Hunza, now an administrative district in the Gilgit-Baltistan Province of Pakistan, has remained an independent princely state since time immemorial. Hunza Valley is drained by Hunza River which rises on the Khunjerab pass and receives many tributaries on the way before joining Gilgit river near Gilgit city. Hunza has three major parts inhabited by distinct ethnic population. Most of the population of the Upper Hunza is Wakhi who have migrated from Wakhan during recent centuries. The middle Hunza Valley is home to the original Burusho people, whereas lower down, the majority is Shina speaking Shin people. Historically Hunza Sate comprised right hand villages of the middle valley and both sides of the upper Hunza Valley. Left hand of the middle Vally and both sides of the Valley lower down belonged to Nagar, a sister princely sate.

The Maharaja of Kashmir undertook many campaigns for the control of Hunza and Nagar during 1880s but failed. The twin states were finally overcome by the British forces in the hotly contested “Hunza-Nagar Expedition” of 1891. Hunza remained a vassal state of the British Empire till it acceded to Pakistan in 1947.

Hunza rulers, called "Tham" or "Mir" had their seat in two strongholds, Baltit and Altit, Baltit being the major one. The Mir resided in the Baltit Fort until it was abandoned in 1945. Then he moved to the newly built residences lower down in Karimabad. The centuries old Baltit Fort has become a Heritage Museum, after some restoration work by Aga Khan Trust for Culture Historic Cities Support Programme. The Museum is managed by the Baltit Heritage Trust.

Baltit and Altit forts are among many tourist attractions of Hnza Nagar Valley.

Here are some pictures of the Baltit Fort and its surroundings.

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