Gilgit-Baltistan has a unique history of its own. Located in the north of Pakistan, this region is famous all over the world for its high mountains, charming rivers, and pleasant climates. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan are very brave and hardworking. Who played an important role in freeing their region from Indian occupation along with Azad Kashmir.
The history of this region goes something like this. When the Chinese traveler Fahyan entered this region, there was a state called Pulula which spread over the entire Gilgit-Baltistan and its capital was the present-day Naveem region. Then in the 7th century, some parts of it were included in the royal government of Tibet, after which in the 9th century it was divided into various local kingdoms, among which the Moqpon of Skardu and the Tarkhan dynasty of Hunza are famous.
The kings of the Maqpun dynasty ruled the territories including Baltistan up to Ladakh, Gilgit, and Chitral. Ahmad Shah Maqpun was the last king of this dynasty. Gilgit-Baltistan is also the northern region of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and Aqsa-Tibet. Before 1840 these areas were divided into different states. In addition to Baltistan and Gilgit, Hunza, and Nagar were separate autonomous regions.
These areas were later conquered by General Zorawar Singh and included in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. At the time of the division of the sub-continent, in the middle of the nineteenth century, like other states, the candle of independence started to burn here.
On the occasion of the establishment of Pakistan, this area was included in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and Aqsa Tibet. The people of this region gained independence by fighting themselves. This independence started from Gilgit and on November 1, 1947, Gilgit was occupied by the Muslim officers of the state forces and declared the independent Republic of Gilgit. Sixteen days after this independence, Pakistan.
The independent state was abolished and the FCR was implemented. Since independence, this region was considered as an anonymous region which was called the Northern Territory, but in 2009, the Pakistani government gave this region semi-provincial powers.
It is the only region whose borders meet with four countries and Pakistan has fought three wars with the neighboring country India, the 1948 war, the Kargil war, and the Siachen war in the same region, while in the 1971 war, there were clashes in some of its border areas. Many villages went under Indian occupation, therefore this area is an important area for defense and the historic Silk Road passes through here.
In 2009, this area was given semi-provincial status and elections were held here for the first time. As a result, Syed Mehdi Shah belonging to the Pakistan People’s Party was elected as the first Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan. After the construction of the CPEC between Pakistan and China, the importance of this region increased. The China-Pakistan Corridor is entering Pakistan through this region.
Gilgit-Baltistan has a population of 2 million people while its total area is 72971 square kilometers. 9 languages are spoken in Gilgit-Baltistan while Balti and Sheena are the popular languages here. Gilgit and Baltistan consist of three divisions Baltistan, Daya Mira, and Gilgit, and 14 districts.
Baltistan Division consists of the districts of Skardu, Shagar, Khurmang, Rondo, and Ganche. Gilgit Division consists of the districts of Gilgit, Ghazar, Hunza, Yasin, and Orangar. The Dia Mir Division consists of the districts of Dariel, Tanger, Astor and Dia Mir. To the northwest of Gilgit-Baltistan is Afghanistan’s Wakhan Belt, which separates Gilgit-Baltistan from Tajikistan, while to the northeast lies the Uighur region of China’s Muslim-majority Xinjiang province.
Indian Occupied Kashmir is located in the southeast, Azad Kashmir in the south, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the west. There are 50 peaks above seven thousand meters in this region. Three of the world’s highest and most difficult mountain ranges, the Karakoram, the Himalayas, and the Hindu Kush meet here. Two of the world’s second-highest peaks are also located in the same region, while Nanga Parbat, known as the hardest killer mountain in the world, is also located in the same region.
Tourist Places of Gilgit Baltistan
1-K-2: K2 is the second-highest peak in the world. This range is located in the Karakoram Mountains, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Its elevation is 8611 m/28251 ft. It was first climbed on July 31, 1954, by two Italian mountaineers, Lissadelli and Campanoni. K2 is also called Mount Goodwin Austin and Shahguri.
2- Gilgit: Gilgit is the largest city in the Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan. It is located near the Karakoram Highway. The Gilgit River passes by it. To the east of Gilgit Agency is Kargil to the north, China to the northwest, Afghanistan to the west, Chitral to the west, and Baltistan to the southeast. The confluence of the world’s three great mountain ranges, the Himalayas, the Karakoram, and the Hindu Kush, is close to Gilgit.
The language here is Sheena but Urdu is considered common. Gilgit is also a center of trade with China. Climbers of K To, Nanga Parbat, Rakaposhi, and other high peaks of the north come here. The special thing here is the high mountains and the flowing rivers and greenery here.
There are more than three sects of people living in Gilgit City, including Sunni, Shia, Ismaili, and Noorbakhshiya. Gilgit is the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan Province, which was annexed to Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan on November 1, 1947, after gaining independence from the Dogra Raj.
3- Skardu: Skardu is an important city and district of Gilgit-Baltistan. Skardu City is a beautiful city surrounded by the Karakoram mountains. The beautiful places here include Shangri-La, Sadpara Lake Kat Panah Lake, etc. Millions of domestic and foreign tourists visit Skardu every year. The people living in Skardu speak Balti language which is a branch of the Tibetan language while the people of Skardu are very friendly, cheerful, peaceful, and hospitable.
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4- Sudpara Lake: Sudpara Lake is located at a height of 8500 feet above sea level, some distance from Skardu city. This beautiful lake is full of fresh water and has rocky cliffs on two or three sides. Snow falls on these mountains in winter and when this snow begins to melt in early summer, not only the snow but also the water from the natural streams coming out of the Deosai National Park, which is a few hours away, flows into it. All these fall scenes bring a refreshing sensation to the eyes.
5- Kachora Lake: This lake is 8200 feet wide. This lake is called Farooq Jhu in the Balti language. In summer, local and foreign people come to see this place and enjoy pick-up
6- Shigar: Shigar is a very wide and beautiful valley located in Baltistan, the northern region of Pakistan. It is larger than any other district in the Baltistan Division both in terms of area and population. The population of Shagar starts from a village called Lamsa, two kilometers from here comes Shagar Khas, which is called the headquarters of the entire district. Sugar Khas is the confluence of the Basha River and Baraldo River.
The road leading to Baraldu Nala from Sugar Khas ends at the last village of Baraldu Nala. Between Shagar Khas and Taste are the union councils of Chorkah, Ulchori, and Dasu. This area is located on the right side of Sugar, at the end of which is the second-highest peak in the world, apart from Tou, the peaks like Gasha Brom 1, Gasha Brom 2, Trang, and Tower also attract climbers and tourists from all over the world in Baraldo area. They are a means of bringing.
7-Deosai National ParkIn addition to the world’s highest peaks and the widest glacier, Gilgit-Baltistan also has the world’s highest and widest plateau Deosai. The special feature of Deosai is the rare brown bears found here. Bears of this species are not found anywhere else in the world. Here too they are facing extinction. The highest peak in Deosai is Hastapang which is 16000 feet high.
7- Baltoro Glacier: Baltoro Glacier is the longest glacier after the poles, which is located in the Baltistan region of the Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan, its length is up to 62 km, where the famous To Pahar is also located. I fall. This glacier can be accessed from Skardu town itself.
8- Biafo Glacier: Biafo Glacier is a 63 km long glacier located in the Karakoram Mountains in Baltistan Division. It is next to the Hesper Glacier which is located in Hunza and is the third largest glacier after Baltoro. This area is famous for Markhor, Snow Leopard, and Brown Bear.
9- Fort Altit: Altit Fort is an ancient fort located on Upper Karimabad in the Hunza Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan. It was originally the home of the ancestral rulers of the Hunza state, whose name sounded like Mir, although after three centuries they moved to a nearby small fort, Baltit. Altit Fort and especially the Shikari Tower has a history of almost 900 years and is the oldest monument in Gilgit-Baltistan.
10- Baltat Fort: Baltat Fort is located in the Hunza Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan and is a very beautiful tourist spot.
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