KOTIRO Jo Daro, an early and mature Indus civilisation mound located near Wahi Pandhi in Dadu district, is a historical site that has long been ignored by the authorities.

According to the pre-partition data, the site was 20 feet high and spread over an area of 12,733 square metres which has now reduced to 2,935 square metres due to agricultural activities by the villagers. People living nearby are using this historical site as a graveyard for infants. Due to the growing population and negligence on the part of both the people and the authorities, archaeologists fear that the site may vanish in the near future.

Kotiro Jo Daro holds immense archaeological significance. During the British rule over the subcontinent, famous Indian archaeologist Nani Gopal Majumdar excavated trenches near the site and found black-on-red Indus pottery, cherty flakes, terracotta bangles, and stones lying around the site.

He discovered that the earliest levels at the site were dominated by the Amri bichrome pottery, and that in the top-most levels of the site, this bichrome pottery was mixed with black-on-red variety which is similar to that of the Harappan period.

Majumdar in his book ‘Explorations in Sindh’ wrote that he along with Sir Henry McMahon had submitted many prehistoric articles to Peshawar Museum which was then damaged due to a massive earthquake on May 31, 1935, while many other articles were sent to Simla and subsequently to Delhi.

Unfortunately, the quest for archaeological discoveries ended with the death of Majumdar near Dadu. It is deplorable that in the modern era when it is much easier to access, explore and communicate, such a prehistoric site is being neglected and ignored.

I urge the authorities to take measures for the preservation of Kotiro Jo Daro. The relevant department should at least install signboards citing it as a heritage site and issuing a warning for any damages to the site. This should be done as soon as possible.

Abdul Jabar Rustamani

Wahi Pandhi, Dadu

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2020