Multan Fort commonly known as Fort Kohna, represents historic and breathtaking architecture of Multan city also known as the city of saints. This fort was built around 800 – 1000B.C by the Katoch Dynasty and has been through modifications because of the significance of the city. It was constructed originally for defense purposes and was situated on a raised platform, The Ravi River used to flow nearby and the construction made on the old bank which gave a natural protection against invasions.
The general appearance of the fort comprises walls that stretch between forty to seventy feet, with approximately two-kilometer circumference. This fort has passed through the fighting and occupies the territory with 46 bastions and four main gates: Qasim, Khizri, Sikhi, and Hareri. Even after the British laid siege to the place in 1848-49, as a reaction to the death of Lieutenant Alexander Vans Agnew, several buildings continue to stand even today including the famous watchtower Damdama.
One of the most historic and great features of this fort are the tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam built in 1335 A.D. This mausoleum has amazing Multani architecture with the blue and green tile work and is counted amongst one of the largest domes in the world. The remains of the gunpowder store, known as Barood Khana have also been transformed into an art house.
Multan Fort allows its visitors to view the beautiful city from some of the highest grounds of the fort and appreciate its historical importance at the same time. Fort plays a double role for city and military history is present there along with the cultural one in the form of the different styles in the structure of Multan Fort influenced by the dynasties shifted there.
