Pharwala 3.15

Pharwala Fort is a 15th century fort located about 40 km from Rawalpindi in Punjab, Pakistan. The fort is naturally defended by one side by a small Himalayan range and the other by the Swaan River.HistoryThe fort was built by the Gakhars in the 15th century. The Mughal Emperor Babur conquered the fort in 1519, however after the Mughals reconciled with the Gakhars the fort was returned to the Gakhars. Later, in 1825, Sikhs expelled Gakhars from fort after they captured it.ConservationThe fort is in a bad shape. Being situated in the Kahuta area, is only open for Pakistani visitors,. Foreigners need a No Objection Certificate to enter the area. thumb A small community of Kiani Gakhar lives inside the fort these days (around 50 people). An old and huge Banyan tree is also found inside the fort. There is no road to the fort. The Fort is not so easily accessible: there is no bridge, you have to cross the river by foot.