Historical Monuments

Historical Monuments - Thatta

The remains of the city of Thatta, inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1981, and its dilapidated necropolis provide a unique view of the Sind civilization. The capital of three successive dynasties and later ruled by the Mughal emperors, Thatta is a symbol of the glorious past of Sind from the 14th to the 18th centuries A.D. During this period, Thatta was one of the major seats of learning, fine arts and handicrafts.

The architecture of Thatta bears the distinct marks of its variant ancestry, its hallmark being the variety of forms and techniques of decoration. The brickwork found on the buildings of Thatta, is a superb example of craftsmanship.

The buildings, the tombs and the great necropolis of Thatta are now in shambles and need immediate attention. The Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Pakistan, is responsible for the site's maintenance and conservation. A detailed study had been conducted a few years back, in consultation with national and international experts. In the light of the findings of this study, the proposed conservation measures entail an amount of US$ 63 million, far beyond the government's resources. Efforts have been made by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Pakistan, to capture the interest of visitors, by installing general and individual information boards on the monuments. But much needs to be done to make the site more presentable to attract tourists and other visitors.

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Mehrgarh (7000 BC - 2500 BC)

One of the most important Neolithic (7000 BCE to c. 2500 BCE) sites in archaeology , lies on the "Kachi plain" of now Balochistan , Pakistan . It is one of the earliest sites with evidence of farming (wheat and barley) and herding (cattle, sheep and goats) in South Asia." Mehrgarh is located near the Bolan Pass , to the west of the Indus River valley and between the now Pakistani cities of Quetta , Kalat and Sibi . The site was discovered in 1974 by an archaeological team directed by French archaeologist Jean-François Jarrige , and was excavated continuously between 1974 and 1986, and again from 1997 to 2000. The earliest settlement at Mehrgarh—in the northeast corner of the 495-acre (2.00 km 2 ) site—was a small farming village dated between 7000 BCE to 5500 BCE and the whole area covers a number of successive settlements. Archaeological material has been found i...

Kusak Fort

This fort lies on the narrow top of a hillock in southern part of the Salt Range about 10 kilometers from Choa Sadien Shah. Maharaja Singh is said to have besieged this fort till the Janjua Sardar, Sultan Fateh Muhammad Khan surrendered to him. The Janjua Sultan of Watli, Sultan Fateh Muhammad Khan (descendant of Raja Jodh through Raja Sun Pal) opposed the Sikhs, holding them off for over 6 months in Kusuk Fort, Watli, for which Ranjit Singh gave the salt mines of Khewra and 40 villages to the Sultan as compensation. His descendant, Sultan Raja Azmat Hayat served as a Member of the Provincial Assembly of Pakistan. Upon his death on 15 February 2003 his son Sultan Raja Azam Hayat succeeded the estate of Kusak Fort.

Tilla Jogian

Tilla Jogian is the highest peak in the Eastern Salt Range in Punjab, Pakistan. Tilla Jogian in Punjabi means the hill of saints. At 975 meters (3200ft) above sea level, is located at 33°24′N 73°18′E , it is about 25 km to the west of Jhelum city and 10 km west of the model village of Khukha. It is situated on a commanding place near the Jhelum River. From its height of 3200 feet, you can see a panorama unparallel in Pakistan. Hindu Temple at Tilla Jogian: For thousand of years it was a place of sun worship for the Hindus because the Sun can be seen here earlier and sets here later due to its height. It became a place of worship for Hindus. Tradition holds that Tilla Jogian was founded 100 B.C.Tilla Jogian also means Hill of the Yogis. This is where the Kanpatha (pierced ears) Jogis, who pierced their earlobes, founded by Guru Gorakh Nath have left behind a monastery. Tilla Jogian also finds mention in the epic love poem Heer Ranjha of Spiritual poet Waris Shah, and Ranjha spe...

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