Name of monument: Qila Ramkot
Location: Dadyal, Azad Kashmir
Date of Construction: 16th Century
Ramkot Fort is located on the opposite side of the Mirpur town, one has to cross the Mangla Lake by boat to reach there. Situated on the summit of a hill, Ramkot Fort is built over the site of an old Hindu Shiva temple. Three sides of this hilltop are surrounded by River Jhelum (ancient “Vitasta”). During excavations, relics from 5th & 9th century AD were discovered near one of the surrounding temples. During the 16th-17th centuries, the Muslim rulers of Kashmir in order to secure their boundaries built numerous Forts. Ramkot, sitting atop at the confluence of the river Jhelum & Poonch is one of them. The Sikh Maharaja of Kashmir further fortified Ramkot.
Though on the verge of collapse, it still offers everything to those who have a thing for past glory, nature, and history. The masterpiece of the glorious architecture of 12th Century AD, the fort was built in 1186 by Sultan of Ghurid clan namely Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad, at top of a hill surrounded by blue waters of river Jhelum and Poonch on three sides. Due to its peculiar architecture, the Ramkot Fort is distinct among fortresses built in the Kashmir region. At this fort Khokhars clashed with the armies of amir Timur in 1398.
Ramkot Fort is roughly rectangular in plan and is a symbol of beauty and grandeur showcasing the same architectural features as those of the Mangla and Muzaffarabad Forts, which were built in the same era. There is only one entrance into the walled premises, possibly to keep the fort secured from infiltration and attacks. This arched doorway is positioned between two watchtowers and built with burnt bricks, with ramps in place inside the fort to bring artillery up to the parapets. The entire construction was carried out with local stone.
The interior of the fort has several buildings with arched doorways and large water tanks dug deep into the ground. The watchtowers along the other exterior walls are also still standing tall against a backdrop of blue waters.
Naqoosh-e-Javidan 