KARACHI: North-east of the historic site Arore (Alor, Sindh’s former capital) near Adhan village stand the brick tombs of Shakar Ganj and Khatal-al-Din or Qabil Shah popularly known as the Suhagan and Duhagan tombs, constructed in the late 12th and early 13th century.

These tombs are famous for their cut and dressed brick work in various geometrical patterns similar to the Nikodari tombs found in Balochistan, presumably influenced by Central Asian funerary sites, an early example being mausoleum of Ismail ibn Ahmed Samanid in Bukhara.

Two other tombs in similar style are found in the Pano Akil area, that of Shaikh Pir Laloo and Pir Baid Ahmed Sultan.

Endowment Fund Trust started conservation works in 2018 and has restored the Adhan village tombs and conserved Shaikh Pir Laloo. However blasting and quarry works in the area has damaged the site and if no action is taken these restored monuments will also face the same fate. Sindh government has repeatedly been requested to ban quarry works.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2020