Multan Fort
The Multan Fort was a historic fort in the city of Multan. According to some estimates the original fort was built by Katoch Rajput Dynasty of Kangra or Trigarta kingdom between 800 and 1000 B.C. However, it was later destroyed. It was rebuilt by Ranghar chiefs near the city of Multan, on a hillock separated from the city by the Ravi River. The fort was destroyed in 1849 by British forces during British colonial rule.
The fort was notable for both its effectiveness as a defence installation and for its architecture. The location of the famed Multan Sun Temple is located within the fort premises. Contemporary reports put the walls of the fort at 40 to 70 feet (21 m) high and 6,800 feet (2 km) in circumference. The fort's 46 bastions included two flanking towers at each of the four gates (the De, Sikki, Hareri and Khizri Gates). A ditch 25 feet (7.6 m) deep and 40 feet (12 m) wide and an 18-foot (5.5 m) glacis protected the fort from intruders.
Within the fort stood a citadel flanked by 30 towers, enclosing a Hindu temple and a Khan's palace. The citadel was severely damaged by the battering it got from the guns in 1818.
The ancient pre-Islamic Hindu temple Prahladpuri Temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha, the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu is located adjacent to the walls of the shrine. A popular legend holds that the avatar manifested itself here and it is here that the popular Hindu festival of Holi commenced.
See also
[edit]- City Wall of Multan
- List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Pakistan
- List of forts in Pakistan
- List of museums in Pakistan
- Prahladpuri Temple
- Holi
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- MULTAN: TMA-Archaeology row over Multan heritage Dawn Newspapers, 2004
- Multan Fort: Short History
- Multan Fort
- Multan Information
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