During April, I'll be posting on the A-Z Blogging Challenge. My theme is the Hunzas.
Today is C ....... for Capitol
The Capitol of Hunza was Baltit (no jokes, please :) ). Now Hunza is a part of Pakistan. Long ago, the rugged Himalayas seemed to bring out the aggressive attacks on neighboring states. Hunza and Nager were 2 rival states who were constantly at war with one another. They built forts as strongholds that balanced on the edge of mountains.
The above fort at Baltit eventually became the Capitol of Hunza, making it the prime seat of power. It also became the palace that housed the Hunza ruler or the "Mir."
After years of alternating crumbling and renovations, a new palace was built in 1945 and the old fort was remodeled and turned into the "Baltit Serene Inn."
It looks pretty bleak in that photo and to respond to your comment from a few days ago, it does feel like more than a year ago since we met. Isn't the internet wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd feel serene balanced on the edge of a cliff like that!
ReplyDeletegreat C in the challenge
I've heard people say "Baltit" as a joke, but I never knew all of this! Thanks for teaching me :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting topic. A lot to be learned here!
ReplyDeleteSounds thoroughly exotic and fascinating! Take care
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Nice posting it resembles a castle.
ReplyDelete'Tis a gloomy and frightening looking place.
ReplyDeleteIt always amazes me how well things were built mainly from good old fashioned hard work and sweat.
ReplyDeleteBet their bodies weren't toxic because they had to work so hard, they probably sweat all the toxins out.
Capital post there, Manzanita.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful building. I love places with long histories like that. :-)
ReplyDeleteMuch as I like mountains, that may be a bit too steep to make me feel serene.
ReplyDeleteVery secure looking fortification. I love these informative pieces. Blog on.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating theme, Manzanita. There is something very provocative about an ancient, SELF-sustaining culture, and I can see how your fascination with the Hunzas took you to your final home in Montana. I just read your two previous posts about these people, and look forward to learning more about them to the end of the Challenge.
ReplyDeleteAnn Best, Author of In the Mirror & Other Memoirs
The name does raise at least an eyebrow.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of the place, or even the name used as a joke. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteAnother fascinating post!
ReplyDeleteExcellent theme Manzie, but I don't think I'd want to be there at nightfall! Julie
ReplyDeleteThis is so fascinating! I thank you so much for sharing this information!
ReplyDeleteHow ironic that a one-time fort is now a serene inn.
ReplyDeleteYou have made this challenge very interesting, by having this theme, and I'm sure we are all going to learn quite a lot from it. That place does look very bleak, I must say.
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool stuff. But, I swear it sounds like something out of Narnia.
ReplyDeleteOnly without talking lions.
Or...not.
In many ways, their world is so different from our's.
ReplyDeleteWhat interesting tales those walls could tell, if they could talk..ehh!
ReplyDeleteRosalind : Parts are bleak but other parts are green and lush. That is the amazing part of this valley.
ReplyDeleteI'll have better pictures.... I hope.
Mimi : Perhaps not serene but safe from the warring neighbors.
`Jax : I wonder what it means in Burushiki..... certainly not what we laughingly take it to mean in English
Heather : Thanks for dropping by. It's and interesting blogfest.
Kitty : It's going to be a long month... but then it will be spring.
Gossip Girl : Well, I guess it was their castle.... of sorts. :)
I was a bit confused to see the word capitol used in Asia. The nuns at St Nicks elementary school told us there was only one capitol, a building in Washington D.C.
ReplyDeleteThe political centers of countries or states were called capitals.
Maybe they changed it and I wasn't told.
I don't mean to be inpertinant, but it's like nukuler.
Hope you can forgive me.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I will definitely be back to see what you dream up for the other letters, and to read more of your lovely writing. I am following now.
I am doing the A to Z Challenge as well. Take a peek at my blog too if you get a chance! I write humor, or at elast I pretend to.
Best,
MOV
http://mothersofbrothersblog.blogspot.com
I love learning new things. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis history lesson is fantastic. I keep googling your post topics to expand my knowledge even more.
ReplyDeleteVery enlightening "C" post.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of castles dangling on the precipice like that...must have a great view!
Jenny @ Pearson Report
Co-Host of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
That would be a totally interesting place to stay!
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