Attock Fort
| Attock Fort | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Location | Attock, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Coordinates | 33°53′31″N 72°14′13″E / 33.89194°N 72.23694°E |
| Built | 1583 |
| Owner |
|
| Website | www.attockonians.com |
Attock Fort (Urdu, Punjabi: قلعہ اٹک) is a 16th century fortress in Punjab, Pakistan. It was built at Attock Khurd during the reign of Akbar from 1581 to 1583 under the supervision of Shamsuddin Khawafi to protect the passage of the River Indus.[1] Ahmad Shah, the Durrani ruler, captured Attock and halted the Maratha advance in the north after the battle of Panipat in 1761. It was later conquered by the Sikh Empire following the battle of Attock in 1813.[1]
History
[edit]The fort was constructed in 1581 on the orders of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Construction was completed in two years after which the fort was used as a key defense line against the Afghan invaders. The fort was captured in 1758 by the Marathas under Tukojirao Holkar and Sabaji Shinde Sidhojiraje. The fort was captured in 1813 by the Sikhs from the Afghans under Mokham Chand. In the 1830s, the Sikhs strengthened the fort by constructing 'very high and massy bastions' at each gate.[2] The British took over the fort in 1849, following the annexation of Punjab.[3] After the Partition of India, Pakistan Army took control of the fort.[4] It became headquarters of the 7th division of Pakistan Army.[4] In 1956, the fort was handed over to the Special Services Group (SSG), a special operations force of the Pak Army.[4] Today the fort remains in control of the SSG.[4]
Location
[edit]It is sandwiched between Peshawar Road on one side and the River Indus on the other.[5] It is located at a distance of 80km from the capital city of Islamabad. As it is a military base, visitors are not allowed inside the fort.[1]
Features
[edit]The fort consists of 4 gates and its perimeter wall is 1600m long. The gates are named the Delhi gate, Lahori Gate, Kabuli Gate and Mori Gate.[4]
|
 |
See also
[edit]
- List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Pakistan
- List of forts in Pakistan
- List of museums in Pakistan
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "ATTOCK FORT". Emerging Pakistan. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ Nalwa, V. (2009). Hari Singh Nalwa—Champion of the Khalsaji. Manohar. ISBN 978-81-730478-5-5.
- ^ "A close look on the history of Attock Fort Pakistan with pics". Visit Pak. 15 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Facts About Attock Fort". Informative Facts. 17 February 2019.
- ^ Pervaiz Munir Alvi (24 January 2007). "When Kabul comes to Attock". All Things Pakistan. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
| Azad Kashmir |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Balochistan | ||
| Gilgit-Baltistan | ||
| Punjab |
| |
| Sindh | ||
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | ||