Daily Times

The largest fort of the world needs to be given more and more attention by the government of Sindh as due to lack of facilities, a large number of visitors and tourists are still unaware of this antique place of Pakistan.

The sands and the rocks are like golden-pieces. A large number of tourists have recommended that if the journey towards the fort is worked on, it would be more accessible for them.

Tourists may have visited numerous of forts out of which there are some famous and historical ones too like Ranikot which is a historical Talpur Fort near Sann, Jamshoro District. The folk who loves nature would find the real taste of the view in the early morning and at night by taking a look at the constellations of sparkling stars under the skies.

A group of journalists visited the area and gathered concealed facts about the fort. Their trip was arranged by the Sindh Tourism Development Corporation (STDC). They visited the lake which is known to be The Lake of Fairy where myth has it that lots of fairies used to come to take a bath.

According to researcher Achar Khashheli, Ranikot’s architects have not been identified in history. Some of the archaeologists attribute to Arabs and this fort was constructed in the regime of Imam Mosa Bin Marmaki who was the governor 836AD.

A group of journalists visited the area and gathered concealed facts about the fort, during a trip arranged by the STDC. They visited the lake which is known to be The Lake of Fairy where myth has it that lots of fairies used to take bath in it

Traveller and journalist Mujahid Hussain Syed said, “The largest fort has lots of natural beauty and gorgeous mountains when it comes to exploring. This time the government is looking into doing something positive to promote tourism in Sindh,” he added.

He further said the government does not want this fort to be developed like Karachi or Hyderabad, but seems interested in construction of some roads to reach there. The government considers that if the fort is converted into a city, it would lose its original state.

STDC General Manager (GM) Ghulam Murtaza Daudpoto recognised the need to further develop facilities in and around the fort to boost economic as well as tourism based activities.

STDC GM Ghulam Murtaza Daudpoto added that we are doing our utmost to promote tourism in Sindh and somehow, we have gotten success to it and there is a lot to do more.

He said that they are trying to promote tourism by creating awareness of Sindh’s unique wealth of its natural, religious, cultural and historical heritage.

On the other hand, a resident Abdul Karim Gabol urged that the Sindh government is supposed to bring some facilities in order to make it more convenient for tourists. He said that the government and Culture & Tourism Department should facilitate researchers to explore the actual history of this fort and take steps to preserve this historical site to turn it into a tourism hub of Sindh.

He further said that Culture Secretary Akbar Leghari keeps coming there, but he should also think about the betterment of this fort.

“There is no linked road to create ease for day-time visitors to access the beautiful and historical ‘gold’ of Pakistan,” he lamented.

Another resident Abdullah asked the government to make roads and open shops there. He also urged that if the Sindh government along with the help of federal government opens door for foreigners to visit, it would financially be advantageous for the national economy of Pakistan. “We are the only nation who owns the largest fort of the world,” he exclaimed.

A researcher there explained that the marvellous view of that the fort was actually created around centuries back. It was a well thought-out strategic location in the heart of Kirthar Mountain Range to protect the fertile lands of Sindh from constant attacks by Iranians and Central Asians, he further added.

It is assumed that up until now, no proper history of the place has been recorded or disseminated.

Abdullah Gabol, who runs a small teashop in Ranikot said that in 2017, plenty of visitors came here and during the last year, more visitors came.

“People from various parts of the world are being well-acquainted with the largest fort day-by-day,” he boasted.

The writer can be reached at shahry1977@gmail.com and Tweets at @maferozi

Published in Daily Times, January 11^th 2019.