Islamabad, June 3: An ancient fort linked to the Hindu royal era in Pakistan is deteriorating rapidly. Neglect, encroachment, and environmental damage are transforming this significant heritage site into ruins, despite its protection under Pakistan’s 1975 Ancient Monuments Preservation Act.
According to a report by Saudi Arabia’s English daily Arab News, the fort is located about 40 kilometers from Islamabad, nestled in a rugged plateau surrounded by the Soan River and the Pothohar region’s hills. Historically, it served as a strategic outpost to secure major routes in the Indian subcontinent.
Historians believe the fort’s original structure dates back to the Hindu royal period, later expanded by the Gakhars between the 10th and 15th centuries. It is regarded as one of the region’s most significant historical treasures.
The report indicates that shrubs and vegetation have overgrown the fort’s walls and entrances. Animals roam among the ruins, while plastic waste and signs of human activity litter the area. Some locals have even begun small-scale farming near the fort’s outer walls.
Abdul Ghafoor Lone, Deputy Director of Pakistan’s Archaeology Department, stated that climate change and natural factors are continuously weakening the structure. He noted that during a survey in 2023, it took nearly a year just to remove the vegetation from the walls.
According to Lone, approximately 20 to 30 percent of the fort’s structure is already damaged. He warned that if conservation and repair efforts are delayed further, the damage could escalate rapidly.
Currently, around 25 families reside in and around the fort, including members of the Gakhar community. They claim a connection to the historic tribe that once expanded the fort.
Local resident Subhan Qiyani, 27, expressed that the fort symbolizes their identity and heritage. He mentioned the lack of schools, hospitals, and proper road facilities in the area. The absence of a permanent bridge over the Soan River poses significant challenges for the residents.
Pakistani officials have warned that if restoration and conservation efforts do not commence soon, this vital historical heritage could be lost forever.
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