The untold story of a 300 year house’.Initiated by a buddhist family who lived in muslim community.The only family in the house who denied the Islamic conversion.Chikthan House is not just a symbol of history but proud untold story which is yet to be read.A house so hold that the walls won’t shy to tell you their tales of struggle for standing up to nature trauma and budding civilisation.Out of all the NotOnMap Houses we have, Chikthan is the most fascinating place.Back in times when muslim king wanted to convert buddhist into a muslim this family stood up and denied the trandesation of culture and religion.A fierce move that lasted 300 years and till today this family, this only buddhist family is the sole spokesperson for Chikthan Village. Let’s Keep rest of the story for when you come visit this.Once the prince of Baltistan took Shelter in Chiktan area, He was awestruck by the place and decided to construct a fort here; ‘Chikthan Fort’.Built in the 16th century by Balti craftsmen, the castle served as a royal residence for centuries despite shifts in rulers as the region was amalgamated with neighboring kingdoms.Today, the neglect and natural forces have reduced the fort to rubble.
Chiktan Castle is located deep inside a valley, by the Indus river, with the mountains in the background. It is composed of rammed earth and stone masonry with mud mortar. Following the designs of architect and carpenter Shinkhen Chandan, the castle used timber to support the ceilings of the structure as well as to frame the doors and windows.The Palace was one of the Masterpieces of Ladakh and Tibetan Architecture which was famous across Lhasa,Tibet.It reportedly had a rotating room which used to rotate with support of air blowing.