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Rediscovering Bhanbore

Dawn.com Published March 15, 2012
Bhanbore is situated on the northern bank of Gharo Creek, some 60 km of Karachi.
Bhanbore is situated on the northern bank of Gharo Creek, some 60 km of Karachi.
The site has been divided into two parts; a well fortified area spreading at a span of 2,000 feet from east to west and 1,200 feet from north to south.
The site has been divided into two parts; a well fortified area spreading at a span of 2,000 feet from east to west and 1,200 feet from north to south.
Baked brick houses are rare and the streets were made by limestone.
Baked brick houses are rare and the streets were made by limestone.
The image shows the remains of a madrassah, perhaps dating back to the Umayyad and Abbasid period.
The image shows the remains of a madrassah, perhaps dating back to the Umayyad and Abbasid period.
The fortified wall was constructed due the geo-strategic importance of the city mainly during the Islamic period. The average height of the wall is 19 feet.
The fortified wall was constructed due the geo-strategic importance of the city mainly during the Islamic period. The average height of the wall is 19 feet.
The grand mosque has two entrances; one from east and the other at the north. The floor of the mosque was built in an almost square shape measuring 120 into 122 feet.
The grand mosque has two entrances; one from east and the other at the north. The floor of the mosque was built in an almost square shape measuring 120 into 122 feet.
Located at the banks of the River Indus, Bhanbore was once a great inland port.
Located at the banks of the River Indus, Bhanbore was once a great inland port.
The remains of a bazaar area at Bhanbore, which was once a well-developed business center.
The remains of a bazaar area at Bhanbore, which was once a well-developed business center.
There is an industrial area outside the walled structures. The remains show a well-established industrial site. The image above shows a buried structure of a storage pot.
There is an industrial area outside the walled structures. The remains show a well-established industrial site. The image above shows a buried structure of a storage pot.
Pottery from Chinese, Islamic and pre-Islamic era has been discovered from the site. Recently beautiful glazed glassware and a glass lamp have been found from the stores of the site.
Pottery from Chinese, Islamic and pre-Islamic era has been discovered from the site. Recently beautiful glazed glassware and a glass lamp have been found from the stores of the site.
Nails, hooks, knives and arrowheads made of iron were discovered from the site. In a grave many skeletons were also found wounded with sharp iron objects.
Nails, hooks, knives and arrowheads made of iron were discovered from the site. In a grave many skeletons were also found wounded with sharp iron objects.
Stone slabs with Kufic inscriptions have been discovered at the mosque. Two of the 14 discovered slabs show the date of 727 AD and 906 AD
Stone slabs with Kufic inscriptions have been discovered at the mosque. Two of the 14 discovered slabs show the date of 727 AD and 906 AD

The archaeological site of Bhanbore holds the remains of three civilizations – the Scytho-Parthian period, Hindu-Sassanian Period and Islamic period can be seen side by side at Bhanbore. Interestingly, remains of a temple have also been discovered from the area.

The site was also an important trade route and a military post during different periods. It is also famous for the folk love story of Sassui and Punhoon.

After 40 years, the culture department of Sindh has decided to resume excavations at the site.

Scholars also consider Bhanbore as Debal – the famous port which was conquered by a young Arab general, Muhammad Bin Qasim in 712 AD.

There are many theories about the collapse of the city, which is widely believed to have been caused by the change in the path of river Indus in the 13th Century. – Text by Suhail Yusuf/Dawn.com and photos by M.Umar/Dawn.com

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Comments (3) Closed
ADNAN QAMAR
Mar 16, 2012 09:49am
i love pakistan
Recommend 0
Mobashir
Mar 17, 2012 03:30pm
Just Wonderful to know a little bit of our ancient history.
Recommend 0
adeel shahab
Mar 17, 2012 09:39pm
credit goes to Mr Abdul Aziz Uqaili, secretary culture, for rediscovering the ancient Sindh. The culture department has done a tremendous job under the able guidance of this true son of the soil.
Recommend 0

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