The Mysterious Ranikot Fort ( قلعہ رانی کوٹ، ضلع جامشورو، سندھ ) is considered to be the great fort of the world. This fortified wall is 2nd largest wall after the Great Wall of China ( دیوار چین ) with a circumference of about 35 Km. The Ranikot Fort's rampart has been considered the same like The Great Wall of China.
It is located in Jamshoro District of Sindh at 90 Kilometers in the North of Hyderabad on Indus Highway N55. It takes about 30 minutes further on the bumpy 21 Km link road from Sann Town near Indus Highway. The elevation of the fort is 162 Meters and the coordinates are 67.9322891 N and 25.884148 E. The other famous names for this fort are The Great Wall of Sindh ( دیوار سندھ ), Talpur Fort, and Ranikot.
The ancient Ranikot Fort was put on the tentative status of UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993. Ranikot fort is located inside the Kirthar National Park which is the 2nd largest National Park of Pakistan.
The historical and architectural existence and having amazing landscape in the vicinity Ranikot Fort is a topmost tourists attraction in Sindh
Ranikot Fort can also be accessed by train through Sann station on the Kotri-Larkana railway alignment. This fort has an unknown historical origin and purpose of construction. However, it dates back to the Bactrian Greeks and was also rebuilt by Nawab Muhammad Leghari the Prime Minister of Sindh during Talpur Dynasty. Moreover, its first construction took place during the 17th century as the facts found by Archaeologists.
The Length of the Defensive Wall is 35 Kilometers (not fully intact all the way) and it connects the lunar hills of Barren. The whole structure of the fort has been built with gypsum and lime-cut sandstone. Its wall is 2nd largest wall after the Great Wall of China (Dewar-e-Cheen). The average height of the wall is about 6 meters. There is a mini fort inside the giant bulwark which is called 'Miri Fort' and it is located 3 kilometers away from Sann town Gate of Ranikot fort. The Miri Fort is thought to be the palace of the Mir Royal Family. Miri For Palace is best place for camping inside Ranikot Fort.
This fort has main four gates called Shah-Pere Gate, Amri Gate, Sann Gate and Mohan Gate. two of the gates are facing each other at Sann River side. The distance of Ranikot fort from Karachi is 255 Kilometer and it takes 5 hours to reach Ranikot fort.
There is small river flowing in the scenic and lush green valley which provides extraordinary view from top hills or highest point of the fort. The source of river is a springlet and this water is an only water source for local community to grow their crops and feed their live-stock
The site is safe for tourists and people living around the fort are here from many generations and they are very warm hearted , open-handed and peace-living. Specially the educated youth are happy and love to offer the tour of area.
The weather is hot and dry so tourists need to take with water, food and sun protection as a safety measure
Ranikot Fort is a historical and archaeological icon for students and travelers around the world. However, due to lack of accommodation and other basic facilities the one should leave the site before the sunset and reach to nearest town Sann. This site could be promoted as ecotourism spot by providing some basic needs of tourism like guiding maps, information center by tourism department, living huts, restaurants, refreshment spots, entertainment facilities, horse riding, walking track, mountain biking and last but not the least zip-line or cable car for hill to hill access (development is in progress so be patient for a great site in coming days). Additionally, this site is a calm place for mediation and relaxation. The flux of tourists can make an alternate source of income for 2000 families living in the area as they have live-stock the only source of income.
The temperature of Ranikot Fort (Jamshoro) ranges from 18 to 40 degree Celsius around the year and the winter is the best time to visit the fort area
Other Attractions in the area near Ranikot
The other attractive places in the area are Shergarh Castle and Pari Jo Tar. Pari Jo Tar or Pariyon Jo Tar is clean fresh water body site near Ranikot Fort. It is a Lake-cum pond water body having fishes inside where you can pedicure your feet and enjoy the nature. This pond is surrounded by medium and large size rocks laying like big pebbles arranged by man-made mechanism and rocks are bonded by lush green long grass sleeves which provides absolutely stunning view and relaxing environment. Some water flows from rocks by making 2 to 3 feet waterfalls.
Single bed room cost 2000 PKR to 3000 PKR per night in the area. Moreover, the only Tea dabba (Tea spot) is 7 Kilometers away from fort on Sann road
Note: This site has not much attraction for children and teens. However, the teens and adults having rich interest for adventure must visit to see not only a big fort but also experience dry and clay hilly terrain with a small river flowing in a scenic valley.
The magnificent Ranikot Fort built out by millions of lime backed bricks, high long Zig-Zag wall with dozens of bastions must be preserved in a true manner for our future generations as a great architectural and tourism's ICON
List of Things to enjoy at the Ranikot Fort site
- Hiking to another castle at the top
- Seeing all gigantic four Gates
- Hiking around the gigantic wall
- Mountain Biking
- Camping on hills
- Camping near the water stream
- Enjoying water stream
- Horse riding
- Visiting Shergarh Castle
- Visiting Miri Palace
- Relaxing / swimming at Pariyon Jo Tar water body
- Exploring caves, tunnels, and Canyon formed by a water channel
- Bar B Que / Cooking
- Botanical research
- Archaeological Research
- Promoting this site by all means available
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