The ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery are situated on the top of a 152-meter (500 feet) high hill. It is located about 80 kms from Peshawar and 16 kms northwest of the city of Mardan. The monastry of Takht-i-Bahi was first mentioned by General Court, the French officer of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1836. Takht-i-Bahi is the most impressive and complete Buddhist monastery in Pakistan. From the top of the hill behind monastery one can look down across the plains as far as Peshawar on one side and up to the Malakand Pass and the hills of Swat on the other. This site has produced fragmentary sculptures in stone and stucco that indicate the highly developed sculptural sense of their creators. But the most remarkable feature is the design and arrangement of the range of small shrines, which surrounds the main stupa-court. This site, dating back to 2nd-3rd century A.D., consists of a large rectangular court, on the north of which is the main monastery and to the south is a well-planned monastic shrine of high terrace.

The Vinaya text throws light on the architecture of the monastery. The village is built on the ruins of the ancient town, the foundation walls of which are still in a tolerably good formation. As a proof, that it was in the past occupied by the Buddhists and Hindu races, coins of those periods are still found at the site. the monks constructed it for their convenience. Spring water was supplied to them on hill tops; living quarters for ventilators for light and alcoves for oil lamps were made in the walls. From the description of Song Yun, a Chinese pilgrim, it appears that it was on one of the four great cities lying along the important commercial route to India. It was a well-fortified town with four gates outside the northern one, on the mound known as Chajaka Dehri which was a magnificent temple containing beautiful stone images covered in gold leaves. Not far from the rocky defile of Khaperdra did Ashoka build the eastern gate of the town outside of which existed a stupa and a sangharama.

The group of buildings unearthed after archeological excavations at Takht-i-Bahi may include; the court of many Stupas, the monastery, the main stupa, the assembly hall, the low-level chambers, the courtyard, the court of three stupas, the wall of colossi and the secular building. In 1871, Sergeant Wilcher found innumerable sculptures at Takht-i-Bahi. Some depicted stories from the life of Buddha, while others more devotional in nature included the Buddha and Bodhisattava. The Court of Stupas is sorrounded on three sides by open alcoves or chapels. The excavators were of the view that originally they contained single plaster statues of Buddha either sitting or standing, dedicated in memory of holy men or donated by rich pilgrims. The monastery on the north, was probably a double storied structure consisting of an open court, ringged with cells, kitchens and a refactory.

A visit to Takht-i-Bahi is an informative experience particularly to those interested in archaeological excavations. Walking further, you will come accross the monestary court which was a residential area and as such a small number of sculptures were recovered. However, a beautiful emaciated Siddhartha in three parts was discovered. Likewise the other courts with Buddha’s images in stucco are equally interesting and they were used either for meditation, meetings or storage. A truly majestic place!

INTRODUCTION :

Turbat the land of a romance legend, has always been a place of importance for its geographical location. It has been, and still is, the centre of Makran region; geographically, socially, and politically. In 1977, Makran was declared a division and was divided into three districts, namely Panjgur, Turbat (renamed Kech) and Gwadar. In 1994-95, the name of Turbat district was changed to its old name, i.e., Kech. Now the region is called Kech while Turbat town is its headquarters. According to the most recent population projections, Kech has the second largest population within the province.

Kech background:

Kech, the land of a romance legend, has always been a place of importance for its geographical location. It has been, and still is, the centre of Makran region; geographically, socially, and politically. Known history of the area ways back to the time of prophet Dawood, when people entombed themselves to avoid famine. The area is said to be possessed by Iranian King Kaus followed by Afrasiab of Turan and then by Kai Khusrau, again an Iranian. Then there is a long list of rulers, including Lehrasp, Gushtasp, Bahman, Huma and Darab, to the year 325 BC when an army contingent of Alexander the Great passed through Makran, then known as Gadrosia, on its way from India to Macedonia. Greek historian Arrian has commented on the land, environment and people of the area. He found the climate very hot, the soil sandy and the land inept for human settlement. Afterwards, the area was ruled by Seleukos Nikator, one of Alexander’s generals, who lost it to Chandragupta in 303 BC. Then the tract of history is lost in darkness for centuries and in the fifth century after the death of Christ, we find the area being given to Bahram-i-Gor as a part of dower of Shermah’s daughter. An ascertained account of the area is found in 643 AD, when Islamic army under the command of Abdullah conquered Makran and wrote to the caliph Umar about aridity of the land. Arabs ruled the land one after the other. All the Arab geographers of the era, like Ibn Haukal, Ibn Khurdadba, Al Istakhri and Al Idrisi, have described the country as “for the most part desert”. In the 10th century Ibn Haukal notices that the ruler of Makran was an Arab, Isa bin Madan, who had established his residence in the city of Kech which was half the size of Multan. According to a local legend, Muhammad bin Qasim also passed through the area on his way to Sind. Although many invaders, like the Deilamis, the Seljuks, the Ghaznivids, the Ghorids and the Mangols, conquered the land but mostly the local rulers, including Hoths, Rinds, Maliks, Buledais and Gichkis, exercised authority in the area as the conquerors had no intentions to stay here.

Climate Kech:

The climate of Kech, elevated at 100-1400 meters above sea level, is dry arid hot. It is placed in “hot summer and mild winter” temperature region. Summer is not only hot but also long. It continues from March through November (9 months) while winter starts in December and continues till February (3 months). June is the hottest month and January the coldest. Mean monthly temperature in the hottest month remains above 32° C. The highest ever recorded temperature at Turbat is 44.8° C in 1982. In the coldest month, January, the mean monthly temperature remains between 10° C to 21° C. Sometimes it drops below 10° C but it does not reach 0° C. In winter a cold wind, locally called goorich, blows, which takes the temperature feel like below freezing point. Aridity is severe in the district because average annual rainfall is below 250 mm and in some years annual rainfall was even below 100 mm. The potential evapotranspiration which exceeds precipitation by more than two times results in aridity or desertification. Winter precipitation exceeds summer rainfall but overall precipitation level remains low. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, total annual precipitation in 1982 was 155 mm. No recent climate data is available for Kech as presently there is no meteorological station in the district.

Annual Mean Rainfall:

The only data available by the Pakistan Meteorological Department is of 1982 published in 1981 census report. In that year total annual rainfall was 155 millimetres at Turbat. This data confirms the “dry arid” climatic category of the area. Winter rainfall provides irrigation water for Rabi crops, i.e., wheat, barley, bakla, and masoor. Sometimes traffic across the streams discontinues due to floods resulting from rainfall.

Annual Mean Temperature:

At Turbat mid summer mean maximum temperature (in June) was 44.8° C in 1982 while mid summer mean minimum temperature was 28.1° C. In the same year the mid winter mean maximum temperature (in January) was 24.7° C and mean minimum temperature in mid winter was 11.6° C. The annual mean maximum temperature for 1982 was 36.1° C while the annual mean minimum temperature for that year was 20.3° C. This data validates the climatic categorisation of the district as “hot summer and mild winter” because mean monthly temperature in the hottest month of summer was 36.5° C and mean monthly temperature in winter was 23.2° C in 1982.

Kech in comparison to Balochistan:

Based on the available statistics, development trends for Kech are generally clearly explained in the tables with socio-economic indicators and Kech’s comparative ranking in reference to the other districts within Balochistan, underneath. • Kech is one of the largest districts within the province and it has the second largest population figure after Quetta. It’s population density is just above average, while it’s annual population growth is just below average. At least in 1981 it had the highest m/f ratio in the province. • Agriculturally, Kech is above average with high production figures, in particular for fruits (dates and citrus), which count for about 45% of the total production within the district. The agricultural value per capita and per hectare score both above average as well. The latter one indicates that economically an appropriate cropping pattern has been chosen. • The livestock density is comparatively low, while there seems to be sufficient pasture available. In absolute figures not much pasture is available, but non of the districts score sufficiently there. Comparatively Kech scores high in pasture availability. • Although for every 3 boys only one girl goes to school, comparatively Kech scores good in boys/girls enrolment ratio at primary school level. In absolute enrolment figures Kech scores comparatively high for both boys and girls. The pupils/teacher ratio is comparatively negative for both boys and girls; for girls much more negative than for boys. • Kech may score well in the number of people per doctor; it scores very bad in the availability of female health staff (doctors and paramedical staff), which indicates that the men are comparatively well off, but the women are not well looked after. The population per bed ratio is far above the provincial average. • Concerning the availability of metalled roads scores Kech low and concerning the availability of shingle roads its scores high.

Administrative Division Kech:

Kech was notified as a district, with its name as Turbat, on July 1, 1977, when Makran district was given the status of a division and was divided into three districts. Previously it was one of the 3 tehsils of Makran district. In 1995, the name of the district was changed from Turbat to Kech, the old name for the area, when even Awaran was part of it. For administrative purposes, Kech district is divided into 4 sub-divisions, i.e., Turbat, Buleda, Dasht, and Tump. Turbat sub-division is further divided into Turbat tehsil and Hoshab. Buleda sub-division comprises 2 sub-tehsils Bit Buleda and Niwano. Sub-division Dasht comprises Dasht Kuddan and Balnigore sub-tehsils and Tump sub-division has two tehsils, Tump and Mand. Land settlement has been completed for Dasht sub-division only, but officially this area has not been declared as a settled area. The remaining part of the district is still unsettled. Due to lack of appropriate and trained staff land settlement work is suspended. Being the divisional headquarters, the offices of the Commissioner and other divisional heads of various federal as well as provincial departments are located at Turbat.

Introduction:

Pakpattan is the famous district of Province Punjab, also known as the city of saints. Many Muslim sofi saints worked here for the glory of Islam. Other then Muslims, Sikh spritual leaders also did meditation in this region. The old name of pakpattan was Ajodhan. The great saint sofi Baba Groo Nanak of Sikh faith also visited here. The Baba Faried ud din qutab (Al Masood) also stayed here for the preaching of Islam, By the virtue of his preach and his great deeds, thousands of local population (Hindus) of his time accepted the teachings of Isalm.

Still the Mureedin of Baba Farid comes from all over the sub-continent and many came and pass through the Bab-e-Baheest (Just a local ritual of passing through the gate in Pakpattan). Near the Pakpatan, Mlaka Hans is satuated where Punjabi philosophar and known poet all over Punjab, Warris Shah wrote his famous book of love story “Heer Waris Shah”.

Location:

A glance of the map of Sindh reveals that Larkana, from location point of view enjoys a strategic position. After Karachi it is largest city on the west bank of river Indus in Sindh. It lies on 27o 33′ North latitude and 65o 16′ East longitutide. The city is located in upper Sindh at a distance of about 85 km south west of sukkur. Important towns in the vicinity of Larkana include Dokri, Naudero, Ratodero, Qambar, Bakrani, Shahdadkot, Badah and Miro Khan.

Larkana before partition:

‘Hujaee nano ta ghum Larkano’ if you have the money, then visit Larkana. That’s one of the most popular idioms by which Larkana has been described right from its existence. Known to be a poetic city with a romantic aura in the air, Larkana projected a loving feeling despite the fact that it lacked the beauty or precision seen in Shikarpur or Karachi. Larkana has been famous for the Guawa fruit production. But above and all these descriptions, Larkana derives its historical importance from the fact that it is the actual cradle in Sindh to the mother of all civilisations, namely ‘Moen-jo-Daro’ or The mound of the Dead, which is located in the vicinity of Larkana.

Larkana was founded about 300y ago by a a tribe of Sindh called “Laraks” on the banks of the Ghaad Waah, which was dug at the behest of the kalhora rulers, it had fruit and flower garden along it and in time settlers lile the sailors from ‘Laar’ came and settled down here which got the place christened Larkana. But this place actually progressed under the British rule in the early twentieth century and went to be the headquarter of the province in 1901 AD with its main towns being Nao Deo Qamber and Rato Dero. Larkana got status of Muncipal Committeee in 1855 AD. With the completion of the Sukkur Barrage in 1931 towards the west of Larkano was the Dadu Canal and in the east the Rice Canal which went on to become a place for cultural gatherings in the initial days but with the onset of the Rice Canal the Ghaad Waah started drying up and the place lost its charm. This place has been often referred to as the ‘Eden of Sind’ or ‘Shiraz of Sind’ or even Bang-e-Anam’ which led to it being known as the Garden City. This probably came about on the basis of the numerous garden that were there in the city, the most famous being the ‘Tajar Baugh’ and ‘Gyan Baugh’ apart from ‘Tolani Baugh’, ‘Riyali Baugh’, Baaey-jo-Baugh’, Thanwar Baugh’,’ Karamam Baugh’, ‘Lahori Baugh’, ‘Dharami Baugh’, ‘Lekhraj Baugh’. Amongst these gardens the mangoes from Tolani Baugh and the beir from Dharami Baugh were famous throughout the world and much in demand. Two public parks also adorned the city namely ‘Bolus Park’ which was used for political and social gatherings and ‘Mazdoor Park’ which was a open air study place for the budding students.

Modern Larkana:

Larkana is the most important city in the North West Sindh. Being home town of many political personalities, it exercises a countrywide influence. Larkana got status of Divisonal Headquarter in 1988.

Climate of Larkana:

The city of Larkana falls within a plains of Indus Valley stretching from north to south. The average mean maximum and minimum temperatures during summer are 48 oC and 33 oC respectively. During winter the average mean maximum and minimum temperatures are 21 oC and 11 oC respectively.The average annnual precipitation is 115 mm and humidity between 40% to 60%.

Physical Features:

Larkana city is divided into three parts having tow physical barriers i.e. railway line and Rice Canal. The old town is located towards east of railway line which is densly populated and has already developed as a commercial and retail center. This part comprises Qafila Sirai, Ali Goharabad, Galib Nagar, Surahia Padhar, Kadri Muhalla, Ghareeb Mukaam, Leelaabad, Karma Bagh, Daree Muhalla, Gajanpure, Murad Wahan, Allahabad, Zulifiquar Bagh, Jinnah Bagh. The second part of the city is between railway line and Rice canal towards the west of the old town. Main buildings and muhalla’s in this part are Circuit House, Sir Shahnawaz Library, Chandka Medical College, Chandka Medical Hospital, SP office, DC office, High Court, Pilot Scondary School, STN TV station, Boys Degree College, Lahorri Muhalla, Peoples Colony, Doctors Colony. Third part is located between Rice canal and on both sides of Ghar Wah, noth west of the town. Newly developed Muncipal housing Colony, Shaikh Zaid Woman’s Hospital, Comminsionerate building, District Jail, Childrens’ Hospital, Dirctor Education, Larkan FM Radio station, Shaikh Zaid Colony, Police training center

Educational Institutions:

Educational Institutions in Larkana are Chandka Medical College, ZA Bhutto Agricultural College, Cadet College, Government Degree Colleges For boys and Girls, Commerce and Arts College, Oriental College, Law College.

Public Parks:

Jinnah Bagh, Zulfiquar Bagh, Shahnawaz Childrens Park, New Railway Park 1 & 2, Nawa Tak Park, Kamal Ata Turk Park and Tank Chowk Park.

Elevation : 15,216 sq.km
Population : 160,980
Language : Balochi
Climate : Arid with warm summer and mild winter

INTRODUCTION:

Gwadar District, with its 600 kilometres long coast line and un-irrigated tracts of Kulanch and Dasht valleys, has always been an important chapter of Makran’s history. The known history of Makran goes back to the time of prophet Dawood when people entombed themselves to avoid famine. The area is said to be possessed by Iranian King Kaus followed by Afrasiab of Turan and then by Kai Khusrau, again an Iranian. Then there is a long list of rulers, including Lehrasp, Gushtasp, Bahman, Huma and Darab, to the year 325 BC when Alexander the Great incidentally found the sea in this area on his way from India to Macedonia.

Institutional History Gwadar:

The first ever local government system introduced in Gwadar was Village Aid programme which was initiated in the whole of Makran district in June 1957. A total of 26 Village Councils were formed with a total strength of 312 councillors. This system was replaced by the Basic Democracies Order of 1959. Under the Basic Democracies system 19 Union Councils and 3 Town Committees were established in the whole of Makran district. In 1969, all these local government institutions were suspended and later on were totally abolished on 22nd January 1972. A new local government system was introduced in 1975 under the Balochistan Local Government Act 1975.

This law could not be enforced in its true sense as the elections proposed under this act were never held. In 1979, another local government system was introduced in the country which was implemented in Balochistan under the Balochistan Local Government Ordinance 1980. This system is still enacted in the province. Under the provisions of this law, one District Council, 2 Municipal Committees, 2 Town Committees, and 13 Union Councils are functional in Gwadar district.

Gwadar background:

Gwadar district, with its 600 kilometres long coast line and un-irrigated tracts of Kulanch and Dasht valleys, has always been an important chapter of Makran’s history. The known history of Makran goes back to the time of prophet Dawood when people entombed themselves to avoid famine. The area is said to be possessed by Iranian King Kaus followed by Afrasiab of Turan and then by Kai Khusrau, again an Iranian. Then there is a long list of rulers, including Lehrasp, Gushtasp, Bahman, Huma and Darab, to the year 325 BC when Alexander the Great incidentally found the sea in this area on his way from India to Macedonia. Greek historian Arrian has mentioned the coast line as the country of Ichthyophagoi. At that time Nearchos, the admiral of Alexander, sailed along the coast and mentioned places named Kalmat, Gwadar, Pishukan and Chahbar. Afterwards, the area was ruled by Seleukos Nikator, one of Alexander’s generals, who lost it to Chandragupta in 303 BC. Then the tract of history is lost in darkness for centuries.

An account of this area is found in the beginning of the sixteenth century when the Portuguese found their way to India and captured several places along the Makran coast. In 1581 they burnt “the rich and beautiful city of Pasni” and Gwadar. Although many invaders conquered the land, mostly the local rulers, including Hots, Rinds, Maliks, Buledais and Gichkis, exercised authority in the area as the conquerors had no intentions to stay there. Two regimes of local rulers, of Buledais and Gichkis, are worth mentioning here. The Buledais gained power with the rise of the Zikri sect. These rulers are said to be connected with the rulers of Maskat and were called Buledais with reference to the valley of Buleda where they resided. The Buledais ruled the area for more than a century up to the year 1740. In the last years of their regime they embraced Islam. The Zikri folk joined hands with the Gichkis who also were Zikris by faith. The family feuds and internal dissension between Gichkis resulted in nine successful expeditions (either partially or fully) by Mir Nasir Khan I. It is said, that the main motive behind all these expeditions, made by Mir Nasir Khan I, was to eliminate the Zikris as he belonged to the (anti-Zikri) Muslim faith. These expeditions resulted in a division of revenues between the Khan and Gichkis.

In the last quarter of the eighteenth century, Gwadar and the surrounding country fell into the hands of Maskat. Saiad Said succeeded to the masnad of Muscat in 1783 and had a dispute with his brother Saiad Sultan. The latter appears to have fled to Makran and entered into communication with Nasir Khan who granted him the Kalat share of the revenues of Gwadar. Saiad Sultan lived at Gwadar for some time and eventually succeeded in usurping the Sultanate of Maskat in 1797. He died in 1804 and during his sons reign, the Buledai chief of Sarbaz, Mir Dosten, is said to have acquired temporary possession of Gwadar, but a force sent from Maskat regained it. Although it is generally understood that the right of sovereignty in Gwadar was transferred by the Khans of Kalat to Maskat in perpetuity, the Khans and natives of Gwadar have always denounced this perception. The un-irrigated tracts of Kulanch and Dasht valleys have always been connected with Kech. The first Afghan war (1838-39) directed attention of the British to the area. Major Goldsmith visited the area in 1861 and an Assistant Political Agent was appointed in Gwadar in 1863. Both Pasni and Gwadar have been ports of call for the steamers of the British India Steam Navigation Company. The first ever telegraphic link to this area was made in 1863 when Gwadar was linked to Karachi. Telegraph offices were opened at Gwadar and Pasni. Later post offices were opened at Gwadar in 1894 and at Pasni in 1903. Ormara was linked telegraphically in 1904.

After the division of the Indian subcontinent into two sovereign states, areas except Gwadar and its surroundings, joined the Balochistan States Union, as part of Makran state. In early 1949 along with Kalat, Lasbela and Kharan. In October 1955, Makran was given the status of a district of former West Pakistan province after its accession to Pakistan. In 1958, Gwadar and its surrounding area was reverted back from Maskat to Pakistan and was made a tehsil of Makran district. On 1st July 1970, when one unit was dissolved and Balochistan gained the status of a province, Makran became one of its 8 districts. On 1st July 1977, Makran was declared a division and was divided into three districts, named Panjgur, Turbat (renamed Kech) and Gwadar. Gwadar was notified as a district on July 1, 1977 with its headquarters at Gwadar town.

A stone-built domed shrine of some saint at Gwadar is said to be centuries old. It may be the same one indicated in the Gazetteer of Balochistan. A square fort along with a tower is present amidst the Memon Muhallah of Gwadar. It is near the old bungalow of the Assistant Political Agent to the Governor General (therefore renowned as governor’s house). Moreover, the fort of Saiad Sultan is still in good condition and is being used as a police station.

Gwadar Climate :