Faiza Tehseen

Derawar Fort is a large square fortress of clay bricks in Ahmedpur East Tehsil of Bahawalpur district of Punjab. As a historical wonder in Pakistan, Derawar Fort needs due attention for its promotion abroad as a tourist spot to attract foreign tourists, opined Deputy Director of Archaeology (North), Punjab Muhammad Iqbal Khan Manj while talking to WealthPK. He said, “Despite its historical background, Derawar Fort never attracted the outer world’s attention. The fort is the best surviving archaeological wonder in the Cholistan desert, once the craddle of Indus valley culture”. He said the fortress walls had a perimeter of about 1500 meters including 40 circular bastions, 10 on each side, which are 30 meters in height and visible from miles. Each bastion is intricately decorated with patterns cut into the brick, while the interior structure evidently showcases the tile and fresco art work.

Muhammad Iqbal told WealthPK, “The fort was built by the Hindu rajpoot ruler of Bhatti clan Rai Jajja Bhatti in 9^th century AD. Actually, this construction was a  tribute to the residents of Bahawalpur and  Emperor Rawal Deoraj Bhatti of Jaisalmer. Initially, the fort was named ‘Derra Rawal’, which was later named ‘Dera Rawar’, and currently it is called ‘Derawar’. The Muslim Nawabs belonging to Bahawalpur took over the fort from Shahotra tribe in the 18^th century. Later, Abbasid ruler Nawab Sadeq Muhammad renovated it in its present form in 1732. In 1747, the preoccupations of Bahawal Khan at Shikarpur owed the fort. But, in 1804, Nawab Mubarak took the stronghold back. The last ruker of Bahawalpur state Nawab Sadeq Muhammad Khan Abbasi was born in the same fortress in 1904. Eventually, the fort was occupied by the British to house prisoners and to hang the inmates.

Talking about the promotion of fort, head of sales and marketing from the Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan (TDCP) Naveed Anjum said besides arranging brief guided visits to the fort, they had established a resort. Visitors can stay here and feast their eyes on the desert and nearby historical places. The resort was established in 2021 and consists of 10 rooms of which six are air-conditioned. The accommodation charges are PKR7000 and PKR6000 respectively. 16% additional government taxes are payable on both. A beautiful theme park for children is also under development. The tourist inflow is good and increases in winter. He said a lot of new attractions were in the pipeline and very soon, this historical asset would be promoted at both national and international levels, which will help generate revenue and sustainable livelihood opportunities for many.

Credit: INP-WealthPk