Punjab Complete Restoration of Historic Derawar Fort

The Punjab Archaeology Department has completed a restoration and conservation project worth over Rs120 million at the historic Derawar Fort in the Cholistan Desert.

The project focused on restoring parts of the late Nawab of Bahawalpur Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V’s secretariat and residential quarters inside the centuries-old fort, located around 70 kilometers from Bahawalpur.

Restoration Work Completed

According to Archaeology Department Sub-Divisional Officer Sajjad Ahmed, the renovated sections are now ready and may soon be opened to visitors.

Officials said the restoration preserved the fort’s original architectural style while incorporating modern materials and tiles to strengthen the structures.

The project, launched during 2022-23, also included restoration work on a fortification wall near the Nawab’s civil buildings.

Earlier Conservation Projects

The department had previously restored several important sections of the fort under a separate Rs141.8 million project. These included:

• Eastern bastions
• Fortification walls
• Main gate
• Historic mosque
• Baradari
• Platform and godown areas

A Historic Landmark of Cholistan

Derawar Fort is one of Pakistan’s most iconic historical landmarks and a major tourist attraction in the Cholistan Desert.

Historical records suggest the original fort was built in the 9th century by Rai Jajja Bhatti of Jaisalmer, while the present structure was reconstructed by Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan-I in 1733.

The square-shaped fort is famous for its 39 massive bastions and unique brick masonry architecture.

UNESCO Tentative Heritage List

Due to its historical and architectural significance, the fort was declared a protected site in 2005 under the Antiquities Act 1975. It was later added to UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List in 2016.

Authorities said restoration efforts are continuing to preserve the fort after decades of deterioration following the death of Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V in 1966.