Skardu: History
=== Early history ===
The Skardu Valley has been a part of the cultural sphere of Buddhist Tibet since as early as the founding of the Tibetan Empire under Songtsen Gampo in the mid– 7th century CE evidence of past prevalence of tantric Buddhism, in the form of Tibetan inscriptions is found across Baltistan. Given the region's close proximity, Skardu has remained in contact with tribes near Kashgar, in what is now the westernmost Xinjiang province of China.
Following the dissolution of Tibetan suzerainty over Baltistan around the 9th–10th century CE, the region came under the control of the Maqpon dynasty; the Maqpon dynasty based in Skardu ruled over Baltistan for around 700 years.
Around the year 1500, Maqpon Bokha was crowned ruler and founded the city of Skardu as his capital. Skardu Fort was established around this time. During his reign, Maqpon Bokha imported craftsmen to Skardu from Kashmir and Chilas to help develop the local economy. While nearby Gilgit fell out of the orbit of Tibetan influence, Baltistan remained connected due to its close proximity to Ladakh, the region against which Skardu and neighbouring Khaplu routinely fought.
In the 14th century, Muslim scholars from Central Asia and Iran crossed Baltistan's mountains to spread Islam. According to Balti traditions, both Hamdani and Nurbakhsh visited the region. The Noorbakhshia Sufi order further propagated the faith in Baltistan, notably due to the missionary efforts of Mir Shams-ud-Din Araqi, and Islam became dominant by the end of the 17th century. With the passage of time, a majority also converted to Shi'a Islam, while a few converted to Sunni Islam. Sikhs traditionally believe that Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, visited Skardu during his second udasi journey between 1510 and 1515. …