Mindoq Khar (Fort)

The meaning of Mindoq Khar is literally flower -fort in Balti. The name corresponds to a more historic outlook of this beautiful fort -palace, which was once surrounded by a beautiful flower garden. Now in ruins, the palace sits 91.4 m below the Kharpocho Fort, just above the base of the Khargrong mount near Skardu town. It was constructed by Gul Khatoon, interim ruler of Skardu and wife of Ali Sher Khan Anchan (the de -facto ruler), while her husband was away on a military expedition to Chitral. The sites hill side location significantly hampered its access to water from the Sadpara stream below. As a solution, Gul Khatoon adjured the construction of the remarkable and historic Gangoopi Channel, a historic monument in its own right. It was named after the man who supervised its construction, Mr. Gangoopi from Delhi. The palace itself was put together and embellished by local artisans and craftsmen. According to local sources, it was a jewel of local craftsmanship. Sadly, it has lost much of its former architectural glory over time, and only its decaying ruins remain.