Bhrund Fort, Sehnsa: A Dogra Border Fort in Kotli

Bhrund Fort is a small multi-storey watchtower fort on a rock outcrop near Bhrund village, about 3 km from Sehnsa in Kotli district, Azad Kashmir. It was a military post on the old western frontier of the Jammu and Kashmir state, built in the Sikh or Dogra period, and it is abandoned but still in fair shape. It makes a short heritage stop for anyone driving the Kotli to Rawalpindi road through Sehnsa, and pairs with Throchi Fort near Gulpur.

This guide covers its history, what to look for, how to get there and what else to see on the same day.

Where is Bhrund Fort?

Sehnsa is a tehsil town in the Sehnsa valley, west of Gulpur on the Kotli to Rawalpindi road. The federal Department of Archaeology and Museums places the fort near Bharang Bata Bazar, south-west of Bhrund village, on the left side of the Bhrund road leading to Sehnsa, about 3 km away and reached by Hotar bridge (spelt Hotart in the record).

It sits on a pointed rock 15 to 20 metres high, above a green valley that, according to the same record, also holds medieval Hindu temples and modern villages. The coordinates in the table are the official ones; use them in a map app, because there are few signs.

Who built it, and when?

The two official records give different dates. The AJK Tourism and Archaeology Department calls Bhrund a military post on the western border of the Jammu and Kashmir state, dating from 1846 to 1923, and "a fine example of military architecture of the Dogras" in the valley. The Department of Archaeology and Museums dates it to 1799 to 1849, which would place its origins in the Sikh period, before the Dogra rulers took over Kashmir under the 1846 Treaty of Amritsar.

Both fit the history of this area. The Sikhs and then the Dogras held a chain of hill forts across what is now Kotli district, among them Throchi, which Maharaja Gulab Singh had rebuilt in stone. No builder's name has been published for Bhrund.

What does Bhrund Fort look like?

It is small, and its shape is the point. The official description calls the plan irregular and many-sided, following the rock it stands on, and says it differs in look and construction from the other forts of its time.

• Materials: limestone, brick and river-rolled pebbles, plastered with lime inside and out.
• Height: several storeys, rising like a watchtower from the rock.
• Defences: parapets with firing slits, and defensive niches and arches in the walls.
• Water: a central well, essential for a small garrison.
• Escape: a secret exit, according to the federal record.

Think of it as a fortified lookout rather than a palace fort like Baghsar or Ramkot. Its job was to watch the valley and the routes through it.

What condition is it in?

The Department of Archaeology and Museums describes it as abandoned but in a good state of preservation, with fresh cracks in a side wall, probably from recent earth movement. It is protected by the AJK Preservation and Protection of Antiquities Act, 1986, and owned by the AJK government. There is no caretaker or ticket office that we could confirm, and no published opening hours or fee.

Climbing the rock and the stairs is at your own risk; stay off cracked walls and keep children close.

How do you get to Bhrund Fort?

The simplest base is Kotli. Take the road west towards Sehnsa, then the Bhrund road towards Hotar bridge and Bharang Bata Bazar, using the coordinates as your pin. Sehnsa also lies on the alternative road between Islamabad and Kotli by way of Kahuta and Holar, so you can stop on the way in or out; our Islamabad to Kotli guide covers that drive.

You need your own car or a hired one; we could not confirm public transport to the fort itself, and finding it depends on local directions. For overnight options, see hotels in Kotli.

How do you pair it with Throchi Fort?

Throchi Fort, on a hilltop near Gulpur, is about 20 km from Bhrund in a straight line and a much older site, going back to the 15th century and the fighting of 1947. It is under army control, so you view it from outside. Gulpur also has the Gulpur waterfall. Bhrund, Throchi and the waterfall make a reasonable day from Kotli. For more ideas, see our experiences page.

Is it safe to visit?

Bhrund is in western Kotli district, away from the Line of Control, but the UK government advises against all but essential travel to Azad Kashmir as a whole. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice, which can affect travel insurance. Kotli was among the districts affected by the deadly unrest from June 2026, with road disruption and long phone and internet shutdowns. Pakistani visitors still travel here; check local news and police advice first, and see our Azad Kashmir safety guide.

Is Bhrund Fort worth the trip?

Yes, if you are already on the Kotli to Sehnsa road and like military architecture: it is unusual, compact and still holds together, which is more than can be said for many forts in the region. Allow under an hour on site.

It is not a destination for a long drive on its own, and families wanting facilities or a park will be disappointed. Combine it with Throchi and Gulpur to make the day worthwhile.

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