balti

Balti is a term used for several related things in South Asia and the United Kingdom. It is most commonly associated with a style of curry known as Balti, with origins in the Pakistani and Kashmiri communities in Birmingham, England, during the late 20th century. The dish is named after the shallow steel or iron cooking vessel, referred to as a balti, in which it is traditionally prepared and served. Balti curries are typically tomato- and spice-based, often featuring meat such as chicken, lamb, or beef, along with peppers and onions; they are cooked quickly at high heat and served with naan bread or rice.

Balti also refers to the Balti language, a Tibetic language spoken in Baltistan, a mountainous region in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The language is part of the broader Tibeto-Burman family and uses a Perso-Arabic script in Pakistan. The term Balti is also used to denote the people of Baltistan, who inhabit the region along the Karakoram range; their culture and language reflect mixed influences from Tibetan, Persian, and South Asian traditions.

Baltistan is a mountainous region in northern Pakistan, situated within Gilgit-Baltistan and traversed by part of the Karakoram range. It is known for dramatic landscapes, high mountain passes, and valleys such as Skardu. The region has a distinct cultural identity shaped by its geography and historical ties to Tibetan, Central Asian, and South Asian influences.