Heritage of Pakistan

T he 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 ...

These extensive remains of the Buddhist monastic establishment or Sangharama, were placed on the World Heritage List in 1980, and popularly known as the "throne of origins". This archaeological site and its associated secular buildings are located about 15 kilometres north-east of the city of Mardan in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The Takht-i-Bahi Complex, a gigantic Buddhist establishment was discovered in 1852 by European Lieutenants Lumsden and Stokes. The complex comprises several well-knit units: i) Court of Many Stupas ii) Monastery iii) Main Stupa iv) Assembly Hall v) Low Level Chambers vi) Courtyard vii) Court of Three Stupas viii) Wall of Colossi ix) Secular buildings All these structures are built in grey-coloured limestone, in mud mortar. About five kilometres south-west of Takht-i-Bahi, is the modern village of Sahr-i-Bahlol, which occupies an extensive mound containing the remains of an ancient city, dating back to the same perio...