User:Leovorax/Derawar Fort

• History section
  • Meergarh, Jaangarh, Marotgarh, Maujgarh, Dingarh, Khangarh, Khairgarh, Bijnotgarh and Islamgarh are all forts that spanned across the desert creating a chain of forts that were all meant to provide shelter for travelers. Out of all of these forts, Derawar is considered the best surviving example.
  • The fort survived for as long as it did solely because of the consistent population that remained there. Many other buildings of the medieval desert fell as they did not have a population to maintain them.
  • (added to the section about the Hakra River) at around 600 BC, the river had changed course which caused it to essentially disappear into the ground. because of this shift in the river, the area became a arid desert that was no longer for human habitation
  • Even though the land could no longer support a settlement, it still was able to become a important part of the trade route that had connected Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent. This also became a pilgrimage route for those traveling to Mecca, the holy Islamic city from India or vise versa.
  • The fort is still in possession of the family of the Bahawalpur rulers and anyone planning to enter the fort would need to obtain a special permission from the Amir to do so
  • during the period around the 1965 war with India, several structures inside the fort were taken down to make room for training

The Cholistan Desert comprises the western region of the Thar Desert in modern Pakistan, where archaeological evidence is present that the area was once inhabited by an Indus Valley culture. This culture once used the Hakra River to support their agricultural lifestyle. at around 600 BC, the river had changed course which caused it to essentially disappear into the ground. because of this shift in the river, the area became a arid desert that was no longer for human habitation. there still remains evidence of up to a dozen fort structures. Derawar Fort is the best surviving structure of the remaining ruins.

Even though the land could no longer support a settlement, it still was able to become a important part of the trade route that had connected Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent. It also became a pilgrimage route for those traveling to Mecca, the holy Islamic city from India or vise versa.

Derawar fort was built in the 9th century AD under the kingship of Rai Jajja Bhati, a Hindu Rajput ruler of the Bhati clan, as a tribute to emperor Rawal Deoraj Bhati of Jaisalmer Royal House who had his capital at Lodhruva. The fort was initially known as Dera Rawal, and later referred to as Dera Rawar, which with the passage of time came to be pronounced Derawar, its present name. Meergarh, Jaangarh, Marotgarh, Maujgarh, Dingarh, Khangarh, Khairgarh, Bijnotgarh and Islamgarh are all forts that spanned across the desert creating a chain of forts that were all meant to provide shelter for travelers. Out of all of these forts, Derawar is considered the best surviving example.

In the 18th century, the fort was taken over by Muslim Nawabs of Bahawalpur from the Shahotra tribe. It was later renovated in its current form in 1732 by the Abbasi ruler Nawab Sadeq Muhammad, but in 1747 the fort slipped from their hands owing to Bahawal Khan's preoccupations at Shikarpur. Nawab Mubarak Khan took the stronghold back in 1804. 1,000 year-old catapult shells were found in the debris near a decaying wall in the fort. The fort survived for as long as it did solely because of the consistent population that remained there. Many other buildings of the medieval desert fell as they did not have a population to maintain them.

during the period around the 1965 war with India, several structures inside the fort were taken down to make room for training

• Structure section
  • The Moti or Pearl Mosque and the cemetery of the Nawabs are both nearby and boast very decretive graves
  • Each of the forts have varying design and form even though they are all in a clump about 100km wide and 250km long
  • as of now, the fort is in rough condition. The interior has been left to crumble which has begun to attract graffiti and accumulate garbage. Even though there have been efforts to repair and restore this site it still needs much work before it will become the beauty it once was.
  • The eastern gate of the fort is being guarded by a massive tower with gun emplacements that was built in the 1965 war with India
  • the current fort covers around 35 acres of land
  • the Abbasi Mosque was constructed in 1849 for Nawab's personal religious man, Pir Ghulam Farid
  • a short distance to the east of the fort lies mausoleums of the Nawabs and their families. There is also a domed marble mausoleum for for the last nawab's English wife
  • There is a underground railroad that could take the emperor all the way from his castle to the fort. There are still underground lodgings there, however, many sections have deteriorated. This area does have a very impressive passive ventilation system that keeps the underground palace very cool.

The fort is a massive and visually stunning square structure built of clay bricks. The walls have a length of 1500 meters and stand up to thirty meters high. There are forty circular bastions, ten on each side, which stand 30 m high and are visible across the desert for many miles. Each bastion is intricately decorated with patterns cut into the brick. The interior provides evidence of structures decorated with tile and fresco artwork. the current fort covers around 35 acres of land

Each of the many forts in the network have varying design and form even though they are all in a clump about 100km wide and 250km long

Derawar is just one example of the wide variety of forms derived from square brick. These particular forms date back to between the 16th and 18th centuries, though some renovations date as early as the 9th century.

There is a underground railroad that could take the emperor all the way from his castle to the fort. There are still underground lodgings there, however, many sections have deteriorated. This area does have a very impressive passive ventilation system that keeps the underground palace very cool.

As of now, the fort is in rough condition. The interior has been left to crumble which has begun to attract graffiti and accumulate garbage. Even though there have been efforts to repair and restore this site it still needs much work before it will become the beauty it once was.

The Moti or Pearl Mosque and the cemetery of the Nawabs are both nearby and boast very decretive graves. the Abbasi Mosque is also nearby and was constructed in 1849 for Nawab's personal religious man, Pir Ghulam Farida. Just a short distance to the east of the fort lies mausoleums of the Nawabs and their families. There is also a ornate domed marble mausoleum for for the last nawab's English wife

• Visiting section (just adding some extra content as its lacking)

The trip to Derawar is a full day excursion requiring a three to four hour four-wheel drive led by local guides. The fort is still in possession of the family of the Bahawalpur rulers and anyone planning to enter the fort would need to obtain a special permission from the Amir to enter as it is private land. Although the main fort hasn't gotten the treatment it deserves, the fort is still a magnificent place to visit. Taking the time to explore the surrounding Mosques and Mausoleums will enhance this experience and make it a well worth it trip for those interested in visiting the site.

Each year a jeep rally is held in the Cholistan Desert that is attended by people from all over the world. Due to its popularity, it is estimated to be visited by more than 70,000 people. The rally passes through three districts in the desert.

• Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. “Derawar and the Desert Forts of Cholistan.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre,
  • This is from the world heritage convention and thus the information will provide a reliable source for general information about the site
• Mingren, Wu. “Derawar Fort: What Remains from a Once Thriving Desert Civilization?” Ancient Origins Reconstructing the Story of Humanity’s Past, Ancient Origins, 13 Mar. 2017, www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-asia/derawar-fort-what-remains-once-thriving-desert-civilization-007707
  • This is from the ancient origins website that focuses on sharing details from historical sites and thus will make for a helpful source for the article
• Nazir, Humaira. “Derawar Fort Cholistan- History, Architecture, Conservation.” Scribd, Scribd
  • this is a article made specifically for the purpose of providing information about Derawar Fort from a educational institute that uses many different sources in its information and thus will make for a exhalent article for assisting in information providing