Karakoram Range of Pakistan

Pakistan is blessed with five out of the world’s fourteen highest independent peaks. Most of them are in the Karakoram Range which spans borders between three countries namely- China, India and Pakistan. In Pakistan this range is located in the region of Gilgit-Baltistan. This area has more than one hundered mountain peaks with the heights exceeding 6,100 metres (20,000 ft) from the sea level.

The Karakoram  range is spread about 500 kilometres length wise and over 192 kilometers width wise. It is surrounded by other great mountain ranges like Himalayas on its Southwest, Kun-Lu Chain of China on the north,  Pamirs on its West and Tibetan Plateau on its East. The Great River Indus which is one of the 15 longest rivers of the world,  flows through the Karakoram and the Himalayas.

K2 the 2^nd highest peak of the world and the Trango Tower are parts of this great range. The Karakoram range has the highest and the youngest mountains of the world growing 4 centimeters every 10 years. The great Karakorams along with their mighty heights and vast lush green valleys were discovered in 1860’s by Captain Austen. The range has the world’s  largest glaciers outside the polar regions.

The popular Karakoram Highway between Pakistan and China is surely a marvel of the joint efforts of the two countries. It stretches a distance of 616 km from Thakot to the top of Khunjrab Pass about 15,072 feet high. It is considered to be the eighth wonder of the world.

No.	Names of Imp. Peaks of Karakoram	Heights  Of Peaks of Karakoram	Pakistan Rank of Karakoram Peaks	World Rank of Karakoram Peaks	Passes of Karakoram	Glaciers of Karakoram	Location of Peaks of Karakoram
1	K2	8,611	1	2	Kilik	Biafo	Baltoro Muztagh
2	Gasherbrum I(K5)	8,608	3	11	Mintaka	Panmah	Baltoro Muztagh
3	Broad Peak(K3)	8,047	4	12	Khunjerab	Hispar	Baltoro Muztagh
4	Gasherbrum II(K4)	8,035	5	13	Shimshal	Trango	Baltoro Muztagh
5	Gasherbrum IV	7,952	6	17	Karakorum	Insukati Valley	Baltoro Muztagh
6	Distaghil Sar	7,885	7	19			Hispar Muztagh
7	Kunyang Chhish	7,852	8	21	Sasser	Concordia	Hispar Muztagh
8	Masterbrum I(K1)	7,821	9	22		Baltoro	Masherbrum  Mountains
9	Batura I	7,795	10	25		Sarpo Laggo	Baltoro Muztagh
10	Kanjut Sar	7,790	11	26			Hispar Muztagh
11	Rakaposhi	7,788	12	27		Batura	Rakaposhi-Haramosh  Mountains
12	Chogolisa I	7,665	14	36			Masherbrum  Mountains
13	Shispare	7,611	15	38			Batura Muztagh
14	Trivo Skyang	7,577	16	39			Hispar Muztagh
15	Skyang Kangri	7,545	17	44			Baltoro Muztagh
16	Pumari Chhish (W)	7,492	19	53			Hispar Muztagh
17	Passu Sar	7,476	20	54			Batura Muztagh
18	Yukshin Gardan Sar	7,530	21	55			Hispar
19	Malubiting (W)	7,458	23	58			Rakaposhi-Haramosh  Mountains
20	K12	7,428	24	61			Saltoro Mountains
21	Sia Kangri	7,422	25	63			Baltoro Muztagh
22	Momhil Sar	7,421	26	64			Hispar Muztagh
23	Skil Brum	7,420	27	66			Baltoro Muztagh
24	Haramosh	7,409	28	67			Rakaposhi-Haramosh  Mountains
25	Istor-o-nal	7,403	29	68			Hindu Kush
26	Ghent Kangri	7,400	30	69			Saltoro Mountains
27	Ultar Sar	7,388	31	70			Batura Muztagh
28	Sherpi Kangri	7,380	33	74			Saltoro Mountains
29	Saraghrar	7,349	34	78			Hindu Kush
30	Chongtar	7,315	35	81			Batura Muztagh

Sulaiman Range of Pakistan

The major geological feature of the Balochistan Province in Pakistan and  Zabul Province of Afghanistan is the Sulaiman Range. They are located at the west of River Indus and East of Lut Desert and are the boundary between the Indian subcontinent and the Iranian Plateau. On the north of Sulaiman range are the highlands of Hindu Kush, where 50% of the lands are above 6,500 feet. This mountain range extends about 250 miles (400 kilometers) in central Pakistan generally going parallel to the River Indus.The average elevation of this range is 1,520 meters i.e. about 5000 feet.

On the northern end of Sulaiman range are its prominent twin peaks Kaisargarh and Takht-e-Sulaiman which are its highest points. The latter is also known as the ‘Throne of Solomon’ because of its shape. The Sulaiman mountains and the high plateau creates a wall against the humid winds blowing from the Indian Ocean thus effect the climate  especially of Afghanistan.

Fact sheet of Sulaiman Range in Pakistan
No.	Names of Imp. Peaks of Sulaiman Range	Height of Sulaiman Range Peaks (m)	Location of Sulaiman Range Peaks
1	Looi Sar Naikan	3,578	Koh-i-Zarghoon, Quetta
2	Takht-i-Sulaiman	3,487	East of Quetta
3	Kaisargarh	3,441	East of Quetta
4	Loai Saar	3,472	Koh-i-Takatu, Quetta
5	Lwarrh Saar	3,194	Koh-i-Chiltan,Quetta
6	Salore Ghasha	3,184	Koh-i-Murdaar,Quetta

Makran Range of Pakistan

This mountain range is a semi desert coastal strip located in the south of Sindh. This is the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The countries sharing this range are Iran and Pakistan. The 1,000km  narrow coastal plain rises rapidly to form many mountain ranges, of which 750 km are in Pakistan’s territory.

There is an island on the coastal area of this range called Astola Island, its near Pasni city. This city is 300km from the Makran coastal area. Miani Hor and Kalamat are the main lagoons and Gawader Bay and Gawader west are the main bays of the coast.

Makran became a district within the Balochistan Province on the independence of Pakistan leaving around 800 square kilometers around the Gawader, which got transferred to Pakistan in 1958. Over the years entire area has been subdivided into smaller districts.

In 1960 an American archeologist surveyed Sokhta koh ( Burnt Hill) along the Makran coast.

Kirthar Range of Pakistan

This mountain range is located in Sindh. It extends about 190 miles southward from River Mula in  Central Baluchistan to Muari on the Arabian Sea, west of Karachi.

This range forms a boundary between the southern Baluchistan on the West and the Lower Indus Plain on the East. There are several rock hills having heights around 4,000a ft in the south to 8,000 ft north. There is a huge Kirthar National Park being the largest reserve of wildlife in Sindh.

The highest elevation of this range was discovered very recently by Shaddan Shah i.e. on April 2009. He named it Koh-e-Benazir to honour the late Benazir Bhutto. Before this the highest was Kutte-ji-Kabar (Tomb of a Dog), which now is the second highest. Kirthar range has several peaks above 5,500 feet and get snowfall in the winters only occasionally. There is a famous Gorakh hill station 93 kilometers north of Dadu city.

Kirthar consists of regular anticlinal type mountains with steep arches on its north and west and gentle deep ones towards its south and the Indus valley. The inhabitants are Sindhi and Balochi tribal people mainly involved in flock grazing.

Fact sheet of Kirthar Range in Pakistan
No.	Names of Imp. Peaks of Kirthar Range	Height of Kirthar Range Peaks (m)	Location of Kirthar Range Peaks
1	Koh-e-Benazir	2,151	North west of Gorakh hill
2	Kutte-ji-Kabar	2,097	Northern side of Kirthar
3	Gorakh hill	1,734	North west of Dadu

Aravalli Range of Pakistan

This range is about 800 kilometers long and is located in Eastern Pakistan in the Punjab and Sindh provinces and Western India. The word Aravalli means ‘line of Peaks’ and the locals call it Mewat hills. The highest peak lies in the southwestern end of the range. Udaipur city is on its south in Rajasthan, with many lakes. Many rivers rise from this range like Luni, Sakhi ans Banas rivers.

The range is the eorded stub of old folded mountains and joins two ancient segments making the Indian Craton.  These ancient mountain folds have stopped growing in height because of the upward thrust due to cease in tectonic plates movement in the crust of the earth under them. Million years of weathering have reduced their heights which is totally opposite to Himalaya mountains which are rising with time.

This range is blessed with mineral resource and has witnessed many years of illegal mining which caused an environemental concern and the government banned in May 2009.

Fact sheet of Aravalli Range in Pakistan
No.	Names of Imp. Peaks of Aravalli Range	Height of Aravalli Range Peaks (m)	Location of Aravalli Range Peaks
1	Guru Shikhar	1,722	Mount Abu

Salt Range of Pakistan

This is a range of mountains in Punjab and as the name tells is rich in rock salt. It extends from River Jhelum to River Indus across the northern side of Punjab. The range has great mines of Kewra, Kalabagh, Mayo and Warcha yielding huge supplies of salt and medium quality coal as well.

There are two famous sites namely Kutte Mar and Tulaja Fort. The area of Kutte Mar has a history of being a centre of Buddhism and has extensive remains related to archeological importance. There are no drains in the area and the leakages for the range have created several lakes with salty water. There are two important lakes in the area which are Uchhali and khabikki lake. The highest peaks of this range are Sakaser and Tilla Jogian. Sakaser is located in Pothohar from where the Soan Sakaser valley starts. It is in the Khushab district. The valley is about 47 miles in length and 12 miles in width.The Tulaja fort is on a huge rock overlooking the Plains of Punjab and the shrine of Kacchianwalla.

Fact sheet of Salt Range in Pakistan
No.	Names of Imp. Peaks of Salt Range	Height of Salt Range Peaks (m)	Location of Salt Range Peaks
1	Sakaser	1,522	Pothohar
2	Tilli Jogia	975	95 km west of Jehlum city

Pharwala Fort

The Pharwala Fort is situated 40km from the city of Rawalpindi in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. It was once the capital of the Gakhar Estate. The fort was built in the 15^th century on the ruins of an old Hindu fort. The site of Pharwala Fort was chosen wisely as a small Himalayan range stood guard on one side and the River Soan defended it from the other making it difficult to attack and capture.

Gakhars were the rulers of Northern Punjab and some areas of Eastern Punjab were also under their control. When the first Moghul Emperor Babar invaded India, he attacked the fort but was repelled by the strong Gakhar army; his second attack was successful and the fort was conquered.  After reconciliations however, the fort was handed over to the Gakhars who remained the loyal friends of the Moghuls. In 1825, the Pharwala Fort was captured by the Sikhs.

At present the fort is in a dilapidated condition. The apathy of governments past and present has resulted in the deterioration of many landmarks. It is up to us citizens now to save these historic buildings. Located in Kahuta district, Pharwala Fort can only be visited by Pakistani citizens.

Muzzafarabad Fort

There are two beautiful and historic forts in Muzzafarabad; the Red Fort and the Black Fort.

The Red Fort

The Red Fort in the Muzzafarabad city of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan is an ancient fort. The Chuk rulers started its construction primarily to save the territory from invaders. The fort was finally completed in 1646 during the time of Sultan Muzzafar Khan who is also the founder of present day Muzzafarabad.

The Red Fort was a specimen of great architectural expertise. It was surrounded by Neelum River on three sides and was constructed in such a way that it remained safe even when the river flooded. A flight of steps led down to the river on the Northern side and this side was a bit vulnerable to flood waters. An inn was constructed at the entrance of the fort.

This beautiful monument was damaged by the earthquake which hit the area in 2005.

The Black Fort

Little is known about the Black Fort located in Muzzafarabad except that it was built by the Moghuls above the river junction. At present the fort is under the use of the army and people are strictly prohibited to enter it.

Kot Dijji Fort

 

The Kot Dijji Fort is located in the town of Kot Dijji in Khairpur District in the Sindh province of Pakistan.  It was constructed on the orders of Mir Sohrab Khan Talpur. The fort is located at the edge of the Nara-Rajasthan desert and in a way is protected by the desert from that side.

The fort is well designed, planned and constructed. The main entrance has three levels all of which are protected by “elephant proof” gates. These gates have heavy iron spikes jutting out on them. Other tactics such as arrow slits in the walls and the bastions were also used to protect the fort against invasions making the fort practically invincible. The fort had many cannon stations to attack the enemy. The elevation and position of the fort ensured that the enemy cannons never hit the fort. The fort was however never attacked.

The fort served as a royal residence of the Ameers (rulers) of Khairpur. The fort is built on a limestone hill around 110 feet high. Kiln baked bricks were used in its construction.

The impressive structure of Kot Dijji still stands today and is a major tourist attraction of Khairpur.

Rawat Fort

 

Rawat Fort is located on the Potohar Plateau at a distance of 17 km from the city of Rawalpindi. It is believed to be built by the Gakhars; a tribe known for its bravery in the 16^th century. A battle between the Afghan warrior Sher Shah Suri and the chief of the Gakhar clan Sultan Sarang Khan was fought at the fort. Sultan Sarang died fighting and is buried here along with his sons.

The square shaped fort has two gates with the main gate opening eastwards and a smaller second gate facing north. The fort consists of a three domed mosque, an octagonal building with a single dome; some say this structure is actually a mausoleum. There are many small identical rooms along the inner side of the four walls overlooking a courtyard. Some graves can also be seen inside the fort. If you go up the dilapidated stairs, you will get a magnificent view of the Potohar Plateau and the Mankiala Stupa.

The fort which was once a symbol of pride now stands in shambles mainly due to the negligence of the government and the irresponsible insensitive attitude of the people.

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