Historical sites of Sindh in a state of disrepair

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Lakhan Jo Daro archaeological site of Sindh

Instead of safeguarding our heritage, the focus has shifted to unchecked looting, with the Department of Archaeology in Sindh seemingly indifferent as many ancient places fall into decay

  • Lakhan Jo Daro, the fourth largest site of the Indus Valley Civilization, located near Airport Road in Sukkur district, originally covering about fifty acres, has now been almost completely destroyed.

Aizaz Pirzado

The land of Sindh, with signs of human occupation in every district and Taluka, stands as a testament to its ancient and civilized history. The monuments scattered across this land provide invaluable insights into the lives of those who once lived here. The cultural and civilizational artifacts found in these sites bring our glorious past to life, instilling pride in us. Visitors to our museums are often astonished to learn that the people of Sindh possessed advanced knowledge of material craftsmanship at a time when much of the world was unaware of even basic numeracy.

lakhan-jo-daro-10Despite its remarkable history, the historical sites of Sindh are in a state of disrepair today. Although institutions have been established to protect and research these places, their incompetence has led to a failure in fulfilling their duties. In contrast, developed nations fiercely protect their historical sites as they do their national borders. In Sindh, however, ancient sites have suffered more damage from political changes than from natural factors like climate. This neglect stems from a lack of vision for preserving our past to shape a better future. Instead of safeguarding our heritage, the focus has shifted to unchecked looting, with the Department of Archaeology in Sindh seemingly indifferent as many ancient places fall into decay.

Lakhan Jo Daro dates back approximately 9,000 years and was a fully developed city with its own laws, agriculture, and trade links with other ancient societies

A particularly concerning example is the state of Lakhan Jo Daro, the fourth largest site of the Indus Valley Civilization, located near Airport Road in Sukkur district. Originally covering about fifty acres, this site has now been almost completely destroyed. According to renowned archaeologist Professor Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Shar, who supervised excavations there in 2009-2010, Lakhan Jo Daro dates back approximately 9,000 years and was a fully developed city with its own laws, agriculture, and trade links with other ancient societies, as evidenced by a seal from the Mehergarh period discovered at the site. Meher garh is known to be the first society in this region, further highlighting the significance of Lakhan Jo Daro. Professor Qasid Hussain Mallah, who led another excavation project in 2017, also encountered resistance from local groups claiming ownership of the land. Despite this, the team uncovered antiquities such as pottery, seals, pearls, bangles, and statues representing humans, birds, and animals. These finds are contemporaneous with Mohen Jo Daro, placing Lakhan Jo Daro in the Mature Indus Period—the peak of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Around 70% of the site has been occupied by factories, and the remaining 30% has been converted into residential areas such as Shaya’s Awami Town and Bismillah Town

Both Prof. Shar and Prof. Mallah emphasize that Lakhan Jo Daro was a high-ranking city of great importance, deserving the same recognition as Mohen Jo Daro. Unfortunately, the site is now overrun by factories and commercial developments. Around 70% of the site has been occupied by factories, and the remaining 30% has been converted into residential areas such as Shaya’s Awami Town and Bismillah Town. Alarmingly, a sewer system was built over part of the excavation site in 2017, destroying valuable archaeological evidence. The silence from the responsible institutions and even the educated class in Sindh is deafening.

Despite its discovery in 1988 and various excavations between 1994 and 2010, Lakhan Jo Daro’s fate has been largely ignored. Artifacts uncovered during these excavations are displayed in several museums in Sindh, yet the site itself is being gradually erased from existence.

Read: A Call for Justice in Archaeological Appointments

As a student of archaeology, I urge the Minister of Archaeology and Antiquities, Zulfikar Ali Shah, and the Director General of Archaeology, Fateh Muhammad Sheikh, to take immediate action to protect Lakhan Jo Daro and other endangered historical sites in Sindh. If we do not act now, the remnants of this ancient city will be reduced to rubble, leading to a tragic loss of one of the key landmarks of the Indus Valley Civilization. This is not just a local or regional issue—it is a national loss.

Rather than focusing on the excavation of new sites, it is crucial to prioritize the preservation of those that have already been discovered. Without proper protection from environmental degradation and illegal occupation, our priceless historical sites will continue to vanish, taking with them the stories of our past.

Read: The Dark Era of Sindh Archaeology

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Aizaz Peerzado is resident of Village Balhreji near Mohen Jo Daro, District Larkano Sindh. He has graduated in Archaeology and currently is doing M.Phil on fast vanishing heritage sites in the province

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