Pakistan has inherited a wide array of heritage sites, six of which have been inscribed on the list of “World Heritage Sites”. Other than those six heritage sites, Pakistan have a lot more sites which are considerable for the tourists and cultural heritage. Some small sites are not known to many people but still these have a history behind. One of the small sites is located 17 km east of RAWALPINDI, on the Grand Trunk (G.T) Road leading to Lahore. The site is named as “RAWAT Fort”.
RAWAT Fort was built by GAKKHARS, a fiercely independent tribe of the POTOHAR Plateau, in early 16th century. The fort was the scene of a battle between the GAKHAR chief Sultan SARANG KHAN and SHER SHAH SURI in 1546 AD. The grave of GAKKHAR Chief, Sultan SARANG Khan is located inside the fort. He died in 1546 AD fighting against the forces of SHER SHAH SURI. His 16 sons, who died there fighting, are also buried inside the fort.
Grave of Sultan Sarang Khan
RAWAT is a corruption of the Arabic word “Rabat” meaning SERAI. The fort is almost in square form measuring 306 feet 9 inches east-west and 348 feet 9 inches north-south with semi circular bastions on the four corners and has two gates on either sides, east and north.
Mosque in Rawat Fort
On the western side of the fort, is located a mosque made up of three big dome shaped rooms. . The main gate is on the east. Beside the gates and the mosque along the fortification are small cells each measuring 6 feet 9 inches. Originally, there were as many as 76 cells. In the north-west corner is located a massive tomb. The enclosure wall is crowned with merlons (vertical solid parts of a battlement or crenellation) created it the form of pointed arch. The entire construction material is of sandstones with a sprinkling of brunt bricks. . The surface of the mosque, tomb and the gateways was originally treated with LIME-SURKHI plaster in shiny finish, only traces of which exist now. The bricks have been used in arches, domes and stringcourses, which also serve as ornamental element.
MANKIALA STUPA can be seen from the roof of the mosque as it is few kilometers from the fort.
