Ranikot Fort

Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan

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Ranikot Fort, often dubbed the “Great Wall of Sindh,” is a colossal and mysterious fortress nestled in the arid hills of the Kirthar Range near Jamshoro, Sindh. With a staggering circumference of about 32 kilometers, it’s considered one of the largest forts in the world—so vast that it can be seen from space and even compared to the Great Wall of China. Its origins are shrouded in legend and scholarly debate.

While some theories trace its construction to ancient empires like the Sassanians or Greeks, most historians now agree that the fort was extensively rebuilt in 1812 by the Talpur dynasty, possibly as a military outpost or a refuge from British incursions. The fort’s walls, made of stone and lime mortar, snake across the rugged terrain, incorporating natural cliffs into its defenses. Inside the main enclosure lie three smaller forts—Miri, Shergarh, and Mohan Kot—each with its own strategic role.

The Sann Gate, the most accessible and well-preserved entrance, leads to Miri Fort, believed to have housed the Talpur royal family. Other gates like Mohan, Amri, and Shah-Pere add to the fort’s labyrinthine charm.