CHINIOT FORT

06th  March 2018

Remnant of Fort

You can find the earliest references about “Chiniot Fort’’, when the Mongol Empire launched several invasions into the Indian subcontinent from 1221 to 1327. Mongol commander Mughlai killed Machi Khan, the ruler of Bhera. Afterwards, the cities of Chiniot and Bhera got captured by Mongols. In year 1391, Chini the sister of Machi Khan attacked Chiniot. The Mongol commander Mughlai came out of the Chiniot city but got defeated by Chini army. Mughlai escaped from the war site and took refuge inside the Chiniot Fort. Chini army sieges the fort for three month and at last got victorious. The fort was badly destroyed in this period. Chini rebuilt the fort and city.

In some references also found out Mughal Commander Tar Tai attacked Chiniot in 1398. The Fort rebuilt by Chini again got destroyed.

The Ain-i-Akbari or the “Constitution of Akbar” is a 16^th Century detailed document recording the administration of Emperor Akbar’s Empire.   You can find earliest references about “Chiniot Fort “in this book.

Remnant of Fort

According, to Ain-i-Akbari there was a strong fortified Fort present in Chiniot, a military of five hundred horsemen along with five thousand infantry was stationed inside this fort. From Akbar Azam to Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Fort remained under the control of Mughal Rulers.  During the rule of Emperor Jahangir, this fort was renovated by Lahore Governor Nawab Wazir Khan.

After the Mughals, this fort was used under “Sials Nawab”.  In the book “History of Punjab” by Kenhya Lal you will find the names of Sardar Karam Singh and Sardar Jasa Singh. These Sikh Sardar took control of this fort from Sials. These Sikh Sardar’s created an atmosphere of fear and discomfort in the whole area. Looting and killing unarmed villagers was common during this time. Complain against these Sardar at last reached in a court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. After conquering the fort of Daska in the year 1802, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh reached Chiniot with his army to help the populace of Chiniot. These Sikh Sardar run from the site and took refuge inside the Fort.  Maharaja siege the fort, however, he has to leave Chiniot after two months after hearing news that the Kasur Muslim ruler was preparing to attack Lahore. Raja Ranjeet Singh Army again attacked this fort in the year 1806, this time they came with heavy artillery. The city of Chiniot was completely destroyed after this attack. People of Chiniot still remembered that day, there is one story famous among the Chiniot populace. When Raja Ranjeet Singh's army attacked Chiniot, along with other populace seventy grooms were killed on the same day.

Remnant of Fort Wall

No renovation or protection work was done in the British period.  Now only, a few parts of the external wall have left.

It is said that all old houses of Chiniot were constructed from bricks stolen from this fort. An edifice of historical importance that has seen the different civilizations of our land is no more with us.