Throchi Fort is a hilltop fort in Throchi village, about three kilometres east of Gulpur in Kotli district, with a history that runs from the 1400s through to fighting in 1947. It is one of the more historically significant sites in Azad Kashmir, but it is also under Pakistan Army control today, which changes how you should plan a visit.
This guide covers the fort's history, what stands there now, and what to expect if you go.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Throchi village, Choroi tehsil, Kotli district |
| From Gulpur | About 3 km |
| Built | Between roughly 1425 and 1460; rebuilt in stone in 1855 |
| Condition | Standing but deteriorated; needs restoration |
| Access | Controlled by the Pakistan Army; treat as a viewpoint, not a site to explore freely |
| Best months | October to March for comfortable walking |
Where is Throchi Fort?
The fort sits on a hilltop in Throchi village, in Choroi tehsil of Kotli district, overlooking the surrounding area from its raised position. It stands close to Gulpur, a small town at the junction of the Kotli–Mirpur and Kotli–Rawalpindi roads, and the two make a natural pair for one outing since they sit only a few kilometres apart.
The early history
Research carried out under the Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations attributes the fort's original construction to the Mangral Rajputs under a leader named Nasir-Din Khan, dated to roughly between 1425 and 1460. At that time this part of the region was under the control of Jasrat, a Khokhar or Gakhar chieftain associated with a number of forts across the area.
The fort later fell to Sikh forces during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and subsequently passed into the hands of Maharaja Gulab Singh, the first Dogra ruler of Jammu and Kashmir. Gulab Singh had the fort rebuilt in stone in 1855, giving it much of the structure that survives today, which shows a mix of Indo-Islamic and later Mughal-influenced building styles.
The fighting at Throchi in 1947
Throchi Fort played a direct role in the fighting of 1947. As resistance to Dogra rule spread through the Kotli area, led locally by figures including Colonel Sher Ahmad Khan, a Dogra army contingent took refuge at the fort. Major Nasarullah, leading local Muslim forces, captured the fort after overcoming the Gorkha garrison stationed there under Captain Raghubir Singh, and Colonel Mahmood Mangral's men accepted the surrender of the besieged Dogra soldiers, who were then chased toward Jammu.
This 1947 episode, alongside the fort's much older origins, is what makes Throchi more than just another ruined hill fort: it sits at a point where Kashmir's medieval and modern history overlap.
What does the fort look like now?
The 1855 stone rebuild is what visitors see today, though descriptions consistently note that the structure is in poor condition and would need proper restoration to be preserved. The Pakistan Army maintains a presence at the site, including a control room and a signals tower belonging to the Special Communication Organization, reflecting the fort's continued strategic value on high ground overlooking the district.
Can you visit Throchi Fort?
Not freely. Because the army controls the site and uses part of it for communications infrastructure, this is not a fort you can walk into and explore at will. Treat it as a place to view from outside and photograph the hilltop setting, rather than a ruin you can wander through room by room.
A few points worth knowing before you go:
- Check locally before making a special trip. Access to parts of the site may not be possible on any given day, and there is no fixed visiting arrangement to rely on.
- Don't photograph the signals installation or anything that looks military. This applies across Azad Kashmir near any army-controlled site, and Throchi is no exception.
- Follow instructions from any soldiers or guards on site without argument.
- Combine it with Gulpur. Given the short distance between the two, most visitors see the fort as part of a wider stop that includes the Gulpur waterfall rather than a destination on its own.
Is Throchi Fort worth the trip?
For visitors genuinely interested in the history, particularly the 1947 fighting and the fort's Dogra-era rebuild, yes, with the understanding that you are viewing rather than exploring. It is a short add-on to a Gulpur visit rather than a full day out by itself.
If your main interest is walking through an intact historical structure, Throchi will disappoint; its condition and restricted access mean the payoff is the story more than the site itself. Ramkot Fort near Mirpur, covered in a companion guide, offers a more open visit for that kind of trip.
Is it safe to visit Throchi Fort?
Throchi Fort lies within Kotli district, one of the areas of Azad Kashmir significantly affected by the unrest that began in June 2026, with road disruption and long communication shutdowns reported through the summer. As a site under military control, expect a security presence and follow any instructions given without question. Check current conditions before travelling, and see our guide to safety in Azad Kashmir for the wider picture, including what current UK travel advice says about the region.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Throchi Fort?
The core structure dates to roughly 1425 to 1460, built by the Mangral Rajputs, though the fort was substantially rebuilt in stone in 1855 under the Dogra ruler Maharaja Gulab Singh.
What happened at Throchi Fort in 1947?
Local Muslim forces led by Major Nasarullah captured the fort from its Gorkha garrison during the uprising against Dogra rule, and the besieged Dogra soldiers were forced to surrender before fleeing toward Jammu.
Can you go inside Throchi Fort?
Not freely. The Pakistan Army controls the site and uses part of it for a signals installation, so treat it as a viewpoint to see from outside rather than somewhere you can walk through unrestricted.
How far is Throchi Fort from Gulpur?
About 3 km, making it easy to combine with a visit to the Gulpur waterfall in the same trip.
Is Throchi Fort safe to visit right now?
It lies in Kotli district, which has seen unrest and communication disruption since June 2026. Check current conditions before travelling and follow any instructions from soldiers or guards at the site.
