The Red Fort, also known as "Rutta Qila," is a medieval fort situated in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, and spans over an area of 60,000 square feet

It retained strategic military importance because of Muzaffarabad's location as a gateway into the larger Kashmir region.

In 1559, the Chak rulers established the Red Fort as a defensive measure in its initial form as a defense against the Mughals

The strategic location of the Red Fort is enhanced by its proximity to the Neelum River. The river’s encirclement of the fort in a U shape enhances its defensive capabilities

The fort’s next significant phase of development came in 1646 under Sultan Muzaffar Khan, a ruler from the Bamba Dynasty.

In 1846, the Dogra Dynasty, under the leadership of Maharaja Gulab Singh, took control of the fort. Maharaja Gulab Singh initiated extensive repairs and expansions of the Red Fort.

The reconstruction efforts continued under his successor, Maharaja Ranbir Singh. Together, these rulers extended the fort and gave it much of the form it retains today.

The Red Fort remained in active military use until 1958, when a new cantonment was established, rendering the fort obsolete for modern military needs.

Today, the fort is under the control of the Department of Tourism and Archaeology of the Government of Azad Kashmir, ensuring its preservation as an important cultural and historical site.

Red Fort remains one of the best examples of Defensive Architecture in the Kashmir region