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Ramkot Fort: The crumbling giant of Azad Kashmir
AOWN ALI
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Muslim rulers of Kashmir built numerous forts, one of which is the Ramkot Fort, now surrounded by the water of the Mangla Lake.
The fort is located on the confluence of Rivers Jhelum and Poonch, on a vertical cliff looking over the shiny blue waters. Due to its peculiar architecture, the Ramkot Fort is distinct amongst fortresses built in the Kashmir region. Identical to the architectural characteristics of the Mangla and Muzaffarabad Forts, Ramkot was very likely built in the same period.
To approach the fort, you have to take a boat from the water sports club at the Mangla Dam, which, after an almost 10-minute ride, would reach the northern extremity of the reservoir. Here, you will find a gigantic fort structure located on the summit of the hill.
A short but steep climb uphill takes you to the fort. This tricky location must have been a strategic plus point for this fort in the past, but these days, it has become the reason for its isolation and wilderness; unlike other spots at the Mangla Lake, few tourists choose to head over this way, quite possibly due to its distance and tough terrain.
A short, rough climb leads to the fort.
Due to its peculiar architecture, Ramkot Fort is distinct in fortresses built in Kashmir region.
Even the governments, neither the Azad Jammu Kashmir government or the federal government (which operates the Mangla Dam) seem to be taking any interest in the restoration and development of this heritage.
Although most of the fort lies in ruins, signs pointing to its past life and grandeur are still alive.
For example, the gateway, which is strategically designed with firing sits on every angle. It is the only entry/exit point into the fortified area. Ramps run from the ground floor to the parapet, which were obviously used to bring artillery in position.
About the water tanks, historians are not sure why such a relatively small fortress used such large tanks.
Although the fort is ruined, there are marks of its past grandeur, for example, the gateway which is strategically designed with firing sits on every angle.
The ramps and crenellations for cannons are alterations of the time when Dogra of Kashmir held this fort in 19th century.
The ramps from the ground floor to the parapet were used to bring artillery in position.
The 1841 Arrow Smith map of Kashmir makes no mention of Ramkot Fort.
The fort had lain neglected till the late '90s, when Dr Anis ur Rehman, head of the Islamabad-based NGO Himalayan Wildlife Foundation, first came across Ramkot on a fishing trip to Mangla. Dr Anis ur Rehman told me that the day he first entered this fort, it was entirely ruined and inaccessible, and piles of mud and thick vegetation had taken over every inch of the fort.
Being identical to the architectural characteristics of Mangla and Muzaffarabad Forts, Ramkot was very likely built in the second half of 16th century.
Narrow loopholes for musketry are alterations of the time when Dogra Maharaja of Kashmir held this fort in 19th century.
AOWN ALI
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Muslim rulers of Kashmir built numerous forts, one of which is the Ramkot Fort, now surrounded by the water of the Mangla Lake.
The fort is located on the confluence of Rivers Jhelum and Poonch, on a vertical cliff looking over the shiny blue waters. Due to its peculiar architecture, the Ramkot Fort is distinct amongst fortresses built in the Kashmir region. Identical to the architectural characteristics of the Mangla and Muzaffarabad Forts, Ramkot was very likely built in the same period.
To approach the fort, you have to take a boat from the water sports club at the Mangla Dam, which, after an almost 10-minute ride, would reach the northern extremity of the reservoir. Here, you will find a gigantic fort structure located on the summit of the hill.
A short but steep climb uphill takes you to the fort. This tricky location must have been a strategic plus point for this fort in the past, but these days, it has become the reason for its isolation and wilderness; unlike other spots at the Mangla Lake, few tourists choose to head over this way, quite possibly due to its distance and tough terrain.
A short, rough climb leads to the fort.
Due to its peculiar architecture, Ramkot Fort is distinct in fortresses built in Kashmir region.
Even the governments, neither the Azad Jammu Kashmir government or the federal government (which operates the Mangla Dam) seem to be taking any interest in the restoration and development of this heritage.
Although most of the fort lies in ruins, signs pointing to its past life and grandeur are still alive.
For example, the gateway, which is strategically designed with firing sits on every angle. It is the only entry/exit point into the fortified area. Ramps run from the ground floor to the parapet, which were obviously used to bring artillery in position.
About the water tanks, historians are not sure why such a relatively small fortress used such large tanks.
Although the fort is ruined, there are marks of its past grandeur, for example, the gateway which is strategically designed with firing sits on every angle.
The ramps and crenellations for cannons are alterations of the time when Dogra of Kashmir held this fort in 19th century.
The ramps from the ground floor to the parapet were used to bring artillery in position.
The 1841 Arrow Smith map of Kashmir makes no mention of Ramkot Fort.
The fort had lain neglected till the late '90s, when Dr Anis ur Rehman, head of the Islamabad-based NGO Himalayan Wildlife Foundation, first came across Ramkot on a fishing trip to Mangla. Dr Anis ur Rehman told me that the day he first entered this fort, it was entirely ruined and inaccessible, and piles of mud and thick vegetation had taken over every inch of the fort.
Being identical to the architectural characteristics of Mangla and Muzaffarabad Forts, Ramkot was very likely built in the second half of 16th century.
Narrow loopholes for musketry are alterations of the time when Dogra Maharaja of Kashmir held this fort in 19th century.