The Mughal vestiges spread on either banks of the Tawi River comprise forts cum palaces, sarais, mosques and gardens etc. The ruins of a small mosque in the market are still in existence. The garden located on the slope of a plateau is most appealing of all the Mughal remnants in Rajouri. It consists of a walled enclosure separated into four parts by two channels with a fountain at the centre. A double storied baradari stands in the middle of west wall overlooking the river. The garden wall has bastions at the corners. The main entrance to the garden is on the south side but there also exist, two entrances in the west wall and one in the north wall. On an elevated hill northeast of the town, there is a fort, which commands a panoramic view of the valley. It is locally known as Danidhar. Dhanidhar Fort was completed in 1855 AD. The key purpose for the construction of the Fort was to keep Dogra Forces in this safer place because from this place, the whole Valley of Rajouri could be inspected. This Fort has been used by the defense in the past. Mangaladevi Fort lies here on east side of the region and is one of the biggest forts in Rajouri district. It is an invincible fort difficult of admission because of tremendous sublimity and well-built fortification. On three sides it is incredibly bordered by a river and on the remaining side it had a grueling uphill ascent. It is built on an asymmetrical plan with bastions at some distance. The fortification wall, survived in the most of the places is about 6 mtrs high and is strengthened by two rows of machicolations. The main gateway connected with a flight of steep steps. Inside area of the fort is uneven and is full of vegetation. It contains a treasury building a large tank in damaged condition besides a modern temple of Mangla Mata. Tourists take a great delight in visiting such historical wonders. Chingas is a small village situated on the right bank of Tawi River on Jammu- Rajouri highway. Mughal sarai of the village is historically prominent for containing mortal remnants of Emperor Jahangir who died on his way to Kashmir. It is a well designed building with two apartments namely the residential complex and the open yard. Both the apartments have separate gateways and are also connected to each other on the inside. The residential complex is built within walled enclosure and contains arched cell with opening towards the courtyard. Its gateway in the western wall comprises a central chamber with domed roof and a small guard's room on either flank. In construction of the building random rubbles, large pebbles and lakhauri bricks are used in lime surkhi mortar. Thannamandi was a most important halting place before entering Kashmir Valley through Rattan Shah Pir Pass. Here Mughal rulers constructed a magnificent sarai, which is distinguished for its ornamental carvings. Nowshera is a large town in Rajouri District. Sarai of the town is more airy and diverse from others in its general design. It comprises two enclosures one within the other. The outermost enclosures have double storied bastions at the corners and are crowned by crenellated fortification. It contains a row of alcoves on the inside and has machicolations. An impressive gateway in the middle of western wall provides an admission to the sarai. It is the only gateway in Kashmir which contains square stone pillar surmounted by bracket, a feature perpetually found in the Mughal buildings of Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. Nadpur Sarai about 10 Kms. from Nowshera was used as minor halting station during Mughal period. It consists of an open rectangular patio surrounded by a walled enclosure with battlement-patterned adornment at the top. It is provided with two rows of machicolations and is entered through magnificent gateways on the east and west sides. The frontage of the gateway has alcoves at the base and is ornamented with recessed panels. |