Hunza, now an administrative district in the Gilgit-Baltistan Province of Pakistan, has remained an independent princely state since time immemorial. The Maharaja of Kashmir undertook many campaigns for the control of Hunza and its neighbouring state 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 Family abandoned Baltit fort in 1945 and built new resedences for themselves lower down in Karimabad. The centuries old Baltit Fort has been 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.
Here are some pictures of the Baltit Fort and its surroundings.