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Formidable Fort of Afghan Warrior Sher Shah Suri known as ROHTAS FORT....

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Sher shah suri or the "The Lion King" was a capable Pashtun military leader. Though he ruled for short period (1540-1545)  just about five years yet he made many improvements to the exisiting setup of those days plus made different reforms to the administrative setup especially revenue administration. He built roads along with side areas for the rest, where travellers could stay and rest. He dug wells at different places known as "Baolis" . One such well which is named as " Losar Baoli" situated in Wah Cantt, i have earlier mentioned in my blog. for pictures and details click here: http://kiranpalwasha.blogspot.com/2011/10/well-reminding-glory-of-mughual-empires.html  Here in Rohtas also present such three wells. stairs leading down in the well EmperorSher Shah also built the longest highway in south asia. Infact the Grand Trunk Road that leads to Rohtas now adays from Islamabad-Lahore was originally structured by Sher Shah Suri. Rohtas

Maan Singh Haveli and Rani Mahal in Rohtas fort...

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There are no palaces in the Rohtas Fort except for the structure built by Raja Maan Singh called the Haveli of Maan Singh ( Maan Singh Palace). It is built on the highest point of the fortress. Its not the original part of the fortress.On the whole this fort is built in Afghan-Persian style but the balconies have Hindu architecture and same balconies can be seen in Haveli Maan Singh. Haveli Maan Singh back side of Haveli Maan Singh  Broken structure of Rani Mahal (Palace of Queen)   So far its unknown that whats exactly the cause of destruction of these buildings. Though its not the result of natural calamities , however archeological investigations have begun now to reveal the facts.

Visit to Rohtas Fort ! A spectacular example of Afghan and Hindu architecture.

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Since long I have been planning to visit Rohtas Fort and finally the day arrived when I was there. Its approximately 230 km from Mardan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It took an hour drive to Islamabad through motorway and then about two hours drive on the grand trunk G.T road from Islamabad to Lahore near a small town Dina. This Fort was built purely in Afghan-Persian architectural style. Perhaps its a fine amalgamation of these two styles with Afghan style being prominent and is undoubtedly supposed to be an exceptional example of Pashtun Military architecture in central south Asia. It was built by Afghan Warrior king Sher Shah Suri (1472-1545) to block emperor Humayun's return to India and now its on UNESCO world heritage site. Later on, however a couple of buildings were made by Sikh and Hindus inside the fortress. Its always been very fascinating to many of us to read and hear stories about the emperors, kings, queens and princesses .But to witness those old buildings and forts is in