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Gilgit Baltistan is not only a land of green meadows and snowy peaks but also a land full of history.
Historically, due to a politically fractured environment, building good fortifications was essential to maintain control.
This thread is about 22 of the forts in the region.
Historically, due to a politically fractured environment, building good fortifications was essential to maintain control.
This thread is about 22 of the forts in the region.
Altit Fort
Constructed in the 11th Century the fort housed the Hunza royalty.
It is located on a steep cliff on the Hunza river, its most prominent feature being its shikara watch tower.
Its position on the cliff makes it very formidable.
Constructed in the 11th Century the fort housed the Hunza royalty.
It is located on a steep cliff on the Hunza river, its most prominent feature being its shikara watch tower.
Its position on the cliff makes it very formidable.
Astore Fort
The picture of the fort was taken in 1895 by the Pamir Boundary Commission.
The fort no longer survives.
The picture of the fort was taken in 1895 by the Pamir Boundary Commission.
The fort no longer survives.
Baltit Fort
The fort was constructed in the 14th Century by the Mirs of Hunza. Following a brief power struggle it would become the center of their power, replacing Altit.
The fort was expanded many times, resulting in its unique bulky structure which resembles castles in Ladakh.
The fort was constructed in the 14th Century by the Mirs of Hunza. Following a brief power struggle it would become the center of their power, replacing Altit.
The fort was expanded many times, resulting in its unique bulky structure which resembles castles in Ladakh.
Chalt Fort
It played a major role in the start of the British-Brusho wars which started when the British refused to vacate the fort.
The war would ultimately lead to the British gaining dominion over Hunza and Nagar.
It played a major role in the start of the British-Brusho wars which started when the British refused to vacate the fort.
The war would ultimately lead to the British gaining dominion over Hunza and Nagar.
Chilas Fort
The fort was constructed by the British as a garrison and outpost on the Babusar pass.
It was nearly overran by local tribesmen in 1893 following which British had to reinforce it.
The fort was constructed by the British as a garrison and outpost on the Babusar pass.
It was nearly overran by local tribesmen in 1893 following which British had to reinforce it.
Dorkhund Fort
It is located in the Yasin valley.
It was constructed in the 15th Century by the Khoshwaqt dynasty but was ultimately destroyed by the Dogras in 1862.
Little of it survives today.
It is located in the Yasin valley.
It was constructed in the 15th Century by the Khoshwaqt dynasty but was ultimately destroyed by the Dogras in 1862.
Little of it survives today.
Gahkuch Fort
Located in Punial.
It was constructed by the British during the Great Game which was a lot like a mini cold war with Russia in the region.
Features many shikara towers,
Located in Punial.
It was constructed by the British during the Great Game which was a lot like a mini cold war with Russia in the region.
Features many shikara towers,
Ganish Fort
Ganish is a the oldest surviving settlement in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The village is surrounded by a wall with many watchtowers.
Ganish is a the oldest surviving settlement in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The village is surrounded by a wall with many watchtowers.
Gilgit Fort
Picture of the fort in Gilgit city.
It was an important base for the Dogra armies who had captured it in 1858 and was used to launch further campaigns in Hunza and Yasin.
Picture of the fort in Gilgit city.
It was an important base for the Dogra armies who had captured it in 1858 and was used to launch further campaigns in Hunza and Yasin.
Gupis Fort
A British era fort.
It has circular bastions which are uncommon in the North as well as many embrasures for shooting.
A British era fort.
It has circular bastions which are uncommon in the North as well as many embrasures for shooting.
Kalam Darchi Fort
Another British fort.
It was constructed in the 1930s and is named after a local saint.
Another British fort.
It was constructed in the 1930s and is named after a local saint.
Keris Fort
Unfortunately, I couldn't find a picture of the fort itself.
It was used by the Rajas of Keris.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find a picture of the fort itself.
It was used by the Rajas of Keris.
Khaplu Palace
The palace was constructed in 1840 by Raja Daulat Khan of Khaplu.
A fort had previously existed on the location but it was destroyed to build the palace.
The palace was constructed in 1840 by Raja Daulat Khan of Khaplu.
A fort had previously existed on the location but it was destroyed to build the palace.
Kharmang Fort
Kharmang literally means "abundance of forts".
Most of these were constructed during the rule of Ali Sher Khan Anchang.
Kharmang literally means "abundance of forts".
Most of these were constructed during the rule of Ali Sher Khan Anchang.
Mooduri Fort
Located in the Yasin valley.
It was built on the river Asam Bar.
The Dogras eventually destroyed it.
Located in the Yasin valley.
It was built on the river Asam Bar.
The Dogras eventually destroyed it.
The three forts at Nilt
These were the forts of Nilt, Tholl and Maiun which were built on the cliffs around river Hunza. They would be captured by the British in 1891.
These were the forts of Nilt, Tholl and Maiun which were built on the cliffs around river Hunza. They would be captured by the British in 1891.
Ondra Fort
Located in the village of Gulmit, it was constructed by Qutlug Baig in the 16th Century.
Unfortunately, it is mostly in ruins today.
Located in the village of Gulmit, it was constructed by Qutlug Baig in the 16th Century.
Unfortunately, it is mostly in ruins today.
Rondu Fort
Couldn't find a lot of info on it but it does have the characteristic shikara tower with machicolations to throw stones.
Couldn't find a lot of info on it but it does have the characteristic shikara tower with machicolations to throw stones.
Shigar Fort
The fort was constructed by the Raja of Amacha Dynasty and is currently a hotel.
The fort was constructed by the Raja of Amacha Dynasty and is currently a hotel.
Kharpocho Fort
The fort was constructed in the 16th Century by Ali Sher Khan Anchan and later rebuilt by Sikh General Zorawar Singh. The fort is protected by steep cliffs from three sides.
During the Kashmir war of 1947, it was besieged for 6 months.
The fort was constructed in the 16th Century by Ali Sher Khan Anchan and later rebuilt by Sikh General Zorawar Singh. The fort is protected by steep cliffs from three sides.
During the Kashmir war of 1947, it was besieged for 6 months.
Hopefully, we learned of a few new forts today.
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Overall architecture:
The forts in the region mainly fall into 5 categories but all have the feature of a watch tower. The parapet sometimes includes machicolations which are places to throw stones from.
The forts in the region mainly fall into 5 categories but all have the feature of a watch tower. The parapet sometimes includes machicolations which are places to throw stones from.
Under the British and the Dogras, square forts would be introduced but even these would be influences by traditional construction methods, with stones and wood replacing the brickwork used in the plains.
