KARACHI: Many archaeological sites damaged in floods across Sindh
By Hasan Mansoor
KARACHI, July 30: Widespread rains and flash floods in the two districts of Sindh that border Balochistan have not only caused huge losses to life and property but have also damaged many important archaeological sites, including the Ranikot Fort and Mian Nasir Kalhoro’s necropolis.
Dawn has learnt that floods in Kamber-Shahdadkot and Dadu districts have affected many historical sites dotting the region, particularly those located along the Kirthar Range.
According to provincial government officials, floods have damaged the 18th century necropolis of Mian Nasir Mohammed Kalhoro in Dadu district.
“We received reports about damage suffered by the Garhi Mosque and had to drain out the floodwater,” said Dr Kaleemullah Lashari, director-general of the Sindh government’s Special Projects and Initiatives cell.
“In the rest of the graveyard, the water receded after damaging precious wall frescoes in the 60 buildings on the premises, each of which is a mini-graveyard.”
The necropolis, coupled with the Thatta monuments [Makli graveyard] is one of the 100 heritage sites declared endangered by the World Monuments Fund (WMF). Mian Nasir Mohammed Kalhoro was a member of the Kalhoro clan that wrested the control of Sindh from the Mughal empire in 1736.
He gained the support of disaffected Sindhis by espousing agricultural cooperation and egalitarian ideals. Many of his followers are buried in his necropolis, and some of the tombs feature onion-layered domes epitomising masterful craftsmanship. The interiors of the structures are decorated with intricate frescoes and mosaics from the late 18th and 19th centuries.
A WMF report states that cracks have developed in the domes of some of the tombs, which allow rainwater to seep into the interior and damage the frescoes.
It adds that the present-day Kalhora clansmen, who are responsible for the maintenance of the site, lack technical expertise and financial support.
According to Dr Lashari, his department has been allocated Rs21 million for the restoration of the site and work – including a permanent embankment – will start once the flood situation is dealt with.
Dr Lashari also informed Dawn that rain-related damage had also been reported from the sprawling Ranikot Fort in the Jamshoro district. “We have sent our experts to assess the damage,” he said.
The 18th century Jamali Tombs near Johi town, as well as a number of other archaeological sites in the Dadu and Kamber-Shahdadkot districts, have also been affected by the floods. Dr Lashari said that “we will conduct a survey of all those sites after the situation normalises.”
However, the director of the Southern Circle of Archaeology Department, Qasim Ali Qasim, said that all “protected sites” remained safe during the floods except for the Ranikot Fort.
“We have received reports that the rains have caused some damage to the fort’s Sann Gate,” he said, adding that officials have been sent to asses and rectify the damage.
He stated that the Kalhoro necropolis and hundreds of other sites that had not yet been declared protected did not fall under the jurisdiction of his department but termed the provincial government’s allocation a positive step.
