Rohtas Fort is a 16th-century fortress which is located near the city of Jhelum, Pakistan. Sher Shah Suri built it; the fort is the red sandstone and stands on a 140-meter-high hilltop. The fort is known for its massive gate and thick walls. Its unique architecture and design were a source of inspiration for many other forts and palaces in India, particularly the Man Singh Palace in Jaipur.
Sher Shah Suri named the Qila Rohtas after the famous Rohtas Garh Fort. According to the historical records, the Rohtas Fort was built in Afghan architecture. The construction was supervised by the famous emperor Akbar’s Afghan general Mirza Ghiyas Beg, who was also the uncle of Sher Shah Suri. Many historians believe that Sher Shah Suri had himself planned the construction of this fort.
World Heritage Site
Rohtas Fort, a 13th-century monument, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. It was built in 1283 AD to guard a strategic pass. It is one of the most important monuments in the country.
Sher Shah constructed the Qila Rohtas to block Emperor Humayun’s return to India after defeating him in the Battle of Kanauj. History had its share of ironies. Sher Shah Suri built Qila Rohtas to capture Humayun.
Zone of the Fort
The Rohtas Fort has been divided into two main zones: the outermost enclosure and the innermost enclosure. The outermost enclosure is the largest and most heavily fortified part of the fort, while the innermost enclosure is the more residential and ceremonial area. The outermost enclosure is surrounded by a high wall with several towers and gates, while the innermost enclosure has a smaller wall and fewer towers. There are two main entrances to the innermost enclosure, one of which is through the outermost enclosure.
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Legacy Of Rohtas Fort
Rohtas Fort is an exceptional example of the Muslim military architecture of central and South Asia. The Fort was built in the 16th century by the great Mughal Emperor, Sher Shah Suri, and is one of the finest examples of his military genius. The fort is situated on a strategic hilltop in the Punjab province of Pakistan and commands a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside.
The fort is a massive structure, measuring over 4 kilometers in circumference. It is surrounded by a high wall and has 12 gates, each guarded by a strong tower. Within the fort, there are numerous palaces, mosques, and other buildings, all constructed of beautifully carved sandstone.
Despite its imposing size and strength, Rohtas Fort was eventually captured by the great Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1659. However, it remains an impressive testimony to the military might of the Muslim rulers of South Asia.
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Fortification Wall
The fort has a very long wall, about 3 km long and 6.5 km in circumference, surrounding a deep moat. The height of the outer wall varies between ten and eighteen meters. It was reinforced with heavy semi-circular bastions built with locally available sandstone laid in lime mortar mixed with bajri. The wall was designed to protect the city from invaders, and the bastions were placed at strategic points to provide additional defense. It was built to be sturdy and strong, and it served its purpose well for many years.
Gates of Rohtas Fort
The Rohtas Fort was built by Sher Shah Suri and was a massive fortification built in his capital, Rohtas garh. A lot of work went into this fortification, and the Rohtas Fort is a good example of the kind of work that went into building it. The Rohtas Fort has the following gates, all built with stone.
Sohail Gate
The Sohail gate is one of the most impressive features of the Sur Empire. It is a beautiful example of masonry work and was likely the ceremonial main entrance to the fort. The gate is made of sandstone and is decorated with intricate carvings. It is a truly stunning sight and is a great example of the skill of the Sur Empire’s masons.
Shah Chandwali Gate
The Shah Chandwali Gate is one of the most important gates in the fort of Rohtas. The gate links the citadel to the main fort and is guarded by two massive towers. The Shah Chandwali Gate is a beautiful example of Sur architecture with its intricate carvings and delicate arches.
Shah Chandwali gate is named for a person who refused to get his wages for working on this gate. When he was offered a job at the gate, he agreed to do it without asking for any payment. He worked hard for several months, and when the gate was completed, he was offered his wages. But he refused to take the Money, saying that he was happy to have been able to contribute to the beauty of the city. Shah Chandwali gate is a reminder of the many migrant workers who come to Delhi searching for a better life and the many sacrifices to make our city what it is today.
Mori or Kashmiri Gate
Mori or Kashmiri Gate opens to the north and faces towards Kashmir. The gate gets its name because it was used as the main entrance for the royal procession when the Mughals went on campaigns to Kashmir. The gate is decorated with red sandstone and white marble and has a beautiful arched doorway.
Decorative features
Rohtas fort provides an example of pure architecture, placing function over form. Even Kings had to live in tents whence they came here.
Stone carvings
Rohtas Fort is an amazing place; if we talk about historical architecture, it is one of the most amazing places to live in. Rohtas fort has many amazing stories; it’s where many wars were fought.
Calligraphic inscriptions
The Rohtas Fort is one of the architectural marvels created during the golden period of the Mughal dynasty. It has a unique blend of Persian and Indian architecture. The Rohtas Fort is known for its forts. The beautiful calligraphic inscriptions of the monuments, the largest among the inscriptions, are one the monument. The fort is spread over a large area and is possibly the oldest fort in Pakistan.
Glazed tiles
Rohtas Fort is a very good example of the ancient architecture of the Indian sub-continent. It is in Pakistan. This fort is an excellent example of the glazed tiles used in the fort’s construction. The fort was built by the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri. The fort has been built in a very good strategic location as it is not very far from the Sutlej River.
Plaster
Plaster is a wall coating made from sand and a binder like cement, lime, gypsum, and water. Plaster can be used internally and externally. Plaster is used in the Shahi Mosque of Rohtas fort, a mosque and a tomb built in the last decade of the 15th century by Sultan Husayn Mirza Bayqara, the Timurid ruler of Herat. He also built the Shahi Qila in the middle of Rohtas Fort.
Royal mosque
The royal mosque, also known as the Shahi Masjid, is located near the Kabuli Gate in the Rohtas Fort. This mosque was built during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. The mosque is an excellent example of Mughal architecture with beautiful marble floors and intricate carvings. The mosque is still in use today and is a popular tourist attraction.
Conclusion
Rohtas Fort is one of the largest and most formidable forts in the subcontinent. The Rohtas Fort was never taken by force, and it has remained remarkably intact. Located in the heart of Pakistan’s Punjab province, the Rohtas Fort is a massive structure that has withstood the test of time. The Rohtas Fort is a historic monument and a tourist attraction in the city of Bahawalpur. As the story goes, the Rohtas Fort was originally built in 1540-41 C.E. by Bahawal Khan II, the first Mughal governor of the Punjab. The Rohtas Fort was originally a mud and brick fort, but over the years it was rebuilt multiple times.