Glimpse into the history of Hunza via the Forts.

Hunza was a princely state until it joined Pakistan after the the partition of subcontinent in 1947.

The history of Hunza dates back to 300bc when alexander the great traveled through this region and god knowes how long before that people have lived in this reagion of the world which at times looked unhabitable. There are cave carvings present here which date back more then 3000 years and there are yet more places in medows of Hunza where arciologist have years of work to be done. Now we know people have live in Hunza for thousends of years but they only rose to power only a thousend years ago and the reason for it is the first Fort of hunza located in Altit which today after restoration today is a very famus torist spot. the secont Fort built a couple hundrad years after the first one is the Baltit Fort. These forts kept Hunza in power for a thousend years until what happened in the previous century. 

Altit Fort:

The Foet aas seen in the picture is bulit on the edge of a clif which was for defece purpose as there can not possibley be attacks from many sides. There is one way up and down from the fort which passes through the town of altit. There is a famouse story behind the built of the fort allow me to imerse you ina tale from the 9th century. The kings of Hunza carry the title Mir therfor lets say the Mir of Hunza married a princiss from a nearby state of Baltistan which at that time was a rich state and Hunza was not. After the marrige the princiss came to stay with the Mir of Hunza. Here she found out the place Mir of Hunza was not of Her standerds which is why she wrote to her father about the situation and after hearing from his doughter the king of Baltistan sent skilled workes to Hunza who built The Altit Fort and served the Queen for life and they were the ones who gave Hunza the infrastructure which gave Hunza the power to stay in power for a thousend years. 

this was the famous and rather important historical story coming from the Altit Fort and now to shed light on how people lived in those times lets head to the next Fort.

Baltit fort:

Baltit Fort was built 200 years after the Atit Fort and hence it shows the prime of the state of Hunza as Baltit Fort included the most beutifull palace of that time. One can not be wrong to say it would have been the finest place to live in thr 11th century ant that in mountains. The Fort is built on the top of a hill therefor one can see the whole Hunza vally from its woderfull terrace. The Mir in his time has been crual to the people as the basement of Baltit Fort includes many dungens which had remains of dead prisoners which arent there anymore as this fort just like the other one has been restored and turned into a tourist spot. After restoration it is now a measuem as well. One can see the clothing woren by the people of that time the kicthen equipment they used including a still working fridge which is powered by a stream of cold glasier water. The wepons used at those times are also on dislay.  

While on a trip in Hinza these two Forts are a must go for any tourist as they connect you to the history and tells you how people lived in these harsh mountaines for thousends of years.