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Poonch Fort

Poonch Fort

heritage site · Jammu & Kashmir

State
Jammu & Kashmir
Type
Heritage Site

Poonch Fort is a roughly 7,500 sq metre fortified palace complex in Poonch town, combining Mughal, Sikh, Dogra, and European architectural influences, with red brick masonry, circular bastions, and arched openings.

Poonch Fort is known for

Mughal-Sikh-Dogra architecturetemple, mosque and gurdwara in one complex2005 earthquake damageheritage library today

A short history

The fort's foundation is generally attributed to Raja Abdul Razak Khan around 1713, with substantial construction undertaken by his successor Raja Rustam Khan between roughly 1760 and 1787. It functioned as both a fortified residence and administrative centre for Poonch's rulers until the princely state's accession to India after 1947. The complex historically housed a temple, a mosque, and a gurdwara, reflecting the region's layered cultural history. It was damaged in the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and now hosts a heritage library and youth recreation centre. [Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poonch_Fort]

Why Poonch Fort matters

Poonch Fort is nationally notable for housing a temple, mosque, and gurdwara within one complex, embodying the region's multi-religious and multi-dynastic history under Mughal, Sikh, and Dogra rule.

When to go

October to March

How to reach

Located in Poonch town, Jammu region.

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