The first fortifications on the site were constructed by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1590 who built an outer wall for the fort as part of his plans for a new capital at the site of modern-day Srinagar city in Kashmir. The project, however, was never completed. The present fort was built in 1808 under the reign of the Governor of Kashmir Province of the Durrani Empire, Atta Mohammed KhanThe Indian government on 15th of August 2021 (the 75th independence day) hoisted a 100 feet tall Indian flag on the top of the fortIn 1947, the fort along with the Kashmir Valley was captured by India during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948. Since then, it has remained under Indian control although Pakistan tried but ultimately failed to capture it during the Kargil War in 1999. Today, the fort is heavily guarded by Indian troops of the Indian Army and the paramilitary force Rashtriya Rifles. The fort can be reached via two sides of the city, (a) via Rainawari through Kathi Darwaza Gate and (b) via Hawal through the Sangin Darwaza Gate. The fort was closed for almost 2 decades and thrown open to the public in 2007
