Multan fort is situated in the center of city. Multan Fort was built on a mound separating it from the city by the old bed of river Ravi. Its date cannot be fixed with accuracy. Apart from the shrines, most of the fort was destroyed by the British in 1848-49 to avenge the death of Lieutenant Alexander vans Agnew, killed in Multan by order of the Sikh governor. Agnew's memorial obelisk stands on a plinth at one of the highest points of the fort mound. A panoramic view of Multan City can be seen from the highest point in the fort. The fort was originally known as Katochgarh and is attributed to have been built by the Katoch Dynasty.
Location
Located in center of city, near to Multan Cricket Club next to Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam’s Mazar, Multan.
Structure
The fort was notable both for its effectiveness as a defence installation and for its architecture. Contemporary reports put the walls of the fort at 40 to 70 feet (21 m) high and 6,800 feet (2 km) in circumference. The fort's 46 bastions included two flanking towers at each of the four gates (the De, Sikki, Hareri and Khizri Gates). A ditch 25 feet (7.6 m) deep and 40 feet (12 m) wide and an 18-foot (5.5 m) glacis protected the fort from intruders. Within the fort stood a citadel flanked by 30 towers, enclosing mosques, a Hindu temple and a Khan's palace. The citadel was severely damaged by the battering it got from the guns of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1818.
Attractions Inside
Damdama
The Damdama is a massive block of a building constructed on a mound of earth fill. It is highest part of Fort Kohna Multan and it was used as watch tower / Gunnery. Walled inner old city Multan is higher than new Multan and fort is highest in inner walled city Multan, so it is the highest place in Multan. Tomb Bahau din Zikarya 1170 AD, is another ancient tomb in Fort Kohna Multan.
Tomb Shah Rukn e Alam 1335 A.D
Shrine of Hazrat Shah Rukne Alam constructed since 1335 A.D. is very old and holds historic importance. It is located inside Fort Kohna of Multan. Comprising of ancient Multani architecture, bricks and blue / green decorations, a large doom which is said to be second largest in world then. It is the most beautiful place to visit in Multan, it was awarded Agha Khan Award for architecture and since then it is used as identity of Multan city.
Barood Khana / Nigar Khana / Gunpowder Store
Barood Khana of Fort Kohna Multan was used as storehouse of gunpowder and weapons. It was badly damaged during siege of Multan by British in 1848. Pakistani government converted it into a Nigar Khana or art house for selling handicrafts.
Gates
There were four other gates which belong to Kohna Fort of Multan:
- Qasim Gate
- Khizri Gate
- Sikhi Gate
- Hareri Gate
Out of all the above mentioned only Qasim Gate survives.