A Must Tourist Resort in Mirpur Azad Kashmir

Districts Mirpur is located at the extreme South of the State and is linked with Pakistan and the districts of Azad Kashmir through several routes. District Mirpur comprises partly plain and partly hilly areas. Its hot climate and other geographical conditions closely resemble to those of Jhelum and Gujrat, the adjoining districts of Pakistan. The people of this area are basically agriculturists. During the last four decades a large number of people from this district have gone abroad, especially to United Kingdom for earning their livelihood. As such, they are today the major foreign exchange earning resource for Pakistan. As it adjoins the industrial cities of Pakistan, the Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir has successfully endeavored to develop it as an industrial place and promote private investment for establishing Textile, vegetable ghee, garments, scooters, cosmetics and many other industries. Bhimber a newly established district declared in Mirpur, the district headquarter is situated at an elevation of 459 meters A.S.L. It is linked with the main Peshawar- Karachi Grand Trunk Road at Dina, a small town about 15 kilometers short of Jhelum city.

The construction of Mangla Dam converted the old Mirpur town into a big artificial lake and effected a population of about 50,000. But it paved the way for existing new Mirpur town situated on the bank of Mangla Lake. The city is well planned and buildings are mostly of modern design. Mirpur has developed into an industrial city very rapidly. All the basic amenities of life are available in Mirpur. Colleges, hospitals, banks, shopping centers, hotels, telephone & telegraph units, Forest, PWD, Industries and Tourist rest houses exist in the city. Bus and wagon transport services are also available.

Ramkot Fort

Picturesquely located on the summit of a hill, Ramkot Fort is built over the site of an old Hindu Shiva temple. 3 sides of this hill top are surrounded by River Jhelum (ancient Vitasta). During excavations relics of the 5th – 9th century AD have been discovered near one of the temples. In the 16th – 17th century AD the Muslim rulers of Kashmir in safe guarding their boundaries built numerous forts. Ramkot, sitting atop at the confluence of the river Jhelum & Poonch is one of them. The Sikh Maharaja of Kashmir further fortified Ramkot.

Ramkot Fort is located on the opposite side of the Mirpur Town and one has to cross Mangla Lake on boat to reach there. A 10 minutes travel by road from Mirpur leads to Sukhian and nearby Army Water Sports Club from where boats are available for access to Ramkot Fort. It takes 45 minutes to reach there.

Ramkot Fort can also be visited from Mirpur via Dudyial-Baily Kathaar route (77 Km) but from Baily Kathaar onward there is no regular road so it is better to travel from Sukhian by boat.

During the Mughal era, Kashmir was mainly controlled through the Subaidars who were under direct command of the Mughal Emperors in India. Kashmir was more like a vocational spot for the Royal Family. The annual Royal visits together with the court paraphernalia had contributed to the well being and importance of Kashmir.(Kashmir under Mughals). During the Mughal era, Kashmir was a relatively peaceful place as it was far from the central India.
There are not many feats of Mughal construction found in Kashmir. However, the Kashmiri architecture could not free itself from the Mughal influence. This is a small, abandoned and not very much known fortress in Bhimber, Pakistani Administrated Kashmir. Looking closely at it will reveal its resemblances to the forts built by the Mughals. The central gate of the fortress is much like the gate of the Taj Mahal or the Badshahi Mosque. On my visit to Gulpur, Kotli, Azad Kashmir, i saw an old Mughal era fort. I was told by my uncle that if a fire is lit on top of that fortress, it could be seen in Rawalpindi, almost 200 kilometers from there. This was a way of communication and defense during the Mughal period.

Auther’s Observations and Suggestions:

Ramkot Fort is located on the opposite side of the Mirpur Town and Ramkot Fort can also be visited from Mirpur via Dudyial-Baily Kathaar route and it takes around 1 hour on a speed boat to reach the cliff on which the fort is situated from Mirpur

Boats are not easily available all the time, usually boats are moving dadyial for villagers and the availability frequency must be increased as per requirements of the locals and tourists as well.

Boats have to specially hire for the fort …for Rs 5000/10,000 return trip via Mirpur to Ramkot Fort…. fort is near to dadyial village about 10 minutes away.

The color of water is turquoise green .it seems to be very marvelous and look like Malaysian beach

There is a lot of small and huge islands and are ideal place for picnic and entertainment

It can be become a centre of attraction for people with value added services

Another way to reach at the resort is by road however, it takes more time

A view of hills surrounded by water from top of Ramkot Fort, deep inside Mangla Lake is very fascinating and captivating.
Fort is located at Island Mountain and had to make a steep climb for another 20 minutes or so to reach the fort. But once there it was awesome.
Water and hills on all sides and it was so peaceful, almost a dream!