The Hunza Valley in Northern Pakistan is located in one of the world’s highest mountain ranges – the Karakorum – and borders Gilgit, China and the Pamir mountains. Baltit Fort, a commanding landmark across the Hunza Valley, was the official residence of the Mirs who ruled the region for over 700 years. The Fort, dating to at least the 14th century, was built to protect the settlements in the Hunza Valley. In 1945 the last ruler moved to a new palace and Baltit Fort began to deteriorate; his son, Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan, donated the Fort to the Baltit Heritage Trust, a foundation responsible for maintaining the Fort.
In 1985 the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) engaged a team to develop proposals that would save the Baltit Fort from further decay, and to formulate a program for the conservation of the complex.* The Trust provided the technical expertise, however, much of the labour and material were provided by the local communities themselves. In addition to restoration efforts, the Trust also focused on reviving traditional skills, generating new employment opportunities and providing training in the jobs needed for a changing economy.
Mawlana Hazar Imam inaugurated the newly restored Baltit Fort in 1996 as a museum and cultural centre, attracting thousands of visitors to the area, thereby improving the livelihood of the local community and restoring pride in their heritage.
The Baltit and Karimabad projects received a British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Global award in 2000. According to the citation. In 2004, AKTC was awarded the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for restoration work on Baltit Fort. Visit http://www.akdn.org/awards.asp to view all awards presented to AKDN for its work around the world.
References:
*Li Lian Tan, Baltit Fort, Karimabad, Pakistan, Restoration and Adaptive Re-use
Pakistan: Conservation and Development in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Punjab, AKTC
Research by Nimira Dewji
Be the First to Know – Join Ismailimail
Get breaking news related to the Ismaili Imamat, the world wide Ismaili Muslim community and all their creativity, endeavors and successes.
Inspired? Share the story
Want to inspire? Send your stories to us at Ismailimail@gmail.com
Subscribe and join 18,000 + other individuals – Subscribe now!
Earlier & Related – Nimira Dewji at Ismailimail Archives:
- Mawlana Hazar Imam was gifted manuscripts on architecture of Andalusia, a Knowledge Society of its time
- Mawlana Hazar Imam Designates Ismaili Center Houston as Darkhana for US Jamat, the ninth Darkhana
- Imam Hasan ala dhikrihi’l-salam appointed Sinan as his deputy in Syria
- The arts of the Fatimids, Mawlana Hazar Imam’s ancestors, continue to inspire
- Rumi: “The light that lights the heart is the Light of God”
![[Music in Islam] Is listening to music unlawful?](https://ismailimail.fun/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/music-in-islam.jpg?w=150)
Ismailimail 