Baltistan-SnowLake and Deosai Plains by Zebunnisa Hamid

Balti-pa, the people of Baltistan, refer to their land as Balti-yu. Known as the Kingdom of Great Balur, Balti-yu can trace its roots all the way back to the 8th century when the region was predominately Buddhist. Islam was brought to the region in 1400 AD.

Three were three main kingdoms - Shigar, Khapalu, and Skardu. The most powerful kingdom was Skardu, under the Maqpon Dynasty around the early 14th century. Today Skardu is one of the main trekking areas of this region.

Skardu grew in importance and power as Ali Sher Anchan, the greatest Maqpon Emperor, formed an alliance with the Moghul Empire. However, fighting within the kingdom decreased Skardu's power in the region, and in 1841 the Sikhs - who at this point controlled Kashmir and most of the Moghul Empire - conquered Skardu and Khapalu. Baltistan came under Pakistan during partition, adding to the richness of the Karakoram Range.