Rohtas Fort, Military fort in Jhelum District, Pakistan
Rohtas Fort is a military structure in Jhelum District, Pakistan, covering roughly 70 hectares of hilly terrain. Twelve massive gateways and several watchtowers punctuate the perimeter walls, which vary in height from 10 to 18 meters (33 to 59 feet).
Sher Shah Suri commissioned the construction in 1541 to control the northern route and block Mughal emperor Humayun from reclaiming Indian territory. Later rulers occasionally used the site as an administrative base and armory before it lost its strategic role in the 19th century.
The name means Fort of Rohtas, though no village with this exact spelling exists nearby, suggesting the title refers to an earlier settlement or a symbolic connection to power. Local communities still use the grounds for seasonal gatherings, treating certain gates as meeting points that link past and present.
A visitor center at Kabuli Gate offers information and guided tours through the complex, which requires sturdy shoes and plenty of water due to its sloping location. Paths between the gates are mostly unpaved and cover uneven ground, so plan several hours to explore the site properly.
The central water reservoir with 148 steps and three arches supplied the entire complex through a network of smaller wells. The rim of the basin still shows grooves that likely served to secure ropes during water transport.
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