A THOROUGH INSIGHT OF MAGNIFICENT CULTURAL AND HERITAGE SITES OF PAKISTAN

Pakistan is blessed with enriched culture. The region remained the center for the Ghandhara Civilization stretched across vast areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, holds the great  Indus Valley Civilization also known as Harappa Civilization on the plains of Indus River Basin. The Mughal Period also added to the cultural beauty. Cultural and heritage sites in Pakistan

Moreover, the Sufi Shrines acted as centers of cultural Heritage. You can satisfy your archeological cravings, and also provides an opportunity to conduct a thorough historical study. Pakistan’s magnificent cultural heritage includes archaeological sites, stupas, forts, shrines, tombs, buildings, residences, monuments, and places of worship. It is a great place for Cultural Tourism. Get ready for the marvelous experience of visiting the distinguishing historical places.

WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN PAKISTAN:

There are six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Pakistan

1. Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi & Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol, 1980
2. Archaeological Ruins of Moenjodaro, 1980
3. Taxila, 1980
4. Ancient Monuments at Makli, Thatta, 1981
5. Fort & Shalamar Gardens in Lahore, 1981
6. Rohtas Fort, 1997

CULTURAL SITES IN KPK: Cultural and heritage sites in Pakistan

• Gorkhatri, Peshawar

Gorkhatri means “Warrior’s Grave”. It is a public park built at the site of ancient ruins. It was identified by Sir Alexander Cunnigham with the Kanishka Stupa.

• Sethi Mohallah, Peshawar

It is an old traditionally arranged neighborhood. It contains seven South Asian Style Mansions built by Sethi Family. These Mansions are famous for their wooden cravings.

• Islamia College, Peshawar

It is one of the oldest institutions of Higher Education in Pakistan. Its historical roots are traced back to the Aligarh Movement. It provides higher learning in arts, languages, humanities, social sciences and modern sciences.

• Mahmood Ghaznavi Mosque, Swat

It is one of the oldest mosques in Pakistan. It was discovered by the Italian Archeological Mission in 1985. The mosque represents the splendid design of old Muslim Architecture.

• Manglawar Stupa, Swat

It was truly a holy place marked by a colossal rock image of Buddha.

• Amluk-Dara Stupa, Swat

It is a part of the Gandhara Civilization. The stupa is believed to be built in the 3rd Century. It was first discovered by a Hungarian-British archaeologist Sir Aurel Stein in 1926.

• Shahi Mosque, Chitral

The mosque was built on the orders of Shuja ul-Mulk in 1924. It is the oldest mosque in Chitral.

• Chitral Fort

The Fort is situated on the Bank of the Chitral River. It was built in 1774 during the reign of Shah Katur ll.

• The Fort of Nawab Shah Jahan, Dir

It is a historical fort located in the district Dir.

• Handyside Fort, Kohat

The fort was built by the British Indian Army in the British colonial era. The fort is named after the Frontier Constabulary combatant, Eric Charles Handyside, who was killed fighting the rebels in 1926.

• Mirpur Mound, Haripur

Mirpur Mound is an archaeological site located in Haripur District.

 CULTURAL SITES IN GILGIT-BALTISTAN: Cultural and heritage sites in Pakistan

• Chaqchan Mosque, Khaplu

The Mosque was built in 1370. It is a perfect blend of Tibetan, Mughal and Persian styles of architecture.

• Khaplu Palace, Khaplu

It was built in the mid 19th Century. It served as the Royal Residence for the Raja of Khaplu

• Alam Bridge Inscriptions, Gilgit

Alam Bridge inscriptions refer to the archaeological inscriptions on the rocks near the Alam Bridge. The inscriptions are in Kharoshti and Brahmi script and are mostly animal carvings and Stupas.

• Baltit Fort, Karimabad

It was founded in the 14th Century and it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list since 2004. The fort is now a museum run by the Baltit Heritage Trust.

• Altit Fort, Altit

It was built in the 11th Century. It is the oldest monument in Gilgit-Baltistan. It was originally home to the hereditary rulers of the Hunza who carried the title Mir.

• Amburik Mosque, Shigar Valley

The mosque was built by Sayed Ali Hamdani and is among the famous landmarks in Baltistan. It is one of the oldest mosques in GB.

• Shigar Fort, Shigar Valley

It was built in the 17th century by the Raja of Amacha Dynasty of Shigar. The fort was restored by Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan from 1999 to 2004. The Fort is now used as a luxury hotel managed by Serena Hotels.

• Skardu Fort, Skardu

It is also called Kharpocho means “King of Forts”. The fort was built by King Ali Sher Khan Anchan at the end of the sixteenth century. It was part of his many military campaigns to annex the areas of Baltistan to the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Cultural and heritage sites in Pakistan

 CULTURAL SITES IN BALOCHISTAN:

• Pirak Mound, Village Kalochi

It is an archaeological site and is part of the Indus Valley Civilization. The mound is 8m high and covers approximately 12 acres. The site was discovered by Robert Raikes in 1963.

• Nindo Damb, Wadh

It is an archaeological site. Archaeological investigation of the site suggests that the Nindo Damb complex was occupied by the Harappans before the Kulli civilization arrived.

• Kharan Fort, Kharan

It is a historical Fort located in the Kharan District of Balochistan.

• Bara Bagh Cemetery, Lasbela

It is an ancient cemetery of the Jams of Lasbela of the Lasbela princely state

• Quaid-e-Azam Residency, Ziarat

It is where Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah spent the last two months and ten days of his life. It is the most famous landmark of the city, constructed in 1892 during the British Raj. It is declared a heritage site and is of great architectural importance.

CULTURAL SITES IN INTERIOR SINDH:

• Jamia Masjid Khudabad, Dadu

The mosque was built during the reign of Yar Muhammad Kalhoro between 1700 and 1718.

• Tomb of Mian Ghulam Kalhoro, Hyderabad

It is the Shrine of Mian Ghulam Kalhoro who was died in 1772. He is believed to be the founder of the city of Hyderabad.

• Tombs of Talpur Mirs, Hyderabad

These tombs are also known as Cubbas. These are a complex of tombs of the ruling Talpur Mirs of Sindh who reigned from 1784 to 1843.

• Ranikot Fort, Jamshoro

It is also known as “The Great Wall of Sindh”. It is believed to be the World’s largest fort. The fort’s ramparts have been compared to the Great Wall of China.

• Kot Diji Fort, Khairpur

It was formally known as Fort Ahmedabad. It was built by Mir Sohrab Khan between 1785 to 1795. The fort sits above a pre-Harappan civilization archaeological site dating from 2500 to 2800 B.C.E.

• Sateen Jo Aastan, Sukkur

It is the resting place for the Seven Female-friends. According to folklore, these female friends resided here. It is located on the left bank of the Indus River near Rohri, Sindh. In reality, however, this is the burial place of Mir Abu Al-Qasim Namkeen a ruler from Sukkur. The tomb complex was ordered to be built by him. It was constructed in ochre stone. Inscriptions and Quranic verses in the finest Naskh script adorn the walls and interior of these structures. The famous blue tiles of Sindh were used to enhance the aesthetic impact. Cultural and heritage sites in Pakistan

• Moomal Ji Mari, Ghotki

It is an archaeological site in a village near Mirpur Mathelo. The mound of Moomal Ji Mari is about 15 feet high. Glazed and unglazed shards of pottery of different kinds were observed on the mound.

• Fort Umerkot, Umerkot

Umerkot Fort was built by Rana Amar Singh in the 11th century. Emperor Akbar was also born in Umarkot Fort when his father Humayun fled from the military defeats at the hands of Sher Shah Suri on 15 October 1542.

• Naukot Fort, Tharparkar

It was built by Mir Kalam Ali khan in 1814. It is also called “The Gateway to the Thar Desert”. The fort is developed of burnt bricks in mud mortar.

• Churrio Jabal Durga Mata Temple, Tharparker

It is a historic temple and is visited annually by 200,000 pilgrims on Shivratri. The valuable and multi-colored hill supporting the temple is mined for its rare and expensive granite, which is posing a serious threat to the temple.

• Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta

It is also known as Jamia Masjid of Thatta. It was built in the 17th Century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is also notable for its geometric brickwork and elaborate display of tile work.

• Makli Necropolis, Thatta

It is one of the largest funerary sites in the world. Makli Necropolis features several large funerary monuments belonging to royalty, various Sufi saints, and esteemed scholars. The site houses approximately 500,000 to 1 million tombs built over a period of 400 years from the 14th to 18th Century.

 CULTURAL SITES IN PUNJAB:

• Tomb of Lala Rukh, Hasanabdal

This tomb is traditionally attributed to Princess Lala Rukh, daughter of the Mughal emperor Akbar.

• Attock Fort, Attock

Attock Fort was built from 1581 to 1583 during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akber. It was built under the supervision of Khawaja Shamsuddin to protect the passage of the Indus River. The Fort was used as a key defense line against the Afghan invaders. Today the fort remains in the control of the Pakistan Army.

• Noor Mahal, Bahawalpur

It was built in 1872. It belonged to the Nawabs of Bahawalpur during British Raj. A map and coins of the state were buried in its foundation as a good omen. Noor Palace covers an area of 44,600 square feet. It has 32 rooms including 14 in the basement, 6 verandas and 5 domes. The design encompasses features of Corinthian and Islamic styles of architecture with a tinge of subcontinental style. It is owned by Pakistan Army. It is now open for general visitors, students trips and other interested persons.

• Derawar Fort, Bahawalpur

Derawar fort was first built in the 9th century AD by Rai Jajja Bhati. It was later rebuilt in its current form in 1732 by the Abbasi Ruler Nawab Sadeq Muhammad This fort presents an enormous and impressive structure in the heart of the Cholistan Desert. Approximately 130 km south of the city of Bahawalpur, the 40 bastions of Derawar are visible for many miles in the Cholistan Desert.

• Shrine of Jalaluddin Bukhari, Bahawalpur

It is one of the five monuments in Uch, Pakistan which is on the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• Rohtas Fort, Jehlum

It was built in the 16th Century by Raja Todar Mal on the orders of Sher Shah Suri. The fort is known for its large defensive walls, and several monumental gateways. It was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997.

• Katas Raj Temple, Chakwal

It is also known as Qila Kastas. It is a complex of several Hindu temples connected by walkways. The temples were visited by India’s former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani in 2005.

• Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam

The shrine is considered to be the earliest example of Tughluq architecture. The tomb was built between 1320 and 1324 CE by Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq. Central Asian and Persian architectural styles found at the tomb, such as the use of brick, glazed tiles, and wooden roofs.

• Pharwala Fort, Rawalpindi

The fort was built by the Gakhars in the 15th century. is naturally defended from one side by a small Himalayan range and the other by the Swaan River. The fort is open to Pakistani visitors only.

• Sirkap, Taxila

It is an archaeological site on the bank opposite the city of Taxila. The city of Sirkap was built by the Greco-Bactrian king Demetrius after he invaded ancient India around 180 BC.

• Taxila Museum

The Museum was constructed from 1918 to 1928. It is home to a significant and comprehensive collection of Gandharan art dating from the 1st to the 7th centuries CE. Most objects in the collection were excavated from the ruins of ancient Taxila. There are some 4000 objects displayed, including stone, stucco, terracotta, silver, gold, iron and semiprecious stones. Mainly the display consists of objects from the period 600 B.C to 500 AD.

• Rawat Fort, Rawalpindi

It was built in the 16th century to defend Pothohar Pleatu from the forces of Sher Shah Suri. The fort was the scene of a battle between the Gakhar Chief Sultan Sarang and Afghan king Sher Shah Suri in 1546. The fort also contains a mosque with three domes. The grave of the Gakkar chief, Sultan Sarang Khan is present within the fort.

• Archaeological Site of Harappa, Sahiwal

The site of the ancient city contains the ruins of a Bronze Age fortified city, which was part of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The ancient city of Harappa was heavily damaged under British Rule when bricks from the ruins were used as track ballast in the construction of the Lahore–Multan Railway.

• Hiran Minar, Sheikhpura

It was built in the early 17th century during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. It was built in a hunting reserve used by the Mughal Royals.

• Shahi Eid Gah Mosque, Multan

It was built in 1735 CE during the reign of Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. The mosque’s exterior is embellished with glazed blue Multan-style tiles, while the interior is ornamented with intricate mosaics.

• Ghanta Ghar, Multan

It is the city government headquarters of Multan. It was built in 1884 A.D. during British Raj.

• Bhong Mosque, Rahim Yar Khan

It was designed and constructed from 1932 to 1982. This mosque won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1986 for its design, architecture and beautiful calligraphy.

• Faisalabad Clock Tower

It is one of the oldest monuments still standing in its original state from the period of the British Raj. The foundation of the majestic Clock Tower was laid on 14 November 1903 by the British lieutenant governor of Punjab Sir Charles Riwaz. The clock is placed at the center of the eight markets that from a bird’s-eye view look like the Union Jack flag of the United Kingdom.

• Gurudwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib

It is a highly revered gurdwara that was built in the 16th Century at the site where the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, was believed to be born. The current gurdwara was built by Ranjit Singh in the 19th century. The shrine is frequently visited by Sikhs as part of a pilgrimage route in Pakistan.

• Qila Sheikhupura

It is a Mughal-era Fort. It was built in 1607 during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. The fort was drastically altered during the Sikh era, with numerous buildings constructed

• Sialkot Fort

It is one of the oldest forts in Pakistan. At present, few ruins, including a bastion, are all that is left of the Fort.

• Sialkot Cathedral

It was constructed from 1852 to 1857.

 CULTURAL SITES IN KARACHI:

• Wazir Mansion

It was officially known as the birthplace of Quaid-e-Azam. It was built from 1860 to 1870 with stone masonry in lime and jute mortar.

• Chaukhandi Tombs

These tombs form an early Islamic cemetery. These tombs are notable for their elaborate sandstone carvings. They are built in the funerary architectural style typical of lower Sindh.

• Khaliq Deena Hall

The building has a hall that is used for various events, a library, and a room that serves as the office of a local NGO. It was built in 1906 by Ghulam Hussain Khaliq Dina.

• Frere Hall

It was built in 1865. It now serves as an exhibition space and library.

• Quaid-e-Azam House

It is also known as “Flagstaff House”. Quaid-e-Azam lived here from 1944 to 1948. His sister, Fatima Jinnah lived there until 1964. The building was later acquired by the Government of Pakistan in 1985 and conserved as a museum.

• Mazar-e-Qaid

It is also known as Jinnah Mausoleum. It is the final resting place of Quaid-e-Azam. It was built in 1971 and is the iconic symbol of Karachi.

CULTURAL SITES IN LAHORE:

• Badshahi Mosque

It is a Mughal-era Mosque. The mosque represents Mughal architecture. The exterior of the Mosque is decorated with carved red sandstone with marble inlay. It was constructed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb between 1671 and 1673. It is the 2nd largest Mosque in Pakistan and is widely considered to be one of Lahore’s most iconic landmarks.

• Lahore Fort

It is also called Shahi Qila or Royal Fort. It spreads over an area of 20 hectares. It contains 21 notable monuments. The Fort was first built in the 11th Century with muddy bricks. It was almost entirely built in the 17th century when the Mughal Empire was flourishing.

• Sheesh Mahal

It is also called the Palace of the Mirrors. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632. The ornate white marble pavilion is inlaid with pietra dura and complex mirrorwork of the finest quality.

• Chaburji

It is a Mughal-era monument. It was built by Shah Jahan in 1646. It previously acted as a gateway to a Large Garden

• Shalamar Gardens

It is a Mughal Garden Complex that was built by Shah Jahan in 1642. These gardens were laid out to create a representation of earthly utopia. In 1981 the Shalimar Gardens were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Tomb of Anarkali

It is an octagonal monument that was built in the 16th century. It is considered to be one of the earliest Mughal tombs still in existence and is considered to be one of the most significant buildings of the early Mughal period.

• Jahangir’s Tomb

It was built in 1637. It is a mausoleum built for Mughal Emperor Jahangir. It is located in Shahdra Bagh along the Banks of the Ravi River. The site is famous for its interiors that are extensively embellished with frescoes and marble, and its exterior is richly decorated with pietra dura.

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