| Pharwala Fort قلعہ پھروالہ | |
|---|---|
) The Pharwala Fort as seen from other side of Swaan River | |
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| General information | |
| Location | Rawalpindi District, Pakistan |
| Coordinates | 33°37′10″N 73°17′57″E / 33.61944°N 73.29917°E |
| Completed | 15th Century |
Pharwala Fort (Urdu: قلعہ پھروالہ) is a 15th-century fort located about 40 km from Rawalpindi in Punjab, Pakistan. The fort is naturally defended by one side by a small Himalayan range and the other by the Swaan River.
History
The fort was built by the Gakhars in the 15th century. The Mughal Emperor Babur conquered the fort in 1519, however after the Mughals reconciled with the Gakhars the fort was returned to the Gakhars.[1] Under British rule, the Pharwala Gakhars were disbanded and their Jagir grants taken away after 1857.[2]
Conservation
The fort is in a bad shape. Being situated in the Kahuta area, is only open for Pakistani visitors,.[1] Foreigners need a No Objection Certificate to enter the area.
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A small community of Gakhars still lives inside the fort these days (around 50 people). An old and huge Banyan tree is also found inside the fort. There is no road to the fort. The Fort is not so easily accessible: there is no bridge, you have to cross the river by foot.
Centuries old banyan tree inside Pharwala Fort
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See also
- List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Pakistan
- List of forts in Pakistan
- List of museums in Pakistan
- Sar Jalal
- Rohtas Fort
- Rawat Fort
- Mankiala stupa
References
- ^ a b Dilapidated Pharwala Fort needs attention - Dawn Pakistan
- ^ Rawalpindi Gazetteer, 1889, pp 142-43