Rohtas Fort, Qila Rohtas Jehlum DiNa The origin of the fort goes back to the Sur dynasty, when emperor Sher Shah Suri ordered the fort built after his victory over the Mughal emperor Humayun.[4] Construction of the fort began in the year 1541.[4] It was built primarily to defend against the Mughals .[5] Mughal period Edit The fort was ceded to Mughal emperor Humayun in the year 1555. The fort lost much of its significance as the fort's purpose of subduing Mughal tribesmen, as well as the preventing the return of Emperor Humayun, was no longer required.[3] Further, the construction of the nearby Attock Fort in the 1580s by Emperor Akbar better served Mughal interests. Sikh Empire period Edit The fort remained in use during the Mughal era, and was used almost continuously until 1707,[2] though it was not popular with the Mughal rulers.[3] The Afsharid ruler Nadir Shah camped at the fort during his attack on the Mughal Empire. Also the Afghan chieftain Ahmed Shah Abdali used the fort in his expeditions in the Punjab during the waning days of the Mughal empire.[6] It was briefly conquered by the Marathas in 1758. The Afghans retook the fort in 1759. In 1825, the Sikh forces of Gurmukh Singh Lamba took the fort so Rohtas was thereafter used for administrative purposes by the Sikh Empire until its collapse by the British in 1849.[7][8] The height of the outer wall varies between 10 and 18 metres, with a thickness that varies between ten and 13 metres. The fortified walls have 68 bastions at irregular intervals,[2] with twelve monumental gateways providing access to the inner fort.[2] The ramparts follow the hilltop's contours.[2] The walls had up to three terraces at different levels, connected by staircases. The uppermost terrace has merlon-shaped battlements from which muskets could be fired, and from which soldiers could also pour molten lead. The walls are built in sandstone laid in lime mortar mixed with brick. The gates are in grey ashlar masonry. Some portions were built of burnt brick. Gates Edit The Rohtas Fort has twelve gates, all built of ashlar stone. Sohail Edit Sohail Gate Close-up of Sohail Gate The Sohail gate features some of the best masonry work of the Sur Empire, and was likely the ceremonial main entrance to the fort.[1] It derives its name from a local saint named Sohail Bukhari, whose remains are interred in the south-western portion of the gate. Peace of and mind Blowing Place