Pharwala

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.

Pharwala Fort
قلعہ پھروالہ
The Pharwala Fort as seen from other side of Swaan River
General information
LocationRawalpindi District, Pakistan
Coordinates33.61944°N 73.29917°E / 33.61944; 73.29917
Completed15th Century

History

The fort was built by the Gakhars in the 11th century by their then ruler Kai-Gohar [Book: Kai Goharname] over the ruins of an old Hindu fort and renovated by Sultan Hamd Khan (Nicknamed "Hathi Khan") in 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,due to the rebellion of the tribe against the British raj, except some 84 villages belonging to the "Nawab of Khanpur" who was a Crown Prince of the tribe at that time and stood with British East India Company against the Sikh regime were not taken and prince's status was maintained. [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.

A small community of Gakhars still lives inside the fort these days (around 50 people).Notable Kiyani's living here including Raja Naeem Kayani Currently in Japan & Raja Gul Ghaffar Kiyani Ex-Service Man Pakistan Navy & their family belongs to this historic place. 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

See also

References
  1. Dilapidated Pharwala Fort needs attention - Dawn Pakistan
  2. Rawalpindi Gazetteer, 1889, pp 142-43
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