Want to visit ancient Forts in Pakistan? The exquisiteness of Pakistan is not limited to only natural landscapes. Apart from the natural attractiveness, it has landscapes with a rich history that dates back to Indus Civilization and even beyond the written narrative.
From Northern Areas to the Arabian Sea in the South, one can discover the ancient remnants of the glory of the rulers and the military strategies of our forefathers.
List of Forts in Pakistan
In this blog, we’ll discuss the glorious forts in Pakistan that you can witness in every province of Pakistan. The primary purpose of building these forts was the military fortification and safety of the state from the foreign invaders and the opponent tribal areas. Pakistan has the world’s oldest and largest forts that testify to the rulers and military qualities. Let’s talk about all of them.
Altit Fort
This 1100-year-old Altit Fort is famous for being the oldest architecture in Gilgit Baltistan, mainly Hunza. Also known as Shikari Tower, Altit Fort is one of the top tourist attractions in the Hunza Valley. The ancient Tibetan architecture combined with the Muslim heritage and the luring natural beauty calls several adventure seekers towards it.
Baltit Fort
Standing high on the Hunza Valley hilltop along the Ultra Sar Glacier, Baltit Fort represents the ancient architecture of Tibet. The Wooden structure with white-stoned walls appeals greatly to modern and more civilized tourists. The therapeutic and meditative surroundings eliminate fatigue, infusing a new sense of invigoration and freshness.
Bala Hisar Fort
Bala Hisar Fort is located in the ancient city of Peshawar. In 630 AD, a Chinese traveler talked about the Balahisar Fort in the old city of Peshawar. Built on a high mountain, it was a residence of the royal Emperors.
However, Durrani Kings and Afghani Timur used it as their winter capital. Bala Hisar was a favorite winter capital of Afghan Kings as it was elevated on a higher mountain, making it a relaxed and calm place all the year. However, it is open to the public only on weekends as it’s under the control of the Army Corps.
Derawar Fort
One of the oldest forts in Pakistan, Derawar Fort history, still stands high with all its grandeur amid the Cholistan Desert in Bahawalpur. The rulers of Rajasthan built this Fort in the 9th century to pay tribute to Rawal Deoraj Bhatti.
The Fort built from the red bricks also has a tunnel that connects it with Darbar Mahal. Moreover, it has cold chambers and the best ventilation system. Although the Derawar rulers built it, it was expanded by the Abbasid rules, who added forty bastions around the Fort.
Lahore Fort
As you walk through the corridors of Lahore Fort, you find yourself immersed in the carvings and architecture of the famous Mughal Emperors. You imagine yourself going back in time and can see the kings talking with their counselors about the essential matters of their kingdom in Diwan-e-Khas.
On the other hand, you can imagine the last rulers of Moghul kings listening to their public affairs and providing justice to them in Diwan-e-Aam.
The aesthetic sense of the Moghal Royals makes them distinct from other rulers in South Asia. You can enter the Sheesh Mahal inside Lahore fort, where you can find mirrors, crystals, and white marbles everywhere.
With two gates of Lahore Fort, you can enter this magnificent Fort. Alamgir Gate and Masjid Gate are the main entrance points. However, the Masjid Gate has been closed, and only Alamgir Gate is open for the public, leading you towards the Badshahi Mosque.
Munro Fort
Fort Munro in Dera Ghazi Khan is located at a distance of 185 kilometers from Multan. Monroe Fort is accessible from Balochistan, Sindh, and Punjab as it’s located in the Suleiman Mountain Ranges. Most nomads are found in this ancient place.
The British rulers developed this antique architecture as their summer hill station in the 19th century to avoid the beating heart of the plain areas of Punjab.
Fort Munro’s Weather is warm during the day and chilly on cold nights as its climate is affected by the deserts. Fort Munro Lake is located that attracts many tourists round the year for its calm and tranquil atmosphere and ambiance.
Ramkot Fort
Named after Hindu Deity Raam, the Ramkot Fort is accessible by crossing a river on a boat. It’s standing high along the Mangla Dam in Dina city. Only 13 Km away from Dina, its peculiar architecture still attracts many visitors for its ancient glory and grandeur.
Ranikot Fort
Located in the Jamshoro district of Karachi, Ranikot Fort is a mysterious place to archeologists and historians as no one could glean any reasonable motive to build this largest Fort in the world.
Being the residence of Royal Mirs, the Ranikot Fort has a castle-like structure inside the Fort that points toward being the seat of rulers for a long time.
The ancient remnants of three graveyards, shergah, and a castle reveal its lost hustle-bustle and jostling of life from 1812 when the Mir Karma Ali Khan Talpur and Mir Murad Ali Talpur reconstructed this Fort.
Rawat Fort
Rawat Fort at the Grand Trunk Road near Rawalpindi and Islamabad is the ancient architecture of the Pothhar Plateau. The Ghakkars built the Rawat Fort to impede the forces of King Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century. The Ghakkars of Multan built this Fort to fight back the forces of Sher Shah Suri and other tribal rulers.
Rohtas Fort
Lastly, Rohtas Fort was built by Sher Shah Suri, a Pushtoon king, to fortify its army soldiers against the Ghakkar rulers in Multan. Spanned over an area of 5.2 Kilometers, this four hundred years old Fort was the epitome of resilience as it defeated the Moghul Emperor Humayun in the battle of Chausa.
This Fort stands proudly in its ruins, speaking of its glorious past with a sense of dignity and vanity. No matter how large and equipped the military was, the Rohtas Fort unswervingly defeated them with its 4 kilometers long walls.
Final Thoughts
Finally, if you want to connect with the past while appreciating old structures, architectures, and their history, you can start your travel with these forts in Pakistan. If you want to know more about tourism in Pakistan, you can contact our team.
