Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn Sharjah) is a double story traditional rock, coral and adobe fortification in the centre of the city of

Sharjah Sharjah (; ar, ٱلشَّارقَة ', Gulf Arabic: ''aš-Šārja'') is the third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi, forming part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area. Sharjah is the capital o ...

in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The fort was originally constructed in 1820 by the then Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh

Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi (1781–1866) was the Sheikh of the Qawasim and ruler variously of the towns of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, Jazirah Al Hamra and Rams, all Trucial States in their time and now part of the United Arab Emirates. B ...

. It was partially demolished in January 1970, the one remaining tower (called 'kubs', that to the far right of the fort as you stand at the entrance) lending its name to the square in which it sits, 'Al Burj', Arabic for 'tower'. The fort has been restored by the current Ruler as part of a comprehensive programme of ongoing restoration of the traditional core of the old port city of Sharjah under the name '

Heart of Sharjah The Heart of Sharjah is a cultural heritage project that aims to preserve and restore the old town of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and return it to its 1950s state. A five-phase project intended for completion in 2025, the project is ...

'. The restoration of Sharjah Fort commenced in January 1996 and was completed in April 1997.

History

Early British records of 1830 note Sharjah's fort located, "A little inland, mounting six pieces of cannon, together with some detached towers. In case of alarm from an enemy, it is stockaded round with date trees and wood sufficient for repelling the attack of Arabs although of little service against regular troops." The demolition of the fort took place in January 1970, when Sheikh Khalid bin Muhammad Al Qasimi wished to remove all trace of Sheikh

Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi Saqr III bin Sultan Al Qasimi (1924 – November 9, 1993) was the ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, a Trucial State and now one of the United Arab Emirates, from May 1951 to 24 June 1965. Saqr was the eldest son of Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi II, ...

, the previous Ruler. Told of the demolition while studying in Cairo, the current Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh

Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi '' , spouse = Jawaher bint Mohammed , issue = Azza bin SultanMohammed bin Sultan, Crown Prince of Sharjah Bodour bint SultanNoor bint SultanHoor bint SultanKhalid bin Sultan , house = Al Qasimi , father = Mohammed b ...

rushed home in an attempt to halt the move. Arriving too late to save most of the fort, he nevertheless persuaded his brother to cease the demolition. All that remained was a single tower, the 'Burj'. Taking notes of the line of the remaining foundation and saving various fittings from the demolition site, Sheikh Sultan was able to restore the fort almost 20 years later with the original doors and windows saved from the demolished fort. Saqr bin Sultan – the man whose memory the demolition of the fort was intended to erase – returned to Sharjah in 1972 in an abortive coup attempt in which Sheikh Khalid bin Muhammad was killed.

References

{{authority control Infrastructure completed in 1820 Museums established in 1997 Museums in Sharjah (city) City museums in the United Arab Emirates History museums in the United Arab Emirates National museums of the United Arab Emirates Forts in the United Arab Emirates Castles in the United Arab Emirates History of the Emirate of Sharjah Buildings and structures completed in 1820 History of the United Arab Emirates