Malot Fort (Urdu: ملوٹ قلعہ) is a temple-fortress located in Chakwal District in the Punjab Province of Pakistan.[1][2] It is part of the Salt Range in Kalar Kahar.[3][4]

Malot Fort
A view of Malot Fort
Map
General information
LocationChakwal District, Pakistan
Coordinates32°41′0″N 72°48′0″E / 32.68333°N 72.80000°E / 32.68333; 72.80000
Completed10th Century

History

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Ruins of a temple at Malot

Malot Fort was built in the 10th century AD and has the synthesis of Kashmiri and Greek architecture.[5] Constructed following the decline and eventual disappearance of Greek Taxila, Malot Fort was developed by the stonemasons of the Potohar plateau who preserved the Greek architectural techniques across multiple generations.[6] Rudyard Kipling described it in his novel, Kim as "...by workmen whose hands were feeling, and not unskilfully, for the mysteriously transmitted Grecian touch."[6]

Over the course of a millennium, the hill on which Malot resides has experienced geological alterations, resulting in the formation of narrow fissures.[5]

Architecture

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Malot Fort built of local red sand stones of Salt Range mountains, is located on the road leading to Malot village near Choi village.

References

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  1. ^ "Important Places in Chakwal".
  2. ^ "سالٹ رینج میں واقع قدیم ملوٹ قلعہ". jang.com.pk.
  3. ^ "سالٹ رینج میں واقع ملوٹ قلعہ اورمندروں کی بحالی - ایکسپریس اردو".
  4. ^ "Roznama Dunya: اسپیشل فیچرز :- قلعہ ملوٹ توڑ پھوڑکا شکار". Roznama Dunya: اسپیشل فیچرز :-.
  5. ^ a b "Preserving Malot fort". DAWN.COM. April 18, 2010.
  6. ^ a b "Footloose, NOS,". The News International.