BADIN: A group of villagers and local history buffs discovered the ruins of what seems to be an ancient settlement and named it the “mound of Nidhori” near Tarai town at a distance of about 31 kilometres from Badin city, and urged the departments concerned to carry out studies at the site and take steps to preserve it.

The villagers told journalists the mound was at present called Mangrian Jo Daro, the mound of Mangrios, because the Mangrio community had been living on and around it for centuries, but when they made inquiries they learnt the place used to be called the mound of Nidhori in ancient past.

Ali Bha, a writer and history buff, who along with some social activists undertook excavation at the mound told Dawn on Sunday that no reference was found about this site in any major history book. “The only reference to it is a passing remark by Shaikh Mohammad Soomar in his book,” he said.

He said that in early 1980s, a group of villagers had found a statue of Buddha on the mound which surfaced after heavy rains. The ruins of houses spread over 20 acres were found to be burnt. They also found some human skeletons there after the recent heavy rains, he said.

Mr Bha urged the departments concerned to carry out studies at the site, determine its age and civilization. The epitaph on the graves in the area dated back to 1180 Hijra which suggested the town might be one of the main towns in the days of Kalhora rulers, he said.

He said the rains brought to the surface many objects at the mound including baked grinders, rusted arrows and swords etc.

Abdullah Saraz, a social activist, said that it appeared the once flourishing town was destroyed by invaders some five to six centuries ago, when this area was frequently invaded and torched by invaders both from India and Afghanistan.

Abubakar Shaikh, a historian, said that unfortunately the mound had not been dug properly and urged the department of archaeology to further explore the site.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2016