STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS AND CONSERVATION OF REWAT FORT - A SURI PERIOD MONUMENT IN POTOHAR REGION (PAKISTAN)

Abstract

The present paper treats with the archaeological conservation carried out at different parts of the historical fort of Rewat (also as Riwat or Rawat). The fort is believed to have been built during the Sultanate/ Suri period (1192-1545CE) in Potohar region of Punjab province of Pakistan. The monument of the fort suggests that it was built keeping in view the strategic importance of the area of Rewat since it is located along the Grant Trunk (G.T) road connecting Punjab with Peshawar. Hence it was a military fort and also fulfilled the accommodation requirements of the travelers and merchants travelling from Peshawar to Delhi and elsewhere. The fortress-cum caravan - serai is consists of monumental gateways, fortification wall with battlement merlons, a series of living cells, a mosque and a tomb. All these architectural components of the fort have deteriorated due to natural hazards and human vandalism in the past. In order to restore and conserve the fort from further decay, the Department of Archaeology and museums, Government of Pakistan decided to launch the conservation and restoration project of the Rewat Fort. A preliminary report of the conservation activities carried out in the fort is presented here for the readers.