Malot

Malot Temples in District Chakwal
Malot Temples in District Chakwal
Coordinates:
Country	Pakistan
Province	Punjab
District	Jhelum
Elevation	230 m (757 ft)

Malot is a village of Jhelum District in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. It is part of Jhelum Tehsil and is located at 32°57'0N 73°37'E lying to the west of Jehlum with an altitude of 230 metres (757 feet).

History

It was established and settled by Janjua tribe. In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he conquered the Shahis in Kabul in 1005, and followed it by the conquests of Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Punjab region.

The town was named as Malik Kot and was later shortened to Malot. The Mughal King Babur’s travelogue Tuzkai-Babrui attests to the corollary of Malik-Kot, Mal-Kot and then Malot.

After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh invaded and occupied Jhelum District. The Muslims faced severe restrictions during the Sikh rule. During the period of British rule, Jhelum District increased in population and importance.

The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslims refugees from India settled down in the Jhelum District.

Malot Fort

Malot Fort was built in the 10th century AD and has the synthesis of Kashmiri and Greek architecture. Malot Fort built of local red sand stones of Salt Range mountains, are located located on the road leading to Malot village near Choi village. According to archives Malot was built around 980 AD. Gen Cunningham found the Malot Fort in very bad shape even in 1848.