The Kingdom was located on a strategic trans-Himalyan trade route, now known as the Karakoram Highway, which branched off the Grand Trunk Road.

[3] They are believed to be the Patola Sāhi dynasty mentioned in a Brahmi inscription,[4] and are devout adherents of Vajrayana Buddhism.

[1] Gilgit and Kashmir in this period were the seat of a major school of Buddhist art, producing ornate early medieval bronze icons, which also greatly influenced the production of metallic statues in the Swat Valley.

[9] In the late 600s CE, the rising Tibetan Empire wrestled control of the region from the Tang dynasty.

The rulers of Leh in Ladakh became increasingly influential in Balti culture and customs, and the chiefs of the region became vassals to the Ladakhis and Tibetan paramountcy.

[16] In 720, the delegation of Surendrāditya (Chinese: 蘇麟陀逸之; pinyin: sūlíntuóyìzhī) reached the Tang imperial court.

He was referred to by Tang records as the king of Great Palola; however, it is unknown if Baltistan was under Gilgit rule at the time.

By this time, according to Tang records, the king of Little Palola was Mo-ching-mang (Chinese: 沒謹忙; pinyin: méijǐnmáng).

He wrote: "From Kashmir I travelled further west for seven days, crossed the mountains and arrived at the country of Lesser Bolor, which is under Chinese rule.

[21][22] Numerous ornate gilded Buddhas, often wearing elaborate crowns, are known from Gilgit at this period, which were often dedicated by local rulers.

[1] In 737/738, Tibetan troops under the leadership of Minister Bel Kyesang Dongtsab of Emperor Me Agtsom took control of Little Palola.

[24] Great Palola was subsequently captured by the Tang army in 753 under the military governor Feng Changqing.

However, by 755, due to the An Lushan rebellion, the Tang forces withdrew and was no longer able to exert influence in Central Asia and in the regions around Gilgit-Baltistan.

[26] Ahmad Hasan Dani noted Gilgit traditions to mention of a Trakhan Dynasty succeeding to the Patola Shahis, and ruling continuously until the 19th century.