Top 10 Famous Historical Forts in Pakistan

Abdullah Khan

Pakistan not only has some of the most picturesque travel destinations, but it also has some amazing historical monuments. Among these historical gems are the numerous forts sprinkled across the country. Some of these historic forts are thousands of years old and give a sneak peek into the lives and armies that used to reside in these forts. We have compiled a list of the top 10 famous historical forts in Pakistan. Visiting these historic monuments will not only provide you with some great photo opportunities, but it will also make you appreciate the size, strength, and scenic locations of these forts.

So, here’s the list of the top 10 famous historical forts in Pakistan.

Shahi Qila - Lahore
Rohtas Fort - Jhelum
Derawar Fort - Bahawalpur
Ramkot Fort - Azad Kashmir
Baltit Fort - Hunza Valley
Altit Fort - Hunza Valley
Red Fort - Muzaffarabad
Bala Hisar fort - Peshawar
Shigar Fort - Skardu
Ranikot Fort - Jamshoro

1) Shahi Qila - Lahore

Shahi Qila is a 17th-century fort in Lahore, Pakistan. It is located in the center of the Walled City of Lahore and houses many artifacts from different periods including those belonging to Emperor Jehangir and his son Shah Jahan (the builder). The fort was built by Humayun during his reign as emperor over 100 years ago but he lost it later to Sher Shah Suri who put up his own defenses here before he moved on with his forces towards Delhi. The original name for this place was ‘Bagh-e-Sikandar’ which means ‘The Garden Of Sikander’ but later changed its name to Shahi Qila meaning 'Royal Fort'.

2) Rohtas Fort - Jhelum

Rohtas Fort is a historical fort located in Jhelum, Pakistan. It is located on the right bank of the Jhelum River and at the top of a hill that is about 100 meters high. The fort was built by Mirza Ghazi Beg during his reign over Jhelum from 1722 to 1754 AD. He built it as a refuge for his army during times when enemies attacked them from other directions and also to protect him from assassination attempts made by disgruntled nobles who were jealous of his power and wealth.

3) Derawar Fort - Bahawalpur

Derawar Fort is located in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The fort was built in 1734 by Ahmad Khan Durrani and is one of the most famous forts in Pakistan. Derawar Fort is famous for its massive walls and towers that are decorated with blue-tinted glass tiles imported from Italy during British rule.

Derawar Fort is also known as "The Second Largest Wall In The World" due to its sheer size (2 miles long).

4) Ramkot Fort - Azad Kashmir

Ramkot Fort is one of the oldest and historic forts of Pakistan which is situated in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It’s one of the famous landmarks of Azad Kashmir. RamKot Fort is surrounded by water and it can be accessed by boat, and it is just 13 km away from Dina.

It is believed that the Ramkot Fort was constructed by the Muslim rulers of Kashmir between the 16th and 17th centuries. It’s a beautiful fort. The bluish background of the fort provides an attractive view from the top.

5) Baltit Fort - Hunza Valley

Baltit Fort is another ancient fort just near the Altit Fort which is also on the tentative list of World Heritage of UNESCO. It is a 700 years old fort and alterations and rebuilds were done over the centuries. Simply put, this place has the heart of many tour lovers.

6) Altit Fort - Hunza Valley

Altit Fort is a historical fort in Hunza Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan. It is located in the village of Altit, which is a few kilometers from the town of Aliabad.

The name "Altit" means "the highest point" in Hindi and Urdu while it has also been referred to as "Gadh-i-Alti". When Mirza Makhdum Shah Niazi ruled over the Hunza era from 1707 until 1716, he constructed this fort at that time. It was later occupied by Mir Masud Khan who extended its area by building another entrance gate called Shamsi Khwaja Bazaar (also known as Ghubar Khel).

7) Red Fort - Muzaffarabad

Red Fort, Muzaffarabad is a historical fort built in the 19th century. It is located in Muzaffarabad on the bank of the Jhelum river, Azad Jammu Kashmir, and is situated. The Red Fort was named after its red stone walls that were once covered with roses, which were planted by British soldiers during their stay at this place.

As per census data from 2011, a population of around 20 thousand people live here but daily visitors increased between 10-15 thousand due to its scenic beauty which attracts tourists from all over Pakistan and from foreign countries like America, etc. The architectural style used for construction has similarities with the Taj Mahal but it doesn't have any dome instead it has small rooms surrounding the outer courtyard where Muslims would perform Friday prayers when the sun sets down near the horizon line so that people wouldn't be disturbed by noise made by them during prayer time.

8) Bala Hisar Fort - Peshawar

Bala Hisar Fort is a historical fort in Peshawar, Pakistan. The fort was built by British general Sir Herbert Edwardes and named after the nearby Bala Hisar village. It served as a prison for Indian soldiers during the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880) and later again during World War I when it became home to prisoners of war from both sides of the conflict.

The fort is located on an elevated hilltop above Peshawar city and overlooks Shakardar Lake; its ruins are still visible today despite extensive repairs being undertaken in recent years due to increased vandalism by curious visitors or residents who simply want some exercise!

9) Shigar Fort - Skardu

Shigar Fort is a fort in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan. It was built by the Katur dynasty and is located at the top of the Shigar Valley. The fort has many historic structures including various palaces, mosques, and shrines inside it which are still used today for religious purposes by local communities living nearby.

10) Ranikot Fort

Kirthar mountain range is famous in Jamshoro District of Sindh the home to Ranikot Fort. Its circumference of approximately 26 kilometers is the reason for being the largest fort in the world. Ranikot Fort is famous as the wall of Sindh. Due to its structural misery, it was reconstructed by Mir Karam Ali Khan Talpur and his brother Mir Murad Ali in 1812. Beautiful architecture with a strategic structure indicates the competence of masterminds of that age.

So, all these 10 famous historical forts in Pakistan. As we’ve seen here the details of these forts, some of these sites date back thousands of years. They all have a story to tell and these are worth visiting if you’re ever in the area!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) Which is the oldest fort in Pakistan?

Rohtas Fort is the oldest fort in Pakistan.

2) Which fort is the smallest in Pakistan?

Rohtas Fort is the smallest fort in Pakistan.

3) Which fort is the biggest in Pakistan?

Ranikot Fort is the biggest fort in Pakistan.

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Top 10 Famous Historical Forts in Pakistan