places Categories: Attractions, City Sightseeing, and Forts
Multan Fort or Old Fort (also called Qila Kohna) was built about 2600 years ago on a high mound in the center of the city, on the bank of River Chanab (and Ravi) to defend the city against invaders from west and north. It was destroyed and rebuilt time and again. The last fort was built 1100 years ago. It was a semi-circular fort of 7000 feet long wall with 46 bastions and four gates namely Khizri Gate, Hareiri Gate, Sikki Gate and Qasim Gate. There was a 25 feet deep and 40 feet wide ditch to protect the fortifications near the wall. The fort was destroyed by the armies of Ranjeet Singh in 1818 AD and finally it was totally demolished by the bombardment of the British army in 1848-49. But the place of old fort is still the most favorite and cherished place of visitors from all around the world.
The fort was notable for both its effectiveness as a defence installation and for its architecture. 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.
The Multan Fort, a military installation, was a landmark of South Asian defence and architecture. According to some estimates the original fort was built between 800 and 1000 B.C. It was built near the city of Multan by the Katoch dynasty, in Punjab province, on a hillock separated from the city by the Ravi River. The fort was destroyed by British forces during the British occupation of India.
Within the fort stood a citadel flanked by 30 towers, enclosing mosques, a Hindu temple and a Khan‘s palace. The citadel was severely damaged by the battering it got from the guns of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1818.
The Fort was originally known as Katochgarh and is attributed to have been built by the Katoch Dynasty.
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