As the name suggests, this fort is named after General Zorawar Singh, who was a prominent warrior. He was known for his struggle against Chinese rulers over whether Ladakh owned the fort. Zorawar Singh built the fort in 1836 under the rule of Maharaja Gulab Singh. Situated on the Skara Road in Leh Ladakh, it is one of the famous places to visit on your trip.
It is located above the Palace of Leh and the Gompa of Namgyal Tsemo, so spotting it won’t be an issue. The fort is also called Riasi Fort as it once held the wealth of the Dogra rulers of Jammu which today lies in ruins. Zorawar Fort is in proximity to the Chenab River and is a major attraction for nature lovers, history buffs as well as archeologists.
If you want to know more about Zorawar Fort, keep reading -
The main gate of the fort is made with local materials along with the buildings of the fort. There are many small buildings constructed of sun-dried blocks which are made up of mud, stones, and clay, which dates back to the 19th century.
Inside the fort, you will see beautiful paintings and attire of the warrior. This will help you get an insight into the heritage of the fort. The major areas that you cannot miss inside Zorawar Fort in Leh are the War Room, History Room, and the Artifacts Rooms.
Zorawar Museum
Zorawar Fort has a museum that holds the treasures of the Zorwar Singh plus coins. There is also a sculpture of General Zorawar Singh that will infuse patriotism inside you.
There is a detailed description about Maharaja Gulab Singh who was the founder of Jammu and Kashmir, General Zorawar Singh who was called the Napoleon of India and Conqueror of Ladakh, and Mehta Basti Ram, the military commander.
May to September is considered the best time to visit Zorawar Fort. But if you are planning your Ladakh trip from November to April, the fort will be closed.
Opening and Closing time of Zorawar Fort
Zorawar Fort opens at 10:00 am and closes at 1:00 pm. Again, it opens at 4:00 pm and closes at 7:00 pm.
Entry Charges
You can explore Zorawar Fort at a minimal fee of INR 20 per person.
During the Leh sightseeing, include Zorawar Fort in your tour. If you are coming by car, then reach the entrance of the fort. Else, it takes about 5 minutes from Leh market to reach Zorawar Fort by walk. And if you stay in Skara or near Leh market, you can walk for 10 to 20 minutes to reach the fort.
If time allows, here are some places near Zorawar Fort you can visit -
Subscribe Our Newsletter for get latest updates
Follow us:
