Gereshk fort, Helmand

Gereshk or Grishk (گرشک) fort was located in the Grishak district of Helmand province of Afghanistan. Ancient Grishk. A new fort on the same site was built by Sardar Kohandil Khan Barakzai of Kandahar in early 19th century. The fort was heavily damaged during Anglo-Afghan wars.

Girishk was the name of the province which was carved out of the western part of Kandahar province, and was in 1963-64 renamed Helmand. It was named after Girishk, the largest town in the province which was founded some 60 years ago on the banks of Helmand River. In 1960s Girishk was abandoned and in ruins on the right bank and developed on the left bank of the river Helmand.

In some September 2021 some Taliban started demolishing the fort with bulldozers without the permission from their higher ups and wanted to build a madrassa in its place. The fort was used by former regime as an army base and prison for Taliban, and perhaps thats why local Taliban were keen on destryoing it. When the Taliban higher ups came to know about it, they ordered it to stop the demolition. Reportedly more than half of the fort was destroyed in this incident. 1

Reference: "Historical and Political Gazetteer of Afghanistan", Vol-2, p-91.