Rawat Fort - A Majestic Fort Near Islamabad

Abdullah Khan

Rawat Fort is an important historical landmark, dating back to the early 16th century. It was built as a defensive structure against the Pashtun king Sher Shah Suri and is located in the Pothohar Plateau of Pakistan, near the city of Rawalpindi in the province of Punjab. It is a significant cultural and architectural heritage site, with many archaeological artifacts and monuments preserved within its walls.

Rawat Fort is an ancient fort located 17 km east of Rawalpindi on Grand Trunk Road. The fort dates back to the 2nd century and features a mosque with a roof that offers views of the Mankiala stupa. It is located near the Rohtas Fort, which was built by Sher Shah Suri to establish control over the Gakhar region.

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History

The Rawat Fort was built in the 15th century by Salteen-e-Dehli as a caravanserai, although it is believed that it was built on top of a Ghaznavid-era fort which was constructed in 1036 CE.

The caravanserai was further fortified in the 16th century by the Gakhar clans who were loyal to the Mughal emperor Humayun. The fortification was built to defend the Pothohar plateau from Sher Shah Suri's forces.

The Battle of Rawat Fort in 1546 saw a conflict between Gakhar chief Sultan Sarang and Afghan king Sher Shah Suri. Sultan Sarang was eventually captured, tortured at the fort, and then buried there by the forces of Sher Shah Suri.

Layout

The Rawat Fort is built in a square shape with two gates and a quadrangular building with a dome in the inner area. This area also contains numerous graves. Additionally, several small cells are located along the perimeter, which may have been intended as accommodations for itinerant merchants.

The fort contains a mosque with three domes and the grave of the Gakkar chief Sultan Sarang Khan and his 16 sons who died during battle. Its strategic positioning along major trade routes has made it an integral part of Punjab's history, as many battles were fought here over the years. Today, the fort is a popular tourist destination offering visitors a chance to explore an important piece of Pakistan's past.

Conservation

The Rawat Fort is an important cultural heritage site in Punjab and is managed by the national government. To preserve this historic site, the government has allocated funds to implement a conservation plan, with the project's first phase costing 50 million rupees. The conservation plan will help to ensure that future generations can appreciate the historic significance of the Rawat Fort.

Rawat Fort is strongly recommended for people engrossed in archaeology and history as this place has much to tell. So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip by clicking on the following button and fill the form.

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Rawat Fort - A Majestic Fort Near Islamabad