Explore The ‘Forgotten’ Sangni Fort Near Islamabad

Sangni Fort, lies 25 kilometers west of Gujar Khan over the Sui Cheemian perennial river. The fort is a reminiscent of Mughal era and was used for keeping prisoners. It is said to be later occupied by the Kashmiri Dogras and Sikhs. Potohar region is home to a number of forts and fortresses mainly including the likes of Rohtas, Rawat, Attock, Pharwala and Giri. The Sangni fort is situated at the most picturesque location.

Panoramic View of Villages

Sangani fort is situated over a hill to offer a panoramic view of several villages especially the Sui Cheemian, Dhoklas etc. The Dhole Las Village is known for a 17th century burial ground belonging to the soldiers of the Mughal period stationed at the fort. The main entrance fort gate opens to the east to provide a faroff view to the Takkal village.

Shrine of Abdul Hakeem

The fort contains four bastions of equal diameter with stairways reaching the top of the bastions used for guarding fort and the surrounding areas. Shrine of the saint Abdul Hakeem is also present inside the fort. It is said that the saint came here from Arabia via Iran to preach Islam. The fort is also known as Sagni Sharif due to the presence of his shrine.  The tomb reflecting the famous Potohar architecture is built by the saint’s followers.

Tomb Interior

The tomb made of marble provides three arched entrances from all directions.  The hemispherical dome is placed on the square building with four beautifully decorated minarets. The drum is adorned with glazed tiles near a mosque also constructed by Abdul Hakeem’s followers. The corridor walls are adorned with modern ceramics, whereas the tomb’s interior is decorated with glasswork.  In fact, the glazed tiles and glasswork are a common feature of tombs architecture in the Potohar region.

Hundreds of people visit the shrine of Abdul Hakeem each Thursday and Friday. Newly married couples also visit the shrine to gain blessings of the saint. People slaughter animals hoping to fulfill their wishes and thank the saint.

‘Miraculous’ Spring

There is a spring situated west of the fort. According to the local people, there was no spring in Sangni until Abdul Hakeem was buried at the Sangni fort. The spring water does not dry and a number of devotees bath in the spring to cure diseases.

Both the shrine and the fort are maintained by the followers of Abdul Hakeem. You can consult with the car rental Islamabad for a historic journey to the Sangni fort.