Rohtas Fort

Rohtas Fort has been mostly known on this website for the large number of locals who came out in its support in the reviews, but I never had a clear image of it other than “a large fort”. On the long drive from Lahore to Peshawar via the Grand Trunk Road, I was happy to find that my tour group managed to fit in a comprehensive visit taking 2.5 hours.

First surprise is the town that has developed in its interior – I was expecting some poor people who had taken shelter in here, but this is an average Pakistani town with shops, a school, a mosque, solid houses and people owning cars. People were supposed to be resettled outside of the fort’s walls in 1992, but that never materialized and the town looks very permanent. This was already somewhat foreseen upon inscription, as on the official map the populated areas form a buffer zone within the core zone.

The places of interest for a tourist lie at the fringes of that town, close to the walls. As the place is huge, we went by bus to the first area in the South. Here lies the Sohail gate, the prettiest of the remaining exterior gates. Nearby lies the largest stepwell, with 148 steps and three impressive arches. Elephants and horses also could drink here. (photo bottom left)

We then went on to the archaeological area where we had to pay the entrance fee (500rs), got a local …

In December 2017, I set out on the Grand Trunk Road from Lahore to Islamabad, where, after around four hours, we reached the much-improved turn off to the sixteenth-century Rohtas Fort. From what I was told, the fort receives very few western tourists; in fact, I was the only overseas tourist during my visit, so I was assigned a personal security detail. I’m not sure a guard was necessary, though, since all of the locals who approached me were only after a group photo with the foreign intruder.

Went to Rohtas last Saturday (Sept. 26, 2015), which was the second day of Eid-al-Azha.

A very different experience from the last reviewer, who went on Ashura a couple years ago.

As for the fort itsself, you can find a pictures all over the web, so I'll describe more of the personal experience here.

First off, there were no police or any restrictions. Eid is a happy holiday whereas Ashura is not, and there were throngs of people in good moods. It seems all the young ladies were home cooking (it was the second day of the Thanksgiving-like Eid, after all), and the ratio of men:women was seriously skewed ~ probably 10:1. There were some families with children (including us), but primarily the other visitors on this day were young men in groups of two or three. As a female blonde Caucasian in Western clothes, there were a couple comments in Urdu (ignored) only one request for a selfie (declined) and so no problem in the harassment department given the attitudes of many non-metropolitan Pakistani young men. There were a couple of agressive young (female) beggars (also declined/ignored)that were more annoying.

We happily overpaid (it was Eid, our kids run all over) a guide Rps. 500 ($5) to show us around and explain the Fort for a couple hours. Normally you should pay the guide ~Rps. 100/hr. ($1/hr.), regardless of how many in your group. The freindly and helpful guide had passable English and passable knowledge of the fort.

The …

Based on the number of reviews it has received (this is the 86th!!), Rohtas would appear to be a remarkable place. However, almost all of them are from locals or the Pakistani diaspora, and phrases like “one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen” lead one to wonder about either the judgement or the objectivity of the reviewer! It would have been nice to have made a full visit to the fort to test such statements based on a wider knowledge of WHS around the World. Unfortunately, because of security concerns, the Pakistani Police only allowed us a truncated visit so our assessment must be somewhat limited!

Rohtas is situated a few kms off the modern Grand Trunk Road (though right next to the original one) around 100kms from Rawlapindi/Islamabad and 200kms from Lahore. It is thus well situated for tourism from these major population centres and the nearby city of Jehlum appeared to be something of a boom town for economic development – in Pakistani terms anyway. As we approached it, the large numbers of people and vehicles going our way suggested that something “special” was occurring and even before we reached the gate we had to argue our way past the police. It turned out that an Ashura procession was going to take place in the village within the fort. Shiites mark the day with processions of mourning in which they re-enact the battle of Karbala (in Iraq) in which Hussein, considered by …

I am from Rohtas itself. We are very fortunate to have such a unique historical place as part of our Muslim heritage. Its architecture, planning, and shear size is amazing. One cannot comprehend how some 600 years ago when there was not any modern machinery in use, how Sher Shah's architects used their skills to build such a large fort on the edge of sharp hills with their high, thick walls. How did they carve out the Bawli, build the Sohail Gate, Shishi Gate and others? I encourage all readers to visit the place and appreciate its grandeur. I assure you will fall in love with the place.

Despite its positives, it has some negatives. Can we make a similar fort in today's age and at what cost? Obviously no.

This begs the question, what has the government done to preserve this National Heritage? It's no use repairing and patching up small pieces of the Fort with the help of NGO's instead of putting its own resources in use. What about repairing it in totality and maintaining it? The government with the assistance of UNESCO, international donors, should repair it and encourage tourism to the site. it should build and provide facilities for visitors including public conveniences, a rest house, parks, cafes, a good and reasonably priced restaurant, tourist information office and reading room?

AOA

My name is Yasir. I am working as trainer in Pakistan Telecom Company Limited (PTCL) in Islamabad. I have been visiting Jehlum for giving training to the PTCL workers (13 days) with my friend Farrukh Bashir.We visited Rohtas Fort today (28 march 20120. I rapidly fell in love by seeing it outside. It is an amazing place to visit; a glory of our past. The most amazing thing of the fort is its choice of place (who constructed the fort). It could be made on Tarakki Mountains for its high elevation. But considering the southern high dark stony edge (for defensive/safety) and Western River (for drinking, living water for man + animals) make sense. We were wondered how this fort would be build in this uneven and rocky surface. This place is watch worthy.

I visited this fort first time, i was very much amused to see this because it is a wonderfull building. To see this bueatiful fort it can be imagine that how much efforts were made to built this huge FORT.

It is really an ASSEST for the country.

One thing which was found very special for me that is a DEEP WELL in the fort which can be seen at bottom by 139 steps downward n it gives an idea that how much effort were put to dig that WELL. If you visit there then please dont run on the steps while comming up.

I am delighted to see so many friends from Rohtas. My story is not an exception. I also belong to Rohtas, though I have never lived in. My father was born there and completed his education from Rohtas.

Since childhood my father took us to Rohtas and showed his old school, madrissah and living place. Its a very special place for me. Now I am abroad but the most I miss here is Rohtas fort's pleasant & fresh breese. One certainly feels his soul been taken to some other era of peace where the time has its own pace.

I would like to focus everyones attention to the environmental issue which created due to the large number of visitors. Now you can see shopping bags, pet bottles and other wastes everywhere. The visitors and the management authorities must take responsibility to keep the nature clean.

Since my childhood i had loved the Rohtas Fort and always longed to visit it.i collected many things about it and knew each and every part of the fort. when i became a school teacher i was to take the students for a trip. i decided to take them to Rohtas Fort. i felt as if i had traveled in the glorious past the moment the bus entered the beautiful fort. the stairs and rooms made me wish that had i been there and drank water from the baoli. but its deteriorating condition saddenede me. but when i heard that it is being renovated i was delighted. i wish that it is preserved properly and people start loving going there for visit. i wish i can go there again.

It was in the early 1990's when I went to Rohtas Fort. I found it an enriching experience and it is this place that triggered my passion to study ancient cultures. Rohtas Fort is a huge architecture wonder with secret open windows that look out onto a water way. I was very fond of the curved windows, and the way the wild grass flows together with the brick constructions. I would indeed recommend that you see this Fort. And I am very glad that UNESCO has acknowledged the importance of this site.

I Live in a village "Said Hussain" very close to Rohtas fort. For me this fort is the most trust worthy friend. I am visiting this fort since my childhood. If anyone wants to see the most beautiful sun set on earth, just have a visit to Rohtas fort in the evening. Sit at the top of "Shair Pinjra". In front of you will be the "Ghan" and the settling sun.

I have seen the time when there were decorative strids in "Rani's Mehal". The western side was not as much destructed as it is now. In Recent years Govt.has started a programme to preserve the Rohtas fort. But its too late. This exercise should have been planned decades before. Presently aome tream of experts is trying to re-develop the destroyed parts. I Must say that their efforts are appriciable. They are trying to keep the original building structure.

The western portion which is very beautiful and is getting rapidly demaged needs an immediate attention.

Road and the bridge now invite lots of people to visit Rohtas fort. I suggest that funds generated from visitors fees must be honestly spent on rehabilitation of the fort.

There are beautiful landscape views when you are going to Rohtas by Road. Just have a stay over the top of Village "Rehana" and the senic beauty arround will capture you.

If some one like to have an adventureous vist then prefer to go by the Offroad track.You will be travelling through the "Nala Teen …

i visited the great Rohtas Fort in july 2004 and found it to be an awesome awe-inspiring place. The breathtaking views of red sunset over the kahan is a view one can charish for life.

The fort is a prelude to the builders and architects of the time it was built. An individual can read and hear as much he/she about the great Rohtas fort. However it is only when one actually visits the fort that the magnitude and splandor of the place is felt, and it is such a great feeling.

A must for all Jhelumee families on a visit to Pakistan to take their children to the Great Rotas Fort and introduce them to the rich and sometime forgotten and under valued Pakistan heritage.

I am from Village Khukha, which is a couple of miles north Of Rohtas. On a clear day I can see the ramparts from my house and the site is stupendous. I highly recommend you to come and see it for your self. In my view no other fort in the world comes near to the shear size and scale of this place. The Govt. of Pakistan, with international assistance, should make greater efforts to preserve the site and encourage visitors, especially from abroad.

I took a a one day tour from Islamabad for the Mangla area. The first stop was the Rohtas Fort. The road to Rohtas is excellent, and the a new bridge had been built. The site is awesome. Every quater there is a sound and light show, that gives the history of Sher Shah Suri. A must see when taking the Manla tour.

The Mangla Fort is another good sight. Captured from the Indians at partition, one is amazed how this could be done considering the fortication. The view and the scene of the the sorrounding area is breathtaking.

Water sport is provided. This consists of: use of the facilities,a boat ride, fishing ( licence and tackle provided), use of the one man and two man kayaks,and sailing. All this for a cost of Rs 500 approax. -- 10 US dollars. On payment para sailing,water skiing and speed boat rides are available for a minor cost.

I am a student of Muhammad Ali Jinnah University.I visited Rohtas as a part of my project with my class(MBA).Its a place worth visiting, the style of architecture, planning, giant walls, well, tombs,etc., are very interesting. We can't imagine that such a big construction can be done manually and in such a short time (8 years). We also saw work under process and there we got some idea, it was amazing, the skills of the locals are beyond imagination. We spent a whole day visiting the fort still we could not see only 60% of it, still we enjoyed alot. It was a memorable day. What we heard about Sher Shah Suri, was proved. We have been useing the GT Road(Grand Trunk Road) also built by him but we saw his taste of construction, it was great. I recomend that if you visit Pakistan try to visit Rohtas and Lahore fort I can asure you will enjoy a lot.

Thanks. Take care.

It has been exactly 20yrs since I last saw Rohtas Fort. I was very young at the time and was completley amazed when I saw this historic sight. It was a lovely sunny day. I was staying with my mothers sister at the time in a near by village, and my cousins took me to see the fort. They were very well informed and were able to explain the history behind the fort to me. Some of the fort did seem somewhat spooky, with out a doubt it actually takes you back in to history. I would suggest that anyone who goes to Pakistan must visit this historic sight. Choose a day when the skys are clear, take with you plenty of water and wear some sensible shoes as there is a lot of walking, and also take a bottle of sun block if needed. You will enjoy and will want to go back, just like I do.