THE MUD FORT OF BARA

GENERAL

There are many forts in the NWFP, constructed over a period of time during the past about 2,000 years. The ruins of the oldest fort that exist today are of the Fort of Adh-i-Samut near Kohat. This is the fort of Raja Adh, who was a Buddhist and was constructed about two thousands years ago. I have already covered this fort in detail. Many other old forts have been constructed and reconstructed as the case may be. Today we find Mughal, Sikh and British forts in the entire area. Lately Pakistani forts have also come into existence in places like Timergara and Khar etc. A ruined fort of the Mughals can be seen at Hund. The Mughal fort of Balahisar at Peshawar was replaced by a Sikh fort and ultimately reconstructed by the British. The British forts and pickets of different sizes and shapes can be seen all over the tribal area.

The Sikhs also constructed a. number of forts in the Frontier for maintenance of their forces.. On required basis the forces could spread around in the area, devastate it and collect revenue. ‘These forts included one at Bannu and named after Maharaja Daleep Singh. A fort was also constructed at Ten. The present Balahisar Fort at Peshawar was a major one and was named as Sameergarh. The other satellite Sikh forts in the Peshawar valley were the Shankargarh Fort at Shabqadar, the Fatehgarh Fort at Jamrud, the Kishangarh Fort (now Fort Mackeson), the Jehangira-Khairabad Forts and the Mud Fort of Bara built in 1830s.

LOCATION

The Mud Fort of Bara had been constructed by the Sikhs. It is about nine miles west of Peshawar and was meant to control and keep the Bara Afridis away from the city of Peshawar. The fort was supported by the Jamrud Fort in the north and Kishangarh Fort in the south. The fort has been constructed at a strategic place gaining strength from Bara River bed on the eastern side. The whole surrounding area, especially the tribal area in the west, can be clearly observed from the fort's towers.

As was a common practice in those days, the fort has been constructed with mud. It is about two hundred feet square and is the only old Sikh fort, even now in a reasonably better shape. At the four corners are bastions of about a hundred feet circumference having rooms underneath. The bastions also have rooms on top, which seem to be British addition. The interior walls are about 20 x 25 feet high and have been broadened to 10 feet by earth-filling. These ramparts therefore are very strong. There is about 4.5 feet high parapet wall on this embankment having no fire slits, but a standing man can easily fire his weapon from the top. There is about 10 feet wide path or gallery around the interior wall, which is covered by the outer wall of the fort. This wall is also sufficiently high and protected soldiers while moving around the fort. There is a small tower in the middle of the exterior wall on the western and eastern sides. The whole fort is surrounded by a moat or deep ditch for filling with water (probably from Bara River) to impede the attackers from reaching the fort walls.

Inside the fort, there are rooms constructed for soldiers, the back walls being supported by the embankment. The compound has barracks and, a small mosque. The barracks and rooms seem to have been constructed during the British days. The main gate of the Fort is in the middle of the northern wall. It has strong doors with big wooden beams over it. The size of the gate is about 10 x 10 square feet. This also seems to have been made by the British. Outside the main gate are buildings comprising of houses, and offices. After turning from Peshawar-Bara Road towards the fort, one observes two Muslim graves in a garden it cold not be know as to who are buried there.

CONCLUSION

The Bara Fort, which was constructed to check the Afridis, continues to enjoy the same importance till date. Today one finds smart Frontier Constabulary Jawans in its occupation. The famous Bara Market is situated in its close proximity. The fort witnessed many Afridi attacks only to be repulsed by the Sikh and British soldiers before the tribe finally came to terms in tribal 'jirgas' (councils) held in the same fort or at Peshawar. Sheikh Mahboob Ali was one of the famous persons, who negotiated between the British and tribals. His majestic house which is worth seeing is a few kilometres south of Bara Fort. Whoever visits Bara Fort, must have a look at it in Sheikh Mohammadi. The fort and this residence are silent witnesses to many historic events and merit preservation.