BHIMBER, Pakistan-Administered Kashmir: Rising 3,422 feet above sea level in the serene Samahni Valley, the centuries-old Baghsar Fort is more than an architectural relic it is a silent witness to the ebb and flow of empires, cultures, and conflicts. With its origins debated among historians, the fort’s very stones seem to whisper tales of Mughal grandeur, Dogra ambition, and the unresolved echoes of Kashmir’s contested past.
Believed to have been built in the 16th century, Baghsar Fort’s exact genesis remains shrouded in mystery. While some credit its foundation to the Mughals, others argue it was expanded under the Dogra dynasty, rulers of Jammu and Kashmir in the 19th century. This ambiguity is etched into its walls: the exterior reflects classic Mughal precision, while intricate Hindu carvings and granite-dominated interiors suggest a melting pot of influences. Inside, 80 rooms sprawl across four levels, anchored by a sprawling darbar (royal court), a weathered mosque, and remnants of a temple—a rare coexistence of faiths frozen in time.
The fort’s strategic perch near the Line of Control (LoC), the militarized boundary dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan, adds layers to its story. From its ramparts, visitors peer into the mist-clad valleys of Indian-administered Kashmir, a stark reminder of the region’s fractured geography. Yet Baghsar’s allure transcends politics. Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the patron of the Taj Mahal’s builder, Shah Jahan, drew his last breath nearby in 1627 during a voyage to Kashmir. His entrails, legend says, were interred within the fort’s grounds—a macabre footnote that draws history enthusiasts.
Nature amplifies the fort’s mystique. To the east lies a tranquil, half-kilometer-long lake, commissioned by Dogra ruler Maharaja Ranbir Singh. Framed by cedar-covered hills and lotus ponds, it hosts migratory ducks and swans, offering a counterpoint to the fort’s martial past. The name Baghsar itself—”land of water and gardens”—hints at the oasis-like beauty that once made it a retreat for kings.
Today, however, Baghsar’s splendor is tinged with neglect. Thousands of tourists brave rugged roads annually to glimpse its fading glory, only to find crumbling infrastructure and scant preservation efforts. Locals and historians alike urge authorities to safeguard this cultural keystone, warning that time is erasing its stories.
As the sun sets over Samahni Valley, casting golden hues on Baghsar’s weathered walls, the fort stands as both a monument and a metaphor—a testament to Kashmir’s layered identity, where history, conflict, and natural beauty remain inextricably entwined.
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