Marot Fort

Pakistan, Pakistan

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Marot Fort is a historic desert fortress in the Cholistan (Thar) region of Punjab, Pakistan, located near the city of Marot in Bahawalnagar District, close to the India–Pakistan border.

The fort is traditionally said to date back to around 1291 and is associated with the Bhati Rajput towns of the Thar, later coming under the control of the Muslim Nawabs of Bahawalpur who maintained and used it as a frontier stronghold and caravan hub. Built on a small elevated position, Marot Fort features high walls with bastions and turrets, internal chambers and courtyards, and a blend of Mughal and Rajput architectural styles, with later historical layers including a mosque attributed to the Mughal emperor Akbar that still stands within the site.

Though much of the original structure has faded over time, the remaining ruins, together with nearby forts such as Jaam Garh, Mojgarh, and Meergarh, make Marot Fort a notable example of Cholistan’s medieval military architecture and a remote destination for those exploring the region’s desert heritage.