Rohtas Fort

Rohtas Fort, (Qila Rohtas) is an exceptional example of early Muslim military architecture in Central and South Asia, for it was built essentially for military purposes. Following the defeat of the Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1541, Sher Shah Suri built a strong fortified complex at Rohtas, a strategic site about 16 kilometres north-west of the city of Jhelum.

The gigantic fort is founded on steep rocks jutting into the river Kahan, its ramparts protected on the west and north sides by the river and by high hills on its east and south. It was never taken by assault and survives intact to the present day. The main fortifications consist of the massive walls, which extended for more than 4km; they are lined with bastions and pierced by monumental gateways.

There are indications that more structures had existed earlier, which either collapsed due to neglect, or were demolished in Mughal or later periods.

Structural Details

Location & Area

Rohtas Fort (Qila Rohtas) is situated in a gorge approximately 16 km North West of Jhelum and 8 KM from Dina. It was constructed on a hillock where the tiny Kahan river meets another rainy stream called Parnal Khas and turns east towards Tilla Jogian Range. The fort is about 300 feet above its surroundings. It is 2660 feet (818 meters) above sea level and covers an area of 12.63 acres.

The Gates

The Rohtas Fort has the following 12 gates. All of them are built in Ashlor Stone.

• Sohail Gate
• Shah Chand Wali
• Kabuli Gate
• Shishi Gate
• Langar Khani Gate
• Talaqi Gate
• Mori/Kashmiri Gate
• Khawas Khani Gate
• Gatali Gate
• Tulla Mori Gate
• Pipalwala Gate
• Sar Gate

The Bowalis

There are 3 Baolis in the fort. These were made by cutting deep into the lime rock

Bari (Main) Bowali:

It is in the middle of the Fort for soldiers, elephants, horses etc. This Baoli has 148 steps (now 134 left due to filling of mud). Each step is 20 cm (8 inches) wide. The upper portion has been cut in stone. It has three arches that span the length of the baoli.

The Shahi Bowali:

It is near the Kabuli Gate for the Royal family. It has 60 steps and has small chambers that were used as baths by the Royal family.    

The Sar Gate Bowali:

It is a small Baoli near the Sar Gate, most likely used by soldiers.

Haveli Man Singh

This is not an original structure of the fort. It was built by a general of Akbar, Raja Man Singh I of Amber. He died in 1614 so it must have been built between 1550 and 1614. It is a 2 storey building constructed with bricks and plastered neatly. Architecturally it bears no resemblance to the Qila Rohtas. A part of the structure has fallen away. There seems to have been 4 rooms out of which only one exists now.

The existing room is 5.5 meters square and there are balconies on the outside of it. These balconies are similar to the one outside Sohail Gate. One could see the whole fort from these balconies.

Unlike Qila Rohtas which is an example of Afghan architecture, this Haveli is an example of pure Hindu architecture.

Rani Mahal

The Rani Mahal (Queens palace) is near Haveli Man Singh. It is a one storey structure. It originally had four rooms but only room remains standing today. The foundation of the four rooms can still be seen today.

It is not an original part of the fort and is an example of Hindu architecture and built around the same time as the Haveli Man Singh. The room still standing today is about 20 feet high and beautifully decorated on the inside and outside. The roof of the dome like room is like a flower. The inside of the roof is decorated with flowers, geometrical patterns and fake windows. The room is about 8 feet by 8 feet.

Shahi Mosque

This small mosque is near the Kabuli gate. It has a prayer chamber and a small courtyard. It is the most decorated of the original buildings of the fort. To be ever ready in case of attack , stairs lead directly from the courtyard of this mosque to the top of Kabuli Gate.

The prayer chamber is 19.2 meter long and 7.3 meter deep. It is divided into 3 equal chambers. There are domes from the inside but from the outside no domes can be seen. There is a small room at the end of these three chambers. this room was for the Pesh Imam(Prayer Leader). This room has a small domed roof from the inside but no outer dome. There is no place for ablution(cleaning up before prayers) in the mosque. This mosque is built into the fortification wall i.e. soldiers walked over the mosques roof. The outer wall of the mosque is the fortification wall itself.

On the outer wall of the mosque are beautiful round designs in which Islamic verses are written in Naqsh script. These verses are surrounded by a Lilly going around the Naqsh script. The Lilly design was later used by Mughals in Tomb of Jahangir, Tomb of Nur Jehan and the Shah Burj Gate in Lahore Fort. The design seems to have been copied from the coins used in that time.

Architectural Style

This fort was built in the Afghan-Persian architectural style. Afghan and Persian Kings had been coming to the Indian subcontinent for at least 5 centuries before the construction of this fort. Before the construction of this fort, the combination of these styles had not been harmonious. Rohtas Fort is the earliest example of the successful mixing of these two styles with the Afghan style being more prominent.

The elements of Hindu Architectures are
1. Balconies on Sohail Gate.
2. Decorations on Shahi Mosque derived from Hindu Architecture.
3. Haveli Man Singh (Pure Hindu Architecture).

The elements of Afghan architecture are
1. Utilitarian Construction.
2. Use of stone instead of bricks in building wall.
3. No Living quarters.
4. Comparatively less decorations.

Rohtas Fort is an outstanding example of early Muslim military architecture in the Indian subcontinent which incorporates features from elsewhere in the Islamic world. It also had a profound influence on the development of architectural styles in the Mughal Empire (and hence on the European colonial architecture that made abundant use of that tradition).

It is also outstanding by virtue of the refinement and high artistic value of its decorative elements, notably its high- and low-relief carvings, its calligraphic inscriptions in marble and sandstone, its plaster decoration, and its glazed tiles. There are no surviving examples of military architecture of this period on the same scale in the sub-continent which survive to the same degree of completeness and conservation. Fatehpur Sikri (India) which is already on the World Heritage List represents the full Mughal realization of a form and style that owes everything to its precursor, Rohtas Fort.

Decorative Features

This fort is an example of purely “Masculine” architecture. It places function over form. This can be gauged from the fact that the fort had NO building for living. Even Kings had to live in tents when they came here.

Carvings are found on the gate and in the mosque. Most of these are engravings in Arabic and sunflowers.

One of these carvings is inside the Shahi Mosque outside the Pesh Imam's (Prayer leaders) room. The carving is of the word "Allah" (God) in Arabic. The same carving is also done on merlons on top of Shahi Mosque.The sunflower motif is on each sides of the arches of Shahi Mosque. It is also present in the guard post in between each gate.

Calligraphic Inscriptions:

Most of these inscriptions are on the Shahi Mosque. On the outer wall of the mosque the “Kalima” is written in beautiful calligraphy on both sides of each arch of the Shahi Mosque. The Naskh script is used.

There is an inscription in Persian on the Shishi gate which gives the date of start of construction. The same inscription is also found over the Talaqi gate. There are other inscriptions on the Khwas Khani, Langar Khani and Gatali gate.

Glazed Tiles:

These tiles are found on Shishi gate. This type of tile became extremely popular with the Mughals who further refined them. The tiles on Shishi gate are the earliest example of the usage of these tiles. These tiles were made in Lahore.

Plaster:

Plaster has been used in the Shahi Mosque.

Machiolations:

Machiolations are small drains that lead from the inside to the walls outside. They are built into the walls and are used by the soldiers on the inside to pour molten lead or other hot liquids on soldiers trying to scale the walls.

The Rohtas fort has hundreds of them and each one is beautifully decorated with geometric patterns.The pictures is of a machiolation near the Langar Khana(Mess Hall).

Visit Rohtas

Rohtas Fort is located in Jhelum District of Punjab near the small town of Dina.The main access to the fort is from G.T road from Islamabad or Lahore. Its a beautiful historical architectural monuments that can be visited and enjoyed. 

Places of Interest

There are number of places inside the fort that can be visited and enjoyed. Specifically these include;

• Sher Shah Suri Museum at Sohail Gate
• Visitor Information Center at Sohail Gate
• Bari Bowli (134 step down stone cut well)
• Haveli Man Singh
• Rani Mehal
• Phansi Ghat
• Shahi Mosque
• Shishi Langar Khani Gate
• Shahi Bowli
• Talaqi Gate

You can sit in the Suri Park for rest or have a meal there.

Hotels & Restaurants

During your travel to and from Rohtas Fort, you will find number of good hotels and restaurants. You can have a stopover at any one and have have a meal or fast food or even refreshment. The good ones are;

Al-Kausar Hotel:

Near town of Dina when driving towards Islamabad

Iqbal Hotel:

Near town of Dina when driving towards Islamabad

Al-Bilal Hotel:

Near town of Dina when driving towards Lahore

Driving Directions

The main access to the fort is by G.T road from Islamabad or Lahore

From Islamabad:

The dual-carriage G.T road takes you past Gujar khan and Sohawa, to the small town of Dina 130Km away. Just past Dina you will drive over a railway overpass, stay to the right of the road and take the first U-turn to drive back towards Dina. After about 100 meters to your left you will find a signpost, which is indicating towards a black toped road leading to Rohtas Fort which is 8 KM away. Drive on the road to enter into the fort from its first gate, Khawas Khani Gate. keep driving when you are reached in parking area near Sohail Gate.

From Lahore:

Drive on G.T Road past Gujranwala, Wazirabad and the city of Jhelum. About 10 minutes drive beyond the Jhelum bridge just short of the city of Dina, you will find a signpost to the left  directing you to Rohtas Fort.

For any assistance or in case of emergency at G.T road, call Highways and Motorways Police help line at 130.

Guidelines for Visitors

Best Time and Atmosphere

The most suitable time to visit the Fort is winter season, September - March. The temperature is normally on a high in summer due to location of the fort in sand stone area.

Visitors Facilities

There is a nominal entry fee you have to pay. A secure car parking is available, toilets for public and an information center to brief and guide the visitors. Cold drinks and fast foods are available on different stalls by local.

General Guidelines

Your dressing should be casual and its advisable to wear sports shoes as you have to walk on stones and dust and clime number of uneven steps of the fort. Carry some fluids and food with you and don't forget to take with you a still or video camera.

Please adhere to the advice of security staff and in case of any problem, contact the local staff or Information Center.