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In olden times a number
of small independent states existed in the history
of Northern Areas of Pakistan. Among them Hunza and
Nager were the traditional rival states, situated on
opposite sides of the Hunza (kanjut) river. The
rulers of these two states, known as Thámo / Mirs (Thάm=S),
built various strongholds to express their power.
According to historical sources {Ref:
Tarikh-e-Ehd Atiiq Riyasat Hunza by Haji Qudratullah
Baig, Pub: S.T.Printers Rawalpindi 1980 Pakistan},
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 seat of Hunza.
The power struggle between the two brothers
eventually resulted in the death of younger one, and
so Baltit Fort further established itself as the
prime seat of power in the Hunza state.
The rich beauty of Baltit Fort can be traced to over seven
hundred 700 years ago. Ayasho II, Tham / Mir
of Hunza in the early 15th fifteenth century
married Princess Shah Khatoon (Sha Qhatun)
from Baltistan (In Moghul history Baltistan
is called Tibet Khurd mean, little Tibet),
and was the first to modify the face of
Altit and, subsequently Baltit Fort.
Baltistan meaning land of Balti people had a
very strong cultural and ethnical relation
with the Ladakh territory of India then.
Consequently, the structure of Baltit Fort
was influenced by the Ladakhi / Tibetan
architecture, with some resemblance to the
Potala palace in Lahasa.
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