Ratukot

Ratukot Fort, situated on Muchaq Island (also known as Buddo Island) in the northwest corner of the Indus Delta, is a fascinating archaeological and historical site. The island, located less than 10 kilometers south of the coastal village of Ibrahim Hyderi, is a consolidated sandbar that has developed over millennia. Today, it consists of low-lying mudflats and mangrove forests, creating a unique setting for this ancient fort.

Ratukot

Where is it located in Sindh

The Ratukot Fort located towards the eastern end of Muchaq Island.

Naming the Site

Ratukot is not the historical name of the site. Several theories attempt to explain its origin. Some suggest that the local name derives from the red color of the fort’s baked clay bricks. Another hypothesis links it to “Raton,” an 18th-century governor of Thatta and the surrounding areas. Yet another story associates the name with a tragic event—a massacre of a wedding party at the site—leading to the name “Ratu-kot,” which translates to “Blood Fort” (Kervran 1992). These varied interpretations reflect the rich oral traditions and layered history of the region.

Description of the Site

The archaeological remains on Muchaq Island are concentrated on its eastern side, covering approximately 135 acres. Ratukot Fort is the most prominent feature, strategically positioned to oversee the adjacent waterways of Phitti Creek. The fort, though in ruins, retains its square-shaped walls, which stand 2 to 3 meters high. Built with rectangular baked bricks, the fort features semi-circular towers integrated into the walls. These towers, 25 in total, provide insight into its defensive architecture.

The western side of the fort has a protected gate entrance, an architectural feature designed to withstand assaults. Along with the high number of towers relative to the fort’s overall size, the structure emphasizes its role as a defensive outpost, guarding the vital waterways of the delta.

Uncertain Origins

The origins of Ratukot Fort remain shrouded in mystery. Its location at the mouth of the Gharo Creek, just 29 kilometers downstream from the ancient port city of Banbhore, has led some scholars to propose that the fort was built to protect this major trading hub. Archaeological evidence suggests that the site was occupied from the end of the Sassanian period or the very early Islamic period up to the 13th century. This timeline implies that the fort may have predated the Islamic conquest of Sindh in 711 CE.

The architectural features of the fort point to Persian rather than Arab influences. The large number of defensive towers and the design of the gate bear similarities to Sassanian military architecture. Historical records document Sassanian influence along the Sindh coast as early as the 5th century CE. The Sindhi ruler Shankalat is said to have given the city of Debal (Daybul) and its surrounding areas as part of a dowry for his daughter’s marriage to the Sassanian king Bahram V (421–436 CE) (Ghosh, 2003). Could the fort’s origins lie in this period of Sassanian rule?

Later, references to Ratukot emerge during the 18th century, under the reign of the Ranas of the Dharaja state. These accounts suggest that the fort may have been periodically abandoned and then reinstated as a military outpost. This pattern of intermittent use highlights the fort’s enduring strategic importance in the delta region.

Investigations so far

Despite its historical significance, Ratukot has only undergone preliminary archaeological investigations. Within the fort, researchers have uncovered remnants of terracotta plaques, pottery, porcelain, and over 100 baked clay projectile balls, likely used for defense. The pottery fragments, some originating from as far away as China and Iraq, indicate the site’s role in international trade.These findings also suggest that Ratukot may have functioned as a customs checkpoint for goods entering and leaving

Banbhore (Kervran, 1993). One particularly intriguing discovery is a frieze inscribed with Arabic Kufic script. Although the inscription is not entirely legible, it supports the hypothesis that the Arabs conquered and utilized the fort after their arrival in Sindh. This artefact provides a tangible link to the region’s Islamic period and underscores the fort’s layered history of occupation and use.

Impacts due to climate change

Ratukot faces significant challenges due to its precarious location. Muchaq Island is a low-lying area that floods regularly with the tides. During high tide, water levels rise up to the walls of the fort, making access difficult. Visitors often need to wade through water to reach the site. Although the central areas of the fort do not appear to be fully inundated today, evidence of past flooding indicates that the fort has been exposed to water damage over the centuries.The impacts of climate change exacerbate these vulnerabilities. Rising sea

levels and increased salinity in the Indus Delta pose significant threats to the site’s preservation. As the island’s elevation continues to decline relative to sea levels, the risk of permanent inundation grows. These environmental challenges mirror those faced by other cultural heritage sites in the delta, emphasizing the need for urgent conservation efforts.

Cultural and Strategic Significance

Ratukot’s location at the confluence of the Indus River and the Arabian Sea underscores its strategic importance. The Indus Delta has historically served as a gateway for trade and cultural exchange, connecting South Asia with the Arabian Peninsula, Persia, and beyond. Forts like Ratukot played a crucial role in safeguarding these maritime and riverine trade routes.The fort’s proximity to Banbhore further enhances its historical

significance and integration into the broader economic and political networks of the region. Ratukot’s strategic importance is evident also in the fact that, in the 18th century, it was again chosen as a fortified outpost for the Dharaja state.