Muzaffarabad Red Fort
Muzzaffarabad is locateed on the ancient cross roads made by the
rivers. River Neelum, Kunhar and Jehlum. Neelum Valley opens into Baltistan.
Ladakh and Tibet. Kunhar Valley to Gilgit and Central Asia through Babu Sar Pass
and Jehlum Valley upstream to Kashmir Valley and downstream to South of Pir
Panjal, i.e, Mirpur and Punjab.
Border skirmishes between the armies of renowned Mughal Emperor
Akbar and the Chak rulers of Kashmir were common.
The potential threats during the sixteenth century from Mughals
was realized by the Chak Rulers of Kashmir and necessity of building a fort at
this site was acknowledged to ensure safety of the people and the land. Chak's
realized to raise defense posts and efficiently counter the offensive. By
keeping in view the strategic importance of the location, a fort was built on
the rock surrounded by U Shaped curve made by River Neelum (Kishan Ganga). The
river flows on its Eastern, Northern and western sides
The project was started in 1559 during the reign of Chak Dynasty
(1554-82)(1). The new fort was built to develop second line of defense and to
provide cover for "Fateh Ghar Fort in Dub Gali pass (now Shaheed Gali) in the
west of Chakri Bahak' (Cross Meadow : name of Muzaffarabad when fort was built).
Red Fort has three levels; Main Gate is on eastern side of the upper level, The
lower level is on the Northern side, once its Northern most part was comprised
of the stairs going down to the river. The lower level is connected to upper
larger level by intervening middle level.
In 1586, Mughal Emperor 'Akbar' (1542-1605) annexed Kashmir to
his Empire and in 1592 Akbar visited Kashmir and preferred to go back to the
capital by this route as it was the easiest way. When he reached 'Chakri Bahak'
in; desired to stay. He stayed here for a week. In 1597, a Sarai (Hotel) was
built for Emperor's stay in the future. During Mughal's rule, this fort lost its
strategic importance and was ignored. In 1646, Sultan Muzaffar Khan of Bamba
dynasty, the founder of Muzaffarabad repaired & completed the fort and was used
as a strong military base.
in 1846, 'Maharaja Gulab Singh of Dogra dynasty’ started the
repair of this fort and extension which was completed by his successor 'Maharaja
Ranbeer Singh' giving in the shape in which we see it today. It remained in full
military service till 1958, when new cantonment was built and the fort was
abandoned (2).
As this Fort was build repaired over a period of time stretched
over centuries, different types of materials were used for this purpose.
Materials included rounded stories, rubbie stone and some red brick masonry with
lime and clay as binding material. In 1947, the Dogra's fled away leaving the
fort wide open. Since then it has braved devastating floods, ravages of time,
and other hazards to project its inherent glory and historical background.
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