Ranikot fort Pakistan has the distinction of being the great wall of Sindh due to its shape and texture. It is located in Sann area of district Jamshoro. This wall is built in the style of the great wall of China as Pakistan is famous for its marvelous landscapes.
This wall of Sindh is the second largest wall in the world. It is known as Qila Rani Kot and Rani Qila in locals there. Millions of years ago, when the ice from the earth began to melt slowly and the signs of life began to appear.
The man came out of the caves and spread out in the earth and created amazing masterpieces. A prime example of this is the Great Wall of China, which astronauts claim to have seen from the moon.
Great wall of Sindh, Qila Ranikot Pakistan
Rich in such swaying fields, rocky mountains, flowing waterfalls, and natural beauty, Ranikot fort in Sindh Province of Pakistan is the best man-made charisma and great masterpiece. Which casts its spell of beauty on the beholders.
In historical documents, it is known as Ranikot Fort, Rannikot Fort, and Talpur Fort. Recognizing its importance, it has been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites at the request of the Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO in 1993.
It is known as the great wall of Sindh. It is the biggest fort not only in Pakistan but also in the world. One can see this great wall of Sindh from a distance of 10 kilometers.
Why Was Ranikot fort was built?
Spread over an area of about 32 km (20 miles), the fortified wall of this fort, situated in the Kirthar mountain range, was built on the up and downs of these rugged mountains. It seems to be built for defense.
At some distances in the great wall of Ranikot, Morcha's has been erected, which may have been made to repel the foreign invaders by archery or to monitor them from a distance. There are 15 Morchas all around the wall of Ranikot fort.
See also:
Rawat Fort, Sher Shah Suri and Sultan Sarang
Ancient Civilization of Mohenjo-Daro & Harappa
There is also a 6 feet wide passage for guards to patrol on this 30 feet high wall due to which the total width of this wall becomes about 9 feet in different places. The oval-shaped rooms of the guards on these walls are airy, from which the whole valley can be seen afar.
When Ranikot fort was built?
Experts are not sure by the history of the construction of this great masterpiece and so far the real reason for its construction and the makers have not been identified.
Recently, the Sindh government has entered into an agreement with Italian geologists for further research on Ranikot so that the mystery of making and date of the Ranikot fort can be resolved.
According to some archaeologists construction of the Ranikot fort dates back to the 17th century, it is not confirmed yet. But some archaeologists of Sindh agree that some of its structure was reconstructed in 1812 by Talpuri's.
Ranikot fort's location
Rani Kot Fort is located in Kirthar National Park, 32 km northwest of Sann in the ancient area of Jamshoro District of Sindh. The distance from Hyderabad the city of glass bangles, to Qila Rani Kot is about 138 km. Kirthar National Park also has the distinction of being the second-largest national park in Pakistan.
This everlasting fort was built around the valley in such a way that hundreds of years of climate change, the heat of the sun, and the vibrations of the earth also proved to be ineffective.
In the rainy season, Rani Kot and the mountains of the adjoining Kirthar range, are covered with the greenery of lush vegetation. and waterfalls cascade down from many spaces of the fort.
Tourists flocks to Ranikot fort from not only Pakistan but all over the world to see these beautiful landscapes. And with the help of the eye of their cameras, they are seen adding these captivating scenes to their memories.
Ranikot fort's features
Rani Kot Fort has four gates in different directions and each gate is named after the area there. Sann Darwaza (gate) in the east, Amri Darwaza (gate) in the southeast, Shahpir Darwaza (gate) in the north, and Mohan Darwaza (gate) in the west.
The San Darwaza is central to all these gates as there is a 25 km long canal coming from inside the fort by seeing ruins here, it looks as if the water level in this canal used to be much higher than it is now. And this canal is probably used for transportation. This canal enters Ranikot fort from Mohan gate and exits from Sann gate.
A close look at Ranikot fort reveals that the ancients were not only familiar with the art to connect tightly stones with the help of various muds, but the importance of preserving grain for food and drink and its methods as well. The warehouse for storing grain in this fort is proof of this.
Ranikot Fort, spread over an area of 29 km within this wall, has not yet been found any signs of its inhabitancy, which is why archaeologists consider it a fort built from a defensive point of view. Also, there are another three forts in this wall of Sindh named Miri Kot, Mohan Kot, and Sher Garh fort.
Miri Kot fort
Most of the tourists visiting Ranikot visit Miri Kot Fort mainly because of its easy access of about 3 km from San Gate and also because it is the largest fort in Ranikot. On the way to Miri Kot Fort, there is a small canal named Ni Roni, and Ranikot is also named after this canal.
Miri Kot Fort is located right in the middle of Ranikot, from where one can see the great wall of Ranikot built on the hill all around. Miri Kot is located on a relatively high rock which is very difficult to reach from all three sides except the main door.
The architecture of the fort suggests that it may have been used as a royal residence. The carving by exquisite craftsmanship on its doors seems to prove it. Miri Kot fort is at a distance of five kilometers from the Sann gate of Ranikot fort.
The total length of the walls of Meri Kot Fort is 1434 feet with 5 Morcha's and the largest of these is at the main entrance. Entering Miri fort, there is a large ground to the west of which is a large empty well that may have been filled with fresh drinking water in ancient times.
Guesthouse for tourists to stay
In addition to the old buildings, the fort has a two-room guest house which was built in 2013 for the convenience of tourists. This guest house is the only place to stay overnight in the entire Ranikot fort. Shergarh Fort can also be seen above Miri Kot.
Shergarh Fort
Reaching Shergarh Fort is very difficult and dangerous. The fort is built 1800 feet above in the Kirthar Mountains, at an elevation of 1480 feet above sea level. The height of this Shergarh fort in Ranikot proves that it might be built entirely defensively.
The 3-hour journey from Meri Kot to Shergarh is completely based on a rocky and barren road that is full of dust and thorny bushes. This includes difficult climbing of the rugged Mountains.
Pariyun Jo Tar
The canal coming from the Mohan Gate, which comes from the mountains there, forms a charming and beautiful water fountain in Rani Kot, which in the local language is called Pariyun Jo Tar, meaning the fairy bathing place.
The locals believe that fairies still come to bathe in this pool. At this place spring water flows in the form of a waterfall and three small waterfalls can be seen.
Access to this spring is possible only on foot or by motorcycle. Car or jeep cannot be driven on this rocky road. Even today, Ranikot Fort is a mystery. Every visitor is fascinated by its charming beauty.
Ranikot | Wall of Sindh photo gallery
