An ancient landmark perched high on the hilltop of Skardu City, Pakistan, Kharpocho Fort, also called Skardu fort, is known to be a magnificent masterpiece. This breathtaking fort stands tall at a height nearly 1,400 meters above the city, 4,600 feet above sea level. Its strategic location on the top of a hill provides the most fascinating panoramic view of Skardu city, and the reason why it is one of the top 10 destinations in Skardu.
After a hike of almost 30-40 minutes, the fort transcends the visitors into the passage of time with its majestic stonewalls, ancient architecture, and rich history, overlooking the beautiful city of Skardu and the junction of rivers.
Join as I reflect on our journey to this prestigious fort and unveil its tales of history.
Kharpocho Fort
Its name, Kharpocho, translates to ‘King of Forts’ in the local language. Because of its historical significance and unparalleled views, the fort has gained massive popularity and is a must-visit for everyone exploring Skardu. The fort is also known as the Skardu Fort.
The Kharpocho Fort was built in the 16th century by Ali Sher Khan Anchan (1560-1625 AD), the ruler of Baltistan in the 17th century. It served as a military front in several wars and was later converted into a fort by the Balti kings.
Today, the preserved fort is a popular tourist destination and an important symbol of Pakistan’s rich history.
Our Expedition to Kharpocho Fort
Impressed with all its rich history and significance, a visit to this fort was a must for us. It is located on a high-mountain area on a road called Chumik in Skardu. After our stay in Soq valley, we continued our journey and headed towards Skardu, in an hour drive.
After reaching the city, we took a drive from the city, passed by the Main Skardu Bazaar, and reached the hill where it is situated. To reach the top, a 30-40-minute hike is required on a steep, rocky path.
With our hiking boots on, we wasted no moment and started climbing up.
The track has some twists and turns and is not very stable since it is not well-maintained. But still, it doesn’t stop people from traversing through it and exploring the monumental fort.
Though it was a bit challenging, but as we ascended, the view became more magnificent. We could already see the beautiful city of Skardu and the mesmerizing wide view of the valleys, trees, and rivers, all in one. This kept us motivated, and we finally reached the top.
Upon reaching the entrance, we were already awe-struck by its old-style architecture. The solid wooden main gate still looked unbreakable and mightily showed its strength. There was only a small window-like opening to enter the fort. The entry fee was Rs 50 for locals and PKR 70 for non-locals, charged by the gatekeeper. Only one person could fit in at one time and move across the hole, so we had to wait for our turn.
Architecture of the Kharpocho Fort
Once we entered, the preserved fort proudly whispered of the past. It felt like the tales of history were narrating in front of us. We could sense the bygone era of this fort and how the Kings and Queens lived there.
The fort is marveled with ancient architecture. Even if you are not a history geek, the place can still stir your curiosity. The fort’s jagged and old infrastructure still looks well-crafted. The boundary walls were artistically used to build the boundary walls. It showed the creativity and craftsmanship behind the foundation of this masterpiece.
While exploring the nook and corners, we visited the large and small rooms, a hidden passageway, a tunnel connecting the fort to the city, and an old mosque which is now one of the oldest mosques in Gilgit-Baltistan. It is uniquely built in Kashmiri and Balti style. The site’s remarkable architecture showed the Fort’s brilliance and enriched our visit.
Stunning Views of the Skardu City
The highlight of this venture was the stunning panoramic views. Because of the fort’s high elevation and central location, we could witness the whole Skardu from atop. The vista of valleys, majestic mountains, rivers Indus and Shigar flowing, and Skardu’s lush greenery was a sight to behold.
As they say, the most beautiful view comes after the most difficult climb; the scenery from this fort is unmatchable. There was a window that provided the best iconic view of the entire Skardu and the mesmerizing rivers. It is a must-picture place for everyone, and we made the best out of it too.
History of Kharpocho Fort
While exploring the Kharpocho Fort, we also learned about its rich history. This ancient marvel has stood strong and survived through centuries. It dates back to the 8th century when it was built by the famous Baltistan King of that time, Ali Sher Khan Anchan (1560-1625 AD). The fort was constructed to be a guardian against invasions.
During a war, Maharaja Gulab Singh of the Dogra clan realized the significance of this Fort and directed General Zorawar Singh to take control of it. Because of the Fort’s center location, they occupied it to keep an eye on the entire city and invaders.
Then in 1857, Ranbir Singh attacked this fort and demolished it. This resulted in its destruction and leveled it to the ground. Years later, during the conflict between India and Pakistan in 1947, Indian soldiers were in the Kharphocho Fort. Then, Pakistani soldiers attacked the fort in February 1948 to take control of Kashmir. However, the attack didn’t work. Pakistani soldiers then surrounded the fort for about 6 months. Luckily, the Indian soldiers in the fort eventually retreated because they didn’t have enough weapons and bullets. This happened on August 14, 1948, which is exactly one year after Pakistan was created.
Since then, the name of Skardu was changed to Gilgit Baltistan, and this area became a part of Pakistan. This was the rich history of Kharpocho Fort and its significance that completely fascinated us.
End of the Journey
After an enriching experience and enjoying the heavenly views, we said our goodbyes to the place. As venturer, the opportunity to stand amongst the ruins of a kingdom that once ruled this land was totally exhilarating.
The King of Forts had truly given us the visit of a lifetime, with not just an adventure into the past but a glimpse of its influential history. The journey to this magnificent landmark will be unforgettable.
Delve into the next blog to read Maisie and her friends’ journey ahead: Marsur Rock Climbing: Spectacular Bird’s Eye View of Skardu!
