Field guides / Balochistan / Kharan Fort (Fort of Azad Khan)
Field guide · Heritage
Kharan Fort (Fort of Azad Khan)
Kharan Fort in the heart of Kharan, Balochistan: an 18th–19th-century brick fort of Mir Azad Khan, 83 by 53 metres, with corner bastions and watchtowers.
In the middle of Kharan town stands the fort of Mir Azad Khan. It is rectangular, about 83 by 53 metres, and 12 metres high. There are four large bastions at the corners and two more in the middle of the sides, with watchtowers above them. The walls have fired brick outside and sun-dried brick in the core, and traces of the battlements survive on all four sides.
Why go
- ✦A large brick fort in the centre of Kharan
- ✦Six bastions with watchtowers
- ✦Pointed-arch gate with terracotta tiles
- ✦Linked with Mir Azad Khan
History
The register says Mir Azad Khan built the fort in the 18th century, while Wikipedia dates it to the 19th century. The main entrance, on the east, is a pointed arch larger than the openings on the north and south. Above it is an alcove finished in terracotta tiles. Outside the walls were vaulted rooms for guards and visitors. The fort is in a poor state.
How to Reach
In the centre of Kharan town, in Kharan district of Balochistan; use the map on this page. Kharan is a long drive from Quetta; check local advice before travelling.
Planning tip
Best Time to Visit, October to March; summers in Kharan are extremely hot.
Getting there, In the centre of Kharan town, in Kharan district of Balochistan; use the map on this page. Kharan is a long drive from Quetta; check local advice before travelling.
Allow, About 45 minutes.
What to Do
Nearby
Straight-line distance from Kharan Fort (Fort of Azad Khan), within 5 km.
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