TAXILA, Oct 11 The federal archaeology department is making plans to protect the Pharwala Fort near Kahuta from further decay and destruction caused by natural climatic agents.

Talking to Dawn, Federal Department of Archaeology and Museums director general Dr Fazaldad Kakar said his department had conducted necessary survey for the restoration of the ancient site, which was a rich heritage of the Potohar region.

Mr Kakar said this fort constructed at an elevated location near the banks of Soan River had important significance in the history.

He said the fort was attacked by Shahabuddin Ghauri during his first invasion in 1205 AD, adding that Qutubuddin Aybak attacked the fort in 1207 AD, and Sher Shah Suri did the same in 1540 AD.

According to historical evidence, the fort was often won and lost during these years of war, however, Sultan Salim found it impossible to control the Ghakars.

During the later times, Sardar Gujar Singh Bhangi marched from Lahore with a large force and encountered the Ghakars outside Gujrat.

The Ghakars were forced back and they lost their territory of Chej Doab.

But later on Sardar Gujar Singh Bhangi seized everything except for Pharwala. The Ghakars held the estate of Pharwala till 1818, when Anand Sing Thepuria of Rawalpindi seized their whole estate and reduced them to absolute poverty, though the family was restored some propriety rights in Pharwala in 1828.

Responding a question, Mr Kakar said “At the moment, we cannot claim precisely that it belong to which period. So archaeological excavation is urgently needed here to confirm its (the fort's) original date and previous historic record.”

About the architectural significance of the fort, Dr Kakar said the fort built on 4,079.15 kanals had six gates, but only five existed now. The gates had been named Hathi Gate, Fort Gate, Lashkari Gate, Ziarat Gate, Bagh Gate and Begum Gate.

The remotely located boundary wall on the northern side stands on a hillock with rooms for the servants. Fortification wall is damaged, and ever collapsed at several locations. Main gates have mainly been built of sandstone blocks.

Dr Kakar said that the Federal Department of Archaeology and Museums declared the site a “protected” one in 1980.

He said as the fort was situated in a remote area, it largely remained hidden from the eyes of the public.