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{{Short description|Late medieval fort in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir}}
{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
| image = File:Ramkot Fort Dadyal.jpg
| image =Ramkot Fort.jpg
| caption = View of Ramkot Fort
| caption = View of Ramkot Fort
| name = Ramkot Fort
| name = Ramkot Fort
| location = [[Dadyal]], [[Mirpur district]], [[Azad Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Pakistan]]
| location = [[Dadyal]], [[Mirpur district]], [[Azad Jammu and Kashmir]]
| start_date = 12th 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''' ({{lang-ur|قلعہ رام کوٹ|Qila Ram Kot}}) is an ancient fort in [[Mirpur, Azad Kashmir|Mirpur]], [[Azad Kashmir]], [[Pakistan]]. According to British geologist [[Frederick Drew]], the fort was constructed in the 12th century by a [[Gakhars|Gakhar]] chieftain named Toglu. It is located on the edges of the [[Mangla Dam]].

==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==
Line 17: Line 30:


==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 24: Line 38:
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Cultural heritage sites in Azad Kashmir |state=expanded}}

{{Castles in Pakistan}}


[[Category:Forts in Azad Kashmir]]
[[Category:Forts in Azad Kashmir]]

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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