Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) has started working on the plan and modalities for conservation of the famous archaeological site ‘Rawat Fort’, located in the Pothohar region.
According to the official source in DOAM, the Rawat Fort was in dilapidated condition for the last several years and needed urgent attention of the authorities for its preservation.
“Rawat Fort was protected by the federal government and the DOAM was working on PC-I for conservation of this forgotten relic and will soon submit it to the authorities for approval”, the source added.
Rawat Fort is located in Pothohar region of Pakistan. The fort was built in early 16th century by Gakhars, a designated warrior clan raised by local tribes to defend the Pothohar plateau.
The grave of the Gakkar chief Sultan Sarang Khan is present within the fort. It is located 17 kilometres east of Rawalpindi on Grand Trunk Road.
The fort was the scene of a battle between the Gakhar chief Sultan Sarang and Afghan king Sher Shah Suri in 1546 AD. It is almost in square form and has two gates. The fort also contains a mosque made up of three big dome shaped rooms. There is also a quadrangular building with a dome.
Along the wall, there are additional small rooms. In the centre of the fort there are many graves and among them is the tomb of Sultan Sarang Khan. His 16 sons, who died there fighting, are also buried inside the fort.