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{{Short description|Late medieval fort in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir}}
{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
| image = File:Ramkot Fort Mirpur.jpg
| image =Ramkot Fort.jpg
| caption = View of Ramkot Fort
| caption = View of Ramkot Fort
| name = Ramkot Fort
| name = Ramkot Fort
| location = [[Azad Kashmir]], [[Pakistan]]
| location = [[Dadyal]], [[Mirpur district]], [[Azad Jammu and Kashmir]]
| start_date = 16th–17th century AD
| start_date = 16th century AD
}}
}}


'''Ramkot Fort''' ({{langx|ur|قلعہ رام کوٹ|Qila Ram Kot}}) is a medieval fort in [[Mirpur, Azad Kashmir|Mirpur]], [[Azad Kashmir]], Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/559903-fort-forlorn-forsaken|title=Fort forlorn and forsaken &#124; Footloose|website=The News International}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/328768/ramkot-fort-centuries-old-kashmiri-heritage-site-on-the-verge-of-destruction|title=Ramkot Fort: Centuries-old Kashmiri heritage site on the verge of destruction|date=January 29, 2012|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref> The fort is accessible via three routes from Dina, Dadayal, and Mirpur, with 440 stairs leading to the main gate, which is built on a sloped rock for defensive purposes.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.independenturdu.com/node/60336|title=منگلا ڈیم کے قریب رامائن کے رام چندر سے منسوب قلعہ|trans-title=Fort attributed to Ram Chander of Ramayana near Mangla Dam |date=February 19, 2021|website=[[Independent Urdu]]}}</ref>
'''Ramkot Fort''' is an ancient fort situated in [[Azad Kashmir]], [[Pakistan]] currently beside the [[Mangla Dam]]. It was built in 1186, it is accessible through boat, 13 kilometers away from [[Dina, Pakistan|Dina]] and 79 kilometers by road from Mirpur, Azad Kashmir to Dadyal town. It is also accessible from [Gujar Khan], via Jabbar and Notla then using boat. The fort is accessible from Siakh village from Dadyal side and Mangla through boats which take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Three sides of the hilltop are surrounded by the Jhelum River, which falls into the huge reservoir of Mangla Dam. It was built by the Gakhar sultan named Toglu as recorded by traveler and geologist Frederick Drew in his book.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/jummooandkashmi00drewgoog|title=The Jummoo and Kashmir Territories: A Geographical Account|Page 59|last=Frederic Drew|date=1875-01-01|publisher=E. Stanford|language=English}}</ref>

==History==
The original fort was constructed in 1186 during the [[Ghurid dynasty]] by [[Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad|Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din]], according to the information board at the entrance but that fort is no longer in existence.<ref name="auto1"/> In the late 14th century, the fort was under control of [[Jasrat]], a Punjabi Khokhar chieftain. At this fort Khokhars clashed with the armies of amir [[Timur]] in 1398.<ref>{{Cite book |first=Ayyappa |last=Panikkar|author-link= Ayyappa Panikkar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KYLpvaKJIMEC&pg=PA73 |page=72|title=Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections |date=1997 |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |isbn=978-81-260-0365-5 |language=en}}</ref> However, the current structure probably dates to the 16th century builted by [[Kashmir Sultanate]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1191321|title=Ramkot Fort: The crumbling giant of Azad Kashmir|first=Aown|last=Ali|date=July 3, 2015|website=DAWN.COM}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orientalarchitecture.com/sid/881/pakistan/mirpur/ramkot-fort|title=Ramkot Fort, Mirpur, Pakistan|website=Asian Architecture}}</ref>

A temple with a large red [[Shivalinga]], brought from the [[Ganges River]], suggests a significant Hindu population once resided in the area.<ref name="auto1"/> The presence of Hindu mythological figure Ram Chandra's birthplace in nearby [[Pharwala]] may explain the fort's name.<ref name="auto1"/> However, British geologist and historian [[Frederick Drew]] attributes the fort's construction to a [[Gakhars|Gakhar]] named Taghlu, contradicting the information board.<ref name="auto1"/> The fort underwent renovation during the reign of Gakhar Queen Mango, whose daughter married Mughal emperor [[Aurangzeb Alamgir]]'s son.<ref name="auto1"/> During the [[Sikh Empire|Sikh era]], the fort was handed over to the [[Dogra dynasty|Dogras]].<ref name="auto1"/>

Ramkot Fort held strategic importance, as one of the four ancient routes to Srinagar passed through it.<ref name="auto1"/> The nearby [[Mangla Fort]], attributed to Queen Mangla, daughter of King [[Porus]], is closely associated with the famous battle between [[Raja Porus]] and [[Alexander the Great]] in 326 BC.<ref name="auto1"/> The area is also significant for being the birthplace of [[Raja Porus]] in 400 BC and, much later, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, author of Saif-ul-Malook.<ref name="auto1"/>

==Architecture==
The main gate, constructed with red bricks, contrasts with the stone used elsewhere, suggesting possible destruction and reconstruction.<ref name="auto1"/> A smaller gate at the back was likely used for escape.<ref name="auto1"/>

The fort's interior features two large ponds for rainwater collection, essential due to its elevation and previous location at the confluence of the Jhelum and Poonch rivers.<ref name="auto1"/> Collapsed rooms, raw iron deposits, and the superintendent's residence are found within the complex.<ref name="auto1"/> The fort also includes a slope for hauling cannons, with a donated cannon on the rampart.<ref name="auto1"/>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Ramkot Fort, Dadyal, Azad Kashmir.jpg|Landscape view
File:Ramkot Fort Mirpur.jpg|Bird's eye view
File:Ramkot Fort - The Courtyard.jpg|Courtyard
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
{{commonscat|Ramkot Fort}}
* [[List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Pakistan]]
* [[List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Pakistan]]
* [[List of forts in Pakistan]]
* [[List of forts in Pakistan]]
Line 17: Line 38:
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


⚫
{{Cultural heritage sites in Azad Kashmir |state=expanded}}
{{commons category}}
⚫
{{Castles in Pakistan}}
⚫
{{Cultural heritage sites in Azad Kashmir |state=autocollapse}}
{{Cultural heritage sites in Pakistan}}
{{coord|33|13|N|73|38|E|display=title|region:PK_type:landmark_source:GNS-enwiki}}{{Castles in Pakistan}}

*[http://logicisvariable.blogspot.com/2011/11/fort-oblivion.html]


[[Category:Forts in Azad Kashmir]]
[[Category:Forts in Azad Kashmir]]
⚫
[[Category:Castles in Pakistan]]


{{Pakistan-geo-stub}}
{{fort-stub}}

Latest revision as of 04:17, 26 October 2024

Ramkot Fort
View of Ramkot Fort
Map
General information
LocationDadyal, Mirpur district, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Construction started16th century AD

Ramkot Fort (Urdu: قلعہ رام کوٹ, romanized: Qila Ram Kot) is a medieval fort in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.[1][2] The fort is accessible via three routes from Dina, Dadayal, and Mirpur, with 440 stairs leading to the main gate, which is built on a sloped rock for defensive purposes.[3]

History

[edit]

The original fort was constructed in 1186 during the Ghurid dynasty by Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din, according to the information board at the entrance but that fort is no longer in existence.[3] In the late 14th century, the fort was under control of Jasrat, a Punjabi Khokhar chieftain. At this fort Khokhars clashed with the armies of amir Timur in 1398.[4] However, the current structure probably dates to the 16th century builted by Kashmir Sultanate.[5][6]

A temple with a large red Shivalinga, brought from the Ganges River, suggests a significant Hindu population once resided in the area.[3] The presence of Hindu mythological figure Ram Chandra's birthplace in nearby Pharwala may explain the fort's name.[3] However, British geologist and historian Frederick Drew attributes the fort's construction to a Gakhar named Taghlu, contradicting the information board.[3] The fort underwent renovation during the reign of Gakhar Queen Mango, whose daughter married Mughal emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir's son.[3] During the Sikh era, the fort was handed over to the Dogras.[3]

Ramkot Fort held strategic importance, as one of the four ancient routes to Srinagar passed through it.[3] The nearby Mangla Fort, attributed to Queen Mangla, daughter of King Porus, is closely associated with the famous battle between Raja Porus and Alexander the Great in 326 BC.[3] The area is also significant for being the birthplace of Raja Porus in 400 BC and, much later, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, author of Saif-ul-Malook.[3]

Architecture

[edit]

The main gate, constructed with red bricks, contrasts with the stone used elsewhere, suggesting possible destruction and reconstruction.[3] A smaller gate at the back was likely used for escape.[3]

The fort's interior features two large ponds for rainwater collection, essential due to its elevation and previous location at the confluence of the Jhelum and Poonch rivers.[3] Collapsed rooms, raw iron deposits, and the superintendent's residence are found within the complex.[3] The fort also includes a slope for hauling cannons, with a donated cannon on the rampart.[3]

[edit]
  • Landscape view
    Landscape view
  • Bird's eye view
    Bird's eye view
  • Courtyard
    Courtyard

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ramkot Fort.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Fort forlorn and forsaken | Footloose". The News International.
  2. ^ "Ramkot Fort: Centuries-old Kashmiri heritage site on the verge of destruction". The Express Tribune. January 29, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "منگلا ڈیم کے قریب رامائن کے رام چندر سے منسوب قلعہ" [Fort attributed to Ram Chander of Ramayana near Mangla Dam]. Independent Urdu. February 19, 2021.
  4. ^ Panikkar, Ayyappa (1997). Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections. Sahitya Akademi. p. 72. ISBN 978-81-260-0365-5.
  5. ^ Ali, Aown (July 3, 2015). "Ramkot Fort: The crumbling giant of Azad Kashmir". DAWN.COM.
  6. ^ "Ramkot Fort, Mirpur, Pakistan". Asian Architecture.
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