Jinnah Public Library Usta Muhammad

Rawat Fort is a hidden architectural and historical gem located just a few meters from the Grand Trunk Road near Rawat town and a few kilometres from the twin cities of Rawalpindi & Islamabad.

Reportedly, it was a caravansarai located on the road connecting the Indian subcontinent with the Central Asia. The name Rawat has also probably originated from the Arabic word "Rabat", meaning a travellers' inn or a caravansarai. The place being an inn appears to be corroborated by the fact that the whole boundary of the fort is dotted with small rooms, which would have been used by the travellers and traders during their journeys.

The courtyard of the fort houses a big mosque, a large structure which might be some mausoleum but there is no sign of any grave inside it and broad ramparts containing small rooms. In the courtyard, there are some graves with one grave marked as that of Sarang Khan Gakharr, a 16th century warrior, who fought against the forces of Sher Shah Suri, and whose statue has been inaugurated in Dina city a few days ago.

Tourism, Archaeology and Museums Department of the Government of Punjab has done a great job in preserving and maintaining this place of historical significance. The security guard on duty was alert and taking care of the premises well.

Visit this place if you are visiting the twin cities!