Attock Fort (Urdu: قلعہ اٹک) is a fortress in Pakistan, built at Attock Khurd during the reign of Akbar from 1581 to 1583 under the supervision of Khawaja Shamsuddin Khawafi to protect the passage of the River Indus.[1] Attock was briefly captured on 28 April 1758 by the Maratha Empire and became the northern boundary of the Maratha Empire. Ahmad Shah Durrani recaptured Attock and halted the Maratha advance in the north temporarily after the Third Battle of Panipat. It featured a prominent role in Afghan-Sikh Wars during the Battle of Attock.[1]
| Attock Fort | |
|---|---|
قلعہ اٹک | |
| Part of the History of Pakistan | |
| Attock, Punjab region | |
 | |
  Attock Fort | |
| Coordinates | 33°53′31″N 72°14′13″E / 33.89194°N 72.23694°E |
| Site information | |
| Website | www.attockonians.com |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1583 |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Attock |
History
editThe fort was constructed in 1581 on the orders of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Construction was completed in two years after which the fort was used as a key defense line against Afghan invaders. The fort was captured in 1758 by Tukojirao Holkar and Sabaji Shinde Sidhojiraje Ghatage-Desai-Deshmukh, aka Manaji Paygude (the conqueror of Lahore), and the Marathas. The fort was captured in 1813 by Sikhs from the Afghans by Dewan Mokham Chand. In the 1830s, the Sikhs strengthened the fort by constructing 'very high and massy bastions' at each gate.[2] The British took over the fort in 1849, following the annexation of Punjab.[3] After the Partition of India, Pakistan Army took control of the fort.[4] It became headquarters of the 7th division of Pakistan Army.[4] In 1956, the fort was handed over to the Special Services Group (SSG), a special operations force of the Pak Army.[4] Today the fort remains in control of the SSG.[4]
Location
editIt is sandwiched between Peshawar Road on one side and the River Indus on the other.[5] It is located at a distance of 80km from the capital city of Islamabad. As its a military base, visitors are not allowed inside the fort.[1]
Features
editThe fort consists of 4 gates and its parameter wall is 1600m long. The gates are named the Delhi gate, Lahori Gate, Kabuli Gate and Mori Gate.[4]
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See also
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References
edit- ^ a b c "ATTOCK FORT". Emerging Pakistan. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ Nalwa, V. (2009). Hari Singh Nalwa—Champion of the Khalsaji. Manohar. ISBN 978-81-730478-5-5.
- ^ "A close look on the history of Attock Fort Pakistan with pics". Visit Pak. 15 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Facts About Attock Fort". Informative Facts. 17 February 2019.
- ^ Pervaiz Munir Alvi (24 January 2007). "When Kabul comes to Attock". All Things Pakistan. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2009.