Karjai Fort (Karjai na Qila) crowns a high ridge above the village of Karjai in the Bannah valley, north-east of Khuiratta in Kotli District, close to the Line of Control. On some maps it appears under the name Devigarh.
History
Local tradition traces the fort back to the Mughal era, while the standing ruins are generally dated to the nineteenth century, when the Dogra rulers of Jammu kept it as a defensive post. Its original builders are not recorded. Like the other forts of these hills, it watched over the paths that linked the foothills of Chibhal with the valleys to the north.
Visiting today
The ruins can be reached from Khuiratta by a winding mountain road followed by a steep climb on foot. The effort is rewarded with sweeping views across the Bannah valley and the hills of Kotli. Because the fort lies near the Line of Control, visitors should check local conditions before setting out.
Do you know more about the history of Karjai Fort or its links with the Chib families of Kotli? Please contact us so that we can add to this page.