Azad Kashmir has more forts than most visitors expect, built up over five centuries by Kashmiri, Mughal, Sikh and Dogra rulers along the Jhelum river system. None of them is restored to the standard of Lahore Fort or Rohtas, and several are hard to reach or partly off-limits. This guide covers the five most visited: the Red Fort in Muzaffarabad, Ramkot and Mangla near Mangla Lake, Baghsar near Bhimber, and Throchi in Kotli district.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Easiest to visit | Red Fort, Muzaffarabad (central, no entry fee) |
| Hardest to reach | Ramkot Fort (boat access only) |
| Partly closed | Baghsar Fort (near the Line of Control) |
| Not open to the public | Mangla Fort (military-administered) |
| Best combined with | Mangla Lake, Kotli district touring |
Red Fort, Muzaffarabad
Known locally as Rutta Qila, the Red Fort sits on the bank of the Neelum River in the centre of Muzaffarabad. Construction began under the Chak rulers of Kashmir in 1559, and Sultan Muzaffar Khan of the Bomba dynasty, who founded the city, repaired and completed it in 1646. The Dogra Maharajas Gulab Singh and Ranbeer Singh extended it further in the 19th century, and it remained a military post until 1926.
Much of its stonework and relics have been lost over the decades, and the 2005 earthquake damaged it further, so what remains today is a shell rather than a preserved monument. There is no entry fee, and it is easy to reach on foot or by rickshaw from anywhere in central Muzaffarabad, which makes it a straightforward addition to a day in the city.
Ramkot Fort, Mirpur
Ramkot Fort stands on a hilltop peninsula above Mangla Lake in Mirpur district, surrounded on three sides by the reservoir's water. The core of the present structure dates to the 16th century, with later additions, including ramparts and gun positions, made when the Dogra Maharajas of Kashmir held it in the 19th century. Older remains, including a Shivalinga, point to earlier Hindu use of the site.
There is no road to the fort. The usual way in is by boat from the Mangla Army Water Sports Club, a crossing of roughly 30 to 45 minutes, followed by a climb of several hundred stone steps to the fort itself. Because the site sits inside a cantonment area managed by the Pakistan Army, boat access and visiting hours depend on what the club allows on the day, so it is worth checking locally before planning a trip specifically around it.
Mangla Fort
Mangla Fort, on a hill above the Jhelum river close to Ramkot, has a much older story: tradition places Alexander the Great's crossing of the Jhelum near here in 326 BC, and the fort itself was extended by the Gakhars during the early Mughal period. Most of its original footprint was submerged when Mangla Dam was built, and only a small section on the southwestern side remains above the waterline.
It is administered by the Pakistan Army and is not open to public visits. It is worth knowing about for context if you are boating on Mangla Lake, but don't plan a visit around it.
Baghsar Fort, Bhimber
Baghsar Fort stands in the Samahni valley near Bhimber, close to the Line of Control. Little is documented about its earliest history; one theory places its origins with the 15th-century chieftain Jasrat, another with later Chibh rulers, and a third with Akbar's Mughal builders in the 16th century, using it as a stop for royal travellers heading to Kashmir. It is an unusually complete concentric fort, with an outer wall of small rooms encircling an inner section that once held a darbar hall, storerooms and a water pond.
Because of its position close to the LoC, parts of the fort are currently closed to visitors, and access can change with the security situation in the area. Check locally in Bhimber before making a special trip, and don't go beyond any point where you are told to stop.
Throchi Fort, Kotli
Throchi Fort sits on a hilltop about 3 kilometres east of Gulpur village in Kotli district, and dates to around 1460. Maharaja Gulab Singh rebuilt it in stone after 1855, and under Dogra rule it served as a garrison post and weapons store. It saw real fighting during the 1947 uprising, when Pakistani forces took it from its Dogra garrison, and it passed to the Pakistan Army after independence.
It sees far fewer visitors than the other forts on this list, which is part of its appeal if you are touring Kotli district and want somewhere quieter than Ramkot or the Red Fort.
Planning a fort-focused route
A single trip that takes in all five forts is not realistic, since Muzaffarabad, Mirpur and Kotli district are in different parts of Azad Kashmir and Baghsar sits close to the LoC. A more workable plan is to pick a base:
- Muzaffarabad base: the Red Fort in the city, easily combined with Pir Chinasi and a day in the capital.
- Mirpur/Mangla base: Ramkot Fort by boat, with Mangla Fort visible from the water even though it isn't open.
- Kotli district: Throchi Fort as a quieter half-day stop if you are already travelling through.
Baghsar, given its location and current access restrictions, is best treated as something to check on rather than something to build a trip around.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee for these forts?
The Red Fort in Muzaffarabad has no entry fee. Ramkot involves the cost of a boat crossing from the Mangla Army Water Sports Club rather than a fort entry fee, and this can change, so confirm the current rate locally. Baghsar and Mangla are restricted rather than fee-paying sites.
Can I visit Ramkot Fort without a boat?
No. There is no road access, so a boat crossing from the Mangla Army Water Sports Club is the only practical way in, followed by a steep climb on foot.
Is Baghsar Fort open to the public?
Only partly, and access depends on the current situation near the Line of Control. Check locally in Bhimber before travelling and follow any instructions from security personnel on site.
Which fort in Azad Kashmir is in the best condition?
None is fully restored, but Throchi and Baghsar retain more of their original stonework than the Red Fort in Muzaffarabad, which lost much of its structure to looting and the 2005 earthquake.
Is Azad Kashmir safe to visit?
Most of Azad Kashmir sees ordinary domestic tourism, but the UK government currently advises against all travel within about 10 miles of the Line of Control, an area that includes Baghsar Fort, and against all but essential travel to the rest of AJK. See our guide on is Azad Kashmir safe to travel for the current picture, and check local advice before visiting any site close to the LoC.
