Directorate General of Archaeology, Punjab

Directorate General of Archaeology, Punjab Discover, protect, and celebrate Punjab’s heritage.

From ancient forts to Mughal gardens, the Directorate General of Archaeology is preserving the story of our land for generations to come.

30/08/2026

We are moving.

This page will soon be retired. From here on, all updates from Punjab Archaeology will be shared on our new page.

Something big is coming. A documentary on Taxila is in production, and the new page and our YouTube channel is where you will see it first!

Follow us for that, and for conservation updates and site features from across Punjab.👇
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Makhad Temple Complex: Preserving a Shared HeritageMakhad sits on the left bank of the Indus in Attock District. The tow...
23/08/2026

Makhad Temple Complex: Preserving a Shared Heritage

Makhad sits on the left bank of the Indus in Attock District. The town grew as a crossing on the trade route running towards Central Asia, and its Hindu merchant community built and maintained this temple complex above the river. Its shikhara, domes and painted interiors survive as a record of that period.

Through its conservation, Punjab Archaeology is preserving a place of worship belonging to a minority community, reaffirming a commitment to protecting Punjab's heritage in all its diversity and fostering a more inclusive cultural landscape.

18/08/2026

Phulra Fort: A Forgotten Frontier Stronghold of Cholistan

Situated near the present-day town of Fort Abbas in Bahawalnagar District, Phulra Fort represents the remains of an ancient fortified settlement on the Cholistan frontier. Its origins are associated in local tradition with Lakha Phooli, while historical accounts record that the existing fort was later repaired and strengthened by Karam Khan Arbani, son of Qaim Khan, the founder of Qaimpur.

Built around a square plan with fortified corner bastions, the fort once included a substantial three-storeyed residence within its defensive walls. Phulra was more than a military outpost. Historical accounts describe it as a bazaar town engaged in the grain trade with neighbouring states, forming part of a network of inhabited settlements that connected the desert frontier with wider regional routes.

As part of the Chief Minister’s Magnificent Punjab Programme, Punjab Archaeology is undertaking the conservation of Phulra Fort, helping preserve its surviving architectural fabric and the stories embedded within its ruins for future generations.

Watch a glimpse of Phulra Fort before and during the ongoing conservation work.

15/08/2026

Conserving the Historic Dingarh Fort, Cholistan!

Standing amid the vast and silent desert of Cholistan, Dingarh Fort, also known in historical references as Teerhara, is a remarkable reminder of the region’s long history of travel, trade, territorial control, and survival in one of South Asia’s most challenging landscapes.

Located towards the Jaisalmer frontier, historical traditions offer differing accounts of the fort’s origins. According to one tradition, the fort was commissioned in 1757 by Bahadur Khan Halani at the request of Lalu, a Hindu from Jaisalmer, at the site of the earlier settlement of Teerhara. Another account attributes its construction to Ibrahim Khan Kehrani, who is said to have begun the fort in 1756, with its completion undertaken by his nephew, Khuda Bakhsh Khan. These varying traditions reflect the layers of memory and local history surrounding Dingarh Fort.

As part of the Chief Minister’s Magnificent Punjab Programme, Punjab Archaeology is undertaking the conservation of Dingarh Fort, safeguarding its historic remains and ensuring that this important chapter of Cholistan’s heritage endures for future generations.

Watch a glimpse of DingarhFort before and during the ongoing conservation work.

14/08/2026

79 years of Pakistan.

Happy Independence Day! 🇵🇰

Pakistan turns 79 today.A land of ancient cities, forts, mosques and shrines, every era has left its mark here. May ours...
14/08/2026

Pakistan turns 79 today.

A land of ancient cities, forts, mosques and shrines, every era has left its mark here. May ours be worth preserving too.

Happy Independence Day!

09/08/2026

Conserving the Historic Mojgarh Fort, Cholistan, Bahawalpur District!

Standing amid the arid landscape of Cholistan, Mojgarh Fort forms part of a historic chain of forts that developed along the course of the ancient Hakra River, reflecting the region’s long history as a landscape of settlement, movement, and trade.

Mojgarh Fort was founded in 1743 by Wadera Muhammad Maruf Khan Kehrani on the ruins of an earlier settlement known as Lodhra. The construction remained incomplete at the time of Maruf Khan’s death in 1757. His son, Jan Muhammad Khan, continued the work, and the fort was eventually completed by his successor, Umar Khan. The fort is almost square in plan, with its defensive walls reinforced by a series of semi-circular bastions. Its eastern side featured a gateway system, while a water tank, or toba, at the northeastern corner served as an important source of water for the inhabitants of the fort.

Today, under the Chief Minister’s Magnificent Punjab Program, Punjab Archaeology is actively conserving the historic remains of Mojgarh Fort, helping safeguard this remarkable monument and its connection to Cholistan’s rich cultural landscape for future generations.

Watch a glimpse of Mojgarh Fort before and during the ongoing conservation work.

08/08/2026

A landmark moment for regional peace and collective security.

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Türkiye have signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, reaffirming bonds of faith, culture and brotherhood built over generations.

Conserving the Acharya Atmaram Ji Jain Mandir, Gujranwala!The Samadhi of Acharya Atmaram Ji stands as one of the most si...
07/08/2026

Conserving the Acharya Atmaram Ji Jain Mandir, Gujranwala!

The Samadhi of Acharya Atmaram Ji stands as one of the most significant monuments of Punjab's Jain heritage. Constructed by his devoted followers after his passing in 1896, the memorial commemorates one of the greatest Jain reformers, scholars, and philanthropists to emerge from the region.

Born in 1837 in Lehra, Ferozepur, Acharya Atmaram Ji embraced Jain monasticism at the age of sixteen and was later conferred the title of Acharya in 1886. A visionary religious leader, he devoted his life to the revival of Jainism in Punjab while championing education, particularly the education of women. His scholarship, poetry, and reformist vision left a lasting impact not only across the Indian subcontinent but also on the global understanding of Jain philosophy.

In 1896, while travelling from Narowal to Gujranwala to establish a Jain temple, Acharya Atmaram Ji passed away before fulfilling his wish. His disciples honoured his legacy by constructing this magnificent samadhi in Gujranwala, transforming it into a lasting symbol of his spiritual, intellectual, and philanthropic contributions.

Under the Chief Minister's Magnificent Punjab Program, Punjab Archaeology is actively conserving the Acharya Atmaram Ji Jain Mandir, ensuring that this unique testament to Punjab's diverse religious and cultural heritage continues to inspire future generations.

Watch a glimpse of the monument before and during the ongoing conservation work.

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