# Pacco Qillo

- **Country:** Pakistan
- **Owner:** Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro
- **Year Built:** 1768
- **Location Text:** Sindh

Pakka Qillo, also known as Pakko Qillo or the Strong Fort, is a historic military installation located on a hillock called Ganjo Takkar in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. Constructed around 1768 by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, the founder of Hyderabad, the fortress was originally designed as a strategic defensive structure. The name itself reflects its intended purpose, with Pakko translating to strong or intact and Qillo meaning fort. Built during the 18th century, it served as the cornerstone of the newly established city and stood as a prominent landmark in the region's architectural landscape.

The fort holds significant historical importance, particularly during the rule of the Talpur dynasty. In 1789, Mir Fateh Ali Khan shifted his capital from Khudabad to Hyderabad, utilizing the fort as his royal residence and court. He expanded the complex by adding a harem, residential quarters for the ruling family, and mosques to serve the spiritual needs of the inhabitants. However, the site's trajectory changed dramatically following the British victory at the Battle of Miani in 1843. After occupying the fortress, the British authorities destroyed much of the original architecture through blasts and eventually razed the remaining structures in 1857 to create space for military stores and installations.

Today, the remains of Pakka Qillo still stand open to the public, though they are in a dire state of repair. Once a majestic center of power and governance, the site has suffered from centuries of conflict, deliberate demolition, and neglect. While fragments of the fort walls survive as a testament to its former glory, the location currently lacks comprehensive restoration efforts. Despite its deteriorating condition, the site remains a crucial piece of local heritage, reminding visitors of Hyderabad's rich past and the various dynasties and colonial powers that shaped its history.

![Photo of Pacco Qillo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Pakka_Qila_view3.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacco_Qillo (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)