History
The premier fortifications on the site were constructed by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1592-98 AD. He built an outer wall for the fort, and planned a new capital called Nager Nagor to be built within the wall. That project was never completed. This fort was constructed by Azim Khan at the hilltop. The present fort was constructed in the year 1808 during the reign of Shuja Shah Durrani by Afghan Governer, Atta Mohammad Khan. There is an inscription in Persian language at the Kathi Darwaza.
Architecture
In the proximity of outer wall, there is a Guru Dwara which has been commemorating the visit of Guru Hargobind Singh. There is an old wall and it stretches to 5-km and has 10 meters height having two gates, sangin darwaza and the Kathi. The Kathi is the major entrance with having Persian inscriptions all around it.
The fort consists of a temple known for its image of the Sharika Goddess. There is Shrine of Guru Chatti Padshahi outside the southern gate of the fort and a shrine to the sixth Sikh guru as well. It is called as the Chatti Padshahi. The hill, which rises to 122 m from the floor of the valley, and is abounded by orchards of almond trees where people gather for picnics during months of summer and spring.
Interesting fact about fort: The Dogra rulers arrested the first prime minister of Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and lodged him in this fort in 1931
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