Type: Monument - Fort
Province: Balochistan
District: Kharan
Period: Historic
Relative Chronology: 19th Century CE
Description: This fort was built by Mir Azad Khan during the 18th century CE on rectangular plan. It is located in the heart of Kharan city and measures 83.14 x 52.66 m with a height of 12 m and the size of the bricks used in construction are 22 x 3.5 cm. The entrance to the fort is from east through pointed arch opening. The fort has four huge bastions one in each corner and two in centers, while watch towers have been made above the bastions for security purposes. Burnt bricks are used on exteriors while sun dried bricks have been used in the core of the walls. The remains of the battlements are still visible on four sides. The eastern side pointed arch opening is bigger than north and south sides. The three-sided opening chamber has an alcove on top where terracotta tiles have been beautifully used. The entrances had wooden door frames as suggested by the holes of door frames still visible. Outside the fortification wall were vaulted rooms for guards and reception. The fort is in very bad state of preservation.
Latitude: 28.713333333
Longitude: 65.653333333
Ownership: Private
Legal Status: Protected by The Antiquity Act 1975 (As amended in 1992)
Title of Publication: Archaeological Investigation along the proposed route of copper mining project from Chagi District to Gwadar Port
Published In: Ancient Punjab, Vol. I
Year of Publication: 2010
Bibliography/Reference: Shah, S. S. Ali
