Rohtas Fort is located near the city of Jhelum in Punjab, Pakistan. The fort lies on the historic GT road between the mountainous region of Afghanistan and the plains of Punjab. It was built under Afghan king Sher Shah Suri. This fort is about 4 km in circumference. The Rohtas fort was built to crush the local tribes of Potohar, who rebelled against the Sur dynasty after the Mughal emperor Humayun was ousted by the former.
Sher Shah Suri ordered the construction of the fort to declare his rule over the local tribes of Potohar and crush any rebellions in the area when he took control of the region in the early 16th century. He laid the foundation of the Suri Empire in the subcontinent during his time as a ruler. The fort was built in 8 years from 1541 to 1548 after it was commissioned. It was eventually captured by the Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1555. It was also used for administrative purposes after the region passed into Sikh rule in the early 19th century.
Rohtas Fort was built to accommodate around 30,000 military personnel at a time, with its elevated position on the hill giving it the perfect vantage point to be forewarned of any invaders or attacks. The fort has a total of 12 gates or entrances, many of which are still standing today. This fortress found its way onto UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in Pakistan in 1997 as the fort is an exceptionally preserved example of Muslim architecture and military strategies in South Asia. A museum has also been built inside the walls of the fort for tourists. The tomb of Mehar un Nisa adds more glory to its site. The United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (NESCO) inscribed Rohtas in 1997 as a world’s heritage site due to its historical importance.
Today, visitors to Rohtas Fort are greeted by the view of the Sohail Gate, featuring some of the best masonry work of the Sur Empire. This ceremonial entrance was named for the local saint, Sohail Bukhari, whose remains were interred within the gate. Another gate, the Kabuli Gate, is so named for facing Kabul and now houses a visitors’ information centre as well as a museum founded by the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation, open between 8am and 5pm.
Duration: 18 to 20 Hours
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