Kot Diji Fort

The Kot Diji Fort (Urdu: کوٹ ڈیجی قلعہ; Sindhi: ڪوٽ ڏيجي جو قلعو;Fort of the Daughter), formally known as Fort Ahmadabad, is an 18th-century Talpur-era fort located in the town of Kot Diji in Khairpur District, Pakistan, about 25 miles east of the Indus River at the edge of the Thar Desert. The fort sits above a pre-Harappan Civilization archaeological site dating to 2500 to 2800 B.C.E.[1]

Kot Diji Fort
ڪوٽ ڏيجي جو قلعو
کوٹ ڈیجی قلعہ
Kot Diji Fort is located on a hill above the town of Kot Diji.
LocationRohri Hills, Sindh
Nearest cityKot Diji, Pakistan.
Coordinates27.3450794°N 68.7062835°E / 27.3450794; 68.7062835
Built1795 C.E.
Kot Diji Fort is located in Sindh
Kot Diji Fort
Location of Kot Diji Fort
ڪوٽ ڏيجي جو قلعو
کوٹ ڈیجی قلعہ in Sindh
Kot Diji Fort is located in Pakistan
Kot Diji Fort
Kot Diji Fort (Pakistan)
For other places with similar names, see Kot Diji Fort.

Background

The Kot Diji Fort was built by Mir Sohrab Khan Talpur,[2] between 1785 and 1795.[3] The site sits on a hill at the southern end of the Rohri Hills, and sits above a prehistoric mound of the same name, where remains of a pre-Harappan civilization have been found.[4]

Structure
Gate of Kot Diji Fort

The fort sits atop a 110 foot tall high hill that rises above the city of Kot Diji.[3] The fort's 30 foot tall walls encircle the uppermost portion of the fort,[3] resulting a narrow-width fortress with perimeter of 1.8 kilometres.[5] The fort contains three strategically placed towers that are each 50 feet tall.[3] The fort contains several sites for cannon placement, and contains numerous inner passages for protection.[3] The fort also contains a water reservoir, munition storage, prison, courtroom, numerous cells for security personnel, and a small regal residence.[3]

Conservation

Government of Pakistan has declared it a protected heritage site in Pakistan, though it has been noted that portions of the fort are under control of powerful local families.[6]

  • A view of the forts defensive outer walls.
    A view of the forts defensive outer walls.
  • The fort sits atop a natural mound.
    The fort sits atop a natural mound.
  • Entry way to the fort.
    Entry way to the fort.

See also

References
  1. Rengel, Marian (2004). Pakistan: A Primary Source Cultural Guide. The Rosen Publishing Group. ISBN 9780823940011.
  2. "Discovering Sindh". Tribune. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  3. Khan, Shameen (30 April 2015). "Kot Diji Fort: A symbol of the Talpur dynasty". Dawn. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  4. Ahmed, Mukhtar (2014). Ancient Pakistan - an Archaeological History. Amazon. p. 480. ISBN 9781495966439.
  5. Baig, Saima. "A walk on Kot Diji Fort". The Nation. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  6. http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/03/12/talpur-era-kot-diji-fort-now-home-to-encroachers/, Kot Diji Fort on Pakistan Today newspaper, Published 12 March 2012, Retrieved 8 February 2017
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