Derawar Fort (Qila Derawar) was built by Hindu Rajput Rai Jajja Bhati of Jaisalmer in the Cholistan desert of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
Derawar Fort is a large square fortress in the Bahawalpur region of Pakistan. Derawar Fort is 100 km from the Bahawalpur, the largest and most superlatively preserved fort in Cholistan. The forty bastions are visible for several miles in the Cholistan Desert. The walls have a circumference of 1500 meters and stand up to 30 meters high. The fort was occupied by the Royal Family of Jaisalmer until the Nawabs of Bahawalpur in 1733.
In 1747, the fort’s ownership slipped into the hands of the Abbassi owing to Bahawal Khan’s preoccupations at Shikarpur. Nawab Mubarak Khan took the stronghold back in 1804. The adjacent mosque was modeled after that in the Red Fort of Delhi. There is a royal necropolis of the Abbasi family, which still owns the stronghold.
The area is wealthy in archaeological artifacts associated with Ganweriwala, a vast but as-yet-unexcavated city of the Indus Valley Civilization. Derawar Fort is in good condition; its walls are intact and still guarded by soldiers in fezzes; however, its age is unidentified. But the tombs of the Amir’s of Bahawalpur are also at Derawar, decorated with attractive blue-glazed tiles contrasting with the ochre landscape. Some of the cannons used years ago by the Army of Bahawalpur are also kept in this fort. Qila Derawar is an interesting excursion for a full day trip requiring a four-wheel drive vehicle to relish the beauty of this ancient wonder. The drive takes 3 to 4 hours through the fascinating barren landscape. However, you’ve got to get permission from the present Amir of Bahawalpur to get inside the fort.
The fort measures 672 feet in length on each side, with a gate on its southern side approached by means of a winding ramp. Most of the bastions show geometric designs made from burnt bricks. A number of buildings in the fort provided quarters for Nawab’s army. The retiring quarters of the royal families are still deserted inside the fort. The beautiful four shrines of devout Muslims are sited near Derawar Fort. Derawar Mosque, having three domes and four minarets, is an exact replica of Moti Masjid at Red Fort Delhi, and was built in 1844 A.D. Derawar Fort was stunning in its era and according to historical accounts, Derawar is considered a prehistoric and pre-Harappan settlement.
Also, Read Faisal Masjid! The Master Piece of Architecture
