Shergarh Fort in the foothills of the outer Himalayas region is situated at an altitude of 5120 feet, coordinates of 34° 27’ 30’’ N, 72° 59’ 34’’ E, and 36 km northwest of Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Shergarh fort is one of the most beautiful forts among the old historical houses of Pakistan. Shergarh Fort is the best place for tourist.
The fort was constructed under the supervision of Diwan Bhawani
Das and a General of the Khalsa Army Hari Singh Nalwa during the Sikh Empire in
1819. The purpose was to stop the Durrani Empire from accessing the Kashmir
territory. Beginning around 1830 Nawabs of Amb state were the caretakers of this
fort cum royal palace. It is presently utilized as a private castle of Nawabs.
Nawab of the regal Amb state belongs to the Tanoli tribe.
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Shergarh Fort cum Nawab's Palace built in 1830 under the supervision of General Hari Singh Nalwa and Diwan Bhawani Das |
Shergarh Fort is a magnum opus of Sikh Art and Raja Ranjit Singh
craftsmanship, which mirrors commitment, high qualities, wonderful
unpredictability, and professionalism. The walls are massively thick and made
of brownstone, clay, and limestone. The outer walls are plastered with
limestone and strengthened with a mixture of eggs and horsehairs. The interior
is decored with great artwork like Sethi House Peshawar. The entrance of
Shergarh Fort is adorned by two old days cannons which were built in Amb state during
the first quarter of the nineteenth century.
There were almost 300 employees in Shergarh Fort for multi
services and cultural role assignments. Three main categories of employees were
Dedhibaans, Virsadaars, and Naghaarchis and their roles were guarding,
hospitality, and kettledrum players respectively.
There is a room inside the fort full of important
documents including Amb state Correspondence, its military, finance, meetings,
important letters, and other records. Moreover, the correspondence with Quaid e
Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is also available regarding the submission of the Amb state
under the state of Pakistan. All record was shifted from the Amb state
headquarters to the Shergarh fort in 1970 due to the hazard of the Tarbela Dam
water rise and drowning of the Amb state headquarters.
The principal renovation and interior decoration work of Shergarh
fort occurred in 1901 and 1935 consequently. As per the palace record, the
second renovation has been done by Rahim Bakhsh overseer Gujrati by the order
of the last Nawab Sir Farid Khan at the beginning of his reign in 1935. Sir
Farid Khan used the scenic Shergarh fort as a summer camp office of the
formerly Tanawal state or Amb state during his rule from 1935 to
1969.
In 1969 the princely Amb state has been merged with the state of
Pakistan with the submission of the last chief of Amb state Sir Farid Khan. The
income and legal framework of the Amb state converged with Pakistan.
Notwithstanding, the family property held with Nawabs and different honors and
titles was ended officially.
Although Tanawal valley is an exciting destination for travelers
but each summer, tourists are rushing towards the northern areas of Mansehra
but the northwest of Mansehra remains an unexplored and less visited region. In
order to explore the heritage and architectural sites of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
history lovers, travelers and tourists must visit Shergarh fort or may be added
to their must-visit places list.