Minister for Culture Jamal Shah visits Rawat Fort, examines conservation work

Islamabad - 5 January 2024 (Adnan Hameed) : Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah on Friday visited Rawat Fort and give instruction to complete the conservation work speedily. Federal Secretary National Heritage & Culture Ms. Humaira Ahmad, Director General Department of Archaeology and Museum (DOAM) Dr Abdul Azeem and other senior officers were also present on the occassion. The senior officials or DOAM briefed the Minister and Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division regarding a project for preservation, restoration, and preservation and development of Rawat Fort. Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah said that Department of Archaeology & Museums has started a project for preservation, restoration, and preservation and development of Rawat Fort. Jamal Shah said that the main objectives of the project is to conserve, develop and exhibit our cultural heritage through scientific and traditional techniques. "The project will not only prevent the site from further decay, but will preserve them for coming generations and will also enhance tourism in the country as well as in the area", he said. The Minister said that archaeological excavation, conservation and restoration work is intensive and will provide short-term employment to the people in the project area. Rawat, an ancient Sarai is situated about 25 miles from Rawalpindi towards Jhelum close to the G.T road. The present small fortress Sarai appears to have been built during the sultanate period in early 15th century A.D. This elegant fortress is however also curiously associated with the name of Masud son of famous Mahmud of Ghazna (1039 A.D.) where he is said to have been arrested by his rebellious soldiers and eventually murdered in the fort of Giri near Taxila; and subsequently with the name of famous Ghakhar Chief Sarang Khan who fell with his sixteen sons fighting against Sher Shah Suri and buried within the precinct of this monument. The fort in its present condition contains two gateways on north and east, and one at southern side a three domed Mosque in the middle of the Western Wing, an octagonal single domed Mausoleum on the North-Western corner, partly obstructing the frontage of the Mosque and numerous scattered graves inside. There are regular rows of identical living cells along the four sides of the quadrangular inner face of the defense walls overlooking the inner courtyard.