Baltit Fort

Baltit Fort
قلعہ بلتت
Baltit Fort ; قلعہ بلتت
	Baltit Fort
	Interactive map of the Baltit Fort ; قلعہ بلتت area
General information
Location	Karimabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Coordinates	36°19′32″N 74°40′11″E / 36.325556°N 74.669722°E

Baltit Fort (Urdu: قلعہ بلتت) is a palatial fort in the Hunza Valley, near the town of Karimabad, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list since 2004.^[1]

The conversation work carried out in the last decade of 20th-century indicated that the core structures, including the defensive stone and timber tower, date to the 8th century CE.^[1] The architecture of the fort reflects Tibetan influences. In the 16th-century, Ayasho II, the Mir of Hunza, married Shah Khatun, a princess from Skardu and the granddaughter of Ali Sher Khan Anchan. The father-in-law Abdal Khan sent artisans who rebuilt the fort. Abdal Khan also sent a cannon in dowry which bears date of 1539 CE.^[2]

The Mirs of Hunza abandoned the fort in 1945, and moved to a new palace down the hill. The fort started to decay which caused concern that it might possibly fall into ruin. Following a survey by the Royal Geographical Society of London a restoration programme was initiated and supported by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture Historic Cities Support Programme. The programme was completed in 1996 and the fort is now a museum run by the Baltit Heritage Trust.

Awards

2005 Time Asia, Best of Asia Award^[3]

Gallery

Baltit Fort
Spantik as viewed to the south-east from the fort
Ultar Peak towers above the fort
Dance with traditional music at Baltit Fort
The fort is decorated with simple stain-glassed windows
View of Baltit Fort
Baltit Fort, Hunza Valley
The fort's historic cannon is now on display for visitors
The fort's guards wear distinctive uniforms
The fort displays local antiques
Antique Russian rifles gifted to Mir of Hunza

Bibliography

Biddulph John, Tribes of Hindoo Koosh, The Superintendent of Government Printing-Calcutta, India 1880, Reprint: Ali Kamran Publishers, Lahore-Pakistan, 1995.

References

1 2 "Baltit Fort". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
↑ Dani, Ahmad Hasan (1991) [1989]. History of Northern Areas of Pakistan (2nd ed.). Islamabad: National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research, Quaid-i-Azam University. p. 197. ISBN 978-969-415-016-1.
↑ Baker, Aryn (27 June 2005). "Best of Asia: Baltit Fort Hunza Valley, Pakistan". Time Asia. Archived from the original on 12 September 2005. Retrieved 11 December 2006.

External links

[:1-1] 1 2 "Baltit Fort". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 27 September 2025.

[:0-2] Dani, Ahmad Hasan (1991) [1989]. History of Northern Areas of Pakistan (2nd ed.). Islamabad: National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research, Quaid-i-Azam University. p. 197. ISBN 978-969-415-016-1.

[3] Baker, Aryn (27 June 2005). "Best of Asia: Baltit Fort Hunza Valley, Pakistan". Time Asia. Archived from the original on 12 September 2005. Retrieved 11 December 2006.

[1]

[2]

[3]

v t e List of cultural heritage sites in Gilgit-Baltistan
Forts	Khaplu Palace Baltit Fort Shigar Fort Skardu Fort Altit Fort
Tourist attractions	Amburiq Mosque Chaqchan Mosque Khanqah-e-Mualla Noorbakshia Khaplu Bala
Archaeological sites	Sacred Rock of Hunza Noorpur Stupas Alam Bridge inscriptions Mughal Minar Kargah Buddha Manthal Buddha Rock Danyore Rock Inscriptions

v t e List of cultural heritage sites in Pakistan
Lists by provinces and territories	Azad Kashmir Balochistan Gilgit-Baltistan Islamabad Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Punjab Lahore Sindh Karachi
Important sites	UNESCO World Heritage Sites National Monuments
Other sites	Archaeological sites Forts Mausolea and shrines Cemeteries Churches Gurdwaras Hindu temples Libraries Mosques Museums Hindu and Buddhist heritage British heritage

v t e Forts in Pakistan
Azad Kashmir	Baral Fort Baghsar Fort Bharand Fort Burjun Fort Karjai Fort Mangla Fort Ramkot Fort Red Fort, Muzaffarabad Throchi Fort
Balochistan	Kharan Fort Lasbela Fort Mir Chakar Fort Sassi Punnu Fort Sandeman Fort Sibi Fort
Gilgit-Baltistan	Altit Fort Baltit Fort Khaplu Palace Shigar Fort Skardu Fort
Punjab	Akrand Fort Attock Fort Bijnot Fort Derawar Fort Din Garh Fort Fort Abbas Fort Mao Mubarak Fort Munro Gujrat Fort Harand Fort Islamgarh Fort Jamgarh Fort Khair Garh Fort Kusak Fort Lahore Fort Malot Fort Mankera Fort Marot Fort Mir Garh Fort Moj Garh Fort Multan Fort Nandana Fort Nawankot Fort Pakka Khanpur Fort Pharwala Fort Rawat Fort Rohtas Fort Sangni Fort Satghara Fort Sheikhupura Fort Sialkot Fort Tulaja Fort
Sindh	Bukkur Dalel Dero Fort Kalan Kot Kot Diji Fort Manora Fort, Karachi Naukot Fort Nind Kot Pacco Qillo Ranikot Fort Ratto Kot Sehwan Fort Umarkot Fort
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa	Alexandra Fort Ali Masjid Fort Bala Hissar, Peshawar Birmoghlasht Summer Fort Chitral Fort Harkishan Garh Fort Handyside Fort Jamrud Fort Mastuj Fort Shagai Fort

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