Forts in Gilgit Baltistan
Forts in Gilgit Baltistan.
Gilgit Baltistan has several shades of beauty. And if you are only thinking glaciers and lush green fields, you are definitely missing out on some amazing historic architecture. Gilgit Baltistan is full of rich history, heritage, and culture. Numerous dynasties in different eras have lived here and have left their mark. Here are some majestic forts that capture Pakistan’s rich heritage.
Shigar fort
The Shigar fort, constructed by king Ali Sher Khan Anchan of Skardu in the 16th century, is one of the most difficult for enemy forts in Gilgit Baltistan. This fort was built by the king to observe and confront foreign campaigns. During his reign, the Balti state grew to its greatest extent. It is home to the Shigar royal family, descendants of the Maqpon raj of Skardu, which split into two parts in the 17th century.
Ranikot Fort
Ranikot Fort is one of the most significant forts in the world. It is more than 9km in length and thirteen kilometers across. It is a unique place that features sand divider stones of six meters in height. The fort is also considered a World Heritage Site.
The red-bricked fort can be seen from miles away in the Cholistan Desert. It is surrounded by 1.5-kilometre-long walls and bastions. Its history dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization. There are also numerous archaeological sites around the fort. It is believed that one of the tunnelled pathways inside the fort leads to an underground railway.
Ranikot Fort is one of the most mystical and intriguing forts in Pakistan. This ancient fort is protected as a historic site under the Antiquities Act, 1975. Located on a hill, the fort is surrounded by fortified walls on three sides. The fort complex has four entrance gates. The Mohan or Sann Gate leads to the Meeri Kot, a building which is supposed to have been the royal residence of the Mirs. Another gate leads to the Shah Peeri Gate.
Ranikot Fort in Gilgit Baltishtan is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is located 35 km from Mansehra and was originally known as Fort Cavagnari. The British Army rebuilt the fort in the late 19th century. It was used by General Dyer to outflank the Afghan militia and show them how professional warfighting is done. However, a local legend says that the fort was built by Timur the Mongol to torture his opponents. Timur was a cruel invader with a taste for the precious resources of India.
Ramkot Fort
Another historic fort is the Ramkot Fort, built by Muslim rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Ramkot fort has a blue background and offers a beautiful view from the top. Another ancient fort, near Altit, is the Baltit Fort, which is around 700 years old and has undergone a series of renovations.Ramkot Fort is built over the site of an old Hindu Shiva temple. Three sides of this hill top are surrounded by River Jhelum (ancient “Vitasta”).during excavations relics of the 5th & 9th century AD has been discovered near one of the temples. In the 16th 17th century AD, the Muslim rulers of Kashmir while safe guarding their boundaries built numerous Forts. The best season for the visit of fort is july to september because in that time the lake is full of water in those days, otherwise in other months the lake is dry and if you reach at the fort there is a treking way 8 km by foot .
Altit Fort
Altit Fort, Gilgit Baltistan is a historical landmark with many cultural attractions. The fort was surrounded by traders and settlers, becoming a cultural center for the area. You can still see remnants of ancient life in the fort, including utensils of the royal family and beautifully crafted wooden doors, windows, and stairs.
The Altit Fort was built around 400 years ago. It was the site of a family feud between two princes. One of the brothers, Prince Shah Abbas, took the Baltit Fort while the other, Prince Ali Khan, remained in the Altit Fort. Prince Ali Khan had a stronghold in the fort and launched offensives against his brother, Prince Shah Abbas. Prince Ali Khan was eventually killed by a local tribe of Shabos, who buried him against the watch tower pillar.
Today, the Altit Fort is a tourist attraction. It is an old fort located in the Hunza Valley. It was once the home of the hereditary rulers of the Hunza state, which bore the title Mir. The fort has a Shikari tower, which is believed to be over one hundred years old. This makes it the oldest monument in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Located on a cliff, Altit Fort provides spectacular views of the Hunza Valley and the Silk Route. Built on the side of a rock cliff, the fort stands on the Hunza River. The historic fort has a museum with artifacts from the past.
Bala Hisar
The fort is one of the most beautiful historical sites in Gilgit Baltistan. Situated on a mountaintop, it was the residence of royal Emperors. The history of the fort has not been fully understood. Its origin is largely unknown, but it is assumed to be Mughal. There are accounts mentioning the fort, including one written by Emperor Babur, in 1523 CE. However, a recent discovery by archaeologist Ahmed Hasan Dani indicates that the fort may be older than previously thought.
The fort is heavily guarded and dates back to the 16th century. It was destroyed at least twice during its history, but has since been rebuilt to protect the city. Today, it is used by the Frontier Corps, a paramilitary unit of the Pakistan Army. It provides visitors with a panoramic view of Peshawar. It also has a beautiful garden. However, it has been heavily damaged by vandals.
The fort was built on a hilltop near the city of Peshawar. It was originally a palace for the Hunza rulers but was turned into a fort when time exhibitor towers were added to the fort. The fort was later used as a Frontier Corps headquarters for nearly 50 years.
Fort Bala Hissar is an important historical landmark and is critical to understanding the history of Peshawar. However, the fort has been subjected to constant reconstruction, meaning that much of the historical evidence has been lost. Perhaps it would be best to establish a museum there and dedicate space for different exhibits.
Fort Bala Hisar is one of the most impressive and historically significant monuments in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Its Shikari Tower is the oldest tower in the fort. It was constructed by the Muslim rulers of Hunza around the 11th century. The fort was later moved to the nearby Fort Baltit.
Khaplu Fort
Fort Khaplu in Gilgit Baltiston is a must-see destination for visitors to Gilgit Baltistan. This ancient fort is home to an 800-year-old mosque that is a masterpiece of harmonised architecture. A steep flight of steps leads to the prayer hall.
Fort Khaplu is located in the Ghancheh District of Gilgit Baltistan, approximately 105 kilometers from Skardu. It is one of the most magnificent 19th century buildings in the region, and it is worth the trip just to see the intricate stone masonry and woodwork that make the fort so distinctive. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Government of Norway have both donated funds for the restoration of Fort Khaplu.
The site of the palace was chosen, so the story goes, by rolling a large stone down from a nearby cliff; where the stone came to a stop, the palace was built. For over 100 years it remained the seat of the local ruler and his descendants continued to live there even after their kingdom was abolished. The last Raja of Khaplu who lived in the house died in 1983 and the palace began to fall into a state of dilapidation after.
In 2005, with funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture started restoration works; a process that took six years. Restoration was carried out following the Venice Charter; a set of guidelines, drawn up in 1964 by a group of conservation professionals, that provides an international framework for the conservation and restoration of historic buildings.
Sangni Fort
The Sangni Fort in Gilgit Baltistan was built in the early 1800s by the rulers of Kashmir, in order to protect the local Sikh and Hindu communities. It is located close to Gujar Khan city and on the Grand Trunk road. The Fort was designed to defend the area and provide protection against the British.
The fort is built on a hilltop and offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area. The fort has four bastions of almost equal diameter, which were built to guard the fort and its surroundings. The fort is also home to a shrine, dedicated to the saint Abdul Hakeem. He is believed to have come from Arabia via Iran.
The Sangni Fort is part of the Potohar plateau chain of fortifications and is located half way between Ramkot Fort and Rawat Fort. It was probably built during the late Mughal period, but was greatly reinforced during the Sikh period. The fort was later used as a jail. Its main gate opens to the east and there is a large necropolis of 17th century soldiers.
The Sangni Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Fort is surrounded by desert landscape and can accommodate more than 30,000 people. The fort is also home to a number of archaeological sites, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization.
