Located in the Pir Panjal Range in Jammu and Kashmir, the Pir Panjal Pass also called Peer Ki Gali (or Peer Gali), is a mountain pass and a tourist destination. It connects the Kashmir Valley through the ‘Mughal Road’ to the Rajouri and Poonch districts. At 3,490 m (11,450 ft), it is the highest point on the Mughal Road and lies southwest of the Kashmir Valley.
Historian Mohibbul Hasan states that the Pir Panjal Pass was one of the main passes into the Kashmir Valley and exercised a great influence on its history. A route linking Hirapur (Modern Hirpora) in the Kashmir Valley with Rajauri via the pass is known to have been used from ancient times. During the period of the sultans, it seems to have been extended up to Bhimber.
After conquering the Kashmir Valley, Emperor Akbar strengthened the road to the Imperial Road, which expanded from Lahore to Kashmir. In modern times, the road has been referred to as the ‘Mughal Road.’
Historic Aliabad Sarai
Aliabad Sarai is a historic resting place in the Pir Panjal Pass, said to have been built by Emperor Jahangir towards the end of the 16th century. It was one of the 14 stops built between Lahore and Srinagar along the Mughal Road. An Iranian engineer named Ali Mardan Khan was in charge of the construction, with the assistance of local chieftains.
