Known as a popular historical attraction in the vast Cholistan Desert, Derawar Fort is an intriguing remnant of the region’s rich past. Standing tall in the wilderness of the desert, the magnificent architecture of Derawar Fort speaks volumes about history, dating back to the 9th century AD. So, let’s explore some incredible facts about this historical citadel found in lower Punjab, in one of the largest deserts of Pakistan.
Location of Derawar Fort
Derawar Fort is at a distance of around 130 kilometres away from Bahawalpur, a very famous city of Punjab. The fort can be directly accessed from Ahmedpur-Derawar Fort Road. One of the key highlights of the fort’s location is that it stands right next to a dry river bed, which is home to hundreds of other archeological sites, the mysterious remains of the Indus Valley Civilization. The whole area around the Derawar Fort was well watered by an ancient river, which has now completely dried off. Popular ancient landmarks nearby include Abbasi Mosque and a famous graveyard is also located in proximity to Derawar Fort, which is believed to have graves of the companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Architecture
With bastions stretching across miles within the heart of Cholistan Desert, Derawar Fort in the Cholistan Desert features a very interesting architecture that makes it a standout attraction in the region. The walls of the fort have 1500 metres of the circumference and stand 30 metres high. By taking a closer look at the fort, you can clearly see the artistic carvings at different spots on the outer and inner structure of the building. However, the time has taken a toll on the building of the fort but it still looks as magnificent as it would have looked in its early days. Take a look at the above picture again.
History
According to the historical records, the foundation stone of Derawar fort was laid around 800 years ago. However, it was conquered and completely rebuilt by the Nawabs of Bahawalpur in 1733 AD. Just after a few years, the Nawab of Bahawalpur lost control over the fort due to regional turmoil. However, in the nineteenth century they recaptured the fort and maintained their stronghold in the area for a long time. During the entire reign of the Nawabs of Bahawalpur, the fort was maintained from time to time and was in its best shape. As we have already mentioned, Abbasi Masjid, which is in proximity to Derawar Fort, is one of the key remnants of the golden reign of the Nawabs of Bahawalpur in the region of the Cholistan Desert, lower Punjab.
Other Historical Sites Near Bahawalpur To Visit with Family
Since the entire region of the lower Punjab remained under the rule of different reigns and empires, you will spot many historical sites in the peripheries of Bahawalpur. Some of the sites that are worth mentioning in this regard include Noor Mahal, Farrukh Mahal and Nishat Mahal. However, at a distance of around a hundred kilometers is Multan, which is also a hub of historical places. As a part of a bigger campaign to promote tourism in Pakistan, the provincial government has announced the restoration and renovation of some key historical attraction in Multan, which is also known as the “City of Saints”. The walled city of Multan is an incredible reflection of the city’s rich past and is marked by historical gates, which stands to date.
This brings us to the end of our overview of Derawar Fort in the Cholistan Desert, which is one of the most famous historical forts in Pakistan. We hope you enjoyed reading it. Don’t forget to leave us your feedback at blog@zameen.com.
Get to know why Pakistan has been ranked as a top tourist destination for 2020 by reading this blog and feel proud of your beloved homeland. Also, if you don’t know, Pakistan is home to some incredible tourist attractions, which haven’t been explored yet. From breathtaking hill stations to wondrous coastlines, Pakistan is a land of immense natural beauty. Having different customs and traditions, every region of the country has a charm of its own, which adds to the diversity of the culture of our homeland. Kalash Winter Festival is one of the finest examples in this regard. The Kalash are amazing people who are following the traditions of their ancestors for thousands of years.
For more interesting updates about lifestyle and tourism in Pakistan, keep following Zameen Blog, Pakistan’s best lifestyle and travel blog. Don’t miss out on any of the latest updates from our blog section by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.
