Sheikhupura Fort (
Punjabi, ) is a
Mughal-era fort built in 1607 near the city of
Sheikhupura
Sheikhupura (Punjabi language, Punjabi / ; ) also known as Qila Sheikhupura, is a city and district in the Pakistani province of Punjab, Pakistan, Punjab. Founded by the Mughal Empire, Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1607, Sheikhupura is the List of ...
in
Punjab
Punjab (; ; also romanised as Panjāb or Panj-Āb) is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia. It is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising areas of modern-day eastern Pakistan and no ...
, Although, there is no conclusive evidence supporting this, the
Tuzk-e-Jahangiri mentions that the Emperor assigned the job of constructing the Fort to Sikandar Moeen on his hunting trip to Hiran Minar in 1607AD. It was built during the reign of
Emperor Jahangir. The fort was drastically altered during the Sikh-era, with numerous buildings constructed - some with exquisite Sikh-era frescoes. In 1808, the fort was conquered by the six-year-old of
Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Ranjit Singh (13 November 1780 – 27 June 1839) was the founder and first maharaja of the Sikh Empire, in the northwest Indian subcontinent, ruling from 1801 until his death in 1839.
Born to Maha Singh, the leader of the Sukerchakia Misl ...
,
Prince Kharak Singh. Ranjit Singh granted this fort as “Jagir”, in 1811 to his wife and the prince's mother,
Maharani Datar Kaur who had a considerable role in its rehabilitation and lived in it to her last day.
In mid 19th century when power turned to the British, the fort of Sheikhupura was used for the 'house arrest' of Maharaja’s last queen,
Maharani Jind Kaur the mother of
Maharaja Duleep Singh.
The fort is located near the
Hiran Minar, built as a memorial for the pet antelope of Emperor Jahangir. The fort was heavily damaged but it is repaired and now open for tourists.
In 2010, the US government's
Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation granted 850,000
USD
The United States dollar (symbol: $; currency code: USD) is the official currency of the United States and several other countries. The Coinage Act of 1792 introduced the U.S. dollar at par with the Spanish silver dollar, divided it int ...
towards restoration of the fort.
Gallery
File:Sheikhupura Fort white haveli inside paintings 5.jpg
File:Sheikhupura Fort white haveli inside paintings 3.jpg
File:Sheikhupura Fort white haveli inside paintings 2.jpg
File:Sheikhupura Fort white haveli inside paintings 4.jpg
File:Sheikhupura Fort four storey Haveli.jpg
File:Sheikhupura Fort Facade.jpg
File:Sheikhupura Fort White Haveli.jpg
File:Sheikhupura Fort outside view of Fort wall.jpg
File:Sheikhupura Fort white Haveli.jpg
File:Sheikhupura Fort inside paintings.jpg
File:Sheikhupura Fort Haveli fron elevation.jpg
See also
*
List of forts in Pakistan
*
List of museums in Pakistan
References
{{Castles in Pakistan
Forts in Punjab, Pakistan
Sheikhupura District
1607 establishments in Asia