Due to a lack of credible research, the historical significance and background of Dalel Fort or Kot have remained uncertain
- Dalel Fort, an important heritage site of Sindh, is vanishing and slipping into the darkness of obscurity
Aziz Kingrani
Dalel Fort or Kot, like other forts of Sindh, is an ancient structure. It is located near the town of Sakrand, in the Benazirabad district (formerly Nawabshah), close to the road leading to Nawabshah, at the bus stop of the nearby village called Dalel Dero. Because of this, it is also known as Dalel Dero Fort. Due to a lack of credible research, the historical significance and background of Dalel Fort or Kot have remained uncertain. This fort is also mentioned by Ishtiaq Ansari in his book “Forts and Kots of Sindh.” The historian Al-Baladuri refers to this fort as “Dahlilah” in his book Futuh al-Buldan.
According to the Chachnama, a questionable historical source of Sindh, during the expedition of Muhammad bin Qasim—around the time of the Brahman dynasty (632–712 AD, or according to some sources 652–712 AD)—after conquering Rawar and Brahmanabad, there were two other forts: one called Bahroor and the other DahleL. The area surrounding the Dahlel Fort was highly fertile and the fort itself was fortified. During the reign of the Rai dynasty (450–632 AD), Sindh was vast, and the construction of forts during this time is well documented.
Due to the circular or sun-like design with twelve towers or turrets, some historians believe this fort might have been built by sun-worshipping rulers, possibly of the Suryavanshi (Solar Dynasty). However, this seems historically inaccurate. If sun-worshipping rulers had indeed built the fort, why did they not construct other forts of similar design?
According to the Encyclopedia Sindhiana, scholars such as Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch, Qureshi Hamid Ali Khanai, and others have written about this fort. According to oral traditions, the fort was built by Nawab Dalel Khan of the Talpur dynasty or by one of their local governors. Hamid Ali Khanai wrote that there is no solid verification regarding the names associated with the area, although it is confirmed that Mir Noor Muhammad Talpur renovated the fort. Since the fort existed during the Brahman dynasty, this suggests it was actually built before their time—likely during the Rai dynasty, like many other forts in Sindh.
Some historians believe that Dalel Fort was built on the banks of the Mehran River, while others suggest it was built along the Hakra River. The more likely scenario is that it was constructed along the Mehran River, as the flow of the Hakra appears to have been far from this area.
Dalel Fort is made of mud (clay). Its walls and main gate structure are built from the same material and have suffered considerable damage. The walls are filled in from both inside and outside, making it appear partially collapsed. The fort has a perfectly circular layout, with twelve towers. The estimated area of the fort is around sixty acres. The archaeological remains suggest that the height of the fort’s walls was about 30 feet, and the thickness was approximately 8 feet. The support beams used in the fort were made of wood. Inside, near the walls, there is a footpath or platform-like structure, around 4 to 5 feet wide.
The main entrance of the fort is on the eastern side, where two tent-shaped structures were used as guard posts. On the north, west, and south sides, there are three small entrances known as “Chor Darwaza” (secret or hidden doors). These doors do not appear to have had wooden shutters but only marks indicating they might have been escape routes used in times of need. Battlements surround the fort on all sides. However, there are no notable ancient buildings or monuments either inside or outside the fort.
In conclusion, Dalel Fort or Kot is an important heritage site of Sindh, which, like Sirini Kot, the Fort of Sehwan, Brahmanabad, and many other such historical sites, is vanishing heritage of Sindh and slipping into the darkness of obscurity.
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Aziz Kingrani, hailing from village Haji Manik Kingrani, Johi, Dadu District, Sindh, Pakistan, is poet, short story writer, playwright and a researcher. He has been contributing in the fields of history and literature. He has served as a professor as well. His 17 books are published in English and Sindhi language.
