PAKISTAN:
Makli Tombs
The Makli Necropolis, near the old
Sindi town of Thatta, is one of the more unusual archaeological sights in
Pakistan. Spread over 15 km, the elaborate tombs are testament to the wealth
of Thatta, a bustling mercantile centre in the Middle Ages, renowned for
colourful textiles woven by 40,000 weavers employed in the hand-loom
industry. The Mirs or rulers, rich merchants and civil dignitaries,
lavished fortunes on monuments to their own importance. Carved by the master
stone-masons of the day, the tombs which also include those of some 125,000
Sufi saints, are embellished with stylised geometric patterns cut in the
sandstone - a floral motif for the grave of a woman, a turban that of a man.
The grandest mausoleum, featuring cupolas and balconies belongs to Isa Khan
Tarkhan, (d.1651) who supervised its completion before chopping off the hand
of the artisan so that it could never be repeated. Thatta was constantly
being embellished and while time has taken its toll on the old wooden Hindu
houses, the beautiful Shah Jehan Mosque built, in 1644, has been well
restored. Every surface inside the red brick building is covered with glazed
blue tiles and the ninety-three low domes enables prayers said in front of
the mihrab to be heard throughout the mosque. Thatta and the Makli Tombs
were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981.