Poonch Fort

Found in the history-rich city of Poonch, the Poonch Fort hosts a series of grand structures reflective of a combination of architectural styles of the various reigns these lands have witnessed. This majestic complex is sprawled across the top of a small hill, covering an area of 7,500 sqm.

The structures within the fort are arranged around four irregular courtyards. The initial structures of the fort were built by the Dogra rulers in the 18th century. The major buildings display a keen influence of Mughal architecture. The central building is constructed during the rule of the Sikhs, thus combining the edifices within to showcase classic styles of these three rules. Fascinated by the unique architecture of the fort, the late 19th century saw Raja Moti Singh consistently renovating, hiring a European architect to oversee the preservation. One can find a small mosque, a temple and a Gurudwara within the premises.The palatial structure is a great display of a mix of the features of histories of Indian rulers. Despite being struck by an earthquake in 2005, the state of Jammu and Kashmir has worked hard to preserve the interim of this historic landmark, making it a prime attraction of the region.