Featured Pakistan: The Archaeological Marvel

[ghazi52]

The Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-Daro : 2500BCE

The Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-Daro is what generations of besotted archaeologists have named a 10.8 centimeter (4.25 inch) tall copper-bronze statuette found in the ruins of Mohenjo Daro. That city is one of the most important sites of the Indus Civilization, or more accurately, the Harappan Civilization (2600-1900 BC) of Pakistan and northwestern India.

The Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-Daro at National Museum, Delhi


The Dancing Girl figurine was sculpted using the lost wax (cire perdue) process, which involves making a mold and pouring molten metal into it.

Mohenjo-Daro Archeological Site



Made about 2500 BC, the statuette was found in the remains of a small house in the southwestern quarter of Mohenjo Daro by Indian archaeologist D. R. Sahni [1879-1939] during his 1926-1927 field season at the site.

The figurine is a naturalistic free-standing sculpture of a nude woman, with small breasts, narrow hips, long legs and arms, and a short torso; her genitals are explicit. She wears a stack of 25 bangles on her left arm. She has very long legs and arms compared to her torso; her head is tilted slightly backward and her left leg is bent at the knee.

On her right arm are four bangles, two at the wrist, two above the elbow; that arm is bent at the elbow, with her hand on her hip. She wears a necklace with three large pendants, and her hair is in a loose bun, twisted in a spiral fashion and pinned in place at the back of her head. Some scholars suggest that the Dancing Girl statuette is a portrait of a real woman.

Although there have been literally thousands of figurines recovered from Harappan sites, including over 2,500 at Harappa alone, the vast majority of figurines are terracotta, made from fired clay. Only a handful of Harappan figurines are carved from stone (such as the famous priest-king figure) or, like the dancing lady, of lost-wax copper bronze.

Figurines are an elaborate class of representational artifact found in many ancient and modern human societies. Human and animal figurines can give insight into concepts of sex, gender, sexuality and other aspects of social identity. That insight is important for us today because many ancient societies left no decipherable written language. Although the Harappans had a written language, no modern scholar has been able to decipher the Indus Script to date.

A recent survey of the use of copper-based metals used in Indus civilization sites (Hoffman and Miller 2014) found that most of the classic Harappan aged objects made of copper-bronze are vessels (jars, pots, bowls, dishes, pans, scale pans) formed from sheet copper; tools (blades from sheet copper; chisels, pointed tools, axes and adzes) manufactured by casting; and ornaments (bangles, rings, beads, and decorative-headed pins) by casting. Hoffman and Miller found that copper mirrors, figurines, tablets, and tokens are relatively rare compared to these other artifact types. There are many more stone and ceramic tablets than those made of copper-based bronze.

The Harappans made their bronze artifacts using a variety of blends, alloys of copper with tin and arsenic, and varying lesser amounts of zinc, lead, sulfur, iron, and nickel.

Adding zinc to copper makes an object brass rather than bronze, and some of the earliest brasses on our planet were created by the Harappans. Researchers Park and Shinde (2014) suggest that the variety of blends used in different products was the result of fabrication requirements and the fact that pre-alloyed and pure copper was traded into the Harappan cities rather than produced there.

The lost wax method used by Harappan metallurgists involved first carving the object out of wax, then covering it in wet clay. Once the clay was dried, holes were bored into the mold and the mold was heated, melting the wax. The empty mold was then filled with a melted mixture of copper and tin. After that cooled, the mold was broken, revealing the copper-bronze object.
Most of the images of women from Harappan-period sites are from hand-modeled terracotta, and they are primarily curvaceous mother goddesses.
The ethnicity of the woman depicted in the figure has been a somewhat controversial subject over the years since the figurine was discovered. Several scholars such as ECL During Casper have suggested that the lady looks African. Recent evidence for Bronze Age trade contact with Africa has been found at Chanhu-Dara, another Harappan Bronze Age site, in the form of pearl millet, which was domesticated in Africa about 5,000 years ago. There is also at least one burial of an African woman at Chanhu-Dara, and it is not impossible that the Dancing Girl was a portrait of a woman from Africa.

However, the figurine’s hairdressing is a style worn by Indian women today and in the past, and her armful of bangles is similar to a style worn by contemporary Kutchi Rabari tribal women.

British Archaeologist Mortimer Wheeler, one of many scholars besotted by the statuette, recognized her as a woman from the Baluchi region.

Second bronze statuette of a girl c.2500 BC, now displayed at Karachi Museum, Pakistan

 

[Kambojaric]

Sehwan Fort — uncovering the marvel of Sindh

Sindh counts among the most distinguished places in the world which has historical forts, holy shrines and other places of worship. But these incredible historical sites have been lost their glory with the passage of time and fort of Sehwan is one of them.

According to archaeological experts, the history and traditions of this fort are so complex, based on deep and speculative views that it is impossible to uncover them and to reach the real facts scientifically. International tourists and researchers have different opinions about the history of the fort, while there are different opinions from local researchers too.

This mysterious fort of Sehwan, which real name is also unknown to the people, is called Sikander’s Fort, Kafir Fort, Old Fort or now Sehwan Fort while the locals know the place as Utti Basti.

According to Lieutenant Willam Edwards, an official of the British army, wrote in his book ‘Sketches in Scinde’ written 171 years ago that old castle, the erection of which is attributed to Alexander is perhaps the only veritable relique of Greek, which can be traced in Sindh.

The famous historian Bherumal Meharchand Advani has also referred in his book as old castle of Sehwan.

History shows that the ruler of Sehwan was King Sambus in 326 BC, and King Sambus rebelled against Sikinder. At the time of invasion of Alexander, the Great, Sehwan was called “SEVESTAN”. It is estimated that the fort was built about 600 BC before the time of Rai Sahasi II as Rai Sahasi died in 603 AD. Hence, the fort was conquered by Muhammad bin Qasim in 713 AD when Raja Dahir was defeated at the battle of Debal, after that Shah Baig Arghoon vacated Sehwan with the rulers in 1520, but yet researchers were unable to say when and how the castle was built and began to fall; only mouth to mouth stories are known today.

According to Archaeologist the arches of the fort and other characteristics are oriental and not Grecian. The brick-work, like that of Kalan Kot Fort in Thatta, and the name “Kafir Qila” also points to the fact that Sehwan Fort may have been built during Hindu Rule and it is an old town of pre-Islamic period.

The ancient fort lies north of the town and is a massive burnt brick structure laid in mud mortar. The core of the fortification wall is filled with puddle earth. The defensive walls are roughly rectangular in shape, with traces of machicolations (a floor opening between the supporting corbels of a battlement, through which stones, or other objects, could be dropped on attackers at the base of a defensive wall). At the top of the fortification ground area there are modern structures built by Sindh Government. At the side of the Fort area, there are deep ditches dug by French Archaeological Mission.

In accordance with the Dr Michel Boivin in his memory of Sindh wrote that I have keen interest in Sehwan it was because of the large amount of work already done in the Purana Qila or Alexander`s Fort by French archaeologist but none of them has come to the conclusion, however nothing has been there to come to an end.

Director General Antiquities and Archaeology Manzoor Ahmed Kanasro told Daily Times that French Archaeologist Professor Dr. Monique Kervran has worked extensively with Mazhar Ali Meerani, Assistant Director of Archaeology in 2002-2003, adding that she did a lot of excavations work on the Purana Qila or Alexander`s Fort in Sehwan.

Further he said that Provincial Minister for Culture and Tourism Sindh Syed Sardar Ali Shah, is very much serious to preserve the heritage and we are doing utmost to conserve and restore the heritages as the antiquities which were taken out during digging of French archaeologist have been kept in the Sehwan Museum. The Department has also built a rest house to facilitate visitors to Sehwan, he added.

While inspecting the area around the fort, there was a rest house where the locals proclaimed that the residence of a police officer is, there was no one in the rest house.

The Common folk tale is related to this fort, the story goes that the ruler of Sehwan grew fearsome of the popularity of Lal Shahbaz and Bodla Bahaar and ordered to slaughter Bodla Bahaar into pieces. The soldiers executed the order and scattered his body pieces. When Lal Shahbaz heard of the incident, he called the name of his favorite disciple and his chopped up body transformed back into Bodla Bahaar to answer back to his master’s call! When the ruler still did not heed to Lal Shahbaz’s preaching, Bodla Bahaar on the orders of Lal Shahbaz turned the whole fortress upside down. People claim that the ruins still show an upside down settlement.

Now this unknown and forgotten fort is not attracted by people because it’s all remaining particles are missing and somewhere the solid red bricks fixed in walls are shown. Secondly, land near to the fort has been occupied by some natives of province.

Voice of Sindh took this initiative to promote Sindh’s rich culture and heritage for tourism, for the same Voice of Sindh take some journalists to discover the hidden secrets of the ancient and mysterious castle attached to the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Shewan Sharif and to depiction the people to this ancient heritage.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/580224/sehwan-fort-uncovering-the-marvel-of-sindh/

 

[ghazi52]

Mir Masum's Minar, Sukkur

The most outstanding monuments built at Sukkur during the Mughal period is the high minaret of Mir Masum. In excellence it may be compared with those at Delhi, Ahmadabad and Daulatabad. The construction of the minaret was started in 1595 A.D. by Mir Muhammad Masum, a prominent figure of Mughal period, but was completed by his son, Mir Buzurg in 1618 A.H. he was a famous scholar, poet calligraphist historian and brave soldier.

Born at Sukkur-Bhakkar in A.H.944 Mir Masum assumed the poetical title of ‘Nami’ and was the writer of the history of Sindh called after him the Tarikh-e-Masumi, which he complied in A.H.1009 (1600 A.D.). Impressed by his great qualities and services. Emperor Akbar awarded him large jagirs in the surrounding areas of Sukkur. In 1606 A.D., he was bestowed with the title of Amin-ul-Malk by Emperor Jahangir.

Built of burnt bricks, Mir Masum’s Minaret is about one hundred feet high and eighty-four in circum-ference at the base. It provides a magnificent view of the surrounding area from its top. It is surmounted by a dome to which access is provided by an internal stair-case.

An oblong stone slab bearing an inscription in Persian is laid at the entrance of the minaret, which indicates the date of its construction.

Close to the Mir Masum’s minaret here are several open stone canopies supported upon square, flat and octagonal stone pillars, whose shafts are covered with Persian writings in relief and other decorative tracery. There are honey-combed designs on the ceilings of the tomb. The raves of Mir Masum, his father Mir Safai and his other family members are located under the canopies. The canopies bear several inscriptions in Persian and verses from the Holy Quran. The inscription on the grave of Mir Masum indicates his date of demise as A.H.1014 (1605-6 A.D.).


1896

 

[W.11]

The ethnicity of the woman depicted in the figure has been a somewhat controversial subject over the years since the figurine was discovered. Several scholars such as ECL During Casper have suggested that the lady looks African. Recent evidence for Bronze Age trade contact with Africa has been found at Chanhu-Dara, another Harappan Bronze Age site, in the form of pearl millet, which was domesticated in Africa about 5,000 years ago. There is also at least one burial of an African woman at Chanhu-Dara, and it is not impossible that the Dancing Girl was a portrait of a woman from Africa.

However, the figurine’s hairdressing is a style worn by Indian women today and in the past, and her armful of bangles is similar to a style worn by contemporary Kutchi Rabari tribal women.

interesting to note presence of africans in the IVC which suggests trade with egypt as well, but i disagree that the figurine looks african, its purely an artistic rendition which the scholars are taking too much meaning out of it, for instance i was laughing when some afrocentrics while visiting indian section of british museum were pointing to the african looks of the hindu buddhist statues as well, which just goes to show how misleading these artistic renditions can be.

 

[W.11]

ritual bowl depicted on IVC seals

https://www.harappa.com/sites/default/files/pdf/private-person.pdf

Decorative Hair Pin, Harappa, C- 2700 BC A stag and a dog in playful mood

https://flic.kr/p/8082656001

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

ritual bowl depicted on IVC seals

I thought that was a "Hindu Dvaja" according to you.

 

[W.11]

I thought that was a "Hindu Dvaja" according to you.

has been used as a dhvaja

https://www.academia.edu/37128181/P..._Felicitation_Volume._Oxford_Archaeopress.pdf

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a mother with child laying on bed, harappa resembles Queen maya imagery from historic period, artifact maybe fake as picked up from unsourced FB page

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=457218848308241

Terracotta mother and her infant from Mohenjo
Daro.

Queen maya imagery from historic period

 

[ghazi52]

Prominent Archaeological Sites in Pakistan

There are a number of sites in Pakistan that were once home to great and ancient civilizations. The sophistication of their cultures and times can still be observed in the ruins and remains that can be found at many locations here. These are of great interest to archaeologists as they afford a view into the past and shed some more light on how life once used to be for the inhabitants of these lands.

Here’s a list of some particularly prominent areas:


Mehrgarh

The civilization found in Mehrgarh was amongst the first in the world to establish the practice of agriculture, keeping of livestock and organized communal life with a village structure. It lasted for 5000 years till 2000-2500 B.C. after which the ancient dwellers seem to have migrated to other areas, speculated to be Mohenjodaro and Harappa.

It was previously thought that the earliest settlements in South Asia were in Mohenjodaro and Harappa, the best known sites for the Indus Valley Civilization. However, in 1979, the timeline of civilization found in Pakistan was pushed back by more than 4000 years by the discovery of the signs of a civilization at Mehrgarh, about 30 kilometres from the town of Sibi, in the province of Balochistan. The remains are dated to 7000-9000 years ago and therefore immediately precede the Stone Age.

The timeline for this area has been divided into four to seven periods. The earliest of these is the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period of 7000 B.C. and possibly even before that. Mehrgarh was deserted between 2000 and 2500 B.C. and reused as a burial ground for some time after 2000 B.C. It would therefore make sense to say that the Indus Valley civilization has its roots here as well since archaeologists have linked Harappan genesis to Mehrgarh, after the discovery of some early indications of Harappan styles, especially the similarities in earthenware.

The Neolithic Revolution seems to have taken place around 8500 – 6000 B.C. Livestock and agriculture started and life became more settled in permanent housing. Remains of painted pottery and ornaments representing both humans and animals have also been excavated recently from the site. And in what could be one of the earliest known evidence of dentistry and knowledge of dental procedures, scientists at the University of Missouri-Columbia have found tiny, perfectly rounded holes in teeth in the region which they think were drilled to repair tooth decay. None of these come from a special tomb, suggesting that oral health care was available as a general right.


Kot Diji

Around 3500-3000 B.C, another civilization came into being while the Indus Valley Civilization was just underway. Located about 22 km south of Khairpur in the Sindh of province, Pakistan, the Kot Dijli site is some 60 km away from Mohenjo-daro.

Excavated in 1955, the site’s culture is characterized by the use of the red-slipped globular jar with a short neck painted with a black band. During the peak of this civilization, the region was divided into two. The first part was a Citadel for the elites, separated by a defensive wall from the general public. The second was a Lower Town with mud houses. Terracotta found from this site has characteristic horizontal and wavy lines, or loops and triangular patterns. Remains of jars, balls, bangles, beads, pots and figures have also been discovered at the site.

The ancient site is speculated to have been burned down, though the reasons for this end are yet to be discovered.

Mohenjodaro

The name literally translates to Mound of the Death. Situated 350 miles from Karachi, the capital of Sindh, Mohenjodaro is one of the most important archaeological sites in Pakistan. It was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, and one of the world’s earliest major urban settlements. The civilization existed from 2500 B.C. to about 1500 B.C. after which it disappeared. Mohenjodaro was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.


The citadels found here seem to have once housed palaces, granaries, and grand baths used for ablutions. The town was laid out in rectangular patterns. Houses were two-storied and had drainage systems that led into brick-lined sewers.

Trade and agriculture formed the backbone of the ancient economy. Many copper, bronze, and clay fashioned remains have been found. An important find are the seals. These are engraved with animal figures and a line of pictograph script. On some seals there is a tree or the Hindu god Shiva drawn. The script has yet to be deciphered.

It is mostly accepted that the civilization fell in 1500 B.C. to invading Aryans.


Harappa

Harappa is situated 35 km from Sahiwal and around 250 km from Lahore in the province of Punjab. It was from here that the remains of the Indus Valley Civilization were first discovered that eventually led archaeologists to Mohenjodaro. Though some of the remains of Harappa were destroyed, several cemeteries have been excavated to reveal much about the Harappan culture.

here seem to be have been a series of cities. With a similar layout and designs of citadel and granaries, Harappa looks like Mohenjodaro and appears to have been most populated around in 2000 to 1700 B.C. as well. The economy appears to have been agriculture and trade oriented.

Many of the dead were buried wearing a variety of jewelry and other ornaments, such as rings, along with earrings and bangles. Some of the females had anklets of tiny beads and girdles studded with semi-precious stones.

Taxila

Taxila is a town situated about 32 km away from Islamabad, the Capital of Pakistan. The name is translated to “City of Cut Stone” in Sanskrit. The civilization here is dated back to the Persian Empire in the 6th century BC. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 and in 2006 it was said to be the top tourist destination in Pakistan according to The Guardian.


Taxila can be considered to be amongst the earliest universities to ever exist. This may not be highly accurate in the modern sense, as there was no particular structure to the imparting of Education. The teachers were not paid and had complete autonomy as to the choosing of students and subjects, without any centralized syllabus or control from the ruling authorities. There were also no examinations taken or degrees awarded.

The main ruins of Taxila are divided into three major cities, and each corresponds to a different period in time. The oldest of these is in the Hathial area, which yielded surface shards similar to red burnished ware and these remains may be from an era as early as the late 2nd millennium B.C. to the 6th century B.C. The second is found at Sirkap and was built in the 2nd century B.C. The last city is situated at Sirsukh.



Rehman Dheri

It is a pre-Harappan site, and dated about 4000 B.C. It is located 22 km away from Dera Ismail Khan in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province. It is considered to be one of the oldest urbanized centers in South Asia that we know of.

It appears to have once been a large walled rectangular city with a grid iron network. The location of a number of small-scale industrial areas can be seen occupied by eroding kilns and scatters of slag. The surface is strewn with thousands of shreds.

There are not many remains at Rehman Dheri except for thousands of broken utensil bits and stone. It seems to have been left by its inhabitants in the middle of the third millennium B.C. The plan of the Early Harappan settlement is therefore completely undisturbed by later developments in civilization that took place at the other sites and hence represents the beginning of urbanization in South Asia.

 

[ghazi52]

Peshawar: On the heritage trail


There is so much to see — and eat — in Peshawar's old city.

Omar Mukhtar Khan

My earliest reminiscences of Peshawar are a double-storey house in University Town, red double-decker buses, listening to Amitabh's Kabhi Kabhi in the backseat of a white Corona and my kindergarten.

I always longed to go back and one spring morning, I found myself standing at Gorkhatri in the middle of the city.

I first read about this archaeological site while working on an article on General Paolo Crescenzo Martino Avitabile, an Italian general who, after the Battle of Waterloo, came to India to join Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army.

Avitabile would first be made governor of Wazirabad and then the governor of Peshawar from 1838 to 1842. He made Gorkhatri his residence and came to be known locally as Abu Tabela.

Gorkhatri excavation site dating from 200 BCE.—All photos by the author

The Hindu temple in Gorkhatri.


Abu Tabela ruled ruthlessly and would hang delinquents upside-down from the minarets of the Mahabat Khan Mosque. Mothers would warn children that Abu Tabela would come if they didn't behave.

Today, Gorkhatri is managed by the archaeology department and excavations are ongoing to find out more about its history. Until now, archaeologists have been able to find 13 layers from different civilisations, from the colonial era all the way to the Indo-Greek period 200 BCE.

Some enterprising soul had turned the site into a wedding pavilion, before better sense prevailed and the government established a museum full of excavated artifacts in one of the buildings.

The government has also let artisans set up handicraft, shawl and Peshawari chappal shops in the small rooms on the perimeter that used to be part of a caravanserai constructed by the Mughals in the 16th century.

There is an old temple under a huge banyan tree in the middle of the complex, still immaculately maintained and looked after by the Hindu community of Peshawar.

Perhaps the first fire truck in Peshawar.


You cannot miss the British relics in the shape of a lovely Merryweather firetruck parked inside a 1912 municipal committee garage located at Gorkhatri.

As you walk out from the site's western gate, you enter Bazaar Kalan, one of the oldest parts of Peshawar. The government has converted this one-kilometre patch into a heritage trail, renovating old buildings and fixing electricity and drainage systems.

I had heard of the Sethi Haveli for a long time and my guide took me to Sethi mohalla, just next to the bazaar.

We entered narrow but clean alleys, where there are apparently six or seven smaller residences of the Sethi family apart from the jewel in the crown — the 1884 haveli built by Karim Baksh Sethi.

The main haveli does not have a grand entrance — and can be rather disappointing — but once you enter, you find yourself in a central courtyard with a centuries-old fountain in the middle and the colourful windows of bedrooms and lounges opening into the yard from all sides.

Walking in Sethi mohalla.

The courtyard of Sethi Haveli.

Inside Sethi Haveli.


The Sethis were traders who migrated to Peshawar from Bhera during Sikh rule. Soon, they were masters of trade routes from central Asia to sub-continent and their opulence reflects in the grandeur of this haveli.

The woodwork, frescoes and calligraphy on the walls and roof is exquisite and influenced by the work of artisans from all over the region. The haveli had its own well next to the kitchen at each floor and a huge vault in the basement. The haveli was fortunately acquired by the government a few years back and is well-maintained.

***
Next, we crossed the 1900-built Cunningham Clock Tower, named after Sir George Cunningham, former colonial governor and political agent, and commissioned to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

The clock tower has historically been surrounded by fish sellers, who are currently facing efforts to relocate them elsewhere.

Cunnigham Clock Tower.


As we came out of Bazaar Kalan, we were opposite Masjid Mahabat Khan, located in the jewellers' market. However, it was time to cross Chowk Yadgar to enter Qissa Khwani bazaar to the south.

Our enthusiastic guide took us through narrow alleys first to legendary Indian actor Dilip Kumar’s school and then to his former residence in Khudadad mohalla.

The school is still operational, but his former home is crumbling. Official efforts to to acquire the building and convert it into a museum have failed in the past.

The 1890 Anjuman Himayat-i-Islam school, formerly attended by Dilip Kumar.

Dilip Kumar's former home.


Now, if we were at Dilip Kumar’s residence, a legend for our parents' generation, how could we miss visiting the home of Shahrukh Khan, a legend for our generation?

So, our guide took us through another set of narrow alleys — but before that, we had to have lemon soda from the Taj Soda Shop, which was established in 1936 and sells a variety of flavours including milk, cola, orange and lemon.

Generation of Peshawaris have grown up drinking and cherishing this locally made soda from Taj Soda Company. I can already hear sighs from many nostalgic readers.

A poster at the Taj Soda Company's shop.


I had always heard of the tea houses or kehwa khanas of Qissa Khwani bazaar where travellers would take a break and hear a qissa or a story from a qissa khwan or storyteller.

Though we did not find a storyteller, we did find a traditional kehwa khana to live the tradition. The owner brewed the kehwa in a peculiar way using the traditional samovar.

I could not get the technique but the kehwa stood to its name and we had it sitting on the floor. Qissa Khwani bazaar used to flaunt numerous kehwa khanas, but the numbers have dwindled over the years due to fewer travellers and reduced profits.

Look at that colour.

Perhaps people have become too busy to sit down leisurely and listen to stories from as far as Central Asia or Calcutta.

Besides kehwa and Taj Soda, you must try piping hot Makhadi halwa being sold by street vendors and those who have a taste for it always prefer the slightly burnt layer from the pan.

***
Our next stop was Shahrukh Khan’s ancestral home on the other side of Qissa Khwani bazaar. It's in a narrow alley in the Shahwali Qataal area and it was here that his father Taj Muhammad Khan was born.

Taj Muhammad Khan was a lawyer and a pro-Congress activist who migrated to India in 1947. Shahrukh Khan visited has Peshawar twice — in 1978 and 1980 — while he was still young, and stayed in the same house.

His first cousins still live here and fondly remember him. The house itself is inconsequential, but the name attached to the building isn’t.

Now, Ranbir and Kareena Kapoor would take it personally if I don’t take you to the 1918-built Kapoor Haveli in the Khan Raziq precinct, also at walking distance from Qissa Khwani bazaar.

The story goes like this: Prithviraj Kapoor was born to Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor, a civil servant in Sumandri near Lyallpur, now Faisalabad. Later, the family moved to Peshawar and it was here that Raj Kapoor was born.

The windows of Kapoor Haveli.

An old entrance with tharras to sit on.


Compared with Dilip Kumar and Shahrukh’s ancestral homes, the Kapoor Haveli is grand with beautiful wooden bay windows suggesting that at some point, it was a haveli with a view.

However, the Kapoor Haveli is also now fighting for life in a narrow alley.

Continue walking through the narrow alleys to reach the jewellers' market and the historic 16th century mosque built by Mahabat Khan, the governor of Peshawar under Mughal Emperor Shahjahan.

The mosque is similar in pattern to the Wazir Khan Mosque of Lahore, with a central ablution pond and huge courtyard with beautiful motifs and calligraphy on walls of prayer halls.

Fortunately, prisoners are not hung from the minarets anymore and after saying your prayers, you can safely reach Chowk Yadgar, completing the heritage trail.

As I came out of old Peshawar, I drove by Bala Hisar Fort. I didn’t have the requisite permission to see it — but in any case, I know I must come back to Peshawar to see the historic Governor House, Peshawar Museum, the colonial Christian cemetery, Deputy Commissioner House, Islamia College and University.

There shall be a next time and there shall be another day.

...................................................................................................................

Omar Mukhtar Khan is a development professional with an interest in governance and public policy. His views are personal and cannot be ascribed to any organisation. He can be reached at omarmukhtar16@gmail.com.

 

[ghazi52]

Makli Graveyard - Thatha, Sindh

 

[ghazi52]

Rawat Fort,18 km on GT Road from Pindi. ‘Rawat’ is derived from Arabic word ‘rebaat’ which means ‘sarai’ in Urdu. Built by Ghakkar tribe in 16th century, it was battleground between Sher Shah Suri & Ghakkar chief Sultan Sarang Khan in 1546 AD, who lost 16 sons in that battle.

 

[ghazi52]

Hazuri Bagh Baradari , Lahore, c.1904

1862

 

[Kambojaric]

 

[ghazi52]

Had lovely time at Khudabad town which was capital of Mir Talpur in old time. This town is near Hala and filled with amazing Talpurs tombs and Sindh Governent is taking really good care of this lovely place.

 

[Kambojaric]

Balochistan govt taking measures to protect heritage sites, promote tourism: official

ISLAMABAD: Balochistan government is taking measures to protect the centuries-old heritage and civilizations sites of the province, it emerged on Wednesday.

According to APP, The provincial government had allocated Rs200 million for the protection and renovation of Mehrgarh, Mir Chakra’s Fort, Shahi Tump-Makran Civilization, Kech valley and other heritage sites.

“The strong traditions and cultural values are important to the people of Balochistan and have enabled them to keep their distinctive ancient cultural identity and lifestyle with a little change to this day,” an official told APP.

The blessed South. Gwadar coastline. PHOTO: Syed Mehdi Bukhari/Twitter

Balochistan government will establish tourist resorts in its coastal areas to promote tourism and facilitate foreign tourists visiting the area to witness coastal lines.

The government had allocated Rs 1billion to revise the master plan of provincial coastal areas and set up tourist resorts in Kund Malir, Gadani, Ormara, Jioni and Khor Kalmat.

In a bid to unlock the potential of tourism sectors in the province, the government had decided to develop its coastal areas to facilitate tourists and, the official said.

They said the government was striving to provide basic facilities to the tourists. A holistic strategy was prepared to provide them with the best residential facilities in the tourist sites, sound infrastructure, transports system and safe environments.

Under a public-private partnership, the provincial government would establish Rest House at Taftan with a cost of Rs100 million to provide residential facilities to the visitors of the area. The move was aimed at generating more revenue.

The government had allocated Rs300 million for the upscaling of tourist spots at Quetta, Ziarat and Lasbela districts to attract millions of local and foreign tourists.

The Balochistan government, the official said, had allocated Rs760 million for the development and promotion of the tourism venues of the province.

Highlighting the steps taken by the government to promote culture and tourism in the province, he maintained that the government had set up a culture and tourism policy first time in provincial history.

“However, measures will be taken to conduct survey and Geo-mapping for the preservation of historical sites in the province to revamp and develop the sector,” he added.

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/20...tect-heritage-sites-promote-tourism-official/