DADU: A 1,000-foot-long portion of Ranikot Fort’s rampart has collapsed while large cracks have appeared in the walls close to the fort’s Shahpar gate due to the relevant authorities’ neglect.

Ranikot Fort, also known as the Great Wall of Pakistan, is believed to be the largest fort in the world with a circumference of about 32 kilometres. It is located 30km from Sann, Jamshoro district, and has four gates and 28 watchtowers.

Its architects and the purpose of its construction is still not known. Some believe it was built about 2,000 years ago.

Shahpar gate is located at a distance of six kilometres from a smaller fort ‘Meeri Kot’ built within the main fort. The other three gates are named Sann, Mohan and Amri.

Villagers, who have been living on the fort premises for centuries, said the rampart was in vulnerable condition at many places and it might vanish completely if the authorities concerned did not carry out repair and preservation work on a war footing.

Mohammad Sadiq Gabol, 80, who has been working as a tourist guide for the last 30 years, said neglect was the real cause of the rampart’s fall. He said nearby portions of the collapsed wall had also developed cracks and feared that they could also crumble at any time.

“If no timely action is taken, the walls on both sides of the Shahpar gate will collapse.” he said.

“I have seen many historians, researchers and archeologists who visited the site over the years but they could not determine the fort’s actual age and its builders. The fort is still a mystery.”

Aurangzeb Shahani, a resident of the area, said the fort had been repaired from time to time in the past by both the federal and Sindh governments, while non-government organisations also gave funds for its repair but the work for preservation and protection was not carried out properly, which changed the original shape of the wall.

“The use of cement in repairing the structure is in fact damaging it because in olden days there was no concept of cement. At that time, a construction material called Cheeroly was used,” he added.

He asked the government to start repair and preservation work of the fort immediately with the right material.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2018