Skardu Fort, Stone fortress in Skardu, Pakistan
Skardu Fort stands on a rocky hill roughly 40 meters above the city, overlooking where the Indus and Shigar rivers meet. The structure contains several chambers positioned within its boundary walls.
Shah Ali Sher Khan Anchan built this military stronghold between 1490 and 1515 as a center of power in Baltistan. Its construction marked the beginning of a new era of control over the region's river routes and trade paths.
The fortress displays traditional Balti architecture with carefully crafted wooden elements and stone walls typical of the medieval period in this region. You can see these building methods in the surviving walls and rooms throughout the site.
The climb from the city center is steep and requires sturdy footwear and basic physical fitness. Plan enough time for the ascent and bring water, as there is little shade along the path.
Guards positioned on the walls could watch both river valleys at the same time from this location. This strategic placement kept inhabitants informed about all movement through the region's main trade routes.
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