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Miss Duncan who visited Baltistan in 1905 paid a visit to the lower of the two ‘Killahs’ which was partly destroyed by the Dogras but which had been restored. At the foot of the rock there were a few ruins which Doctor Thomas described as remains of former magnificence including a pair of marble fountains which were probably the ruins of the palace of Ahmad Shah.

1.                  HILAL BAGH OR HALO BAGH.

Just below the ‘Mindoq Khar’ or ‘Flower palace’ a terraced garden with marble fountains was laid. The royal garden covered the area from Mindoq Khar to the present Bazar where the newly constructed road crosses the channel. In the middle of the garden just above the Polo-ground-called Ghuri Changra, now under the possession of the Raja of Shigar, Raja Ali Shah of Skardu having bestowed it on Raja Ali Mardan Khan of Shigar-a marble palace with towers was constructed. The palace seems to have been destroyed during the great flood that visited just after the death of Ali Sher Khan. A Baradari of marble was later constructed at this palace.

This royal garden was named Hilal Bagh- ‘Crescent Garden’- or according to another version ‘Halo bagh’ – Halo is a flower and it is said that the garden contained a lot of it. But the former name viz. Hilal Bagh, seems to be the correct one because the Queen must have given a Persian name to the garden, Persian being her mother tongue. Furthermore, Halo flower is not a rare one; it is found in abundance both in Balistan and Astore. The Baltis being ignorant of Persian language corrupted the name to Halo.

2.                  MAQPON CHHAR OR ‘MAQPON GARDEN’

This garden was constructed below the present Veterinary Hospital. A small bridge across the Hargisa Nullah (the present bridge occupies the same place) was constructed. This bridge is still called ‘Maqpon Chhari Zamba’ meaning ‘Maqpon’s bridge’.

3.                  GANGOPI WATER CHANNEL.