Top 7 Famous Places in Attock

Attock City

Before embarking on a tour of famous places in Attock, let’s start with a brief introduction to the beautiful city of Attock, which is rich in history.

Attock, formerly known as Campbellpur, is located in the north of Punjab. Attock City is also the headquarters of the Attock District. The District Attock covers an area of 6857 square kilometers and consists of six tehsils: Attock, Fateh Jang, Jand, Hassan Abdal, Hazro, and Pindi Gheb. The Indus River flows along the Western boundary of the district for about 130 Kilometres. It also divides the Attock district from the three bordering districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The old Attock city, also known as Attock Khurd was founded by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16^th century. In 1908 the city was named Campbellpur in honor of Sir Colin Campbell (a British Army Officer) who laid the foundation of Campbellpur a few kilometers away on the southeast of old Attock Khurd. The city was renamed Attock in 1978.

Geographical Importance of Attock:

Geographically, Attock City has great significance. It serves as an Eastern terminal of the Kabul-Attock and is a gateway to Central Asia. The passage is natural through the Hindu Kush Mountains by the Kabul River and its several tributary rivers and streams.

Owing to the geographic and strategic importance of the area, Emperor Akbar built the famous Attock Fort Complex area in 1581. In the eighteenth century, the Mughal Empire lost its power. The Sikhs gained power in Punjab and Durrani Afghans to the West. Attock became a battlefield between two opposing powers. Finally, the British ended the dispute and defeated both Sikhs and Afghans in the nineteenth century.

Famous places in Attock

1.     Attock Fort

Attock Fort was built on the orders of Emperor Akbar from 1581 to 1583. Due to its strategic location, the fort was built for defensive purposes on the bank of the Indus River. In 1758, the fort was captured by the Marathas, in 1812 by Sikhs, and later on British took over the fort. After the independence, it became the headquarters of the 7th division of the Pakistan Army. From 1956 till date, the fort has been under the control of the Special Services Group (SSG).

With all its magnificence, the Attock Fort presents a very grandeur effect to look at. Four gigantic gates; Delhi gate, Lahori Gate, Kabuli Gate, and Mori Gate are the epitome of aesthetics and architecture.

2.    Gurudwara Panja Sahib

The Sikh community holds Gurudwara Panja Sahib in high regard as it is the most sacred place of Sikhism, located in Hasan Abdal, District Attock. The gurdwara is believed to have an imprint of Guru Nanak’s hand on a rock, which is why it is called Gurudwara Panja Sahib.Twice a year, from all over the world, Sikhs visit this Gurdwara. The Sikh architectural style is prominent in the design and construction of the gurudwara. 

3.     Jinnah Park Attock

Named after Quid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Jinnah Park Attock is a great place to visit and spend quality time with family and friends. It covers an area of 17 hectares. Along with a nice hiking trail of about 750m, there are many other attractions like lush green lawns, swings, seesaws, and slides for children. A well-maintained healthy environment of the park is best for morning walks, jogging, yoga or just enjoying the serenity of nature.

4.     Attock Bridge

Built on the Indus River, Attock Bridge has great strategic and commercial significance and is an important crossing between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sir Guildford Molesworth originally designed the Attock Bridge, also known as the Old Attock Bridge, which stands as a great epitome of engineering, intelligence, and manpower. The bridge comprises two levels, with the upper floor used for railways and the lower floor for road transportation. In 1979, a new bridge was built, and road traffic shifted to it. The new bridge is now known as the “New Attock Bridge”.

5.     Kala Chitta Mountain Range

The Kala Chitta Mountain Range is located in the Attock District. The mountains are named Kala Chitta because of the color of their rock. The mountain range connects to the Hindu Kush mountains and extends for about 160 km. The range has an average elevation of 4,000 m and is part of the highest peaks in the world, including K2. The range has also several glaciers, including the Siachen Glacier, the second-largest glacier in the world.

The mountains contain some precious trees and are the habitat of unique birds and animals. Many rivers also flow through these hills.

6.    Attock Khurd Railway Station

The architectural beauty of Attock Khurd Railway Station is well-known. It is one of the most beautiful railway stations in Pakistan. The North Western Railways built and opened the railway station in 1886, which dates back to 1880. Victorian-style construction of the railway station on the bank of the Indus River surrounded by the Manglot Mountain Range presents a very nostalgic effect.

7.    Ratti Jinnah Hill Park

Ratti Jinnah Hill Park is one of the worth-visiting places in Attock. One has to cover hundreds of stairs to reach the top of the hill. You can have a full view of the city, flowing rivers, and neighboring towns and villages from the top of the hill. The sunset view is very mesmerizing from the top. The park is also a great place to enjoy and relax.