Jamrud

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A well-known Sikh General Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa, proposed the constructed a big fort at Jamrud (originally Fattagarh) in 1837, in order to strengthen the base for further advances through the formidable defile. It is at the southern end of the Khyber Pass, where the Khyber gate stands across the road today. Hari Singh built this mud fort in an unbelievably short time of 54 days. However, Amir Muhammad Khan of Kabul (Afghanistan) sensed danger and attacked it in early 1837, was defeated by the Sikhs and returned to Kabul . In April 1837, the local tribesmen followed suit and attacked the fort again.They were also defeated and could not capture Hari Singh but Hari Singh died soon due to a fatal wound inthe battle. The fortress is situated on a mound covering a hundred square yards. It has an outer wall and an inner wall and had one entrance in each wall at the time. The route inside spirals to the top, from where one can get a commanding view of the stony barrenness that leads into the famous Khyber Pass. In 1924, the British took over the fort and constructed new barracks. Today it is part of the Peshawar garrison, and prior permission is required to visit inside. The objects of mild interest are:

  • A Smadhi or shrine of Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa, erected in 1892 by Babuq.
  • A Gurdwara or Sikh temple.
  • A well, which has a goryq tale.
  • Underground cells, once used as a prison.
  • The sweeping view of the Khyber Pass from the top.