific
research shows that the history of Baltit Fort is about 900 years old.
He said that Shah Khatoon
later became the queen of Hunza. She made many changes for the beauty of Baltit
Fort. Apart from this, Ismaili preachers from Central Asia also came to this
region during her period to preach Islam. There is no dispute that skilled
artisans also came from 'Little Tibet' during her period.
According to folk
traditions, the architects coming from Baltistan wanted to prepare a
comfortable and magnificent palace for their princess. For which they worked
day and night to build a palace for the princess.
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