Kot Diji, a dying chapter of the majestic history of Sindh

The Sindh Telegraph Exclusive
By: Yasir Babbar

More than 200 years old, Fort of Diji (Kot Diji) is a Marvell of engineering of old period. This great place is now a great example of negligence by the current government. It is going to destroy day by day, but the government has not enough time to show interest to save and preserve fort.

This ancient fort is situated in Kot Diji (Taaluka) of District Khairpur Mir’s. The old name of Kot Diji was Ahmed Abad and because of the name, the Kot Diji fort was also called as Fort of Ahmed Abad in the time of Talpur’s state.

District Khairpur Mir’s is home district of Syed Qaim Ali Shah ( Chief Minister of Sindh) that’s why local population is hoping that Mr. Shah will take proactive steps to save the Kot Diji and other historical places as well.

Forts are living icons of very old and great history of Sindh. Likewise, Fort of Diji (Kot Diji), Pakko Fort (Pakko Qilo), Kacho Fort (Kacho Qilo), Fort of Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, Fort of Sehwan Sharif, Fort of Dahleel (Dahleel Kot), Fort of Kalan ( Kalan Kot), Fort of Umer ( Umer Kot), Fort of Nind (Nind Kot), Fort of Kherien(Kherien Kot), Fort of Karachi( Karachi Kot) , Fort of Ratto( Ratto Kot), Fort of Ranno (Ranno Kot), Fort of Malaaki (Malaaki Kot) and others.

They were built by the various rulers in different era and for different purposes. These ancient forts show that the Sindhi nation had remained in defensive position in the past and forts were used to protect the residents from attacks of foreign enemies.

Kot Diji was the personal property of Mir’s before the Pakistan. When the Pakistan came into being, General Ayoub Khan got this ancient place in the control of government with the permission of Mir’s.

More than 45 years have been passed, but the government has not taken a single and serious step to make safe and secure this historical place.

There is a well 300 meter deep well at the ground level of the fort. It used supply drinking water to the residents of the fort. This well is in a state of total extinction, but government has no time to pay attention to it.

The tall walls of the fort are also in the worst. Bricks are crumbling under the harsh weather conditions rapidly.

There are three godowns (warehouses) which are gradually destroying too, but the Ministry of Culture is into a deep sleep. Though, ministry has got back the authority of Archeological sites from federal government.

Four towers (burgees) are the beauty of fort, but they are not in original condition now, because of the carelessness of the authorities.

There is a water tank, which was built for the purpose of storage of water in case of enemy’s attack. This is also in broken condition.

A Shahi Mahal (Royal Palace) was built at the top level of fort to provide comfort and security to the ruler and his family, in case of war. This Mahal is also is also a Marvell of workmanship and archeology. Its walls were decorated with the beautiful mural ceramics. But, sadly, those historic mural ceramic walls that were once the bearers of art and cultural heritage of the Sindh’s past are now covered with vulgar wall chalking, and ugly graffiti. Shahi Mahal is in same bad position like other parts of the fort.

There is a place of capital punishment, and barracks for the prisoners. The British Army was stationed there during the period of 1843. From there, they used to carryon attacks under the command of Sir Charles Napier, on the fort of Imam Garh (Imam Garh Jo Qilo).

“Takht Gah” is also a main part of the fort which is situated at the far corner; it was used for the meetings of ruler and his cabinet.

A garden namely, Faiz Baagh, was used by the outsiders coming to Khairpur state. This garden is also in a worst condition.

There are three main gates in the fort. First is called as Royal Gate (Shahi Darwazo). Everybody can enter in the fort through this gate. Royal Gate is a marvel of engineering artistry of ancient period.

Following words are written on the top of third gate. “Abandon hope all ye who enter here”

“When the drought hit the areas of Thar, people used to migrate towards Khairpur, because it was the closest safe heaven to them at that time. Mir Suhrab Khan Talpur got the benefit of migrations and engaged those people in the construction of the Fort”. Ghulam Mustafa Shar, Ex Chairman of Archeological Department of Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur, opened the pages of history.

One of the majestic towers - a crumbling witness to the negligence of authorities

Mr. Shar told that Kot Diji was built for protection the people in times of war. There are separate portions for the residence of the forces, there is weapon storage, and about 90 cannons (topoon) were fixed there in the trenches.

He added that, design of the fort shows that in case of war, it was strategically secure as the enemy’s cannon fire could not reach at the fort.

Mr. Shar further said that, Fort of Diji was built in the era of Talpur state. Mir Suhrabn Khan Talpur was the ruler at that time. Not only the fort of Diji, but he had built the fort of Imam Garh in the area of Thar, and Shah Garh Fort in the frontier belt of Jodhpur and Jesalmir.

In current situation, no one can see single cannon there. When this correspondent contacted Mr. Shahnawaz Janwiri, Chief Security Guard of fort, he said that, General Ayoub Khan transferred all the cannons to Punjab, after the federal government took over the control of the fort.

He told this correspondent that people are coming from all over the country to witness the grandeur, and majesty of the fort, but the government is not taking any serious steps to secure and develop the Kot Diji.

There is staff of five personnel only deployed at the fort, who are all, but security guards (Chowkidar). But, there is no official tour guide to brief the tourists about the history of fort.

Yasir Babbar is a Sindh based free lance journalist.
He has contributed many write-ups to Sindhi and
English newspapers and magazines.