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 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.

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

See also

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