In the footsteps of Rajas: A journey through the soul of Potohar

[ghazi52]

In the footsteps of Rajas: A journey through the soul of Potohar
FAROOQ SOOMRO

The scenic landscape makes driving through Potohar a memorable experience.


"Are you sure there is something worth visiting in this direction?" he asks.

"Does it matter if the road remains as scenic?" I reply, my eyes fixed on an old banyan tree in the distance.

Potohar — The land of ancient relics

Soon I arrive in the Potohar region; the first landmark on our agenda is the temple in Malot. We turn left from Kalar Kahar Exchange on the motorway and take the road to Choa Saidan Shah.

The vast plateau has rather sporadic pockets of population, which have possibly helped it retain some of its natural and architectural wonders.

The industrialisation, however, has taken its toll on its resources, with the drop in Katas water levels a well-documented piece of evidence, proving how human greed can destroy our ancestors' legacy.

We almost miss the link road connecting the village of Malot with the main Choa Saidan Shah road, as the signboard is installed on the wrong side of the road.

An old banyan tree standing by the side of a pond is not an unusual sight in Potohar.


We see a few people walking by the road and, to be absolutely sure, we halt to confirm the directions.

They ask us for a lift to a factory en-route instead. They tell us that they are recent graduates appearing in an entry test at the factory and are already running late. Local transportation is infrequent in the area so we take them along.

Adil is very happy to find people to talk to. Soon he gets their complete bio-datas. The graduates tell him that they are from Rawalpindi, but are ready to move to the factory if they find a decent job.

We drop them off in front of the cement factory and wish them good luck.

The Temples of Malot

Malot was a walled hamlet back in the day. Raja Mal Khan — a convert prince (son of Janjua King Raja Dhrupet Dev) — was an ambitious ruler who secured neighbouring areas after his succession and made Malot his capital.

He ordered the construction of a fort around the village, which remained at the centre of power for the Janjua dynasty for centuries to come.

But today the only site worth visiting from the heydays of Malot are the temples on top of a hill near the village.

After stopping at multiple places to confirm the route, we finally reach sleepy Malot. The road goes through the heart of the village, with houses on the left and a pond with an old banyan tree standing on the right.

I see a lot of families waiting for public transport. Finally, we spot two towers on the top of a hill, just a few hundred metres out of the village.

The road gets narrower and is surrounded by thorny shrubs. Adil makes a face as they leaves marks on the exterior of his car. I am too excited by the otherworldly scene to notice his protest.

When there is no way further for the car, I take a walk, making my way through the shrubs.

The temples in Malot are in dire need of repairs

The temples in Malot are built using red sandstone and follow Kashmiri traditions.


The Malot Temple, along with many others in the area, is heavily influenced by Kashmiri traditions in architecture, and bears striking similarities to iconic temples in Kashmir.

The temple was constructed using red sandstone and still retains its royal look despite the ravages of time and neglect. The striking feature of the facade is its circular pillars, and the height of the arches, which gives visitors standing at ground level a feel of grandeur.

The temples do not have any idols or shivlings inside now.


The inside chamber is devoid of any embellishments now but there are signs of a fire lit recently — most probably by some gypsies as the temple does not seem to attract any visitors apart from a wandering herd or two.

The building was last used by Sikhs as a watch tower during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Katas Raj

The emerald pond at Katas has a mystical aura around it, serving as a perfect refuge for hermits seeking salvation.

Over the centuries, it has attracted pagans, Buddhists and Hindus alike, giving way to legends and a host of worshipping places.

According to one popular legend, upon the demise of his beloved Sati, Lord Shiva grieved so much that his tears formed two pools; one in Katas and the other in Pushkara in Ajmer.

Hence, the holy pond is revered by the followers of Shiva, believing it to have healing powers.

Over the centuries, buildings have been added around the pond.

Temples were vandalised and frescoes scratched away and now they are far from their former glory.


On a bright day, I only find a few kids lazing around the mystical pond. The site attracts occasional visitors during regular days but overflows with pilgrims during the Maha Shivratri festival.

They perform their rituals in temples and bathe in the pond, seeking salvation.

On a regular day in Katas, one will find only occasional visitors.


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[ghazi52]

The main temple inside the complex is known as Kala Mandir because of the dark lichens which have grown over time. Other temples were added from the 6th to the 11th century.

Much like the temples in Malot, they also follow the precedence set by Kashmiri artisans. Other temples and havelis were added as late as Ranjit Singh’s reign over the region.

Entrance to Hanuman Temple from the youth hostel side.

But today, they are shadows of their former glory. The place was abandoned after partition; the temples were vandalised, leaving defaced empty rooms.

The weary wrath of time tarnished their once lavish walls. It was only in 80s that pilgrims were allowed to visit the site. The buildings were renovated which continues in bits and pieces even today.

Many quarters have been added around Katas but somehow they integrate well with the entire building complex

The buildings around Katas. The plinth of a stupa is still visible and is believed to be the oldest building in the compound.


Kusak Fort

We are driving around Choa Saidan Shah but have little luck in finding our way to Kusak fort. Finally we trust a passerby’s direction and take a winding road through the barren landscape.

Also read: Gulyana — Punjab’s crumbling 900-year-old village

We don’t see a settlement for the longest time and Adil suggests that we drive back. I see some people under a banyan tree and ask him to confirm the directions from them.

To his disappointment, they tell us to follow the road for a few more kilometres.

Fortunately, the road to Kusak is breathtaking.
Kusak fort was built by Raja Jodh — the son of Raja Mal Khan — in the 11th century and had standard amenities of a fort, including a palace, ponds, houses and temples.

But it is the peculiar and picturesque location of the fort which makes it a site worth visiting — on top of a standalone rock; and much like the Sigriya fortin Sri Lanka, it towers.

Rising thousands of feet from the ground, it is disjointed from the rest of the hillocks, and is visible from a distance.

Unsure of my way up, I try to find a shepherd's trail to the top.

A standalone rock is visible from a distance and is similar to the world-famous Sigriya rock in Sri Lanka.


The only way up is through a steep incline, making it easier for the inside army to defend it.

The fort was besieged by Firoz Shah Khilji and later by Ranjit Singh, the latter striking massive blows to the Janjua Empire who abandoned it after reaching a truce with Sikhs. The fort is still in the possession of the successors of the then-ruling family.

Surprisingly, the fortification wall is still in good condition.

Kusak village — much like Malot — has a pond, surrounded by old banyan trees. There are houses going all the way to the base of the rock.

I hesitate first, thinking to ask for permission but I don’t see a soul. Adil excuses, saying he has to take care of the car, so I start making my way to the top alone.

Luckily, there are traces of tracks, most probably of shepherds. As I get closer to the top, I can make sense of the fortification wall which appears in decent condition. There is a small opening on one end, and I see two goats looking at me curiously.
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[ghazi52]

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My companions along the way to the top

There is not much inside the fortification apart from the remains of houses and a pond. I make my way through the shrubs to the top of the fort where the building of possibly a temple still stands firm. The view from the top is breathtaking.

I make my way to the temple at the top with the goats in tow.

A view of Kusak village from the top of Kusak fort.


On one end, I can see Kusak Village and beyond, and on the rest of the sides, the vast emptiness. The sporadic greenery, blending together with the red limestone ground, looks surreal.

There is no one around to share my triumphant emotions with — save for the goats.

The view from Kusak Fort is breathtaking looking into vast emptiness.

The temple at the top is the only building which has survived inside Kusak fort.

I bid farewell to Kusak and the adventure which left me yearning for more in Potohar.


Rawat Fort

Rawat fort falls conveniently on the left side of GT road on our way back to Islamabad. The rather small size of Rawat fort suggests that it must have served as a fortified inn before it became a regular fortress. The construction of the fort is attributed to Sultan Masood — the son of Mahmud Ghaznavi.

The mausoleum inside Rawat fort.


It was built in the 10th century and has seen many modifications done to its layout and area. The fort came into Gakhar possession sometime during the 15th century and is where Sarang Khan, the then chieftain of Gakhar clan, fought Sher Shah Suri.

He was defeated and killed in the battle along with numerous Gakhars. The mausoleum in the heart of Rawat fort is attributed to him.

The inside view of Rawat Fort.
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[ghazi52]

Today, Rawat fort is sorrounded by houses from all sides.

Today, the Rawat Fort is surrounded by residential quarters on all sides. A congested living space around it makes it an attractive place for children and elders to hang out.

As I enter the gate, I see children playing cricket in the open area. I walk slowly to the mausoleum and find that it is being renovated. It is perhaps lunch break and I find a lonely worker relaxing in a wheelbarrow.

Rawat provides neighbourhood kids a recreational space now.
There is an active mosque on one end of the fort which also seems to be a gathering place for the elderly people of the area.

There are some unidentified graves in the middle of the fort and some people attribute it to Gakhars who were killed in the battle against Sher Shah Suri.

I check my notes; there is still an unattended agenda on them but there’s hardly any sunlight left. Adil is exhausted too and looks at me expectantly, it is perhaps time to return.

I look at the crimson glow left by the setting sun on scattered clouds and hillocks in the distance and realise, I got what I came for.


Farooq Soomro is a quintessential Karachi denizen who likes to document life (or the lack of it) in Karachi and elsewhere.

 

[ssethii]

Being born in this region I feel sorry for not knowing much about it's history.

 

[Proudpakistaniguy]

Great history of Photohar region . You should have posted this in history section

Sangni Fort

The region of Potohar remained under the control of different rulers from Ghakhars, Dogras to Mughals, Sikhs and the British. The remnants of these periods can be seen in different areas of Potohar. The Sangni Fort in Gujar Khan is one of them and it is located at a strategic point on the border of Punjab and Kashmir. It is assumed that the fort was built by the Dogras of Kashmir and later turned into a garrison by the Sikh rulers of the Potohar region. Today, it is considered as a landmark of the Mughal and Sikh period. The fort is located near the Bewal union council of Gujar Khan, about 25km off the G.T. Road. It is located on a hilltop at the junction of two small rivers. Historical references are unable to exactly name the ruler who built the fort but it is assumed that the fort was built during the era of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The fort was also used to keep prisoners during the Sikh rule. It has four thick pillar-shaped corners, a typical style of the garrison fort. Despite some cracks in the outer walls, the fort still stands strong even after over 200 years.

The total area of the fort is about 36 square yards. The fort also houses the remains of a saint, Sahibzada Abdul Hakim, whose shrine is situated on the left side with a mosque on the right at the centre of the courtyard. It is said that Sahibzada Abdul Hakim used to offer prayers on the hill where the fort now stands. He was asked to leave the place by the rulers before the construction of the fort. The saint moved to the nearby village of Chakrali and was buried there after his death. Later, however, the remains of the saint were exhumed and buried inside the fort in early 1900s. The shrine was constructed in 1993 and since then it is being managed by the devotees. Despite the fact that the fort is a reminder of the bygone period and is located in a picturesque area, successive governments have ignored its preservation. People of the area are of the view that the fort should be preserved and highlighted as a tourist spot.

View of the northern side of Sangni Fort which covers an area of almost 36 square yards.

Shrine of saint Sahibzada Abdul Hakim built in 1993. It has four minarets and a central dome - typical of Muslim architecture.

The inner view of Sangni Fort. The courtyard is well maintained by the devotees.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2014

Rohtas Fort:

Rohtas Fort is located in the province of Punjab and near the city Jehlum. The construction of this fort was started in 1541 on the orders of Afghan King Sher Shah Suri. The reasons of building this fort was to block the return of Emperor Humayon to India who was defeated in the Battle of Kanaju by Sher Shah Suri. Another reason of this fort construction was that Sher Shah Suri was scarred of local tribes of the region called Gakhar and to suppress them and make himself save he constructed the fort. The construction was done under the supervision of Todar Mal Khatri.



Rohtas Fort is a massive and gigantic fort that has twelve gates and each of them is built in ashlar stone. Name of the gates are; Sohail Gate, Shah Chandwali Gate, Kabuli Gate, Shishi Gate, Langar Khani Gate, Talaqi Gate, Mori or Kshmiri Gate, Khwas Khani Gate, Gatali Gate, Tulla Mori Gate, Pipawala Gate and Sar Gate.



Rawat Fort:

Rawat Fort is 17 kilometer in the east of Rawalpindi on GT Road and is located in the Pothohar. This fort has two gates and is in the square form. The fort was built in the 16 century by a tribe of Pothohar known as Gakhar because of a battle that was fought between Gakhar chief Sultan Sarang Khan and Afghan King Sher Shah Suri in 1546 AD.



A mosque was also built in the fort that is made up in the form of three big domed rooms. With a dome, there is also a quadrangular building. There are some additional small rooms along the wall. There are many graves in the center of the fort and among them there is a tomb of Sultan Sarang Khan. There are also the graves of his sixteen sons who died there fighting.



Mankiala Stupa is few kilometers away from the site and it can be seen from the roof of the mosque. It is a Gandhara era stupa and according to some legends this was the place where Buddha cut some of the his body part to feed seven hungry cubs. The stupa was built in the memory of his sacrifice.

 

[[Bregs]]

marvelous shared dear, such centuries old temples and forts must be preserved for future generation, they can also be developed as tourism industry