Gilgit Baltistan, formerly known as the Northern Areas, is a region illegally occupied and administered by Pakistan as an administrative territory since 1947.,Saksgam valley also part of the region was illegally ceded to China by Pakistan in 1963. The area constitutes the northern portion of the larger Ladakh region, a union territory, which is under India’s control. Both Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan were part of the former princely state of JammuandKashmir ruled by Dogra King Maharaja Hari Singh.
The princely state became part of India after Maharaja Hari Singh signed a ‘Treaty of Accession’.to became “an integral part of India”.in 1948 he signed this treaty as the princely state was attacked by Pakistani tribesman and soldiers dressed as tribesmen. Ever since Pakistan illegally occupied the area, the region has been out of bounds for Indians. Indian citizens cannot travel to Gilgit-Baltistan with an Indian visa. However, those with dual citizenship can enter the region using their second passport to get a tourist visa and to roam around in Gilgit-Baltistan, going to beautiful locations watching the stunning landscapes, and more.
Located to the west of LOC or LineofControl, Gilgit Baltistan is famous for its magnificent glaciers and these glaciers feed rivers (River Indus) that accounts for 75 % of the stored water supply in Pakistan. Gilgit Baltistan is home of some of the world’s highest and most beautiful valleys including Ghancha, Shiger, Astore Valley, Gilgit, Ghizer Valley, Hunza Valley, Skardu, and Nagar Valley. The region is covered with high mountains of Himalayas including Mount K2 the world’s second tallest mountain and Nanga Parbat.
The region is known for its cuisines that have a vast variety and distinct taste. The popular traditional recipes of Gilgit-Baltistan include Chapshoro, Dawdoo, Chamus, Mamtu, Sharbat, Harissa, Molida, Garma, Berikutz, Harissa, Diram, Mull, Gooli, Suppra, and Khamuloot. It borders PoJKr to the south,KhyberPakhtunkhwa to the west, Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan to the north, Xinjiang to the east and northeast, and Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to the southeast. Gilgit-Baltistan covers an area of over 72,971 km2 and Its capital city is Gilgit.
The region mostly populated by Shia muslim people now was once part of an extension of Buddhism that spread into Afghanistan. The region has been ruled by Chinese, Tibetans, Afghans and Sikhs, and lastly Dogra rulers who first ruled under Sikh empire then independently. In November 1839, Dogra commander Zorawar Singh, whose allegiance was to Dogra ruler Gulab Singh, started his campaign against Baltistan. and by 1840 he conquered Skardu. In 1842, Dogra Commander Wasir Lakhpat, with the active support of Ali Sher Khan from Kartaksho, conquered Baltistan. After the defeat of Sikhs in the 1st Anglo-Sikh war, the region fully became part of the Dogra empire. The region is home to some of the world’s highest mountain ranges.
The main ranges are the Karakoram and the western Himalayas. The Pamir Mountains are to the north, and the Hindu Kush lies to the west. Three of the world’s longest glaciers outside polar regions are found in Gilgit-Baltistan: the Biafo Glacier, the Baltoro Glacier, and the Batura Glacier. The region is home to some stunning high-attitude lakes. including Sheosar Lake, Naltar lake, Satpara Tso Lake, Katzura Tso Lake, Zharba Tso Lake, and Phoroq Tso Lake as well as many others that provide beautiful scenic locations to nature lovers.
The economy of the region is primarily based on a traditional trade route, the historic SilkRoad.including agriculture products.. Tourism is mostly in camping, trekking, and mountaineering, People here mostly speak Balti language. Gilgit-Baltistan is home to diversified Major cultural events include the Shandoor Polo Festival, Babusar Polo Festival, and Jashn-e-Baharan or the Harvest Time Festival cultures, ethnic groups, languages, and backgrounds. Sports is integral rt of the region with polo being the most popular game that attracts foreigners to the region. Besides Gilgit, Skardu, Karimabad is an important city of the region.
India intends to get back the entire region under its control one day. There are numerous places worth visiting in Gilgit Baltistan including Fairy Meadows, Shigar Fort, Punial, and Singal. Nature lovers can visit the Deosai National Park and Khunjerab National Park. Besides Mountaineering, trekking, and hiking; tourists can also go on biking, fishing, and skiing. There are few hotels in the region that offer luxurious, mid-range, and budget accommodation. Restaurants here serve traditional Gilgit cusine as well as Afghan and Punjabi cuisine at reasonable prices. A week-long visit to Gilgit Baltistan is enough to take your breath away with stunning beauty.
