Dr Harmeet Singh
harmeetjnu@gmail.com
Qila Darhal is a village located in the Nowshera tehsil of the Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated 19 km away from the sub-district headquarters in Nowshera (tehsildar office) and 75 km away from the district headquarters in Rajouri. Nestled amid the picturesque hills of Pir Panjal in the Rajouri region stands the ancient Fort of Darhal, locally known as Qila Darhal-a monumental reminder of both the glory of the Sikh Empire and the unwavering courage of the people who defended it in 1947.
Qila Darhal traces its origins to the 18th century, during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the illustrious Lion of Punjab, who established one of the most powerful and secular empires in North India. When Fateh Ali Khan, an Afghan invader, plotted an incursion into Kashmir, Maharaja Ranjit Singh decided to march his Khalsa forces through the most direct route-via Darhal. Recognising the strategic importance of the area which lies near to Lahore and Mirpur, the Maharaja ordered the construction of a fort at Qila Darhal to provide a facility for the Khalsa forces proceeding towards the valley via this route, and this fort acts as a frontier post for the protection of forces, and it supplies all the things to his advancing army.The fort was constructed under the supervision of Wazir Mokam Chand, one of Ranjit Singh’s most trusted ministers and military commanders, having good knowledge of the area and location. The fort was built on an elevated terrain; the fort offered a commanding view of the surrounding areas due to its strategic location and served as a strategic link between Lahore and the Kashmir frontier.When Maharaja Gulab Singh was later appointed as the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Fort of Darhal came under the control of Dogra administration, but its origins remained deeply rooted in the military and architectural vision of the Sikh Empire.
The 1947 Defence and Valour of Local Sikh Population
The true test of Qila Darhal’s strength and legacy came in 1947, during the chaotic and violent days following Partition. As tribal invaders-commonly referred to as Qabalis-supported by the Pakistan Army, launched attacks across the border regions of Jammu and Kashmir, the people of Darhal, Naunihal and Lam area rose in defence of their homeland against the invaders, and they protected their motherland with full valour and courage.
When Rajouri fell at the hands of invaders and Nowshera faced relentless assaults, plundering, and attacks, the Sikh families of Lam and the Qila Darhal area (Shaheedgarh) stood up along with their wives, children, and elders andstarted protecting this area from this fort of Qila Darhal which acted as a strategic post of protection for local peoples. The fort that once served as a military post of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Sikh Empire transformed into a citadel of resistance and survival.From September 4th to October 28th, 1947, waves of attacks were repulsed by the brave civilians who refused to yield. The local Sikh people, armed with limited weapons but infinite courage, defended their motherland and area through this fort and their faith, fighting side by side. On October 28th, 1947, the Qabalis launched a fierce and decisive assault on Qila Darhal. In the ensuing battle, heavy casualties were inflicted upon the enemy, but the defenders also paid a heavy price. Brave souls such as Jathedar Ram Singh, Hukam Singh, Sohan Singh, Suchan Singh, and Pritam Singh laid down their lives in defence of their motherland.The spirit of the Sikh warriors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s time seemed to live again in these local heroes. Even the women of the village, led by Sardarni Bhagh Kour, fought valiantly from the top of the fort, hurling stones, boiling water, and courage at the invaders. Their defiance turned Qila Darhal into a living symbol of Sikh valour and Indian unity, the arrival of the Indian army headed by Brigadier Usman, who brought much-needed reinforcement and military help for Qila Darhal and the Naushera area. In present times there is a prevalent culture among the local peoples, i.e., they used to visit in this fort area, which is called ‘war symmetry’; they took a circumambulation round of this ‘war symmetry’ to pay homage to these warriors, and they pray to almighty god for such kind of courage and valourfor their next generations.
In memory of this heroic resistance of October 28th,1947, every year this day is celebrated as ‘Qila DarhalDefence Day’ to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who saved their motherland and stood up firm against the Qabalis. In order to keep their bravery, a war memorial, the Shaheed Garh (Qila Darhal War Memorial), has been constructed near the fort.Standing as twelve feet high, crafted in marble and granite atop a four-foot platform, this memorial bears the names of all army personnel and civilians who achieved martyrdom in the battles of Jhangar, Lam, and Darhal since Independence. It remains a sacred site of courage and valour of the local community and the nation.
Architectural Grandeur and Present Condition
Strategically located on a hilltop, Qila Darhal covers an area of about 14 kanals and features five wells, each eight to ten feet deep-ingenious rainwater storage systems that sustained the defenders during the 1947 siege. The fort also houses a Gurudwara Sahib, a spiritual symbol that ties the monument to the Sikh ethos of service, courage, and faith. All this monumental and architectural grandeur was constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and is still standing high to protect the motherland and the local people. Despite its glorious past, the fort now lies in a dilapidated state and demands renovation, with its walls slowly succumbing to time because of its neglect. The local school and college groups occasionally visit the site, recognising its historical and patriotic value, but nobody is taking steps for itspreservation; this structure now demands its renovation and to be a central place of visit. It is a matter of urgency for both the Central and Union Territory Governments, along with the Archaeological Department, to take immediate steps to restore and conserve Qila Darhal. This fort is not merely an old structure-it is a living narrative of the Sikh Empire’s strategic vision and the people’s unmatched courage during the 1947 Qabali invasion.In a time when nations across the world are rediscovering and restoring their glamorous past heritage, it is our moral duty to safeguard our Qila Darhal. As this Qila Darhal stands as a proud link between the valour of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Empire and the indomitable spirit of the people ofNaushera. The dire need of the time is to preserve it. It is not only about protecting stone and mortar; it is about honouring the blood, faith, and courage of the braves that built the foundations of our freedom and liberation of the area.
Protection and Conservation
Preserving Naushera’s historic Qila Darhal, which is the demand of the local population as it once defended the whole area, and a comprehensive and community-driven strategy should be implemented that will bring structural conservation, documentation, sustainable tourism, and public engagement. The first step in this direction is to conduct a scientific assessment of the fort through experts from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) or the J&K Department of Archives that will ensure proper mapping of damages, weakened walls, and foundation erosion. Restoration work should be started with the use of traditional materials like lime mortar and stone masonry to maintain its historical authenticity. The effective drainage systemand erosion control measures should be used to protect the site from the natural calamity and disaster. The fort should be declared as a protected monument under relevant heritage laws, allowing access to dedicated funds and safeguarding it from encroachment or vandalism.
To promote long-term sustainability, a local heritage committee involving local educated youth, administrators, historians, panchayat members, and civil society groups should be formed, and they were encouraged to supervise the conservation initiatives. Alongside physical preservation, Qila Darhal’s historical importance-particularly its role during Ranjit Singh’s Kashmir campaign-should be highlighted through interpretive boards, guided heritage walks, and digital documentation such as 3D mapping and archives. Enhancing road connectivity Via the main city side and Lam side, proper signage and basic visitor facilities should be encouraged, which can help to integrate the site into a broader “Site for Valour and Courage” at Naushera that will attract tourism and will generate economic opportunities for locals, especially local youth who can be trained as heritage guides in guiding the cultural festivals, college visits, school visits, and awareness programmes. The media promotion and social media campaigns,including special pages on the site and proper coverage of this area, should be encouraged. Additionally, establishing fencing, CCTV surveillance, waste management, and disaster-preparedness measures will protect and conserve the site. Through a coordinated approach involving government support, academic collaboration, and active community involvement, the site can be protected and conserved.
(The author is HOD, Political Science, GDC Katra)
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