8 majestic forts that capture Pakistan's rich heritage
If you're only wondering about glaciers and lush green fields then you're missing out some amazing historic architecture
Pakistan has several shades of beauty. And if you are only thinking glaciers and lush green fields, you are definitely missing out on some amazing historic architecture.
This week, we chose 'Forts of Pakistan' as our topic for #DawnWeeklyProject on Instagram and here are some of the best shots submitted to us:
1. Khaplu Fort has managed to impress us the most. An architectural marvel, it is located in Gilgit-Baltistan and is a major tourist attraction.
2. Ramkot Fort is distinct among forts built in the Kashmir region due to its peculiar architecture.
3. The foundations of the ancient Baltit Fort in Hunza Valley date back 700 years!
4. Origins of the grand Lahore Fort extend far into antiquity but the existing base structure was built during the Mughal era.
5. Standing proud in the midst of the Cholistan Desert, the Derawar Fort is a famed hallmark of Bahawalpur.
6. The Rawat Fort in Rawalpindi was built in early 16th century by the Gakhars, a designated warrior clan raised by local tribes to defend the plateau of Potohar.
7. It took eight years to built the Rohtas Fort, situated near the city of Jhelum. The fort has twelve different gates.
8. Altit Fort, commonly known as the Shikari tower, is around 1100 years old, making it the oldest monument in Gilgit–Baltistan.
In our newly introduced project, we give photographers on Instagram a chance to have their pictures featured not only on our Instagram account but also on our website. Want to participate in our #DawnWeeklyProject? Then follow @dawndotcom and stay tuned!
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Comments (59) Closed
Feb 06, 2016 10:35am
Wow... Beautiful Pakistan!!! Nothing like it!!!
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Feb 06, 2016 10:43am
Looks interesting and very appealing, must visit sometime?:)
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Feb 06, 2016 10:47am
Thanks. Its nice collection.
Please add more from Baluchistan and Sindh and KPK.
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Feb 06, 2016 11:03am
Where is Bala Hisar Fort in this? It is like describing legends of Pakistan cricket without mentioning Imran Khan in it.
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Feb 06, 2016 11:08am
Balahisar fort...
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Feb 06, 2016 11:14am
Very nice
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Feb 06, 2016 11:15am
Pakistan is very diverse country. You will find different culture, civilizations, customs and traditions in every 100km you travel within Pakistan.
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Feb 06, 2016 11:26am
This is my Lovely Pakistan. World's oldest civilizations are in Pakistan like Indus and Mehargarh, World longest Glaciers outside the poles are in Pakistan, 5 out of 14 highest mountains are in Pakistan, world's 2nd most beautiful capital city is in Pakistan, world's highest polo ground, highest border crossing, best irrigation system, 2nd largest water reservoir terbela and many more countless wonders you will find only in My motherland Pakistan.
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Feb 06, 2016 11:30am
stunning views. Makes me proud of my scythian forefathers who settled in north west Hind.
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Feb 06, 2016 11:41am
Somebody should include the Ranni Kot in Sindh
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Feb 06, 2016 11:43am
This is my true Pakistan, would have included Kot Dijji in Sindh as well.
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Feb 06, 2016 12:04pm
Wow !
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Feb 06, 2016 12:08pm
In Pakistan many forts which also worth to see in which, Rani kot fort, Umer kot fort, Naukot fort,Kot digi fort. Its all are present in Sind province and Sind also part of Pakistan may be writer not visited these forts. Also in Cholistan a series of forts present which is inside the desert.
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Feb 06, 2016 12:44pm
Where is Ranikot?
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Feb 06, 2016 12:48pm
beautiful indeed - keep up the good work Dawn. Please add a series of pics if possible for each fort.
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Feb 06, 2016 12:50pm
Beautiful pictures...
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Feb 06, 2016 01:16pm
The unique Pharwala Fort of Northern Punjab is missing from the list. It is a 15h century fort which was founded by the tribes of Potohar to protect that region. Pharwala and Rawat were the two strategic forts for the Ghakkars ( the designated group to protect the Potohar region). Also in my view Punjab government should raze the Rohtas fort. Because this fort was established to crush the Muslims of North Punjab and Kashmir. Rohtas fort is a reminder that it is not the Religion but ethnicity that reigns supreme. Because the primary purpose of Rohtas fort was to crush the Muslims of Punjab. So such type of structure must not have any place in Punjab. Government of Punjab must destroy that fort and should develop a new monument there to signify its capture by the Ghakkars and locals after defeating the Pushtoons. It was a Muslim-Muslim fight which our historians always overlook.
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Feb 06, 2016 01:26pm
Surely, Qila Bala-Hisaar (Peshawar) deserved a mention?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bala_Hissar,_Peshawar
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Feb 06, 2016 02:08pm
where is Rani Kot?????
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Feb 06, 2016 02:49pm
Some of the forts need urgent repairs to preserve them for our future generations. Let us spend some money to preserve our past history.
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Feb 06, 2016 02:51pm
I have been to two of these forst: Fort Lahore and Fort Rohtas. Would love to explore the remaining. Altit Fort is a sad sight.
Please add more of Sindh's forts, she has a few...and I am sure the beautiful Balochistan has something to offer as well.
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Feb 06, 2016 03:03pm
@Awais Ali i love my country Pakistan allot just like you more then my life....oh my love my Pakistan u deserve allot...i love you Pakistan.i am crying my eyes is getting wet its like a real love in my heart for you my love my Pakistan...miss u allot from Oman
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Feb 06, 2016 03:13pm
beautiful pics indeed!!! But you must have included forts from Sindh and Balochistan as well,,, cheers
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Feb 06, 2016 03:21pm
amazing Pakistan!
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Feb 06, 2016 04:19pm
Nothing from Sindh, Balochistan at all ? Sindh alson has even more than all the ancient buildings shown above.
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Feb 06, 2016 04:25pm
I just recently visited rohtas fort on my bike. It is great to see that one whole village is now built inside the rohtas and local population has houses inside this fort.
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Feb 06, 2016 06:00pm
Thank you DAWN for this treat
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Feb 06, 2016 06:32pm
@FARHAN HASSANY
Ranikot Fort is a historical fort near Sann, Jamshoro District, Sindh. Ranikot Fort is also known as The Great Wall of Sindh and is believed to be the world's largest fort with a circumference of approximately 26 kilometres (16 mi). (Wikipedia)
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Feb 06, 2016 06:55pm
OMG.. You beauty. . Your name is Pakistan. I love your country. It's wonderful. It's beyond my imagination. Dawn.. you are the real hero in exhibiting the real Pakistan to our Indians. I say there are many forts which are more than or equally wonderful forts in India when compared to Pakistan. . But, I never thought Pakistan too have many more like you have showcased. As some of the Pakistanis are mentioning here. It seems there are many more which missed the list. I love to visit Pakistan. Oh God. . When can I seed that day?
Love from India.
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Feb 06, 2016 07:08pm
Beautiful! I request Pakistani Archaeological Survey to please maintain the forts properly.
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Feb 06, 2016 07:25pm
Too bad the world is missing out on it. If this were a European country these places would be world famous and crawling with tourists.
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Feb 06, 2016 07:29pm
Forts from Hindu and Buddhism such as Kusak, Nandana, Malot in the salt ranges are missing.
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Feb 06, 2016 07:51pm
Thanks to Dawn for starting this excellent initiative to promote our beautiful land. Any discussion of Forts in Pakistan can not be completed without mentioning the largest Fort in the world, i.e., RaniKot Fort in Sind. Its outer wall resembles the great wall of China. Below are more pictures of Lahore Fort and Wazir Khan Masjid. Shahjahan mosque in Thatta should have been included in the list of mosques as well.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wasifmalik/albums/72157661778501631
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Feb 06, 2016 07:55pm
All the pictures are Beautiful, keep up the Excellent job you are doing, at the same time I think there should
be funds provided by your government to assist you.
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Feb 06, 2016 08:01pm
Beautiful...hope all monuments stay preserved for future generations...
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Feb 06, 2016 08:03pm
All the pictures are Beautiful,and keep up the Excellent job you are doing, at the same time your government
should assist you in the way of funds and equipment.
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Feb 06, 2016 08:32pm
@Shoaib Khan: And, Umerkot Fort, where Shahenshah Akbar was born.
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Feb 06, 2016 10:07pm
yeah,these pics are appealing ....indeed !! afterall these were glimpse of great indian civilization. those old part of india could also be beautiful as today's india. hope they keep them intact ...
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Feb 06, 2016 11:29pm
Nice forts. Thanks for the pictures.
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Feb 06, 2016 11:36pm
Thoroughly enjoyed the pictures and reading history associated with these forts. Keep it up DAWN.
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Feb 07, 2016 01:22am
You missed some of the best forts of KP and FATA: Jamrud Fort, Balahisar, Shabqadar etc. And Attock Fort on the bank of River Indus!
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Feb 07, 2016 02:45am
Rani Kot is in Sindh.
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Feb 07, 2016 02:55am
Amerkot Fort, Rani Kot and Kot Diji Fort revealing grandeur of Sindh may also be focused.
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Feb 07, 2016 02:59am
@Awais Ali Just appreciate good things. "MY", "MY", "MY" spoils fun. Let it remain everyone's. What you are doing is narrow mindedness.
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Feb 07, 2016 07:32am
In Karachi too there are a number of heritage sites, but most are in ruins with urgent need of repair. Unfortunately with level of impropriety in every Government institutions, such sites are demolished to be replaced by ugly structures. There should be a concerted effort to register such sites as listed buildings with a blanket ban on demolition and a special fund be created to renovate structures in urgent need of repair. Unless a blanket restrictions strictly enforced on demolition of any listed building, the fewer heritage sites will be a distant memory.
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Feb 07, 2016 09:35am
@ROHIT PANDEY
More than welcome to pay a visit :) you'll enjoy the VIP treatment we're famed for! :D
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Feb 07, 2016 10:24am
The list without mighty 26 km long mysterious Ranikot, whose colossal size defies all reason, is surely incomplete.
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Feb 07, 2016 10:30am
@>:) Thank you!:)
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Feb 07, 2016 11:03am
@Malik in tht case, in india we have a lot of places to be destroyed going by ur logic but we all r happy to preserve those places in thr true spirit n we never feel awkward while visiting them n we r committed to preserve them till our lives as they were the part n.parcel of our culture n society n we r happy to preserve them
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Feb 07, 2016 12:11pm
You amazed me ..Pakistan.
Fascinating Forts.I wish to visit the places some day.
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Feb 07, 2016 12:48pm
Its a beautiful collection .I am from Rajasthan,India which is known for its heritage,forts and palaces. But it seems Pakistan also has beautiful heritage properties that are treasure trove. It should be conserved.I only wish the relations between the two countries improve and I am able to go to see Pakistan,particularly,Lahore, Karachi,Taxila and Gilgit to see polo
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Feb 07, 2016 01:20pm
@Ahmed USA hahaha, really? Please listndown who made this forts..
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Feb 07, 2016 01:51pm
Sindh also has beautiful fortes. The 26 kilometres big Rani kot fort or the really majestic kot diji fort are two of the more than ten beautiful forts in the province.
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Feb 07, 2016 02:17pm
You must see qila bala hesar PESHAWAR KPK
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Feb 07, 2016 02:21pm
The outstanding fort of Kot Diji has been excluded from the list, which is quite disappointing
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Feb 07, 2016 05:55pm
where is the ranikot fort of sind (also known as dewar e sind). it's world's biggest fort and not seeing it here is sad....
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Feb 08, 2016 10:41am
Beautiful...the forts are Splendid...but lack funds in conserving the forts for future generations....Sheesh Mahal, Badshahi Qila.needs Quick Renovation of beautiful Windows..before its too late...The color full gates send by Adill Munner are awesome....but what are the rules for ...Rebuilding the past glory....
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Feb 08, 2016 12:42pm
@EMDRK Thanks for the information but what actually i wanted to point out is that its missing in the above list
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Feb 08, 2016 03:48pm
Beautiful forts of Pakistan,
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