Malot Fort

Malot Fort
A view of Malot Fort
General information
Location	Chakwal District, Pakistan
Coordinates	32°41′0″N 72°48′0″E / 32.68333°N 72.80000°E / 32.68333; 72.80000
Completed	10th Century

Malot Fort (Urdu: ملوٹ قلعہ) is a temple-fortress located in Chakwal District in the Punjab Province of Pakistan.^[1][2] It is part of the Salt Range in Kalar Kahar.^[3][4]

History

Malot Fort was built in the 10th century AD and has the synthesis of Kashmiri and Greek architecture.^[5] Constructed following the decline and eventual disappearance of Greek Taxila, Malot Fort was developed by the stonemasons of the Potohar plateau who preserved the Greek architectural techniques across multiple generations.^[6] Rudyard Kipling described it in his novel, Kim as "...by workmen whose hands were feeling, and not unskilfully, for the mysteriously transmitted Grecian touch."^[6]

Over the course of a millennium, the hill on which Malot resides has experienced geological alterations, resulting in the formation of narrow fissures.^[5]

Architecture

Malot Fort built of local red sand stones of Salt Range mountains, is located on the road leading to Malot village near Choi village.

References