The King of forts: Rohtas Fort

 

History Of Rohtas Fort 

In the 16th Century, a fort was built near Jhelum in Punjab and the name of this Fort is Rohtas Fort. This fort was constructed during the rule of Sher Shah Suri. ThisRohtas Fort was the Fort which was constructed to conquer the local Gakhar tribes of the Potohar region.

Location

The Grand Trunk Road is also known as Sher Shah Suri Road Because Sher Shah Suri is the one who renovates this road. Rohtas fort Rohtas Fort was situated Eight kilometers in the south of this road. The Shahrah-e-Azam road was passed near to the Northern Walls of this Fort. Rohtas Fort Was constructed on a Hill. The Fort is situated at the height of 300 Feet. The total area in which this fort was situated is 70 hectares.

History

Sur Time:

This Fort was constructed when Sheer Shah Suri defeats the Mughal Emperor Humayun. In 1541, the construction of this Fort was started. This Fort was built to get protection against Mughal.

Mughal Time:

The Mughal emperor Humayun Take over this fort in 1555. The Importance of this Fort was lost because the main reason to build this fort is to conquer on Mughal emperor Humayun and Gakhar tribes.

Sikh Time:

In 1825, Gurmukh Singh Lamba Defeated Gakhar chieftain Nur Khan and triumph over this Fort.until 1849. This Fort was used By the Sikhs For their authoritative purposes then it was taken by the British.

Important structures of Fort

Ramparts and Gates

The outer walls of this fort are very defensive and have a height of ten to eighteen meters. The width of the walls of this fort is ten to thirteen meters. The walls of this have 68 bastions. This fort has twelve gates. The walls of this fort have three terraces at different places. There are many staircases that connect these terraces to one and another. The wall of this fort was made up of sandstone, lime mortar, and bricks. The gate of this fort was made of stone called grey ashlar masonry. Some parts of the gate were made up of burnt brick.

Staircases in FOrt

Defensive walls of Rohtas Fort

Sohail Gate

Sohail gate is the main entrance gate of the fort and the shape of the main gate of the fort is rectangular. The height of this gate is 70 feet and the width of this gate is 68 Feet. There are many beautiful floral motifs outside of the gate which adds in the beauty of this gate. There are seven bastions on the outer side of the Sohail gate. This gate has a room in the upper portion and there are two windows in the upper portion of this gate.

Sohail gate

Shah Chandwali

This gate leads to the main fort. This gate is called Shah Chandwali because he was the one who declines to accept the money of his work during the formation of this gate. During his work, he died and buried near this gate.

Kabuli Gate

This gate is present in the North West in the direction where Kabul is present tats why this gate is called the Kabuli gate. A museum is present in this gate which is formed by the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation. An information system for the visitor is present in this gate. On the south side, a Mosque is present, this mosque is also called Royal mosque. Due to this Royal mosque, this gat is called the Royal or shahi gate.

Kabuli Gate

Langar Khani

There is a double gate in this fort which is called Langar Khani gate. The height of this gate is 50 feet. This gate is very wide and the width of this gate is 11 feet. This gate has two balconies. The kitchen, store, and water well are present in this gate.

Talaqi Gate

This gate is called Talaqi because Prince Sabir Suri died in this gate. Due to this reason this gate was considered a bad sign and called talaqi.The name of other gates are Mori or Kashmiri, Khwas Khani and Gatali.