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“The Rajas of Khaplu and Shigar do not belong to the Maqpon family, nor is it true that the Maqpons were descended from an early Raja of Hunza. As regards intermarriage between these Rajas, Biddulph writes; 

“The mother of the four warlike brothers was of the Trakhane family and there are several similar instances mentioned of daughters of the Trakhane being given to Maqpons, while there is not a single instance recorded of a Trakhane Prince receiving a Maqpon wife. At the present time (1878-1881), the four Maqpon families received daughters from the Ayeshe (Hunza), Moghlot (Nagar), Trakhane etc. but only give daughters to the Maqpons. From the earliest times Iskardo was probably the seat of wealthier and more powerful princes than Gilgit owing to its natural advantages.”

It is related that a Royal Darbar was held at Gilgit to which all the subject princes of Gilgit and Chitral were invited. To over-awe the subject Princes, Gul Khatoon, cooked dinner at Skardu which was served at Gilgit still hot by passing of dishes hand to hand from Skardu to Gilgit.

Constructions.

While Ali Sher Khan was away from Skardu on military expeditions, Gul Khatoon got executed all or some of the following projects through Moghal artisans whom she had brought along to Skardu. The three projects (viz. Mindoq Khar, Hilal Bagh and Gangopi Harkong (Gangopi water channel) were definitely constructed in his absence from the capital.

1.                  “MINDOQ KHAR” OR “FLOWER PALACE” 

The palace was built at the bottom of the hill on which the great for, Kharfocho is perched. It was named after the Queen and called Mindoq Khar meaning ‘Flower Palace.’ Vigne had the chance of visiting the Palace in 1835. He says “We did not reach the rock until the afternoon of the next day, and upon my arrival I found that a good house at its foot, in which some of the Raja’s family usually resided, had been emptied for my reception. I followed the Rajah (Ahmad Shah) up the stairs, or rather steps, to the upper room.”