Hunza was formerly a princely state in the northernmost part of the Northern Areas of Pakistan, which existed until 1974, ruled by a Mir (local king). The state bordered the Gilgit Agency to the south, the former princely state of Nagar to the east, China to the north and Afghanistan to the northwest. The state capital was the town of Baltit (also known as Karimabad - in honour of Prince Karim Agha Khan). The area of Hunza now forms the Aliabad tehsil of the Gilgit District.

Hunza was an independent principality for 900 years. The British gained control of Hunza and the neighboring valley of Nagar between 1889 and 1892 followed by a fierce military engagement.

The first time I was in Hunza was Autumn of 1982. My brother and I purchased horses in Shishkot, near Passu, and rode to Baltit, for the purpose of teaching me to ride. We had planned to ride to Peshawar, but because of horse complications, I ended up riding alone from Baltit to Gilgit. There I had to sell my horse.