Labbaba JAHANGIR^

If land is the body then culture and civilization are the soul of that body. This region of South Asia has been blessed with a rich soul. Pakistan contains some of the oldest archaeological site of the world. It is home to several such sites dating from Lower Paleolithic period to Mughal Empire. Through the human history many important ancient civilizations have made this region their home. This has left an everlasting impact on the culture and civilization of not only Pakistan but the surrounding states as well.

The culture of any area is an integral part of its people. It is a set of ideas, customs and social behavior of a group of people. In any civilization its cultural traits are handed down from one generation to another. Once a civilization perishes, what keep its culture alive are the archaeological artifacts and sites it leaves behind. Importance of preserving these cultural sites lies in the sense of ownership and the feeling of belongingness that it offers.

These things are what form a bond between an existing generation and its ancestors. Presentation and preservation of such archaeological sites is important for self-realization as well. Once we stay connected to our roots it helps us in under-standing ourselves as well. It helps in keeping us grounded and true to our morals and values. It not only attracts tourists but also maintains the distinct character and identity of a state in the world.

In case of Pakistan, it is home to Mehargarh, Mohenjo-Daro and Harrappa. It is the land that beckoned Alexander to sail down river Jhelum, the spectacular Gandharan civilization as the epicenter of Buddhism, the sacred carvings of the Hindu Shahi temples of the Salt Range and Tharparkar, the stately funerary clusters of Makli, Multan and Ucch Sharif, representing successive Sultanate dynasties, the heart-expanding chahar-baghs and jewel-like edifices of the greatest kingdom in the world, established by the young ruler of Farghana, the Sikhs emulating the Great Mughals, and the shared legacy of eclectic architecture with its European overtones, a bequest of the British who colonized this land.

As mentioned above Pakistan is full of breath taking, beautiful archaeological sites which are oozing with ancient stories, waiting for someone to come and explore them and take a tour to the past. Where as in this article the sites highlighted by UNESCO shall be discussed. These sites include palaces, religious site and historical settlements of ancient civilizations.

Mohenjo-Daro Ruins: also known as the “Mound of Dead Men”, is an ancient civilization which flourished in Indus valley between 2600 and 1900 BCE.

It was discovered in 1920’s in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is considered to be among the oldest civilizations of the world. Mohenjo Daro is one of the oldest urban planned cities. This city was planned using the modern techniques and systems. Planned housing, sewerage systems, water supply system and fortifications are just some of the distinguished features of this great urban settlement. Apart from the up-to-date architecture, various artifacts were also found in this site, which include seated and standing figures. Tools made out of copper and stone, gold and jasper jewelry, carved seals, balance-scales and weights for trading and even toys for children.

Among all these findings the mother goddess idol, dancing girl statue, priest king seated stone sculpture and seven-stranded necklace hold a prominent place.

archaeological findings indicate the wealthy nature of the habitants of Mohenjo Daro. However, due to lack of preservation experts fear that this ancient treasure will completely diminish by 2030.

Makli Hill: Makli Hill Necropolis is one of the largest Muslim funeral sites of the world.

It is located in the outskirts of Thatta, Sindh Pakistan. Makli features several clusters of elaborated funeral monuments dated between 14^th and 18^th century. During the 14^th century Sheikh Jamali, Sufi saint, poet and scholar established a Sufi gathering site in this area and was eventually buried here too. Trakhan ruler, Jam Tamachi, wished to be buried near the Sufi saint which led to the tradition of using makli hills as a funeral site. The grandeur structures with cravings and mosaic detailing are an evidence of the golden era of Sindh and its rich culture. The architecture of the funerary synthesizes Muslim, Hindu, Persian, Mughal and Gujarati influences.

Makli was designated as UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981.

It is a main tourist attraction in the province of Sindh. Not only for domestic but also foreign tourists. But unfortunately the site’s structural integrity has been affected severely by situation, weather conditions, poor management, encroachment and vandalism.

Lahore Fort: Lahore fort is one of the prominent architecture of the Mughal Era. It was built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1674. The fort was built, destroyed and rebuilt several times between 13^th and 15^th century. It is the star attraction of the city of Lahore.

The fort is full of marble palaces, motifs, and intricate detailing which are highlights of Mughal architecture. It is divided in different portions like Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), Khawabgah-i-Jahangir (Jahangir’s Sleeping Quarters), and The Shish Mahal (Palaces of Mirror). All these areas have their notable characteristics. People coming to visit this place experience its serene atmosphere and spectacular designs. Lahore fort has served as an inspiration for art student from around the globe for decades and is still a hotspot for tourists.

Rohtas Fort: The vast and seemingly imperishable Rohtas fort was built by Sher Shah Suriin 1541. He built it against the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Rohtas fort is located in Punjab province of Pakistan.

This fort is an exceptional example of Muslim military architecture in the region of South Asia. It perfectly blends the architectural and artistic traditions of Turkey and India. Despite being a military fort but the intricate details about design and structure of the building were not compromised. Its massive walls extend for more than 4 kms, lined with 68 bastions and pierced at strategic points by 12 monumental gateways. Another particular importance of this fort is that it is the only existing example of architecture created during the time of Sher Shah Suri.

Taxila: Taxila formerly known as Takhshasila, was a city of Gandhara civili-zation. It was a hub of Buddhism. A metropolitan city with rich culture of art and learning. The archaeological site of Taxila is located in the Punjab province of Pakistan, about 30 kms North of Islamabad. It was first discovered in 1800’s and later more work was done in the 1900’s when major advancements had been made in the field of archaeology. Taxila and the region of Gandhara witnessed the rule of several regimes which left a lasting effect on the culture of this area.

The stupas discovered from this site are famous worldwide. Dharmarajika Stupa, Kunala Stupa and Jaulian Stupa are among the prominent ones found in Taxila. People from across the world used to travel here for learning purpose. It was considered as the center of learning as it was home to one of the oldest univer-sities. The physical remains of Taxila might have vanished but the soul of this area is still alive which attracts tourists from around the globe.

Tomb of Hazrat Rukn-e-Alam: in the heart of Multan, the city of saints, stand a majestic tomb which is a striking example of pre-Mughal Era architecture. This tomb belongs to Hazrat Rukn-e-Alam (1251-1335), who was an eminent Sufi saint who belonged to the Suhrawardiyya Sufi order. The tomb isoctagonal in shape with an interior diameter of 15 meters and the first tier’s 4 meter thick walls assisted by 8 engaged corner towers or buttresses with a clear slope, support an 8 meter octagon surmounted by a dome with a diameter of 15 meters.

The building is made out of red bricks, with a distinct white dome. Furthermore the exterior is decorated with carved bricks and wood as well as blue mosaic tiles. People come to this shrine not only to gain spiritual peace but also to admire the artistic architecture. The serene environment and the grandeur design of the tomb take the visitor back in time.

Wazir Khan Mosque: Lahore is the cultural hub of Pakistan. With numerous such sites build during the Mughal Era and even before that. Among these, Wazir Khan Mosque holds a prominent position. It stand near the Delhi gate in the walled inner city of Lahore. The mosque was built in 1634 AD, during the Era of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It is named after its builder, Nawab Wazir khan, who was the governor of Lahore till 1639 AD.

Four octagonal minarets mark the corners of the main courtyard, lending the struc-ture balance and adding to its grandeur. The main mosque is built from red bricks and tile. The five main compartments of the mosque are crowned by a dome and lead to a courtyard. The main hall of the mosque is used for prayers. Wazir khan mosque is among the main attractions for tourists visiting Lahore. It is an important site for the students and admirers of architecture and arts. 

Badshahi Mosque: among the most significant architectural monuments build during the Mughal Era is the Badshahi Mosque. This gorgeous red brick building is located to the West of the Lahore fort, in the outskirts of the city. It was built in 1673 by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. It was indisputably the largest mosque in the world during 1673-1986. The mosque is essentially a square measuring 170 meters on each side. Badshahi mosque has the capacity of holding 55,000 worshippers during prayer time, making it a favorite place even today for any festive prayers like Eid prayers.

The prayer chamber is very deep and is divided into seven compartments. Out of these seven compartments, the three double domes have been finished in marble.

The interior of the mosque is rich embellishment in stucco tracery (Manbatkari) and paneling with a fresco touch, all in bold relief, as well as marble inlay.

Badshahi mosque not only adds to the picturesque beauty of the city but add in its already rich culture as well. It has been a famous tourist stop for decades and will keep on attracting art lovers till it lasts.

All the places mentioned above hold their own prominent place in the culture and civili-zation of Pakistan. They are not only sites for tourist but an asset of the state as well. Over the years Pakistani government has made adequate efforts for the preservation and presen-tation of these archaeological sites. Various such sites are protected by department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) under the Antiquities Act 1975. In 2018, in a meeting between the then Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH) Division Irfan Siddiqui and Ambassador of France to Pakistan Marc Barety, it was agreed upon that France will assist Pakistan in preservation of its archaeological sites. France agreed to not only train Pakistani archaeolo-gists but also rendered a huge contribution for this purpose. Preservation of these sites will not only increase tourist activity in these areas but also keep the archaeological sites and architectures safe for our future generations. As these sites not only depict the culture of the past but also serve a connecting link between old and modern civilizations. 

Badshahi Mosque: among the most significant architectural monuments build during the Mughal Era is the Badshahi Mosque. This gorgeous red brick building is located to the West of the Lahore fort, in the outskirts of the city. It was built in 1673 by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. It was indisputably the largest mosque in the world during 1673-1986. The mosque is essentially a square measuring 170 meters on each side. Badshahi mosque has the capacity of holding 55,000 worshippers during prayer time, making it a favorite place even today for any festive prayers like Eid prayers.The prayer chamber is very deep and is divided into seven compartments. Out of these seven compartments, the three double domes have been finished in marble.The interior of the mosque is rich embellishment in stucco tracery (Manbatkari) and paneling with a fresco touch, all in bold relief, as well as marble inlay.Badshahi mosque not only adds to the picturesque beauty of the city but add in its already rich culture as well. It has been a famous tourist stop for decades and will keep on attracting art lovers till it lasts.

All the places mentioned above hold their own prominent place in the culture and civili-zation of Pakistan. They are not only sites for tourist but an asset of the state as well. Over the years Pakistani government has made adequate efforts for the preservation and presen-tation of these archaeological sites. Various such sites are protected by department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) under the Antiquities Act 1975. In 2018, in a meeting between the then Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH) Division Irfan Siddiqui and Ambassador of France to Pakistan Marc Barety, it was agreed upon that France will assist Pakistan in preservation of its archaeological sites. France agreed to not only train Pakistani archaeolo-gists but also rendered a huge contribution for this purpose. Preservation of these sites will not only increase tourist activity in these areas but also keep the archaeological sites and architectures safe for our future generations. As these sites not only depict the culture of the past but also serve a connecting link between old and modern civilizations.