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Ranikot Fort – The Great Wall of Sindh, By Adrian Leslie Lobo –

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Rani Kot Fort

Over the past few years, Ranikot Fort has become one of the most renowned forts in Pakistan, drawing a large number of domestic and foreign tourists alike. Although the weather around Ranikot Fort remains dry for the most of the year and the area surrounding the fort is mostly barren, the view of the mesmerizing landscape from the top of the fortified walls is simply breathtaking. It has UNESCO World Heritage site status and is also considered the largest fort in the world.

This place is also ideal for photography. Here are the top 10 interesting facts about Rani Kot Fort;

1. It is the biggest fort

Ranikot Fort is also known as The Great Wall of Sindh and is believed to be the world’s largest fort, with a circumference of approximately 32 kilometres (20 mi). The fort’s ramparts have been compared to the Great Wall of China. The fort is huge, connecting several bleak mountains of the Kirthar hills along contours, and measures 31 kilometres (19 mi) in length.

2. It is a mysterious fort

The original purpose and architects of Ranikot Fort are unknown. It was formerly believed that the fort was built during the regimes of the Sassanians, the Scythians, the Parthians or the Bactrian Greeks, however, more recent evidence shows that the fort originated under the Talpurs and was constructed during the administration of Nawab Wali Muhammed Leghari, the Prime Minister of Sindh during the Talpur dynasty.

3. It is a historical Talpur fort

Ranikot Fort – The Great Wall of Sindh, By Adrian Leslie Lobo –

The great fort was built under the Talpurs during the administration of Prime Minister Nawab Wali Muhammed Leghari in the 17th century. The extensive structure was reinforced around 1812 at the massive cost of 1.2 million rupees and formed the last capital of the Amirs of Sind before they were bought under the control of the British Empire who invaded the fort.

4. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site

 The fort is listed as a historical site under the Antiquities Act, 1975 and its subsequent amendments, and is provided protection. It was nominated in 1993 by the Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO world heritage status and has since been on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

5. It is known as the Great Wall of Sindh

The fort is known as the Great Wall of Sindh, owing to its resemblance to the Great Wall of China. However, unlike its well-maintained and extremely popular Chinese counterpart, Ranikot Fort has only now begun drawing the attention of tourists, historians and adventure-seekers in Pakistan.  Therefore, some also refer to this fort as the Great Wall of Pakistan.

6.  It’s one of the biggest tourist attractions in Sindh

Internal Wall Detailed Structure, By Adrian Leslie Lobo –

Tourism in Sindh is all about history, thus you get to enjoy a vibrant mix of present and past culture along with natural beauty. Therefore, the history of this fort dates back to the first quarter of the nineteenth century. The fortification walls are patterned up and down as per the natural contours of the hilly pastures and feature semi-circular bastions at different intervals, adding to the beauty of the exterior. 

As you enter the fortress, you’ll find a couple of beautifully decorated ornaments, patterned with carved stones and floral designs. Upon your visit to the fort, you would notice that its whole architecture comprises only stone and lime, making it one of the most unique tourist destinations in Sindh. Several local tour groups have started boasting Ranikot Fort as the perfect day-trip destination from Karachi and offer a range of activities, such as musical nights, camping and bonfire, to travellers.

7. It is accessible through Karachi

If you are visiting this historical site from Karachi, you’ll have to drive through the well-paved Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway, more commonly referred to as M-9. It’ll take you about 1.5 hours, give or take, to cross Jamshoro Toll Plaza. Then, you need to turn on Indus Highway (N-55) and travel another hour and a half to reach Ranikot Fort Road. You’ll soon come across a rusty board announcing the fort is just 30 kilometres ahead. Just a few minutes later, you’ll arrive in the small town of Meeri. You can leave your car here and cover the rest of the distance on foot. It’ll take you about half an hour to reach the fort.

8. Travellers can easily explore Meeri Kot

The historical complex comprises three relatively smaller forts, namely Meeri Kot, Shergah and Mohan Kot, with each located at a distance from another.

While travellers can easily explore Meeri Kot during their trip to Ranikot Fort, you’ll need to dedicate an entire day to visit Sharjah, which is located up in the mountains of the Kirthar range. The complex also houses three ancient graveyards along with several watchtowers, bastions and smaller fortresses. 

9. The fort is inside the Kirthar National Park

Kirthar National Park view, By AQEEL BAIG –

Rani Kot fort is located inside the Kirthar National Park, which is situated in the Kirthar Mountains in Jamshoro District in Sindh Pakistan. The park was established in 1974 and it is enclosed an area of over 3,087 square  Kilometres, thus making it the third largest national park in Pakistan after the Central Karakoram National Park and Hingol National Park.

10. The fort is built in a zig-zag form

Rani Kort Wall & Forte View, By Adrian Leslie Lobo –

With four entry gates in the shape of a rhomboid, Rani Kot Fort was built in a zig-zag form. The four gates include the Sann Gate, Amri Gate, Shah-Pere Gate and Mohan Gate. Two of the gates are facing each other and are crossed diagonally by the Sann river; the first gate is on the western side and is skirted by the river water and is difficult to approach. The southern entry gate has a double doors gate. Within the gates, there are two niches which have floral ornamentation and carved stones.