The Untold Story of Ranikot Fort - Sindh

The Ranikot Fort also known as The Great Wall of Sindh as it resemble a lot with The Great Wall of China is probably the 4th Largest Fort in the World.

Ranikot has four entrances or gates namely:

1) Sann Gate or Eastern Gate 

2) Amri Gate or the North-Eastern Gate

3) Shahper Darwaza or the Southern Gate

4) Mohan Gate or the Western Gate. 

There also exist three fortresses appears to have been the royal residence for the ruling family inside the Ranikot fort namely: 

1) Meeri Fortress which is located in the middle of the fort

2) Shahgarh Fortress which is perched on top of the hillock

3) Mohan Fortress.

The semi-circular fortification wall made from solid stone and limestone is stretched to 35 kms in circumference and follows the natural contours of hilly areas. However, very little or no authentic literature is available regarding the history but its landscape and architecture constantly tells stories.

Inside the Sann gate two Niches decorated with Peacock and Sunflower designs are carved on stones. Peacock and sunflower motives tells the story that Meeri Fortress which is 5-6 miles inside the Sann gate was probable built by an architect from Sindh in Persian ear. This Fortress was probably build on the order of Feroz Khan Tuglagh (13th century) by Nasar Shah to safeguard Persian Empire with the forces of Patala (Thatta). There he built this Gigantic Fort for 4000 Horses & Men.

The site boundaries are marked in such a manner that Fresh Water flows though it and Barani Land ( A Fertile Land which requires one rain to grow crop) is in center of the fort, to fulfill the food needs of the soldiers.

Getting In and Around :

You can take your car/bus till Sann Gate of Ranikot Fort, and enjoy overnight camping (if you already have permission) or can stay at STDC guest houses.

You can climb up the wall to have panoramic view of the landscape. Further down the road there is a small fortress, “Meeri”, housing the royal quarters. From there, one can see “Shergarh”, another fortress, up in the mountain. After walking some more, head over to Mohan Gate. There is a stream inside the fort named ‘Paryun jo Talao’ (the pond of fairies) pond is quite deep and the stones around it are slippery.

For Ranikot Rest Guest House booking contact Sindh Tourism Development Corporation.

Suit No. 114-115, Block C, Sea Breeze Plaza, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Karachi, Sindh-Pakistan 75350

Phone: +922199332659