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Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Malot Temples

The location of the Malot fort is about 15 kilometres westward from Katas. Here, on a hilltop is the ancient fort, which was built around 980AD. It is said that over here the last Hindu Shahi Raja Mal embraced Islam. In days gone by the town and fort of Malot covered an area of over 5square kilometres. Two Hindu temples, which are located here, are beautiful specimens of ancient Kashmir architecture.

The Malot was also called Namrod and Ramrod. The name is after the King of MalDev or Malu. The Rajput history claims its name Malot from the word Malik-Kot, as they believed that the title of Malik was given to the one who accepted annexation to the Muslim King of Delhi although in reward the Malik enjoyed the autonomous status with full sovereignty in the assigned area. The Mughal King Baber鈥檚 travelogue 鈥淭uzk-e-Babri鈥� attests to the corollary of Malik-Kot, Mal-Kot and then Malot.

Here are the top 10 fascinating facts about Malot Temples.

1. Malot Temples are a World Heritage Site

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Malot is now a short name for Malik Kot. The transition of the name is mentioned in Tuzk-e-Babri. Built in the 10th century the Malot Fort has a blend of Kashmiri architecture and Greek tradition. The red stone of the fort shimmers in the daylight. Currently, the High Court of Pakistan has banned the excavation of coals and minerals within a 600 metres radius of a hill in Chakwal district.

Malot temples are the world鈥檚 heritage site. Temples at the top are easily accessible through cars. The best time to visit Malot temples is during the winter. The unique carving and stonework can amaze you so do not forget to put this place on your travel bucket list.

2.  Malot Temple is beautiful but Deteriorating

Like many historical sites in the Salt Range, the condition of the Malot Fort, a beautiful and unique fort in the region, is deteriorating because of neglect. Two temples on the premises of the fort have crumbled, and the ruins of the fort are covered in wild growth.

The fort has been neglected by the Punjab archaeology department even though, according to the mission statement on its website, 鈥淚t is the mission of the Directorate General of Archaeology to preserve and protect the built heritage and archaeological sites for future generations.鈥�

3.  Malot Fort is home to the Temples was Constructed by Raja Mal Khan

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In the Punjab Province of Pakistan, Malot is a village in Chakwal District. Malot village is a part of Kallar Kahar. The Malot Fort is very famous, which is built on the top of a hill in the Malot Village. Constructed by Janjua Emperor Raja Mal Khan in the 20th century the fort is around 40 kilometres from Chakwal city and 12 kilometres from Kallar Kahar Lake.

Many rulers came to rule over Malot including Sultan Sebuktegin, his son Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi and later Shahis in Kabul. This era has tremendous Muslim religious history because of the Sufis and Saints who resided here.

Khan was a Hindu Rajput who converted to Islam after Afghan invader Mohammad of Ghor, better known as Shihabuddin Ghori, invaded India in 1178.

4.  Malot Fort and Temples were a Target for Foreign Armies

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The Janjua rulers in the Salt Range were a target for foreign invaders and was attacked by all those passing through the region on their way to attack Delhi. The Nandna Pass, near the Nandna Fort, was the only way to Delhi. Controlling the pass was thus advantageous from a military standpoint.

In his book The Salt Range and the Potohar Plateau, travel writer Salman Rashid wrote that the Shayha Temple in the fort was more breathtaking than the rest of the remains.

5. Sir. Cunningham was impressed by the Malot Fort

Sir Alexander Cunningham, during a survey of archaeological sites in the Salt Range in 1860, declared the facade of Malot Fort to be 鈥渟trikingly bold and picturesque鈥�.

鈥淭he height of the trefoil arch and the massiveness of the square pilasters at the corners give an air of dignity to the building which is much enhanced by its richly fluted semi-circular pillars,鈥� he said.

Alexander Cunnigham was the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India is often called the father of Indian Archaeology.

6.  Malot Temples was a Blend of Greek and Kashmir Architecture

Ruined Temple with the gateway (Malot temple/Malot fort). Image by Mobeen ur Rehman from

The town was first known as Malik Kot and then shortened to Malot. The transition of the names of the region from Malik Kot to Mal-Kot and then finally to Malot are evident in the Tuzk-e-Babri.

The Malot Fort was built in the 10th century AD and is affirmative of its nature and roots down to a combination of Kashmiri Architecture and Greek Tradition.

The red sandstone shimmers in the natural light of the sun which is also a local material present in the Salt Range Mountains. Residents tell that red sandstone is existent on the road leading to the Malot village near the Choi village. Archival data reveals that Malot was built around 980 AD.

7.  There is a Ban on Coal mining to preserve Malot Temples

The High Court of Pakistan has banned the excavation of coal and other minerals in a 600-yard radius of a hill in Chakwal district. A good gesture but it鈥檚 just too late for this historic Hindu structure.

Recent coal mining and cement factories right next to the ruins have only exacerbated the deterioration of the monument. Perhaps the only good method for conserving this masterpiece is shifting brick by brick to a suitable location.

8.  The Temple is one of the Focal points of India-Pakistan Cooperation

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Another reason for shifting it to Katas is that this point has been of the primary focus of India-Pakistan cooperation in recent years, as archaeological experts from both countries have worked together for renovating and conserving the site.

For quite some time Pakistan has been considering the suggestion of Katas as a World Heritage Site. Perhaps it is of common belief amongst architects and conservationists that all the temple-fortress complexes within the region of the Salt Range should be nominated for this status.

9.  The Area in which the temple  Stands  was Developed Janjua Tribe

The tribe of Janjua Rajput first developed the area of Malot. A sequence of different rulers came and went to rule over Malot, which included Sultan Sebuktegin, his son Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi etc. The latter went onto conquer the Shahis in Kabul as well in 1005. The Delhi Sultanate first and the Mughal Empire ruled over this certain region. Religiously this area has a predomination of Muslim, because of the Sufi saints and their dargahs pin down on the entire landscape of the Punjab region.

The Janjua (also spelt Janjooa, Janjuha, Janjuah) are a clan found among the Rajput and Jat communities of Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. Their warlike nature and dominant rule of their kingdoms against other tribes earned them a powerful reputation. The Mughal Emperor Jalaludin Mohammed Akbar’s record keeper Abu Fazl celebrated the Janjua Rajput as among the most renowned Rajputs of South Asia.

10.  Malot Fort most Visible Remnants are the Shiva Temples

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Malot Fort is the brainchild of 12th-century Hindu ruler Jangua Rajput, and the area is located in the mountains of the Salt Range. However, the Malot fort itself dates back to around 980 AD. Raja Mal (Raja Ajmal Dev Janjua) was influenced by Sufi Islam and local legends states.

The Malot Fort itself is nowhere to be seen, but two buildings of the Hindu Shiva temple survive. The temple features Greek figures carved in red sandstone. General Cunningham mentioned the wonderful temples and buildings in his itinerary. The cliffs on the other side have finger-like boulders protruding from thousands of feet below, which may have once served as search towers.