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HISTORY
Karachi's charm is hard to define. At one level it is a harsh mercantile
city with all the brash, skin-deep self-assurance of the "nouveau riche".
At another level its complex, colorful bazaars bespeak an ancient oriental
tradition of barter and exchange. Still at another level it is the most
advanced city in Pakistan, boasting advanced educational institutions, a
nuclear power-station and sophisticated banking and technical skills.
"One day she will be the Queen of the East", said Charles Napier a hundred
years ago about Karachi. It was then only a small village. This
metropolitan city of Karachi was until 1725 A.D. just a barren piece of
land, washed on three sides by the blue waters of the Arabian Sea. A few
fishermen lived in small huts on the sunny creek. There was a pool of
water on this barren piece of land which was known as Kalachi-jo-Kun.
Kalachi was the name of fisherman whereas Kun meant a deep ditch.
Therefore, "Kalachi-jo-Kun" meant the deep ditch of Kalachi, the
fisherman. A few mud huts sprang around this point and their numbers
increased. Gradually a village came into being. This village was called
Kalachi-jo-Ghote, which as time passed grew into prominence.
Historians identify it with its proximity to a place from where a part of
Alexander's Army, boarded the Greek Flotilla in 326 B.C. Although
Alexander himself did not set foot in Karachi or any of its ancestral
townships it is a historical fact that the commander of his fleet, Admiral
Nearchus, anchored very close to the harbor of what is now Karachi. We
know that Alexander explored the Indus delta and chose a river on the
eastern side for Nearchus to sail down to the ocean with his fleet. Thus
Nearchus set out from Patala, some distance north east of present day
Nasarpur and sailed down the Indus (Sinthus or Sindhu) to Barbaricum, a
harbor at the mouth of one of the eastern branches of the Indus, and then
went on to the island of Krokala in the Gulf of Eirinon. The Gulf of
Eirinon is identified as "some portion of the mangrove swamps extending
along the delta coast from some spot to the east of Barbaricum up to the
eastern Indus branch or even beyond". It is mentioned by Arrianus as "Crocala,
the promontory called Eiron and Alexander's Haven".
In a paper on the origins of Karachi, the noted scholar Dr. N.A Baloch has
used Arab authorities to prove that the earliest mention of a name on the
Sindh coastline which resembles that of Karachi is in an early literary
work in Arabic by Al Hasan bin Muhammad bin Al Hasan Al Saghani written in
the thirteenth century. The great Arab navigator Ibn Majid who died AD
1500 refers to "Karazi" in his work "Al fawaid". The next reference to the
early existence of the port of Karachi comes from the work of a celebrated
Arab navigator Suleiman al Mahri's "Umdah" (AD 1511). In this book he
mentions Ras al Karazi and also Ras Karachi. Al Mahri gives the route to
be followed from Pasni to Ras Karashi. Based on his work as well as that
of Ibn Majid, the Turkish Captain Sidi Ali Reis in his famous work "Muhit"
(1553-1554) which was a compilation of sailing directions for a voyage
from "Diu" formerly a Portuguese island south of "Kathiawar", to Hormuz in
the Persian Gulf, mentions "Kaurashi" which is a indication that a harbor
with a name closely resembling Karachi was familiar to the navigators of
the sixteenth century and even an earlier period. This treatise warns the
sailors of whirlpools and advises them to seek safety in Karachi Harbor if
ever they found themselves drifting dangerously.
Thus the logical conclusion is that by the early sixteenth century and
possibly even earlier in the fifteenth century "Ras Karashi" was well know
to the navigators in the Indian Ocean as an anchorage. It was variously
known as Karashi or Karazi or even Kaurashi.
Locally the name which seems to be longest in the use is "Kalachi" which
is the name used in the ancient Sindhi legend of "Morriro and Mangar" or
the story of a fisherman Morriro and the whale. According to this legend,
a ferocious whale had swallowed up six brave brothers of Kalachi jo kun
(the whirlpool of Kalachi) who were the most daring fishermen of the day.
Eventually their youngest brother Morriro avenged them by killing the
whale. The story puts the event in the days of King Dalura (twelfth
century) one of the earliest rulers of the Sumra dynasty. This legend has
been used by the Sufi poets of Sindh, notably Sindhi zakirs in the sama
performance before Saint Shaykh Abdul Jalil Chuhar Bandagi (AD 1504) who
use the name Kalach by Shah Abdul Karim who writes of the Kun of Kalachi
(AD 1560-1634) and by Shah Abdul Latif in his "Risalo" (Sur Ghatu) where
he talks of Kalachi or Kun Kalachi.
Karachi was an important center and route for the pilgrims who not only
came to the ancient shrines in and around the town, but it was also used
as a route for the journey to the ancient shrine of Hanglaj in the Baloch
mountains just beyond Karachi. Shah Abdul Latif, the eighteenth century
sufi saint and the premier poet of the Sindhi language, made a pilgrim
there in the company of jogis and sinyasis. The oldest Muslim shrine in
the sub-continent was the tomb of Abdullah Shah Ghazi who came with one of
the invading Arab forces, earlier than the successful one led by Muhammad
Bin Qasim in AD 711. He was martyred here and buried on a promontory that
was some way into the sea off the coast of Karachi. An ancient Hindu
pilgrimage site that is reputed to be mentioned in the Mahabharata is
situated below the Kothari parade at Clifton and was perhaps on an island
cave centuries ago when the ancient Hindus built it.
The Karachi area was until the eighteenth century, controlled by the
chieftains who ruled the coast and the hilly areas of the Sindh and Makran
coast. In the eighteenth century it was part of the chiefdom of the
Kalmati Maliks. The rise of Kalhoras from Larkana district in the early
eighteenth century and the unification of the Sindh under their rule saw
the control of Karachi passing to them in this period. There is evidence
to suggest that at some point the Karachi region passed back into the
hands of the local chieftains, but by the third quarter of the eighteenth
century, when Lt. John Porter visited it in 1774-5, it was definitely in
the hands of the rulers of Sindh.
Porter gives what is perhaps the earliest description of Karachi, the
small town which has developed in to the modern metropolis.
"Crotchy town is situated about five
or six miles from where the vessels lay, and about a mile from the side of
a creek which has no water for anything else than small boats. It is
fortified by a small mud wall and flanked with round towers, and has only
two cannons mounted in all, and those so old, and their carriages so
crazy, as would render the firing of them unsafe."
Porter also mentions the fact that it formerly "belonged to the Balochis"
and then says that the "Prince of Scindy" finding it better situated than
any part of his sea coast for the caravans from the Inland Countries made
an exchange with some other place for it. It is therefore certain that at
least from the time of Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, who died in AD 1772,
Karachi was the major port of Sindh.
In 1799 Nathan Crowe of the Bombay Civil Service landed in Karachi and
proceeded inland to setup his factory. He was, however, not allowed to
live in Karachi, he believed because of the jealousy of the merchants in
Karachi, but possibly because the Amirs of Sindh were well aware of the
track record of the East India Company and the ports of the subcontinent.
It was, after all, several decades since they had used the Calcutta and
Madras settlements to establish their dominion over sizeable portion of
India. Nathan Crowe hinted at the use Sindh could be put to for the
British in the developing of the "great game" in Central Asia.
"It would make Sindian help likely if an attack on Afghanistan became
necessary. It would make it possible for the British to foment a
revolution against Kabul, if this proved necessary or desirable. It would
preclude the entry of the French, Afghans or the Marathas. It would be an
excellent center from which to spy on Afghanistan."
Crowe thus pointed out the importance of Sindh in the interests of British
imperial strategy in India and the countries to the northwest. At the time
of Crowe's mission, the expanding power of the French under Napoleon was
felt to be the greatest threat to the British interests in India and this
threat grew even greater after the Franco-Russian alliance (Treaty of
Tilsit) of 1807. Persia and Afghanistan were seen to be vulnerable to the
expanding northern powers and Sindh was the key factor in the security of
the sub-continent.
The development of Karachi as a major port of Sindh coincided with the
rise of British Empire's interest in the area. By the second and third
decades of the nineteenth century the British had become the paramount
power in India. Sindh and Punjab were the only important states outside
British control. Ranjeet Singh had established his powerful Sikh kingdom
in the Punjab making his control right up to Peshawar. The British were
anxious to maintain friendly relations with him and did not expect to use
his state for the passage for their army whenever the need arose. The
alternative route was obviously Sindh and the Indus. The rulers of Sindh
were less militarily powerful than Ranjeet Singh, although they had
successfully maintained their independence and even added to their
territories in the face of the Sikh threat. Well aware of the expanding
British power they, nevertheless, hoped to maintain their independence and
neutrality through a mixture of diplomacy and avoidance of direct
involvement in British Indian affairs. In the face of the realities of the
politics in the subcontinent this was to prove a vain hope.
British policy makers including the Duke of Wellington, the victor of
Waterloo, were convinced that Russia had its eyes on India and that this
drive could only be pre-empted by controlling the Indus. This conviction
would prove the motive force for British policy towards Sindh.
By 1852, Karachi was an established city with a population of about 14,000
with a prosperous trade to over-seas markets. However, the making of the
existing port started taking shape by 1854, when the projects of dredging
the main Navigable Channel and the construction of a mole or causeway
joining the main Harbor with the rest of the city were undertaken. About 5
years later, construction of Manora Breakwater, Keamari Groyne, the Napier
Mole Bridge, Native Jetty and the China Creek were started which shaped up
the port in its initial stages.
The construction of the wharves started from 1882, and by 1914 the East
Wharves of the port and the Napier Mole Boat Wharf had been completed.
During the period between 1927 and 1944, the West Wharves of the Port, the
Lighterage Berths and the Ship-Repairing Berths were constructed. Most of
these facilities were obsolete by the time Pakistan came into existence in
1947.
Its selection as capital of Pakistan in 1947 added to its importance and
tremendously boosted the rate of its growth and development. Although the
seat of Government has now been shifted to Islamabad, Karachi still
remains the epicenter of commerce and industry.
HISTORICAL SITES
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Wazir Mansion
Foremost among Karachi's historic buildings is the birthplace of
Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The house is balconied, three story
structure located in Kharadar, one of the oldest residential areas in the
city. The house has been declared a protected National Monument.
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Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum
This white marble mausoleum with it's curved Moorish arches and cooper
grills rests on an elevated 54 sq m of platform. The cool inner sanctum
reflects the green of a four-tiered crystal chandelier gifted by China.
The memorial slab framed with silver railings draws people from far and
wide who come to pay homage to the father of the nation and to watch the
impressive change of guards ceremony that takes place everyday.
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Liaqat Hall
Liaqat Hall is surrounded by the green Bagh-e-Jinnah. Originally called
Frere Hall, it was once used as Town Hall where, during colonial days,
concerts and social events were held regularly. This two-storied Venetian
Gothic building now houses the Liaqat Municipal Library on the ground
floor and an art gallery on the first floor. Named after one of Pakistan's
renowned artists, Sadqain, the gallery displays a permanent collection of
the artist's work. Sadqain spent last years of his life, painting a huge
mural on the ceiling of the gallery but, sadly, did not live to complete
it.
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National Museum of Pakistan, Burns Hall
This museum, on Dr. Zia-ud-Din Ahmed Road, contains an important
collection of items relating to Pakistan's ancient heritage. Well arranged
galleries display Indus Civilization artifacts, Gandhara sculptures,
Islamic art, miniature paintings, ancient coins and manuscripts
documenting Pakistan's political history. There is also an interesting
ethnological gallery.
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Bhanbore
This archaeological site is believed to be the ancient port city of Debul
which flourished in the 8th century A.D. This was the place where the Arab
conqueror Mohammad Bin Qasim first touched the shores of South Asia in 712
A.D. Here also, after a fierce battle with the then reigning King, the
Arabs consolidated their hold for subsequent expansion. Bhanbore is 64 km
from Karachi. Popular folklore has it that the famous star-crossed lovers
Sassi and Punnu, much celebrated in local performing arts, also called
this place their home.
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Thatta
Ninety-eight km to east of Karachi, on the National Highway, lies the
ancient town of Thatta. Once called the El Dorado of the east. This was a
busy river port before the Indus moved off to the east. It is now famous
for some of the most picturesque and interesting specimen of Muslim
architecture. Although the vestiges of past glories are of comparatively
recent origin, dating back to 16th and 17th centuries, the history of
Thatta goes back some two thousand years. The palaces and pleasure houses
have become one with dust, but many of the tombs, mausoleums and mosques
remain, some of them in a fairly good state of preservation. Amidst
Thatta's narrow alleys and lanes, are quaint bazaars that offer unexpected
bargains in hand-blocked and hand-dyed fabrics, embroidery work and bead
necklaces.
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Shah Jehan's Mosque
Shah Jehan's Mosque, situated on Thatta's outskirts, is representative of
Muslim architecture. It was built in 1647 A.D. by the Mughal Emperor Shah
Jehan, and is said to have the most elaborate display of blue-and-white
tile work in the sub-continent. Its 93 domes, designed for its acoustical
purposes, carry the voice of the Imam to all parts of the mosque.
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Empress Market
Built by the British to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Victoria's
reign, this historic market is designed in the domestic Gothic style. From
its center, rises a tall clock tower. The market contains shops that sell
meat, fish, poultry, vegetables and other groceries.
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Masjid-e-Tooba
Situated in the Defense Housing Authority area, Masjid-e-Tooba is a modern
architectural marvel. It is said to be the largest single dome mosque. The
dome covers central prayer hall with a capacity to accommodate a
congregation of 5,000 people.
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Moenjo Daro
On the west bank of the Indus, 580 km from Karachi, lies Moenjo Daro
(Mound of the Dead) an archaeological site which has been rated amongst
the most spectacular of the world's ancient cities. Considered one of the
earliest and most developed of urban civilizations, Moenjo Daro flourished
from the third to the middle of the second millennium B.C., when it
vanished, leaving only traces of its culture. Moenjo Daro, along with
Harrappa (Punjab province), some 1280 km away -formed part of the Indus
valley civilization and it is now generally believed that these were the
cities, referred to in the Rig veda that were destroyed by the Aryan
invaders. The urban planning at Moenjo Daro was pragmatic and at a high
level. Its main thoroughfares were some 91 m wide and were crossed by
straight streets that formed blocks 364m in length and 182/273m in width.
The walls of the city's mud-brick and baked brick houses were designed to
ensure the safety of its occupants so that in times of earth quakes the
structures would collapse outwards. It had an elaborate covered drainage
system, soak pits for disposal bins, a state granary, a large and imposing
building that could have been a palace and a citadel mound with solid
burnt-brick towers on its margin. Judging from the remains, the Great Hall
was probably the most striking of its structures, comprising an open
quadrangle with verandahs and rooms at the back, a number of halls, and a
large bathing pool perhaps used for religious or ceremonial bathing. Close
to the archeological site is the Moenjo Daro Museum that houses finds from
the excavations. These include, amongst other things, engraved seals,
ornaments, utensils, pottery, weapons, figurines and toys. Visitors
wishing to stay overnight can put up at the archaeology department's
rest-house or the newly built PTDC Motel, which also has a restaurant.
Nearby Sukkur and Moenjo Daro can be reached by air, rail and road from
Karachi.
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Mere weather Tower
Positioned as the landmark of Karachi's main business center, Mere weather
Tower is another historical monument of Karachi. It stands 35 meters high
and carries a four-faced clock.
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Sindh High Court
Built in the Renaissance style, this magnificent sandstone building is a
combination of local and Roman styles of architecture. It is embellished
with cupolas, balconies and tall Roman style columns.
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Clifton Beach & Fun Land
Close to the popular seaside of the city, is Clifton Beach, where Karachis
flock to on weekends and holidays. Scattered along the shore are numerous
stalls selling handicrafts made from sea shells. Clifton has an amusement
park with a bowling alley, and an aquarium.
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Bazaars
Shopping in Karachi is a delight. There is the Sarafa Bazaar, a typical
oriental market in the city's old quarters, which is the main market for
gold and silver. Among the many colourful shopping areas offering a wide
variety of local goods, is the Zainab Market, where cotton dresses and
handicrafts are available. Shops in the Saddar Co-operative Market have a
wide collection of handicrafts made from onyx, wood and brass. Since
prices are not fixed, bargaining is advised. Leather goods and ready-made
clothes, usually have fixed prices but sell at a fraction of what they
would post overseas.
Bohri Bazaar has an endless variety of goods. Other modern shopping
centers are at Clifton, Zaib-un-Nisa Street, Abdujlah Haroon Road and
Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road. The old Eastern bazaars are in Juna Market,
Kharadar, Mithadar and Jodia Bazaar, which are worth visiting, For
souvenirs of brassware, carved silverware, gold and silver jewelry,
embroidery, delicate mirror-work of Sindh, handloom tapestries, printed
fabrics, lacquer-ware, camel skin articles and carved wood-work etc,
tourists are advised to visit All Pakistan Women's Association (APWA) shop
on Abdullah Haroon Road and the PIDC Cottage Industries showroom where
prices are fixed and quality ensured. There are many other shops in all
main markets of the city.
PLACES AROUND
Mangho Pir's Shrine
Located 16 km north of Karachi, the shrine of Saint Mangho Pir, stands
below a mosque built on a rocky hillock. There are numerous legends
connected with the saint and the crocodiles inhabiting a shallow pool near
it. Legend has it that the crocodiles -which are of a rare and almost
extinct species -were originally the lice that leapt out of the saint's
hair. Devotees of the saint often make offerings of sacrificial meat to
them. Pir Mangho, according to one version, came to Sindh from Bukhara in
the 13th century. Soon after, he miraculously caused thermal springs to
gush form a rock and date palms to shoot out from the ground. The saint,
who is said to have died at the age of 150 years, had made his home in a
cave for 40 years from where he had spread the message of Islam.
Beaches
Karachi's golden, un-crowded beaches stretch for miles. The more
accessible of them are SANDSPIT, HAWKES BAY and PARADISE POINT, which are
within a radius of 10 to 20 km from the city and about 30 minutes drive
away. A ride on a gaily decorated camel is a must. Beach huts are dotted
along the shore. Some are available for hire. For reasons of safety, care
must be taken to swim only in the safe areas as there is always a strong
under-current. On moonlit nights, during the months of September and
October, giant green turtles lumber ashore to lay eggs in the sand. The
turtles are under protection of Sindh Wild Life Management Board.
French Beach
The French Beach, located half way between Hawkes Bay and Paradise Point,
is in fact, a small fishing village known to the locals as Haji Abdullah
Goth. Surrounded by a boundary wall. It has some 20 huts constructed by
villagers for hire. The village has neither running water nor electric
power. Its rocky beach and clear waters are ideal for snorkeling and
skin-diving. Boats for scuba-diving are available for hire. Visitors need
to bring their own equipment as well as food and drink supplies.
Chaukandi
Just off the National Highway, 27 Kms from Karachi, is Chaukandi. This is
the site of graveyards that date back to the 16-18 centuries. The
sandstone covers of these graves are exquisitely carved in relief with
intricate motifs. The tomb slabs of women's graves are embellished with
designs of jewelry, necklaces, earrings and rings while those of men bear
horse-and-rider motifs as well as floral and abstract designs.
Haleji Lake
Haleji Lake is the largest bird sanctuary near Karachi, where every
winter, thousands of migratory birds come from as far as Siberia. It is 86
km from Karachi and a paradise for bird-watchers. Accommodations are
available for overnight stay.
Makli
The Makli Hill near Thatta has the world's largest necropolis, said to
contain more than one million graves spread over an area of 15 sq km.
Here, in eternal sleep, lie kings and queens, saints and scholars,
philosophers and soldiers of a by-gone era. An era that was renowned for
its culture and learning. The grave-stones and mausoleums at Makli are
masterpieces in stone-carving and netted stone work, representing
different eras and dynasties, distinguishable by the styles of their
ornamentation. The monuments cover the Summa period (14th to 16th
centuries), the Tarkhan & Arghun period (16th century), and the Mughal
period (16th to 18th centuries).
Kirthar National Park
Kirthar National Park (Dadu Distt), is a game reserve for wildlife. It is
one of the four parks in Pakistan, which are included in the United
Nation's list of national parks. The 3,000 sq km park is in the north-east
of Karachi, and is a four hours drive from the city. It is the habitat of
rare species that include the Sindh Ibex, Chinkara, Gazelles, Leopards,
wild sheep and other animals. The best period to visit is from October to
February. However, it is most green in August during the monsoons. The
Sindh Wildlife Management Board has its office on Stratchen Road, from
where booking can be made for the rest-house in the Park area.
Hyderabad
Hyderabad once the capital of Sindh and now the third largest city of
Pakistan is one of the oldest cities of the South Asia. Its history dates
back to pre-Islamic times, when Ganjo Takan (barren Hill), a nearby
hill-tract, was used as a place of worship. The city traces its early
history to Neroon, a Hindu ruler of the area from whom the city derived
its previous name, "Neroon Kot" (Fort of Neroon). The next important phase
of its history began when the Indus changed its course from Khudabad, the
then capital of Sindh, to its present position. As a result, the Kalhora
rulers (1700-1782) decided to shift the capital to the present location,
then a small settlement on the left bank of the Indus. The construction of
a fort was then also undertaken, which dominated the skyline of old city,
but of which little is intact. The monuments of Kalhora and Talpur rulers
and the bazaars of the city are worth visiting. Stretching from Hyderabad
Fort to the Market Tower is Shahi Bazaar, where well-stocked shops are
housed on both sides of a winding street and alongside a maze of tiny
lanes that run off it. Good buys are calico, embroidery , bracelets, glass
bangles, lacquered wood furniture, hand-loom cloth, "sousi" and "ajrak", "rilli",
block printed colourful "chadars" (shawls), shoes and glazed tiles.
Hyderabad is connected with the main cities of the country by road, rail
and air.
Manchar Lake
Located west of Sehwan Sharif, Manchar is said to be the largest natural
lake in Asia, covering an area of 24 sq km. It is best visited in winter
when temperatures are comparatively moderate and migratory birds flock to
its vast expanse of water and marsh lands. The fishermen living here
belong to the aboriginal Mohana tribe (locally known as Mirbhars, meaning
Sealords) and are believed to be descendents of the Scythian Meds of
Moenjo Daro They live as "boat-people" in their traditional high-prow
wooden boats. The lake can be reached by road from Sehwan Sharif.
Ranikot Fort
Evidently, the largest fort in the world, Rani Kot is an enigma because
there is neither a record in history of its origin nor any conceivable
purpose for its construction in the wilderness of the Kirthar Hills. The
fort's massive 10 meter high walls of dressed sandstone are 29 km around.
Seen from a distance, portions of its ramparts resemble the Great Wall of
China, as they dip and turn to the contours of the hills. The terrain
inside the Fort is partly cultivated and green with vegetation, being
watered by nearby Rani River which runs through the fort and a perennial
spring within it. Water from both sources has formed pools, teeming with
fish. Close to the Fort, fossils of a petrified forest can be found. The
fort lies roughly 90 km north of Hyderabad. The route is through Kotri and
the town of Sann, from where the remaining 21 km distance is a sandy track
across rugged scrubland, best covered by jeep or on camel-back. Camels can
be hired from Sann.
Thar Desert
The Thar Desert is located in the Tharparkar District and is a
continuation of Rajisthan arid zone. The District derives its name from
the desert it houses. Of a total area of 28,170 sq km most is arid except
for the coastal belt on the south. The desert area has a colorful heritage
with its own distinct folklore, culture, flora and fauna. Some of the
major towns bordering the desert are; Naukot, Mithi, Nagar Parkar, Chachro,
Islamkot, and Umarkot. These market centers are situated amidst
mud-and-brick houses, narrow lanes and bazaars, where good buys are such
items as tribal embroidery and silver jewelry. The rest-houses are
suitable for tourists. August and September are the best months for a
visit as the area is then at its greenest. Also recommended is the period
from December to February when daytime temperatures are cool and the
nights cold.
Sukkur
This is the most important town in upper Sindh. More than 2,000 years ago,
the town was at Aror, 9 km east of the present site. It was relocated in
962 A D when owing to an earthquake the Indus diverted its course to its
present channel. By 13th century, the twin cities of Sukkur and Rohri were
bustling river ports that reached their zenith in 17th century. Worth
visiting here is the Minaret of Masum Shah. This lighthouse shaped brick
minaret was built by Mir Muhammad Masum, a local soldier appointed Nawab
of Sukkur by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar the Great. The tower is slightly
tilted and is 25.5 m in height and 25.5 m in circumference (at its base)
with an equivalent number of steps leading up to its top. Masum Shah,
along with other family members, is buried in pavilion near the minaret.
Nearby is the Faiz Mahal, an octagonal brick dome structure with arched
windows and stone-carved balconies. Another tomb of interest is that of
Shah Khair-ud-din Jilani, a saint and religious scholar.
Rohri
This old town is on the other side of the Indus opposite Sukkur. The
ancient city of Aror is a few kilometers to the east. Its ruins lying on
the edges of a low limestone range. Of its historic past, not much
remains. Places to visit at Rohri are the shrine of War Mubarak (1545)
built by Mir Muhammad Kalhora. A gold and jewel encrusted casket enshrines
the hair of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) that is displayed to the faithful
for general viewing annually on the 2nd of March. On the outskirts of
Rohri, is the SATHBHAIN ASTAN, the tomb of the Seven Virgin Sisters.
According to a legend, the sisters vowed not to ever show themselves to
any man and had themselves locked in rooms, when a licentious Nawab
decreed that all beautiful girls be sent to him. One legend has it that
the sisters were swallowed up by the earth in a minor quake. Close to the
War Mubarak, is the Jamia (Akbari) Mosque (1584), built by an officer of
Emperor Akbar. Having been frequently damaged and undergone repeated
repairs, little of the original wall-tiles remain.
Bhakkar Island
Of the three islands on the river Indus, between the twin towns, Bhakkar
is the largest, covering an area of 240,000 sq meters. The island has two
forts. One is an old ruin at the water's edge from where the condemned
were cast into the river and the other is at the northern end which is the
main fort, currently used by the army. Frequent mention has been made of
Bhakkar in the history of Sindh, emphasizing its strategic location, as
command of the island was crucial for further military incursions into
upper Sindh. The island can be reached by car either from Sukkur or Rohri.
Gorakh
Gorakh, described by some as Nature's best preserved rock garden, is a
high peak (5,668 ft.) in the Kirthar range of mountains about 100 km from
Dadu. Plans to develop it as the first hill-station of Sindh, have been on
the anvil and, as a first step, an all-weather road is under construction.
On way to the top, there are clumps of almonds, pistachios and wild olives
as well as aromatic herbs and weeds. The view from the top affords
magnificent vistas of the surrounding hills. The peak has a spring in Gaji
Bunjo, about a kilometer away from the summit. Gorakh is cool during the
day and cold at night. In the shade certain spots in summer are as cool as
an air-conditioned room. A trip to Gorakh is captivating for trekkers and
the local district administration can make arrangements for such tourists
in advance.
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