Photos: Rohtas Fort

aaftab — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:16:00 GMT

The Heritage of Pakistan

aaftab — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:10:00 GMT

Rohtas Fort is a garrison fort built by king Farid Khan. This fort is about 4 km in circumference and the first example of the successful amalgamation of Pashtun and Hindu architecture in the Indian Subcontinent. Qila Rohtas is situated in a gorge approximately 16 km NW of Jhelum and and 7 km from Dina. Qila Rohtas is a garrison fort and could hold a force of up to 30,000 men. Due to its location, massive walls, trap gates and 3 Baolis (stepped wells) it could withstand a major siege although it was never besieged. The fort is irregular in shape and follows the contours of the hill it was constructed on. The fort is exactly 5.2 km in circumference. A 533 metre long wall divides the citadel (for the Chieftain) from other parts of the fort. The fortification has 68 bastions (towers) at irregular intervals. Out of the 3 Baolis, one of them is in the citadel and the rest are in the other parts of the fort. One of the Gates (Langar Khani) opens into the citadel and is a trap gate because it is in the direct line of fire of the bastions.