Fort Kohna Qasim Garden — Attraction in Multan City Tehsil

Multan Fort, also known as Fort Kohna Qasim Garden, stands on a mound that separates it from the city and has a long and varied history. In 1848-1849, the British destroyed most of the Fort during their attack to avenge the death of Lieutenant Alexander van Agnew, who was killed on the instruction of the governor of Sindh. The Fort was originally built by Katoch Dynasty about 2600s years ago, and it has been rebuilt and altered many times since then. The Fort has been around for over a thousand years and has seen its share of battles, sieges, and other significant events.

Secrets of thousands of years old civilizations are buried under the Fort, ‘Qila Kohna.’ Metal coins, clay toys, bone bangles, bricks, and colorful vessels are exported from this Fort during the excavation. If you’re nearby in Multan, it’s worth a look!

Fort Attractions, Timings & Location Multan Fort is a popular tourist attraction in Multan, Pakistan. It is located in the city center, between the Multan Cricket Club and Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam’s Mazar. The Fort is also known as Kohna Fort or Qila Kohna. Moving onwards in the article, we will know entrance timings and the many attractions this Fort offers.

History of Fort

Multan Fort is an iconic monument in Multan, Pakistan, and one of the oldest forts. It was built to protect the city on the banks of the Chenab and Ravi rivers. The Fort has a long and rich history, dating back to 800 and 1000 B.C. It was destroyed and rebuilt many times, but the last time rebuilt it about 1100 years ago. There were huge caves in fort Kohna in that era. The semi-circular Fort with 7000 feet long walls have been used as a military garrison, prison, and palace over the years, and it’s now open to the public as a tourist attraction.

The Fort has lost its many parts and is now a park, with a museum with galleries displaying paintings, sculptures, antiques, and shrines. And eventually, this historical Fort is destroyed by the British to take an act of revenge. Multan is the same city where the quest of Alexander the Great to rule over the world ended. After fighting the ” battle of Hydaspes” (today called Jhelum River), fiercely n 326 BC, he decided to return to Greece.

The epithet of Multan is “the city of saints.” The reason for terming it the city of Saints is attributed to the fact that many sacred and holy personalities have their shrines in Multan. The oldest name of the town, “Mulasthan,” is a word in the Sanskrit language. As this city is way too ancient, no one is sure about its actual age, which remains a matter of debate. Multan is located on a route that is always considered the safest between south and central Asia. Due to this aspect, this city became a home for many holy men, conquerors, and refugees.

You must wonder why “Fort Kohna Qasim Garden” is the name given to this Fort. Muhammad Bin Qasim, an Umayyad General, took over Sindh in 712 AD. After that, he proceeded to conquer Multan. After he conquered Multan, he established Muslim Rule in the city. Multan was once regarded as a sovereign Muslim state.

Multan has been a special place for Mughal emperors. Multan was one of Emperor Akbar’s twelve most critical imperial provinces. During the Mughal era, Multan was known as the “Abode of Peace.”

The Architecture of Fort

The Fort has a long and winding history, with many dynasties making their mark on it. Katoch Dynasty originally built the Fort to protect the city from attacks, with its 40 to 70 feet high walls providing a defense installation and for its architecture. The battering from Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s guns in 1818 severely damaged the Fort. Before its destruction, Fort Kohna has four gates, including two towers on each gate and 46 ramparts. It was surrounded by thirty towers and housed a mosque, a Hindu temple, and the Khan’s palace. A massive trench around the Fort was also present for its defense that remained filled with water from the river...

Here’s a polished promotional overview to boost tourism at Multan Fort (Qila Kohna–Qasim Bagh):

⸻

🏰 Why Visit Multan Fort? • Ancient Heritage: Originating between 800–1000 BCE, with ruins that reflect its historic glory before British demolition in 1849 . • Cultural & Spiritual Hub: Home to centuries-old Sufi shrines like Shah Rukn-e-Alam and Shah Shams Tabrizi—visited annually during Urs celebrations . • Scenic Panoramas: Ramparts offer sweeping views of Multan’s walled city—perfect for photography and reflection .

⸻

📈 Governmental Boosts Underway • PKR 3 billion restoration: Led by DG Walled City Kamran Lashari, the surrounding areas—including Damdama, Nigarkhana, library, and langar khana—are being upgraded to enhance religious‑heritage tourism . • Punjab’s “Magnificent Punjab” Initiative: Under CM Maryam Nawaz, a provincial tourism blueprint was approved, covering 170 sites including Multan Fort, with a new app offering virtual tours, travel assistance, and cultural trails . • Walled City Revitalization: Decades of investment (including an Italian-funded restoration of gates and bazaars) lay the groundwork for integrated cultural tourism .

⸻

✅ Key Promotion Strategies Launch a “Multan Heritage Trail” • Guided walks through Qasim Bagh, Bloody Bastion, shrines, and historic gates. • Add tricycle or e‑cart tours connecting the fort to bazaars and shrines  . Host Seasonal Cultural Festivals • Tie into Urs and Spring Festival (“Jashn‑e‑Baharaan”) with live Qawwali, tariyakaar showcases, and artisan markets . Interactive Infrastructure & Visitor Amenities • Build tourist villages, cafés, rest zones, and install accessibility features under heritage‑compliant design  . • Provide trained local guides and hospitality training to enhance engagement . Digital and International Outreach • Promote via the “Magnificent Punjab” app offering virtual tours, booking, and travel tips  . • Partner with travel agencies for regional tours (including Derawar/Uch trips) like guided 3‑day heritage packages. Media & Social Campaigns • Share photo/video tours of the fort’s architecture and festivals. • Promote “Heritage Weekends” with special entry bundles and family events.

⸻

📅 Ideal Visit Packages • Half-day Fort Experience: Audio-walk exploring architecture, shrine visits, and fort history. • One-day Heritage Circuit: Includes Walled City tour, fort visit, marketplace lunch & shrine guest‑house stay. • Multi-day Cultural Tour: Alongside trips to local shrines, bazaars, arts museums, and dessert forts (e.g., Derawar).

⸻

🎯 Benefits for Local Communities & Economy • Boosted Local Incomes: From guides, handicrafts, cafés, and homestays in slotted “Tourist Villages.” • Cultural Preservation: Restored monuments, revived traditions, and youth employment in tourism roles. • Tourism Growth: Moving from ~100 foreign visitors monthly to thousands annually   .

⸻

🌟 Promote, Preserve, Prosper

By merging restoration efforts with immersive experiences and digital-savvy marketing, Multan Fort can become a flagship destination in Punjab’s evolving cultural landscape. The synergy of heritage trails, festivals, guided tours, and the Magnificent Punjab platform can elevate Multan into Pakistan’s must-visit city. This action takes govt on...

Multan is one of the oldest cities in the Asian subcontinent.According to Hindu legends, it was the capital of the Trigarta Kingdom at the time of the Mahabharata war, ruled by the Katoch Dynasty. Its current name is derived from the Sanskrit name Mulasthana named after a sun temple.Multan is a Historical city. Its History spread on centuries. Multan fort is situated in the center of city. Multan Fort was built on a mound separating it from the city by the old bed of river Ravi.

It was built in the 17th century it divided city, there is no fort now as it was destroyed by British. Multan Fort was created by Murad Baksh son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. This fort now looks as a part of Multan City it separated by a road which looks more like bazaar.

Apart from the shrines, most of the fort was destroyed by the British in 1848-49 to avenge the death of Lieutenant Alexander vans Agnew, killed in Multan by order of the Sikh governor. Agnew’s memorial obelisk stands on a plinth at one of the highest points of the fort mound.

A panoramic view of Multan City can be had from the highest point in the fort. The Fort was originally known as Katochgarh and is attributed to have been built by the Katoch Dynasty. The Damdama is a massive block of a building constructed on a mound of earth fill. It is highest part of Fort Kohna Multan and it was used as watch tower / Gunnery. Walled inner old city Multan is higher than New Multan and fort is highest in inner walled city Multan so it is highest place in Multan. People come here and have photo shoots as tomb of Shah Rukn Alam comes in background.Tomb Bahaudin Zikarya 1170 AD, an ancient tomb in Fort Kohna Multan..

Tomb Shah Rukne Alam 1335 A.D: Shrine Shah Rukne Alam since 1335 A.D. very old and historic. It is located inside Fort Kohna of Multan inside the inner city. Comprising of ancient Multani architecture , bricks and blue/green decorations, a large doom which is said to be second largest in world that times. It is the most beautiful place to visit Multan, it was awarded Agha Khan Award for architecture and since then it is used as identity of Multan city. No doubt it is no.1 place to visit in Multan.Tomb of Shah Bukhari Fort Kohna Multan.Ibne Qasim International Cricket Stadium now used for football Fort Kohna Multan.Qasim Park / Qasim Bagh / Qasim Garden inside Fort Kohna Multan.Old Zamzama Cannon of nineteenth century in Police Lines Fort Kohna Multan..... Barood Khana / Nigar Khana / Gunpowder Store: Barood Khana of Fort Kohna Multan was used as storehouse of gunpowder and weapons. It was badly damaged during siege of Multan by British in 1848. Pakistani government converted into a Nigar Khana or art house for selling handicrafts.Ruins of Perhaland temple alongside tomb Bahaudin Zikarya Fort Kohna Multan.Feed the wild pigeons in Multan Fort.

Gates: There were four other gates which belong to Kohna Fort of Multan, out of which only first survives.

Qasim GateKhizri GateSikhi...