Gakkhars, a fiercely independent tribe of the Potohar Plateau built the Rawat fort, in early 16th century. The grave of a Gakkhar Chief, Sultan Sarang Khan is located inside the fort. He died in 1546 AD fighting against the forces of Sher Shah Suri. If one dares to climb the broken steps inside the tomb, one may get a panoramic view of the plateau and the Mankiala Stupa.[1]
The Ghakkar Fort of Rewat is right beside the Grand Trunk Road, on the western side, just past the village of Rewat, about two kilometers south of the junction with the Islamabad road. The Ghakkars built the fort to defend themselves against the invading armies of the Afghan Sher Shah Suri who had built a fort in Rohtas to fight Gakhars.
The Ghakkars were the most powerful people with a strong army on the Potwar Plateau. They were probably indigenous to the area and were converted to Islam in the 13th century. They also built forts at Pharwala and Mangla. The Ghakkars defeated first Mughal king Babur in his first attack but they lost in the second. After the battle they negotiated with Babur and became loyal allies of the Mughal emperors. In return they were allowed independent rule and free hand in running their territory. The last independent Ghakkar chief, Mukarrab Khan (1739-65), extended the territories from the Chenab to the Indus. In 1765, the Ghakkars were defeated by the Sikhs at Gujrat, and their territories taken from them by sikhs.
What remains of the Rewat Fort - the mausoleum, three domed mosque, two gates and outside wall - in good condition. Inside the fort it is surprisingly charming and peaceful; it makes good place for a winter picnic. The fort stands on a long low ridge of black rock which extends in a crescent from Kahuta to the east, around the south side of Rawalpindi, to Kushalgarh on the Indus and beyond. From the top of the mausoleum, or the main gate, you have an excellent view of the ridge, with the Salt Range behind. To the south you can see Manikyala Stupa and clumps of banyan trees that resemble other stupas.
The undecorated mausoleum is similar in shape to those in Multan. The outside walls of the fort are lined with chambers that were once the sleeping quarters of the army. Graves in the center of the fort house the remains of Ghakkar chief Sultan Sarang Khan and his 16 sons who died in battle with Sher Shah Suri. It is marked by a modern inscription in English. Sarang Khan and his daughter were captured by Sher Shah in 1543, and the chief was flayed alive and his skin stuffed with straw; Sarang Khan was rather unlucky; he lost no fewer than 16 of his sons in battle against Sher Shah; only two were left to carry on the line. The Gakhars (Kianians) in their history of thousands of years sided with their friends and allies at all times.
Sher Shah Suri was turned out by his family and he joined the army of Babur. When Babur died his son Humayoon succeeded the throne at the age of 22. Sher Shah Suri revolted and fought against Humayoon and forced him to go into exile in Iran. Sultan Sarang Khan was related to Iranian King and his official language was persian. When Humayoon reached Iran, he was given grand reception by the Iranian King Shah Tahmasab (1524)-76), who provided Humayoon with the necessary troops to recapture Kandhar, Kabul and India. Humayoon as commander of allied forces of Iran and Gakhars recaptured the throne but unexpectedly died at the age of 48 when he fell down the steps of his library in his haste to obey the muezzin's call to prayers. During the period, he was in exile, his wife Hamida Begum, daugher of Sultan Sarang Khan according to some historians gave birth to Empror Akbar, who was the future king of India.
It was in this context that Gakhars built forts at Rewat and Pharwala. Although Sher Shah was cruel to Gakhars, however he was a very good ruler of India, who did remarkable things during his five years rule of India. He built GT road from Peshawar to Bengal.[2]
REFERENCES
[1] http://www.tdcp.gop.pk/tdcp/Destinations/HistoricalPlaces/Forts/RawatFort/tabid/685/Default.aspx
[2] http://kiani.freehosting.net/forts.htm
