- Type
- Fortress
- Built
- c. 1812 · 19th century
- Coordinates
- 25.8831°, 67.9322°
History
The fort's origins remain a mystery. It has been linked to the Sasanians, the Arabs and even to antiquity, but there is no convincing evidence for any of these, and some researchers date the oldest sections of wall to the 17th century. Its present form is most likely the work of the Talpur Mirs, rulers of Sindh, who are said to have rebuilt the walls around 1812. The stone circuit, reinforced with semicircular bastions, follows the ridges of the Kirthar range and drops into the valley of the Sann stream, which runs through the fort. Two smaller forts stand inside: Miri Kot, the residence of the ruling family, and Shergarh on one of the highest hills. In 1993 Ranikot was placed on UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites.
What to see
The fort lies about 90 kilometres from Hyderabad in Jamshoro district. Most visitors enter through the Sann Gate, where the walls run down to the stream; from there you can climb onto the ramparts and walk part of the circuit with views over the barren hills. Deeper inside stands Miri Kot with the remains of its old rooms, and higher up Shergarh, from where the walls can be seen vanishing over ridge after ridge.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q2131024
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