Attock Fort
{{Short description|Fort in Punjab, Pakistan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=October 2019}}
{{infobox historic site
| name = Attock Fort
| native_name =
| partof =
| location = Attock, Punjab, Pakistan
| image = Attock Fort - Optographer.jpg
| image_size = 280px
| caption =
| owner = *Mughal Empire (1583–1752)
- Durrani Empire (1752–1813)
- Sikh Empire (1813–1849)
- British East India Company (1849–1858)
- British Indian Empire {{nowrap|(1858–1947)}}
- Central Government of Pakistan (1947–present)
| coordinates = {{coord|33|53|31|N|72|14|13|E|type:landmark_region:PK|display=inline,title}}
| map_size =
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location within Pakistan
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| built = {{Start date|1583}}
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| open_to_public =
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| website = [http://www.attockonians.com www.attockonians.com]
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Attock Fort (Urdu, {{langx|Pa|{{nq|قلعہ اٹک}}}}) is a 16th century fortress in Punjab, Pakistan. It was built at Attock Khurd during the reign of Akbar from 1581 to 1583 under the supervision of Khawaja Shamsuddin to protect the passage of the River Indus.{{Cite web|url=http://emergingpakistan.gov.pk/travel/place-to-visit/khyber-pakhtunkhwa/attock-fort/|title=ATTOCK FORT|website=Emerging Pakistan|access-date=17 October 2019|archive-date=26 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626202956/http://emergingpakistan.gov.pk/travel/place-to-visit/khyber-pakhtunkhwa/attock-fort/|url-status=dead}}
Location
It is sandwiched between Peshawar Road on one side and the River Indus on the other.{{cite web|url=http://pakistaniat.com/2007/01/24/kabul-river-pakistan-attock/|title=When Kabul comes to Attock|author=Pervaiz Munir Alvi|date=24 January 2007|publisher=All Things Pakistan|access-date=15 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212233220/http://pakistaniat.com/2007/01/24/kabul-river-pakistan-attock/|archive-date=12 February 2010|url-status=dead}} It is located at a distance of 80km from the capital city of Islamabad. As it is a military base, visitors are not allowed inside the fort.
History
The 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 the Afghan invaders. The fort was captured in 1758 by the Marathas under Tukojirao Holkar and Sabaji Shinde Sidhojiraje. Ahmad Shah, the Durrani ruler, captured Attock and halted the Maratha advance in the north after the battle of Panipat in 1761. It was later conquered from the Afghans by the Sikh Empire under Mokham Chand following the battle of Attock in 1813. In the 1830s, the Sikhs strengthened the fort by constructing 'very high and massy bastions' at each gate.{{cite book|author=Nalwa, V.|title= Hari Singh Nalwa—Champion of the Khalsaji|year=2009|publisher= Manohar|isbn=978-81-730478-5-5}} The British took over the fort in 1849, following the annexation of Punjab.{{Cite web|url=http://visitpak.com/a-close-look-on-the-history-of-attock-fort-pakistan-with-pics/|title=A close look on the history of Attock Fort Pakistan with pics|date=15 November 2014|website=Visit Pak}} After the Partition of India, Pakistan Army took control of the fort.{{Cite web|url=https://informativefacts.com/attock-fort-facts/|title=Facts About Attock Fort|date=17 February 2019|website=Informative Facts}} It became headquarters of the 7th division of Pakistan Army. In 1956, the fort was handed over to the Special Services Group (SSG), a special operations force of the Pak Army. Today the fort remains in control of the SSG.
Features
The fort consists of 4 gates and its perimeter wall is 1600m long. The gates are named the Delhi gate, Lahori Gate, Kabuli Gate and Mori Gate.
| File:Attock_Fort_-_Optographer.jpg |
See also
{{commonscat|Attock Fort}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Cultural heritage sites in Pakistan}}{{Castles in Pakistan}}