Type Military/Religious | ||
Owner Department of Archaeology & Museums AZK, Government of Pakistan Elevation 1,981 metres (6,499 ft) AMSL Similar Neelum Valley Hotels, AJK Tourism Rest Hou, Jammu and Kashmir, Sharda Neelum Valley, Neelum Green Land Hotel | ||
Sharda Fort, also known as Sharda Peeth, is an ancient fort and a national heritage monument in Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Situated at an altitude of 1981m near the Neelum River, it is a major tourist attraction in Neelum Valley. The heritage site is not just a fort but is a combination of ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples as well as a ruined Buddhist University.
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Location
It is situated in the village of Sharda also known as Shardi in Neelum Valley of Azad Kashmir (The Pakistani Controlled side of Kahsmir). The monument is basically a ruined ancient settlement of Buddhist and Hindus which includes a Fort, Buddhist University and various Temple structures of Goddess Sharadha. It is located at a distance of 30 kilometers from Dowarrian.
Importance
The site is not just a tourist attraction. It is believed by Hindus that the Sharda script was developed here in the 9th century. It also remained a Hindu and Buddhist place of learning for centuries until it was ruined.