Bijnot Fort

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Coordinates: 28°5′22″N 71°40′55″E / 28.08944°N 71.68194°E / 28.08944; 71.68194
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Bijnot Fort
قلعہ بجنوٹ
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Alternative namesWinjhrot[1]
General information
LocationBahawalpur District, Punjab, Pakistan
Coordinates28°5′22″N 71°40′55″E / 28.08944°N 71.68194°E / 28.08944; 71.68194

Bijnot Fort (Urdu: قلعہ بجنوٹ), is a ruined fortress located in Bahawalpur District of Punjab, Pakistan, 23 kilometres (14 miles) west of Indo-Pakistani border in Cholistan Desert.[3][4]

History

Constructed in the 8th century, Bijnot Fort now stands in ruins, primarily due to targeted artillery shelling during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, rather than natural deterioration.[2]

It was under the occupation of Rajputs until 18th century.[5]

Outlaws connection

The fort's narrative isn't its historical significance, but the infamous outlaws who frequented it.[2] Madho Singh, a Rathore clansman from Bikaner, became a fugitive after retaliating violently against a neighbor's insult towards his father.[2] Escaping to Jaisalmer, he joined a gang of minor criminals, swiftly rising to leadership due to his imposing stature and Rajput dignity.[2] The gang's criminal activities escalated, leading to a significant heist and subsequent relocation to Pakistan in 1948, near Fort Abbas.[2]

The gang's cross-border criminal activities led to a confrontation with Rajasthan Police, resulting in the death of Madho's deputy, Krishen Singh.[2] His ashes, according to local lore, were sent to the Ganga River.[2]

After the incident, Madho Singh secured an audience with the Nawab of Bahawalpur, gifting him a richly decorated camel.[2] Consequently, Madho Singh and his remaining gang were permitted to settle in Dera Nawab, the Nawab's seat of power.[2]

Traditionally, Poorbia Rajputs served as the Nawab's harem guards.[2] After Bahawalpur's incorporation into Pakistan, these guards returned to India, leading to Madho Singh and his gang assuming this duty.[2] However, they soon relocated to the desert, resuming cross-border operations and escalating their criminal activities.[2]

By 1963, Madho Singh was allegedly involved in 135 cases in India.[2] In an act of revenge for a fallen comrade, Madho kidnapped Bhoor Singh.[2] Despite pursuit, they avoided capture.[2] Eventually, Madho executed Bhoor Singh, leading to his own capture and subsequent 14-year custody without trial or conviction.[2]

In 1978, Madho and his gang were released, thanks to human rights lawyer Abid Minto, and granted Pakistani citizenship.[2] Seeking peace, Madho rejected offers of protection tied to criminality, opting for lawful living under the shelter of Lal Mian Abbasi.[2] He died in 1983, ensuring his remaining gang pledged law-abiding loyalty to the Abbasi family.[2] This pledge was upheld until the last accomplice, Moolji, died in 1999.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Imperial Gazetteer2 of India, Imperial Gazetteer of India -- Digital South Asia Library (Volume 8 ed.). p. 202. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  2. ^ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 Salman Rashid (20 June 2014). "Bijnot Fort". Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  3. ^ "قلعہ بجنوٹ جسے شہاب الدّین غوری نے مسمار کروا دیا تھا". ARYNews.tv. December 8, 2022.
  4. ^ "چولستان میں صدیوں پرانے تاریخی قلعے". jang.com.pk.
  5. ^ "Of Tunno and his Bijnot".


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