[1][2][3] During the reign of Shah Jahan (1628-1658) an Imperial sarai was constructed here and in 1809 it was rebuilt as a fort under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780–1839).

It was designed by Dewan Mohkam Chand, with the assistance of Ranjit Singh's French and Italian generals.

The fort remained under the control of the army until 1890 when it was transferred to the civil authorities, who used it as a police training centre.

[1][4] It also home to Pir Baba Abdullah Shah Ji's Shrine (also known as Pir-i-Dastgir or Abdul Kadir Galani) and as such local Muslims consider it a holy place.

The fort also contains several tombs of Muslim icons and members of Shah Shuja's family.