Local residents have built houses on the site and occupied large portions of the area for agricultural purposes

• Additionally, a carpeted road constructed by the government has physically divided the mound into two parts, causing further damage to its integrity.

Syed Ali Shah

Dhamrah jo Daro is a Buddhist site located west of Badah city, approximately 20 kilometers from the renowned Indus Valley Civilization site Mohen jo Daro. The site is divided into two parts, locally known as Garho Daro named for the reddish color of the mound and the White Daro, named after its lighter-colored soil.

The site features both residential and religious areas. The eastern section contains the religious complex, where a stupa is present, while the western section comprises residential quarters. In terms of scale, Dhamrah jo Daro is one of the most significant sites in the area after Mohen jo Daro, Jhukar jo Daro, and Adhat jo Daro, covering an extensive area of approximately 103 acres.

At the end of the 19th century, Sir Henry Cousens explored and surveyed the site. He noted: “Dhamrah jo Daro is located 6 kilometres from Badah Railway Station. Buddhist remains are scattered across the area, and the main mound rises to a height of about 40 feet, resembling the mound at Mirpurkhas. A stupa and the living quarters of worshippers are present. Some bricks are inscribed, measuring approximately 18 to 20 inches in length and 3 inches in width. This site holds significant potential for future excavation” (p. 311).

After Sir Henry Cousens, the site was also visited by R.D. Banerji in 1919, followed by K.N. Dikshit. In his 1928 publication, N.G. Majumdar wrote: “Dhamrah jo Daro is a well-known site. R.D. Banerji and K.N. Dikshit informed me about it. Upon exploration, it was identified as a Buddhist site, with remains of both the stupa and the residential quarters of worshippers still present” (p. 94).

As Sir Henry Cousens emphasized in 1891, Dhamrah jo Daro is an important site for archaeological excavation. Over a century later, in 2025, Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari and Dr. Asma Ibrahim entrusted the site for excavation to Assistant Director Excavation, Ali Lashari, who is currently leading the excavation under extreme summer conditions, working in temperatures reaching 45°C.

Lashari is supported by a dedicated team that includes Zahid Detho, Mehar Ali Shar, Syed Ali Shah, Farooq Sarghani, Faraz Ali and Danish Ahmed. The Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Sindh, is also actively participating in this excavation. Students such as Abbas Lakho, Sheeraz, and Khalid are contributing as part of their academic training. The work continues under the supervision of Assistant Director Ali Lashari, representing the Department of Antiquities.

Currently, Dhamrah jo Daro faces serious threats due to encroachments. Local residents have built houses on the site and occupied large portions of the area for agricultural purposes. Additionally, a carpeted road constructed by the government has physically divided the mound into two parts, causing further damage to its integrity. To preserve this significant archaeological heritage, it is imperative that the government takes immediate action to halt illegal construction, unregulated digging, and agricultural encroachment. Furthermore, the establishment of a site museum should be planned to protect the site and promote heritage tourism in the region.

Read: The Dark Era of Sindh Archaeology

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Syed Ali Shah completed his BS in Zoology & Masters in Wildlife from Karachi University. After completing the degree work in Karachi Zoo as Research Associate, he did courses in archeology under the supervision of Dr. Jonathan Mark Kenoyer in KPK. He is working as Zoo archaeologist with Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari, Dr. Asma Ibrahim & Dr. Mark Kenoyer at different sites of Indus valley civilization in Sindh and Balochistan.