RAHIM YAR KHAN, Jan 30: The glorious and mysterious Islamgarh Fort will soon be a remnant in pages if the archaeologists fail to rescue it.
Shades of buildings’ silhouette in the desert background reflect a site of ancient civilization and arouse wonder over work of art. It also gives an imagination that the ruler of the time might have seen majesty and power.
The fort is situated some 100km from Rahim Yar Khan to the north of the centre of Cholistan desert and it spreads from Bahawalpur to Thar along the Indo-Pak border.
Built in 1665, the Islamgarh Fort took some 20 years for its completion under the rule of Raja Rawal Siri Bheem Singh. The stone and other material for the building was brought on oxen carts from the state of Jasselmair. Initially, it was known as Bheem War Fort after the Raja’s name. In 1780, Muslim ruler Ikhtiar Khan Sund-i-Elahi captured it and changed its name.
He got a mosque constructed in the fort in 1765. Nawab Muhammad Mubarak was next to capture the fort after defeating King Ikhtiar. Thereafter, the Muslims and Hindus (Rajar) started living in the fort.
It was in 1971 when the Indians envisaged a military might on the site and captured it. However, the possession proved costly for the attackers as much of its glory died away in shelling.
Far from the madding crowd, the fort presently stands still with no one around. In its degenerative stage, it is about time the authorities concerned should expend time and money on the fort lest it becomes a part of history.
