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InayatShah — Rohtas Well

Published: 2017-11-26 12:16:53 +0000 UTC; Views: 950; Favourites: 48; Downloads: 3
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Description Location: Rohtas Fort, Jehlum, Pakistan

Baolis
Three Baolis, (water wells) made by cutting deep into the limestone, exist in the fort:
The Main Baoli is located in the middle of the fort to provide water for soldiers, elephants, and horses, with 148 steps, each step
measuring 20 cm (8 inches) wide. The upper portion has been cut in stone. It has three arches that span the length of the Baoli.


Rohtas Fort (Qila Rohtas) was a garrison fort built by the great Afghan king Sher Shah Suri. The fort measures approximately 4 km in circumference displaying the first example of the successful amalgamation of Muslim and Hindu architecture in the sub-continent.

 Sher Shah constructed Qila Rohtas to block Emperor Humayun's return to India after defeating him in the Battle of Kanauj. That fort lies on the old Grand Trunk Road road between the North Afghanistan  to the Plains of Punjab. It blocked the way from Peshawar to Lahore .

The Fort served to suppress the Gakhars of Potohar, allies of Humayun who refused to give their allegiance to Sher Shah Suri. The Gakhars made a feeble retort by building some fortifications near the village of Sultanpur, which still remain today.

Qila Rohtas is situated in a gorge approximately 16 km NW of Jhelum and 7 km from Dina. Constructed on a hillock where the tiny Kahan river meets another rainy stream called Parnal Khas, turning east towards Tilla Jogian Range. The fort stands about 300 feet above its surroundings, 2660 feet (818 meters) above sea level and covers an area of 12.63 acres. The fort has 12 gates (four of which serve as trap gates), 68 bastions, 1900 battlements and 9500 stairs.

Sher Shah Suri died before the completion of the magnificent structure. Ten years after Sher Shah’s death and the end of the Suri dynasty, Emperor Humayun returned to rule India for another 15 years. When Humayun returned, the Governor of Rohtas Tatar Khan Kasi fled. The fort had never been popular with the Mughals because of its military character.

Emperor Akbar stayed there for a single night. Emperor Jahangir rested here for a single night while going to Kashmir for entertainment. He said the following about its location: "This fort was founded in a cleft and the strength of it cannot be imagined."

Emperor Jahangir again stayed at the fort when forced to go to Kabul by Mahabat Khan. Nur Jahan, his beautiful and resourceful wife, obtained troops from Lahore and ordered Mahabat Khan to release her husband. Emperor Jahangir then proceeded to Rohtas and held his court there for a while. Then he went onto Kashmir and back to Lahore to die. The later Mughals seem to have made no use of the fort. Allies of the Gakhars, they consequently relied upon them rather than stationing troops to maintain their hold over the area. The Durranis Pukhtuns, enemies of the Gakhars, maintained their Governor in residence at the fort. They used the fort to keep communication with their capital Kabul open.

After the takeover of the Punjab by the Ranjit Singh, Sardar General Gurmukh Singh Lamba captured the Rothas Fort from Ghakhar chief Nur Khan, father of Fazil Dad Khan in 1825. The Maharaja Ranjit Singh gave the fort to Sardar Mohar Singh. When Mohor Singh retired to Banaras, the fort and the contingent of seven hundred horses were placed under Sardar Gurmukh Singh Lamba. Raja Fazal Din Khan, who joined Sher Singh in rebellion, were the last people to manage Rohtas.
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Comments: 10

thewolfcreek [2018-08-11 06:18:09 +0000 UTC]

Fine shot and work...thank you also for your wonderful rending of this forts history...

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InayatShah In reply to thewolfcreek [2018-08-11 06:38:09 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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thewolfcreek In reply to InayatShah [2018-08-13 07:59:05 +0000 UTC]

Always very welcome...lovely work...

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InayatShah In reply to thewolfcreek [2018-08-13 10:50:07 +0000 UTC]

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mecengineer [2017-12-18 20:44:23 +0000 UTC]

excellent

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InayatShah In reply to mecengineer [2017-12-19 17:59:28 +0000 UTC]

Thank You

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glasslinger [2017-11-27 10:13:00 +0000 UTC]

Awesome shot and history!..

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InayatShah In reply to glasslinger [2017-11-27 12:06:16 +0000 UTC]

  Thank you.  It is a magnificent fort

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TexasPanda [2017-11-26 12:53:36 +0000 UTC]

Cool shot! May I use it in a collaboration with you please? Link and credit provided of course👍🐼Thank you for considering.

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InayatShah In reply to TexasPanda [2017-11-26 13:46:03 +0000 UTC]

yes you may

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