Featured Pakistan: The Archaeological Marvel

[ghazi52]

Gori Temple in Tharparkar,
Situated between Mithi & Nagarparkar, this Jain temple is

quite old & not well preserved.

Old Jain temple of Gori

Jain Temple, Tharparkar, Pakistan












Jain Temple, Tharparkar, Pakistan







Jain Temple, Tharparkar, Pakistan







Jain Temple, Tharparkar, Pakistan

Dedicated to the Jain God Prasanth, Gori temple lies outside of the village of Gori between Islamkot and Nagarparkar. The various legends point to its foundations by a rich Hindu merchant six hundreds years ago. A more likely date is the middle of the 16th century. Though the impressive spire that typifies Jain temples fell in the earthquake of 1898, the rish frescoes in the main dome are still intact. Here can be seen princesses in royal coaches and elegant palanquins, equestrian processions and bevies of dark-skinned beauties in flowing Rajasthani robes at their household chores. The pillar interior is marble of the purest white and masterfully crafted stucco plaster. But the sanctum sanctorum is empty. The Prasanth icon, believed to have been studded with one large diamond between its eyes and two smaller ones on its breasts, was removed from the temple in 1716 by Sutojee Sodha, ruler of Virawah. Its new location was kept secret by succeeding heads of the family, and when Punjajee Sodha was defeated and killed by Talpurs in 1831 the icon was lost forever.

Jain Temple Nagarparkar, Tharparkar Sindh

 

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Gurdwara Bhuman Shah
Depalpur , Okara

Bhoman Shah: Gurdwara of Bhumman Shah

Baba Bhumman Shah was a prominent sadhu of Udasi Sikhs born in 1687 and died in 1762. Udasi sect of Sikhs was quite popular in 19th century and had a large following in Punjab. Baba Bhumman Shah is still revered for his spiritual teachings among many Sikhs and Hindus.

There was not just a palace of a marvellous architecture, but also a big gurdwara complex. It is located at 30° 31' 48.53" N, 73° 39' 23.13" E. It is almost 150 kms from Lahore and 45 kms from Okara, 17 kms from Depalpur on Haveli Lakha road.




Eastern side of the haveli.



View from the gurdwara.




View from the roof of the gurdwara.



Another view of the haveli.



An entrance to the haveli.




A door inside the haveli.




Interior portions of the haveli.

Date of construction of this haveli, according to Mr Iqbal Qaiser on a website allaboutsikhs.com, was constructed in 1910. It was a pleasant surprise to see this gurdwara in such a good condition and not occupied. I was told that Sikhs still come to this gurdwara and a couple of years ago a large number of them came here to offer their prayers.





Main entrance of the gurdwara Baba Bhumman Shah.





View of the courtyard of gurdwara Bhumman Shah.




A beautiful building in the gurdwara Bhumman Shah.




Another view.




Interior of the main prayer hall.





View from the gallery of the prayer hall.





View from the roof of the gurdwara Bhumman Shah.

....

 

[ghazi52]

..



Frescoes in the gurdwara.




Holy inscriptions in the gurdwara.




Frescoes in the gurdwara.




Frescoes in the gurdwara.




Frescoes in the gurdwara.




Frescoes in the gurdwara.




Frescoes in the gurdwara.




Frescoes in the gurdwara.


In addition to this gurdwara a big dharamsala, guest house for devotees, also exist beside this gurdwara. Which is also in occupied by dozens of families and divided haphazardly. But so far it is also in a good condition.




Front view of the gurdwara.



View from the roof of the gurdwara.



Another view. You can see houses constructed in front of the gurdwara. (21.03.2011.)



Main street between gurdwara and dharamsala.





View of the southern wall of dharamsala, from a lane.




Main entrance of this gurdwara complex, the main gate on the road.

It is a big complex housing a gurdwara, dharamsala and a haveli. I am sure that not many such monuments exist in Pakistan. Repair and maintenance can turn it into a masterpiece of traditional art and architecture. It can house a big museum of art, culture and history of this region. With proper arrangements, it can be turned into a big tourist attraction for Pakistani and Indian, especially Sikh, tourists.

 

[ghazi52]

Ruins of an old place (of 9th century) of learning called Sharda University. The Hindu Pundits and the scholars of Sanskrit used to pay their visit at the Sharda Peeth temple or Sharda University from the far and away places of the Indian Subcontinent.
Sharda, AJK.

 

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Lawrence and Montgomery Halls
Bagh-e-Jinnah's enormous grounds provide a befitting setting for the neo-classical Lawrence and Montgomery Halls, now refurbished and being utilized as the Quaid-e-Azam Library.

The halls were built in memory of John Laird Mair Lawrence, first Chief Commissioner and Lt. Governor of the Punjab (1853-59) and subsequently Viceroy and Governor General of India, and Robert Montgomery, second Lt. Governor of the Punjab (1859-65).

Lawrence Hall, the first building fronting the Mall, was built in 1861-62 as a tribute to Lawrence's critical role in ensuring a regular supply of troops from the Punjab to Delhi during the First War of Independence in 1857. The design, prepared by G. Stone, was referred to as 'frigidly classical' by Kipling. That neo-classical expression was chosen at this time was not surprising. The First War of Independence, had shaken the very foundations of the British East India Company, and it was imperative to re-establish a position of power and authority through the use of classical orders, an architectural vocabulary which had earlier been successfully employed elsewhere in the subcontinent by the Kumpany Bahadur to portray its might.

The second building at the rear of Lawrence Hall is Montgomery Hall, facing the central avenue of the sprawling Lawrence Gardens (now Bagh-e-Jinnah). It was built in 1866 at the initial cost of Rs. 108,000, contributed by the Punjab Chiefs and leading Lahore citizens. The conformity of style with the earlier building was ensured by G. Stone who, in order to present a single unified whole, linked the space between the two halls by a covered corridor.

The ensemble sits as an elegant edifice set off by the sprawling green of its grounds. Its classically detailed pediment porticoes are supported on simple Doric columns, and window openings are surmounted by triangular or semi-circular pediments.

Lawrence Hall, with a hall size of 65' x 32.5', cost Rs. 34,000. It was used for public meetings and theatrical entertainment, and to all intents and purposes was Lahore's town hall until the construction of Jubilee Town Hall; while Montgomery Hall, 106' x 46', originally constructed at a cost of 108,000, had to be refurbished at a cost of Rs. 66,000. It was re-roofed and a 'splendid teak floor for drinking and dancing' was laid in time for the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876.

These halls became the centre of festivities for the rulers, particularly during the Christmas and winter months. Christy Minstrels and Professor Williams' endeavors in music, songs and dances made for a 'brighter Lahore', while the group of dwarfs of General and Mrs. Tom Thumb, Minnie Warren and Commodore Nutt, along with the Star company performed all kinds of conjuring feats. The two-storey edifice, which had been used as Lahore Institute and Lahore Gymkhana Club during the late 1980s, was adapted for re-use as a splendid library—now the Quaid-e-Azam Library. This grand building is worth a visit to enjoy its well kept interiors and the grand collection of books that it houses.

 

[OldenWisdom...قول بزرگ]

These seem very interesting. Pakistan can cash these in by making them tourist resorts with hotels, food and transportation. I'm sure if Pakistan embassy issues visas along tourism packages people will be interested world over. Especially in neighboring countries and enthusiasts worldwide. Currently people in China are amongst biggest travellers and tour companies can coordinate with embassies in certain countries to sell round trip packages with airfare and local transportation and food included. That will pay for restoration of historic and sights of significance.

 

[ghazi52]

Mehrgarh

First Urban Civilization of South Asia

When talking of ancient civilizations that once thrived in the areas that now are located in Pakistan, people generally know of Indus Valley Civilization (3500-1800 BC) of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa. But earliest evidence of sedentary lifestyle in South Asia discovered on the west bank of Bolan River and plains of Kachhi, about 30 kilometres from the town of Sibi, Balochistan (Pakistan) at place called Mehrgarh in 1979 took archaeologists by surprise to find the remains of a civilization that thrived immediately preceding the Stone Age (70,000–7000 BC).

The excavations, joint venture of the Pakistan Archaeology Department and French archaeologists, and the the following studies of the remains date this settlement back to some 7000 - 9000 years. Thus, the chronology of civilization in Pakistan, established through the study of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa, has been pushed back by over 4000 years. The habitation of the site has been divided into four to seven periods, the first being the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period that dates to circa 7000 B.C. or even earlier. The site was abandoned between 2000 and 2500 B.C. during a period of contact with the Indus Civilization and then reused as a burial ground for some time after 2000 B.C. It would not be wrong to conclude then that the Indus Valley civilization began neither in Moenjodaro nor Harappa but at Mehrgarh, as the archaeologists in the 1960s linked clues of Harappan genesis to Mehrgarh, when they found early indications of Harappan styles, specially the similarities in pottery designs.

The ‘Neolithic Revolution’ took place around 8500 – 6000 BC in Fertile Crescent. With the taming of variety of animals and domestication of wheat and barley man lifestyle changed from nomadic to settled life in permanent homes. Being closest to Iran and Afghanistan, Balochistan was the first region in South Asia influenced by this revolution. Neolithic Mehrgarh consists of four mounds. The remains show that around 5100 BC, the Mehrgarh inhabitants constructed mud-brick structures. The remains of a large town spread over some 170 acres makes it the largest in the ancient world, being five times the size of the contemporary Catal Huyuk site in Turkey which has been called the largest Neolithic site in the Near East. It may be added that the entire population of Egypt was around 30,000 persons around 6000 BC, almost same as of Mehrgarh alone. Stone sickles found at Mehrgarh point towards wheat cultivation. Conch shells from the Arabian Sea (500 km distant) and lapis lazuli from Badakhshan dating back to period after 5000 BC indicate trade networks. By 3500 BC Mehrgarh had grown into an important regional craft centre. Pieces of painted pottery and ornaments (right) and figurines representing both humans and animals have also been discovered recently from the site. In what could be one of the earliest examples of dentistry, scientists at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the United States have found tiny, perfectly rounded holes in teeth found in Mehrgarh, which they suspect were drilled to repair tooth decay.

Mehrgarh Period I 7000 - 5500 BCE, was Neolithic and aceramic (i.e., without the use of pottery). The earliest farming in the area was developed by semi-nomadic people using plants such as wheat and barley and animals such as sheep, goat and cattle. The settlement was established with simple mud buildings with four internal subdivisions. Numerous burials have been found, many with elaborate goods such as baskets, stone and bone tools, beads, bangles, pendants and occasionally animal sacrifices, with more goods left with burials of males. Ornaments of sea shell, limestone, turquoise, lapis lazuli, sandstone and polished copper have been found, along with simple figurines of women and animals. A single ground stone axe was discovered in a burial, and several more were obtained from the surface. These ground stone axes are the earliest to come from a stratified context in the South Asia.

The Mehrgarh people seemed to have developed understanding of surgery and dentistry, which is evident from the drilled teeth (left) of some of the skeletons found from the site. Analysis of the teeth shows prehistoric dentists had a go at curing toothache with drills made from flint heads. The work has been so crafted that even the modern dentists are surprised as how effectively the Mehrgarh "dentists" removed the rotting dental tissue. From the remains, a total of eleven drilled crowns have been found, with one example showing evidence of a complex procedure involving tooth enamel removal followed by carving of the cavity wall. Four of the teeth show signs of decay associated with the drilled hole. None of the individuals with drilled teeth appear to have come from a special tomb or sanctuary, indicating that the oral health care they received was available to any and all.

The form of dental treatment using flint drill heads found at Mehrgarh continued for about 1,500 years, before the practice was stopped in the area. Flint drill heads are found abundantly at the Mehrgarh site, among assemblages of beads made of bones, shell and turquoise.

Mehrgarh Period II 5500 - 4800 BC and Mehrgarh Period III 4800 - 3500 BC were ceramic Neolithic (i.e., pottery was now in use) and later chalcolithic. Much evidence of manufacturing activity has been found and more advanced techniques were used. Glazed faience beads were produced and terracotta figurines became more detailed. Figurines of females were decorated with paint and had diverse hairstyles and ornaments. Two flexed burials were found in period II with a covering of red ochre on the body. The amount of burial goods decreased over time, becoming limited to ornaments and with more goods left with burials of females. The first button seals were produced from terracotta and bone and had geometric designs. Technologies included stone and copper drills, updraft kilns, large pit kilns and copper melting crucibles. There is further evidence of long-distance trade in period II: important as an indication of this is the discovery of several beads of lapis lazuli - originally from Badakhshan.

Mehrgarh period IV was somewhere between 2600 and 2000 BC, by which time the city seems to have been largely abandoned, and which is when the Indus Valley Civilization was in its initial stages of development. It has been surmised that the inhabitants of Mehrgarh migrated to the fertile Indus valley as the Balochistan became more arid due to climatic changes. Thus while another civilization was thriving along the Indus, the great and ancient civilization of Mehrgarh was fading fast into the history.

On 28 June 1989, the Pakistan Post issued a series of four stamps to commemorate the Mehrgarh excavation as above.

 

[ghazi52]

Meer Garh Fort, Meer Garh, District Bahawalnagar , Punjab

About 15 km from Fort Abbas, a monument built centuries ago.

Meer Garh Fort was founded by Noor Muhammad Khan in 1799 AD. A persian language inscription is seen at the gates of the fort. Noor was a disciple of Gillani Makhdoom's of Uch Sharif. Like other forts, Meer Garh is also in dilapidated condition. The distance between Meer Garh Fort and Fort Abbas is 21 kilometers. Constructed with beautiful burnt-brick, Jamgarh Fort is 9 km away from Meer Garh Fort. It was built in 1788 by Jam Khan Maroofani. It’s square, measuring 114 feet on each side. Its walls are of 28 feet high and strengthened by circular bastions at the corners.

 

[ghazi52]

5,000 years old monuments

BAHAWALNAGAR - District Bahawalnagar has remained the centre of ancient culture and civilisation of about 5,000 BC era with various forts that are now in very dilapidated condition and need immediate attention of the authorities concerned.

Its tehsil Fortabbas which exists in desert Cholistan was cradle of the civilisation as it was commonly known as Hakra valley which was very rich and fertile land. After a survey conducted during 1974 to 1977, Archeologist Dr Rafique Mughal explained that the Hakra River had been mentioned as Sarasvati in Hindus Vedas. He found distinctive Hakra ceramics and after conducting carbon radio testing, he verified the authenticity of the claim that the relics belong to 5000 BC era.

Bahawalnagar is located at the bank of the Sutlej River. According to some historians, it was the passage of Hakra as per Rig Veda, a sacred book of the Hindus. Two ancient rivers Sarasvati and Sattdari are thought to be the old names of Sutlej (Sattdari) and Hakra/Ghagra (Sarsvati). The major source of irrigation was water of Hakra/Ghagra River but when dried, it caused the desiccation of the area and the civilisation became extinct with the whips and scorns of the time especially with the neglect of human being. However, the relics speak volumes about its splendor of times and present state of neglect.

Among those relics of great civilisation, forts of tehsil Fortabbas present true picture of neglect. Among them, Marot Fort once had been a “symbol of splendors of ancient rulers” though major portion of the fort has now disappeared. Marot Fort was founded by the Ruler of Chitto. It was existed when the River Sarasvati was alive. It was given the name of “Marot” by Aryans after Hindus God Marot that belonged to the court of Indira and was “God” of windstorm.

India manufactured a jet plane “Marot” in 1960. Marot, Hakra, Ghaggra and Pholra names were derived from Sanskrit language which proves its connection with ancient Indian history. “Marot Fort” was built at the bank of Hakra/Ghaggra River. Ancient books described the splendor and ampleness of “Marot Fort”. During the reign of Sher Shah Suri these forts were repaired as they were situated along the passageway linking Multan and Delhi. In addition, Humayun also got shelter at Marot Fort after the death of Sher Shah Suri when the Mughals reoccupied the throne and Akbar came to power. Marot Fort got more importance when Akbar stayed here and the remains of his presence have been found as a mosque was constructed by him. The mosque namely Mardan Majid still exists. An inscription on the mosque tells, “The mosque was built by Jalaluddin Akbar in 926 hijri”. Kilns with 1 to 1.5 inch width and 4.8 inch to 6.12 inch length were used in its construction. Circular flower leaves were embossed on its wooden doorways that show the handwork of the then artisans.

Likewise, the relics of Phora Fort have turned into heaps of mud with the passage of time. Karam Khan, son of Qaim Khan, repaired the fort and strengthened it. With water well along its West Side wall and three other wells, the fort was named after Hindu Raja Phool Singh Thakar.

Founded by Muhammad Maroof Khan Kehrani in 1743, the Moajgarh Fort was decorated with glazed tiles and surmounted by a single dome of about 400 yards south of the fort. The fort is at a distance of 32 km from Marot Fort. The outer and interior bricks facing the fortification wall have disappeared from several places exposing the mud brick core. The fort is almost square measuring 325, 312, and 238 feet on the southern, western and northern sides respectively. The walls were strengthened with a series of semi circular bastions.

 

[ghazi52]

Gurudwara Bhai Lalu Ji, Tatlay Aali, Gujranwala

Gurdwara known as Gurdwara Bhai Lalu Ji, in Tatlay Aali. The gurudwara is located at 31°59'41.48"N; 74° 8'43.41"E.

Mr Iqbal Qaiser in his book "Historical Sikhs Shrines in Pakistan", has given the following description of this gurudwara:

Gurdwara Bhai Lalu Ji is in Village Tatlay Aali of district Gujranwala. This Village is situated on the road going westward from Kamoke and the Gurdwara of Bhai Lalu Ji is in the center of the Village. It was built in 1939 AD through the effort of Bhai Lal Singh Ji and the funds of Sikh Sangats settled in Africa. The building is 3 storeyed and has domes. At present Government Primary School is housed in it. The building is strong but in the absence of maintenance its condition is deteriorating.





Gurdwara Bhai Lalu Ji, Tatlay Aali.






Gurdwara Bhai Lalu Ji, Tatlay Aali.





Gurdwara Bhai Lalu Ji, Tatlay Aali, one of the four entrances.





The main hall of the gurdwara.



A view from the ground.








Interior of the main ground.









The first floor of the gurdwara has corridors on the four sides. Which can be seen in the pictures above.







Arches on the first floor.




As can be seen, the gurdwara though solidly built, is currently in a very bad shape. I think that the construction work stopped before its completion. Because I saw no traces of plaster on the walls, or tiling on the floors. Nor any other kind of decoration. So most probably the gurdwara was still under construction when 47 struck it. At present, the gurdwara is totally abandoned and being used by the local people as a pen for their goats and buffaloes and storeroom for fodder. It was indeed painful to see this state of negligence and apathy on part of the related authorities like Evacuee Trust Property Board or the archaeology department.

Now, something about Bhai Lalu ji or Lalo ji, after whom this important and historical gurdwara was named. On a website Sikhiwiki; the following introduction to Bhai Lalu ji is given:

Bhai Lalo earned his living by honest work. He was born in 1452 at the village of Saidpur (Pakistan). His father's name was Bhai Jagat Ram of the 'Ghataura' surname pertaining to the carpenter clan, now known as Ramgarhia. Bhai Lalo was nearly seventeen years older than Guru Nanak. When Lalo saw two holy men coming towards him, he put aside his work and spread a bed for them and went to get some lunch for them.
As the kitchen was supposed to be the most pure and clean place in a house, Bhai Lalo asked Guru Nanak to come there and have his meal. Guru ji said “Bhai Lalo, every place is clean and pure for us. Please bring the meal here.” So the meal was brought out and Mardana then divided it into three parts and they all ate it together. “This meal tastes like nectar. What has been put in it?” asked Bhai Mardana.

Guru Nanak replied “That was the sweet flavour of truthfulness and honesty that you tasted. This taste is above the tepid experience of worldly delicacies.” Guru Nanak taught the message of honest hard work as an essential part of ones duty to God. The other two important messages taught by the Guru were the remembering and reciting of God's nameand also the sharing of ones worldly wealth with others who are less well off.
One day Malik Bhago, a high government official of the city, gave a general feast. He invited Guru Nanak too. Guru ji declined the invitation saying, "We are fakirs, what have we to do with your feast?" On being asked a second time, Guru Nanak took Bhai Lalo with him and went to Malik Bhago’s house. With great anger Malik Bhago said to Guru ji, “You are dishonoring Kshatriyas by eating dry chapaties in the house of a low caste carpenter. My feast will offer you delicious food. Why do you refuse to eat it?”
Guru Nanak took Bhai Lalo’s dry chapati in his right hand and Malik Bhago’s fried sweet pancake in his left hand. When he squeezed the right hand the people present there saw drops of milk dripping from it. And when he pressed the left hand with the Malik Bhago's fried pancakes, everyone saw blood trickling from it.
“Look Malik Bhago, wealth gathered by cruelty and corruption towards the poor is like sucking their blood which you have done. You had invited me to partake of blood, leaving food pure as milk. How could I accept it?” said Guru ji. Malik Bhago was silent then. Bhai Lalo on the other hand was the symbol of honesty and hard work. So according to Guru ji it’s better to earn little money with honesty than to amass a huge wealth by devious and crooked means.
The news spread that a Guru, who could challenge caste and authority, with such courage unknown before, travelled the countryside. More and more people came to listen to the enlightening words of Guru Nanak. Bhai Lalo was blessed by Guru Nanak Dev ji to spread the message of the Divine Name. He became a devout Sikh and preached the Guru's gospel to the people of Saidpur.

One thing is not clear, did Bhai Lalu ji has a connection with this place? Why a gurdwara in his memory was built 13 kilometers away from his native place, Eminabad. Perhaps he had devotees in Tatlay Aali who built a gurudwara in his sacred memory. Concerned authorities should give this gurdwara protection and pay some attention to its repair and maintenance, otherwise, it will not survive for long.

 

[ghazi52]

Nakain Kaur, Chand Kaur and Sahib Kaur's Samadhis
These samadhis of the royal ladies of the Sikh Empire are situated within the grounds of the Islamia College at Civil Lines, just south west of the Chilla of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar. The samadhis are placed on a solid 10 feet high square platform. The original staircase was on the east end of the platform and led up to the samadhi of Maharani Nakain Kaur. Her samadhi is square in structure measuring 16 feet on each side surmounted by a fluted dome. The dome was topped by a metal finial, which is no longer extant. A door has been provided on each of the four sides. Inside, at the center was an 18 inches high and 3x3 feet wide platform on which was placed the stone urn containing the ashes of the second wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and mother of Kharak Singh. Her original name was Raj Kaur but she changed her name to Datar Kaur because Ranjit Singh's mother was also named Raj Kaur. She was married to the Maharaja in 1798 who lovingly addressed her as Mal Nakain. She died on 20 June 1838 and her samadhi was built around the same time.

South of the samadhi of Nakain Kaur, on the same platform is the samadhi of Maharani Chand Kaur, wife of Kharak Singh and mother of Naunehal Singh. Her samadhi is also square in construction and measures 16 feet on each side, similar to that of her mother-in-law's. Each of the four corners of the building are topped by small domed towers. In the center is a fluted dome similar to that of Nakain Kaur's samadhi, however; it was never topped with a finial and only the metal rod could be seen emanating from the top of the dome when Kanhaiya Lal wrote about them in 1884. Chand Kaur was married to Kharak Singh in 1812 at the age of 10. She claimed the throne of Lahore in November 1840 for about two and a half months following the deaths of her husband Kharak Singh and son Naunehal Singh. She challenged Sher Singh, the second son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, on the grounds that her daughter in law, Kanvar Naunehal Singh's widow, Sahib Kaur, was pregnant and that she would assume regency on behalf of the unborn legal successor to her husband's throne. Sher Singh, winning support of a rival group at the court and of a section of the army, marched upon Lahore. In July 1841, Nau Nihal Singh's widow Sahib Kaur delivered a stillborn son. This ended whatever hopes Chand Kaur had of realizing her claims. She was killed on 11 June 1842 by her maids who had been appointed by Dhian Singh in collusion with Sher Singh.

Between these samadhis, to the west is another smaller samadhi belonging to Sahib Kaur, wife of Naunehal Singh. It is octagonal in shape, about half the height of the other two samadhis and topped by a smaller simpler dome. Naunehal Singh was married to Sahib Kaur in 1837 at the age of 16. She died in 1841.

 

[ghazi52]

The 15th Century Attock Fort

 

[ghazi52]

A view of Begum Darwaza Pharwala Fort

Pharwala Fort Built in the 11th century by Sultan Kai Gohar Gakhar on the ruins of an ancient fort, the Pharwala Fort in Potohar, Pakistan is the most unassailable fort in South Asia. It is well protected by high ridges on one end and deep ravines on the other. While its fortification wall has disappeared from many places, its opulence is visible from the walls and gates on the North Western side.

The fort has long been associated with the fearless clan of Gakhars, who are known for their bravery and fighting skills. The Gakhars have played an important role in setting the course of history in the Potohar region across the centuries, more often routing their opponents. This, however, has resulted in fierce rivalries with neighboring clans, most notably with the Janjuas of the Potohar region. It was on their advice that the great Mughal emperor Babur launched a campaign to conquer the Gakhar stronghold in 1519.

Gakhars, despite their strategic positioning, could not stand the might of Babur’s army and escaped through narrow gorges on the northern side of the fort.

However, an accord was met between Babur and the Gakhar chieftains’ which had lasting consequences over the politics of the region. As it turned out, the Gakhars remained loyal to the Mughals and even supported Humayun in his exile. Shershah, who took over the rest of the Mughal Empire, could never take away Pharwala Fort from the resilient Gakhars and later ordered the construction of the Rohtas Fort to quell Gakhar resistance.

 

[ghazi52]

Kot Diji

In between the Mehrgarh and the Indus Valley civilization, there existed a prelude to Moenjodaro and Harappa at Kot Diji, which thrived at about the time when Indus Valley civilization was getting into place around 3500-3000 BC. Located about 22 kilometres south of Khairpur in the Sindh of province, Pakistan, the site is situated at the foot of the limestone hills on the eastern bank of the Indus River, some 60 kilometres northeast of Mohenjo-daro. Excavated in 1955, the remains of Kot Diji represent the first evidence of habitation. The Kot Diji culture is characterized by the use of the red-slipped globular jar with a short neck painted with a black band. Briefly coexisting with the Indus Civilization (the Harappan Culture), the Kot Diji Culture eventually gave way to the blossoming Indus Civilization. During the peak of the Kot Diji Culture, the site was divided into a "Citadel" and a "Lower Town". Standardized bricks, terracotta cakes, fish-scale and intersecting-circle designs on pottery and other traits found in the Indus Civilization were already in use at the site. On the basis of this evidence and the fact that similar artefacts were found over much of the vast area of the later Indus (or Harappan) Civilization, Dr. M. R. Mughal suggested calling this early stage at Kot Diji and at other sites the "Early Harappan Culture". Excavations at Harappa show strong affinity, with some Kot Diji finds.

The pre Harappan site at Kot Diji consists of two clearly defined areas. Citadel on high ground for the elites separated by a defensive wall with bastions at regular intervals. This area measures about 500 ft x 350 ft. Outer area, or the city proper consisted of houses of mud bricks on stone foundations. Pottery found from this site have design with horizontal and wavy lines, or loops and simple triangular patterns. Remains of pots, pans, storage jars, toy carts, balls, bangles, beads, terracotta figurines of mother goddess and animals, bronze arrowheads have also been found, beside well fashioned stone implements. The interesting find at Kot Diji is a toy cart, which shows that potter’s wheel lead to wheels for bullock carts.

There are evidence of burning of this fortified town, which were also observed at Amri and Kalibangan. Burning of these cities is still unexplained.

The present remains of Kot Diji also include a fort, which was built by Talpur ruler Mir Sohrab (1803-30). This fort built on the ridge of a steep narrow hill is well preserved and is oft mistaken as a part of the vestige Kot Diji civilization of earlier times.

 

[ghazi52]

Australia returns Gandhara statue of Buddha to Pakistan

https://nation.com.pk/NewsSource/inp
December 12, 2018

An Australian citizen returned the statue of Buddha belonged to the Gandhara civilization of Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.

In this connection, a ceremony was held at the Pakistan High Commission, Canberra to celebrate the return of the statue.

The statue was in the possession of Ms Romy Dingle, an Australian citizen whose mother was a collector of artefacts and had brought it to Australia from Pakistan in the early 1970s. The family now wished to gift it to Pakistan, the place where it belonged.

The event was attended by guests from the civil society, academia, diplomatic corps and media. The Shadow Minister for Families, Youth, Community Services, and Multicultural Affairs, Ms Elizabeth Kikkert MLA in the ACT Legislative Assembly also attended.

Speaking on the occasion Ms Romy Dingle said that, she is delighted to facilitate and return the piece of history as it has now been returned to its rightful place to be celebrated and protected in a befitting manner.

She added that today’s event is an excellent example of the results that can come with close cooperation between individuals from civil society and government institution to preserve and celebrate art.

In his remarks, High Commissioner for Pakistan, Mr Babar Amin said that the statue was an important element of the cultural history and heritage of Pakistan and was so much more than a piece of property.

While giving agenesis of the Gandhara civilization, he added that Gandhara was an ancient kingdom in the modern-day North of Pakistan spreading from Peshawar to the Swat valley, and Pothoharplateau region of Pakistan.

As a centre of Buddhism, Gandhara attained its height from the 1st century to the 5th century under the Kushan Kings and contributed immensely in the spheres of painting, sculpture, coins, pottery and all the associated elements of an artistic tradition.

Taxila was its seat of learning which hosted the famous Julian University one of the first in the world.

People from all over the area and neighbouring regions came to Gandhara not only for trade and commerce but also for learning and acquiring knowledge.