The earliest readers of my blog, mostly my friends, may remember my very old post on my birthday wish – a trip to Pakistan. Sadly it still hasn’t come true! Recently when I wrote my post on the UNESCO Sites in Gujarat, I had fond memories of getting so close to Pakistan, just 40km from the border, at Dholavira!!! This country is the home to 6 UNESCO sites.
Pic Courtesy: Nikesh Chawla, own work via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Pic Courtesy: World Imaging - Self-photographed via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta: Apart from Moenjodaro, the other UNESCO Site in southern Pakistan is the Necropolis of Makli. Necropolis means it was a burial site (like Hal Safleni Hypogeum). I has 5-10 lakhs burials of 14th-18th C CE, including royalty, Sufi saints, scholars & more. While the early tombs were simple, small, pyramidal structures; the later ones, were well decorated with yellow sandstone carvings (reminding me much Adalaj Vav).
Pic Courtesy: Majid.Baryar - Own Work via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore: Similar to the various Mughal forts & gardens like The Red Fort of India, the Lahore Fort is an architectural marvel. While the foundation was laid in the times of Mohmad of Ghazni, a lot of additions were done by Akbar, Jahangir (who built Shalimar Gardens in Srinagar), Shah Jahan (who built the Taj Mahal) and Aurangazeb.
Pic Courtesy: Usman.pg - Own Work via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Rohtas Fort: The fort of Rohtas was built in 1541 and as a defensive structure to block Mughal invasion. Its located at the base of Afghanistan mountains before the plains to Punjab to stop Humayun from moving ahead. With its ramparts, mosques, gates, stepwells and more, it is in a very good state.
Taxila: Like India’s Nalanda University, University of Taxila is one of the universities that has been in existence since 5th C BCE. It was where many of the knowledgeable people of our history, studied at including contemporaries of Buddha, Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya and more. People from various cultures exchanged ideas here and various subjects including medicine to astronomy!
Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol: This Buddhist monastery was the seat of Gandhara art since 1st C BCE. It is one of the well-preserved ruins.
When will my wish come true, of visiting Pakistan and soaking myself if the magic of Mohenjodaro??? Fingers crossed…..
To Get Here: The nearest International airport to the first two sites is Jinnah International Airport, Karachi; next two is Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore; last 2 is Islamabad International Airport. The national carrier is Pakistan International Airlines. PIA flight tickets are available from various destinations across the world including Paris & Copenhagen in EU, London, Toronto in Canada, various cities of USA, various countries of Middle East & more!
While local transport in Pakistan is possible by train, the quicker option would be to take domestic flights. For eg., Karachi to Islamabad takes about 17 hrs by train but only 2+ hrs by flight. Serene Air and Air Blue cheap air tickets can be booked online and are 2 of the cheap domestic airlines.