Naukot Fort

Coordinates: 24°50′43″N 69°26′59″E / 24.84528°N 69.44972°E / 24.84528; 69.44972

Naukot Fort

Naukot Fort is a fortification that was established by Mir Karam Ali Khan Talpur in 1814[1] It which is situated approximately 64 km in the south of Mirpur Khas town, Sindh. It's location gave it is other common name, "The Gateway to the Thar Desert".[2] It is meant to guard the area against the Rajputs.[3]

The fort is unique in the area as bricks were only used for its construction and did not use materials such as wood and iron.[2] This spectacular fort is developed of burnt bricks in mud mortar which is 113 meter in length and 98 meter in breadth. On the southern side of the castle, another 4-sided construction which measures 15 meter x 13 meter has it the merely entrance and narrow approach to the internal placement of fort. The entire walls and bastion reflects attenuating look. The thin narrow entrance is accessed via a twisted passage established by 2 heavy and semi circled bastions. The bastion is near to the gateway, and making a section of the 4-sided squarish establishment, is over 9.5 cm tall with a base of having a diameter about 42 meter.

The altitude of arched entrance is 7 meter and breadth is 4 meter. The access to the internal section of the fort is via causeway kind room and hall, which is the part of 4-sided construction, itself a castle. The fort is composed of 9 semi circled bastions, while the 2 of them are protecting the primary entrance, 4 at the edges and one each at the center of the southern, northern and western walls. A four meter wide wall extends on the 4 sides of the castle. It owns 2 burnt-brick stairs to climb the wall upwards, from the internal side of the castle. The internal portion of the fort consists of the remnants of rooms etc. which might go to recommend that these were the residential luxurious quarters. A minor construction like a prison or dungeon could have been the room of barood khana, or the area to secure ammunition.

Talpurs belongs to the Balochi tribe who later settled in Sindh. The Talpurs dynasty encamped in northern Sindh, spoke the Sindhi language very fluently. Soon their successors and associates established a federation against the dynasty of Kalhora. Although, they enjoy good relation with Kalhoras later then and were offered by them to help arrange the scattered Balochi tribes surviving in Sindh. Talpurs are generally known to be as the founder of Sindh’s Unity. The ruling era of Talpurs in Sindh was from 1783 to 1843. Later, it was captured by the British East India Company commanded by General Charles James Napier.

The building is currently undergoing restorations since its drainage might be blocked, leading to water accumulating within the location.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Shaw, Isobel (1990). Pakistan Handbook. Moon Publications. ISBN 9780918373564. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  2. 1 2 Guriro, Amar (12 September 2011). "Rains and govt apathy prove too much for 200-year-old Naukot Fort". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  3. ↑ Rashid, Salman. Riders on the Wind: Travels Through Pakistan. Sang-e-Meel Publications. p. 32. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  4. ↑ "Restoration: Team goes to survey Naukot Fort - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2017.

See Also

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