Lakhpat Fort

Lakhpat Fort is an 18th-century fortified town in Lakhpat village at the northwestern tip of Kutch district, Gujarat, on the bank of Kori Creek at the edge of the Great Rann of Kutch. Enclosed by 7 km long walls built in 1801 by Fateh Muhammad, it was once a thriving port on the Indus River. After the 1819 earthquake diverted the river, the town declined and is now a sparsely populated heritage site with historic gates, tombs, temples and a Gurudwara.

Visitors can explore a largely abandoned walled town enclosed by massive stone fortifications with bastions and gates. Inside are ruined houses, narrow lanes, historic mosques, tombs and temples, and the well-maintained Gurudwara Lakhpat Sahib. The fort walls offer panoramic views of the Kori Creek, Great Rann of Kutch and surrounding desert landscape. The site is quiet and sparsely inhabited, suitable for walking, photography and heritage sightseeing.

Lakhpat was an important port town at the mouth of the Indus River. The present fort walls were constructed in 1801 by Fateh Muhammad, the ruler of Kutch, to defend the town. The 7 km long walls were built to enclose the entire settlement. After the 1819 Rann of Kutch earthquake, the Indus River changed course, the creek silted up and maritime trade declined, leading to depopulation. The fort remains an example of early 19th-century military architecture in Kutch.

The fort complex reflects the multicultural heritage of Kutch with Islamic tombs and mosques, Hindu temples and the Gurudwara Lakhpat Sahib, where Guru Nanak is believed to have stayed during his travels. The Gurudwara is an important pilgrimage site for Sikhs. The site illustrates the historic trading culture and religious coexistence of the former port town.