Type: Monument - Fort
Province: Azad Jammu and Kashmir
District: Sudhnoti
Period: Historic
Relative Chronology: 1799-1849 CE
Description: This fort is located about 26 km slight south-west of Sudnothi city in Baral village on a low rocky hillock and approached via following Kotra Chtrian road to Palandri road-Bypass-Kotli-Palandri road from Sudhnoti. Rajouri, Noushera and Khui Ratta Valley are towards south-east. Owin fort is located in the west. The plan of fort is square. It is double story fort with multi-cusped arched entrance on south side which leads to immediate square sanctum which is partially damaged, having domed and simple niches on the northern walls on first and second roof level. This area leads to main courtyard of the fort. One water tank made in dressed sand stones located in the center and four octagonal watch towers with round plinth at each corner of the fort. Signs of cells in series (four in each row) are evident on all the sides of the fort interior. The fortification walls are preserved up to height of about 18 m from ground level. Loop holes/slits are visible on the side of the fort. A staircase is provided towards south right in the center of the fortification wall, leads to floor of second story which is no more intact. A local mentioned that the fort was double storied with wooden beam pillars and wooden entrance gate was provided which destroyed as a result of natural vandalism. Huge fortification walls along with octagonal watch towers/bastions on four corners and slits are visible from all the external sides of the fort. No inscription is available from the fort.
Latitude: 33.637010000
Longitude: 73.703790000
Ownership: Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Legal Status: Protected by Azad Jammu & Kashmir Preservation and Protection of Antiquities Act, 1986
Title of Publication: Baral Fort
Published In: Unpublished
Year of Publication: 2022
Bibliography/Reference: Anonymous
