From Islamabad: Full Day Rohtas Fort (UNESCO Heritage Sight )

About this tour

A visit to Rohtas Fort is an immersive journey through history and architecture. The fortress, built by the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century, stands as a symbol of military strategy, cultural significance, and architectural brilliance. On a guided day trip from Islamabad, you’ll not only discover the grandeur of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also delve into the fascinating stories behind its creation and purpose.

Historical Significance of Rohtas Fort

Rohtas Fort was built between 1541 and 1548 by Sher Shah Suri, who ruled over a large portion of the Indian subcontinent. The fort was strategically constructed in the Potohar region, around 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Jhelum, to prevent the return of the Mughal emperor Humayun after he was exiled to Persia. Humayun, who had been defeated by Sher Shah in the Battle of Kanauj (1540), was plotting his return to the Indian subcontinent, and Rohtas Fort was designed specifically to block his advance.

The fort also served another significant purpose: to suppress the local Gakhar tribes, who were allies of the Mughal regime. The Gakhars were indigenous warriors who had resisted the control of Sher Shah Suri, and the fort’s construction was meant to assert Sher Shah’s dominance in the region.

Rohtas Fort is renowned for its exceptional example of Muslim military architecture, combining elements of both Central Asian and South Asian designs. This military architecture includes strategic features that made it formidable for defense, as well as aesthetic elements that reflect the era’s artistry.

In 1997, UNESCO inscribed Rohtas Fort as a World Heritage Site, recognizing its historical and architectural significance. It remains one of the finest examples of early Islamic military architecture in the subcontinent, attracting historians, archaeologists, and tourists from all over the world.