LARKANA, the fourth largest city of Sindh, had a number of gardens and public parks, which have vanished and those left are dying fast.
Karma Bagh, Raili Bagh Dharmi Bagh, Thanwar Bagh, Tolani Bagh, Lekhraj Bagh, Lahori Bagh and many more are now found only in books as there is no trace of them left. The remaining gardens such as Gian Bagh (Zulfiqar Bagh) was the jewel in the crown of Larkana, which was built by Diwan Gianchand Motwani.
He had a great affection for his garden and, for this he brought different varieties of flowers and vegetables from Pune and different parts of India for plantation. The total area of garden was 150 acres. Unfortunately, nowadays this historical garden has been encroached upon by landgrabbers and only a few hundred square feet have been left of what it used to be.
Apart from Gian Bagh there is a historical and famous Tajar Bagh (Jinnah Bagah) which was constructed in 1832 during the Kalhora Empire. Tajar Bagh is situated on a vast piece of land in the centre of the town. Nowadays the garden is surrounded by shops, fuel and gas stations, and face a threat from landgrabbers because of its land value.
The local and provincial governments have kept their eyes closed and have given landgrabbers a free hand, instead taking care of these gardens. The authorities keep changing the names of such monuments to please politicians while disregarding those who gave their wealth and efforts for the people and the city.
Aftab Jamali
Larkana
Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2019
