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Reasons of Construction
Sher Shah constructed Qila Rohtas to block Emperor Humayun return
to India after defeating him in the Battle of Kanauj. This fort
lies on the old GT Road between the North (Afghanistan) to the
Plains of Punjab. It blocked the way from Peshawar to Lahore. The
other reason was to suppress the local tribes of this region
Potohar called Gakhars who were allies of Humayun and refused
their allegiance to Sher Shah Suri.
Location
Qila Rohtas is situated in a gorge approximately 16 KM NW of
Jhelum. It was constructed on a hillock where the tiny Kahan river
turns east towards Tilla Jogian Range.
Overview of Construction
Qila Rohtas is a garrison fort and could old a force of up to
30,000 men. Due to its location, massive walls, trap gates and 3
Baolis (stepped wells) it could withstand a major siege although
it was never besieged.
The fort is irregular in shape and follows the contours of the
hill it was constructed on. The fort is approximately 4 KM in
circumference. A 533 meter long wall divides the citadel (for the
Chieftain) from other parts of the fort. |
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The fortification has 68 bastions (towers) at irregular intervals.
Out of the 3 Baolis, one of them is in the citadel and the rest
are in the other parts of the fort. One of the Gates (Langar
Khani) opens into the citadel and is a trap gate because it is in
the direct line of fire of the bastions.
The Khwas Khani gate is an example of double walling. A small
enclave on the western side is a citadel within a citadel. It is
accessible by only one gate and also had a very fine Baoli which
suggests that it was meant for the Chief and his family. In this
citadel there is a beautiful Masque called the Shahi Mosque (Not
to be confused with the one in Lahore). There are no palaces in
the Fort except for a structure built by Raja Man Singh called the
Haveli of Man Singh. It is built on the highest point of the
citadel. |
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Fortification
Wall |
Bastions,Battlements,
Terraces and Terrains |
The height of the
outer wall varies between 10 and 18 meters. Its thickness varies
between 10 and 13 meters. The wall has 2 or 3 terraces and varies
in thickness, the maximum being 13 meters near the Mori Gate. The
terraces are linked by staircases. The topmost terrace has merlon-shaped
battlements. Muskets can be fired from these battlements. Soldiers
could also pour molten lead over the walls.
The wall is built
in sandstone laid in lime mortar mixed with brick. The gates are
in grey Ashlor Masonry. Some portions have been built using burnt
brick.
The Gates |
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The fort has the
following 12 gates. All of them are built in Ashlor Stone.
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Sohail Gate
This gate is the best example of masonry in use in the time of
Sher Shah. It derives its name from a Saint names Sohail Bukhari
buried in the south-western bastion of the gate. Others say that
it was names after the Sohail Star which rises on this side of the
fort.
It is a double gate rectangular in shape. It is 21.34 meters(70
feet) high, 20.73 meters(68 feet) wide and 15 meters(50 feet)
deep. The central archway is 4.72 meters(15 feet) wide. It has an
inner and an outer arch which is decorated with beautiful and
simple motifs of sunflower. This decoration is repeated in all
parts of the Qila.
There are balconies on either side of the central arch. These
balconies have a small dome and their sides and bottom are also
decorated. Unlike other parts of the Qila which has been built in
Afghan-Persian style, the balcony is an example of Hindu
architecture. These same balconies can be seen in Haveli Man
Singh. There is a small window in the middle of the outer arch.
This window is different from the two balconies to either side of
the outer arch. It is much simpler that these two balconies.
The gate now houses a Visitors information center and a museum set
up by HWF. |
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Shah Chandwali Gate
This gate links the citadel to the main fort. It is named after a
Saint Shah Chandwali who refused to get his wages for working on
this gate. The saint died while still on work and was buried near
the gate. His shrine still stands to this day.
This gate is also a double gate. The outer gate, the entrance of
which is from the citadel is 13.3 meters wide and 8.23 meters
deep. The inner gate is a simple archway which is 3.66 meters
wide. |
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Kabuli Gate
This gate opens to the west and is named “Kabuli” because it faces
Kabul. It is a double gate and its opening is 3.15 meters(10 feet)
wide. It has two bastions on each side. The gate has 5 battlements
on top and has stairs leading up to it from the outside. On the
southern side of the gate is the Shahi (Royal) Mosque because of
which many people also call it Shahi (Royal) Darwaza (Gate or
Door). There is a Baoli near this gate.
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Shishi Gate
The gate derives its name from the beautiful glazed tiles used to
decorate its outer arch. These tiles are the earliest examples of
this technique which was later refined in Lahore. These tiles are
blue in color.
An inscription on the left side of the gate gives the date of
construction of the fort. the inscription is in Persian and is
translated as follows.
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Langar Khani Gate
It
is a double gate 15.25 meters(50 feet) high, 3.5 meters(11.5 feet)
wide with a central arched opening. the oouter arch has a small
window like the Sohail Gate. The outer opening leads to a Langar
Khana (Mess or Canteen).
There are two
bastions on either side of the gate which have kitchen, stores and
a well for water.The opening of this gate is L shaped. As soon as
one enters from the outer gate one has to turn right.
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Talaqi Gate
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Talaqi Gate
This gate is 15.25 meter high and 13.8 meter wide with two
bastions on either side. This gates name derives from “Talaq”
(divorce). According to a legend, Sabir Suri entered the gate and
had an attack of fever which proved fatal. This was regarded as a
bad omen and the name became “Talaqi”.
Mori or Kashmiri Gate
The gate opens to the north and faces Kashmir. This gate opens
into one chamber which opens into another
Khwas Khani Gate
This gate is named after one of Sher Shah Suri’s greatest general,
Khwas Khan. This was the original entrance to the Qila (Fort)
because outside the gate lies the old GT Road.
It is a double
gate. The outer gate is 12.8 meter wide(42 feet) and 8 meter(26
feet) deep. This gate has a bastion and a defensive wall on each
side. On the bastions canons could be deployed. The inner and
outer gates are almost mirror images of each other. The top of the
gate has five battlements. All of these have loopholes as well as
machicolation. Unlike other gates of this Qila, the inner side of
the gate has five battlements.
The inner and
outer arches have sunflower motifs like the Sohail Gate. The gate
also has a room which has windows
opening to the inside and the outside. |
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Gatali Gate |
Gatali Gate
It
is a single gate 9.15 meter high and 6.1 meter deep. This gate
faces Gatali Ford(ravine) , thus the name.
Tulla Mori Gate
This is an
entrance rather than a gate. It is on the eastern side of the
fort. It is about 2 meters wide. There is a bastion next to this
entrance.
Pipalwala Gate
This is a small
entrance like the Tulla Mori Gate. It is 2.13 meter wide.
Sar Gate
This is a small
entrance. There is a bastion next to this gate. There is a Baoli
next to this gate. It is called “Sar” because “Sar” means water. |
Other Buildings
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Shahi Masque |
Shahi Mosque
This small
mosque is near the Kabuli gate. It has a prayer chamber and a
small courtyard. The prayer chamber is 19.2 meter long and 7.3
meter deep. It is divided into 3 equal chambers. There are domes
from the inside but from the outside no domes can be seen. This
mosque is built into the fortification wall i.e. soldiers walked
over the mosques roof. The outer wall of the mosque is the
fortification wall itself.
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On the outer wall of
the mosque are beautiful round designs in which Islamic verses are
written in Naqsh script. These verses are surrounded by a Lilly
going around the Naqsh script. The Lilly design was later used by
Mughals in Tomb of Jahangir, Tomb of Nur Jehan and the Shah Burj
Gate in Lahore Fort. The design seems to have been copied from the
coins used in that time. |
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Baolis
There are 3 Baolis in the fort. These were made by cutting deep
into the lime rock. They are
1. The Main Baoli in the middle of the Fort for soldiers,
elephants, horses etc. This Baoli has 148 steps. Each step is 20
cm (8 inches) wide. The upper portion has been cut in stone. It
has arches three arches that span the length of the baoli.
2. The Shahi Baoli near the Kabuli Gate for the Royal family. It
has 60 steps and has small chambers that were used as baths by the
Royal family.
3. A small Baoli near the Sar Gate, most likely used by soldiers.
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Haveli Man Singh
This is not an original structure of the fort. It was built by a
general of Akbar, Raja Man Singh I of Amber. He died in 1614 so it
must have been built between 1550 and 1614. It is a 2 storey
building constructed with bricks and plastered neatly.
Architecturally it bears no resemblance to the Qila Rohtas. A part
of the structure has fallen away. There seems to have been 4 rooms
out of which only one exists now.
The existing room
is 5.5 meters square and there are balconies on the outside of it.
These balconies are similar to the one outside Sohail Gate. One
could see the whole fort from these balconies.
Unlike Qila
Rohtas which is an example of Afghan architecture, this Haveli is
an example of pure Hindu architecture. |
