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This is a photo of a monument in Pakistan identified as the Mangla Fort main arch By Mujtaba Raza – Own work,

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Mangla Fort

Mangla Fort is an old fort but is now located just next to the main embankment of Mangla Dam. It is located on a cliff just next to the dam spillway. After the construction of Mangla Dam, it became a part of the dam infrastructure and now houses a museum, a park an inauguration plaque, etc. Some part of the fort was consumed during the construction of Mangla Dam but For has been well maintained by dam authorities. It’s a very beautiful historical place to visit.

1. It was built on the hilly side of the

Jhelum River 

Mangla Fort was built before Christ on the hilly side of the Jhelum river, as water to the Jhelum river comes from Himalayas Vari Nag Fountain and Wular Lake, from the mountains of Kashmir, and according to Indus Pact, a dam was constructed at Mangla. The left bank side of Mangla is situated and/or falls within the territorial limits of district Mirpur (Azad Kashmir).

2. It is known as the paradise of angels 

Mangla itself is also known as the “Paradise of Angels”. Mangla is a historical place under the name of Mangal Devi, an old Devmalya character. Ancient stories describe that Mangla Devi, who gave her “Darshan” every Tuesday (Mangal) only, was the daughter of Raja Porus.

3. It was used for residential and administrative purposes

This is a photo of a monument in Pakistan identified as the Mangla Fort main arch
By Mujtaba Raza – Own work,

The ruins of old buildings and rooms within the fort in the upper portion indicate that this portion was used for residential as well as administrative purposes. The categorization of the building and its architectural designs was according to the needs of the users as it was used for security purposes. The categorization of rooms of security forces and ammunition area is highlighted. Mangla fort is comparatively smaller than forts in the areas. This fort is built with lime which is reasonably stronger than cement and the material used for construction are mostly stones that were brought from the local mountains and semi-dressed stones; this fort does have the use of burnt bricks but in the arches or according to the need.

4. There are three temples at the fort

In Mangla Devi Fort, there are three temples present. The first one is the ancient temple constructed during 1827-1846 AD while the second temple has recently been constructed within the fort building. Another temple has been constructed near the main gate of the fort. 

5. Mangla Fort site was a shrine of Mangla Devi before its construction 

A beautiful view of Mangla Fort and Mangla Dam, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, By Iamshoaib – Own work,

It is said that before the construction of Mangla Devi Fort there was the shrine, Mangla Devi, at this place. The masons deployed for the construction of the fort by Raja Dayan Singh had broken the stone idol of Mangla Devi into three pieces without knowing that this was the idol of the Mangla deity.

6. Raja Dayan Singh named the fort

Raja Dayan Singh named the fort as Mangla Devi Fort. After she had a dream deity Mangla Mata told her that unless her temple is constructed on the top of the mound and her idol is established in the temple the fort will not sustain. Raja Dayan Singh immediately passed orders for the construction of the Temple Mangla Mata at the elevated place within the fort. Therefore the construction of the Fort was taken up only after the construction of the Temple of Mangla deity within the premises of the Fort and then she named the fort Mangla Devi Fort.

7. It was used by the force of Raja Dayan Singh

During the period of Raja Dayan and his sons, five forts were constructed on this track including Mangla Devi Fort where these forts were used by the forces of Raja Dayan Singh for storing grains collected from the farmers in the shape of revenue. The prisoners and the rebels were also kept in these Forts.

8. It was the Centre of power for about 100 years 

Mangla Devi Fort is one of the oldest forts in the Rajouri district constructed during Dogra rule and remained the Centre of power for about 100 years. This fort is about 30 kilometers in the south of Sunderbani and 17 kilometers in the north of Nowshera.

9. The village where the fort is situated is called Mangala Devi village

This is a photo of a monument in Pakistan identified as the Mangla Village, By Misaladeelharoon – Own work,

The village where the Fort is located is also known as Mangla Devi village. The Fort is spread over 60 an elevated mound from where the whole valley of Nowshera and Sunderbani is exposed up to Beja Bai, Gagiote, Lamberi, Kalal range, Beri Pattan, Thanda Pani, Ding Mangiest, etc.

10. There are ponds constructed within  the fort

There were two ponds within the fort where the rain-fed water was conserved and used for drinking purposes in the past. This fort has lawns and recreational areas which shows the aesthetic since and is currently operational as a power generation dam