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©Image by umairadeeb from Flickr

Among monuments, mosques and necropolises: a unique journey through Ancient Thatta

Thatta is a historic city located in the Sindh province of Pakistan, east of Karachi. The city has a rich history and is home to some of the most impressive sites of Pakistan's cultural and architectural heritage.

The city has a long history, and has been desired by different empires in the region for centuries, mainly because of its ancient strategic position on the banks of the Indus River. Due to the great flow of sedimentation that the river has transported throughout the ages, its course moved away from the city, and with it the city's interest.

The traces of its glorious past still captivate locals and visitors, keeping it as an important tourist attraction. Among its tourist attractions it stands out for being the site of one of the largest cemeteries in the world and for having among its outstanding buildings the most elaborate display of tiles in South Asia.

From the 14th to the 18th century, Thatta was the capital of three successive dynasties and flourished as an important center of trade, religion and art. Despite the turbulence of time, the city has preserved its rich historical heritage and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.

One of the most significant monuments in Thatta is the Great Mosque of Shah Jahan, also known as the Emperor Shah Jahan Mosque. Built in the mid-17th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, it is famous for its unique architecture and nearly 100 domes, an unusually high number reflecting the influence of Persian and Central Asian art and architecture in the region.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, Thatta's historical monuments attest to its monumental past.

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©Image by Zeeshan Zulfiqar from Unsplash

Tomb of Prince Sultan Ibrahim bin Mirza Muhammad Isa Tarkhan on Makli Hill.

The Great Mosque of Shah Jahan is renowned for its exceptional architecture and design, and is built entirely of red brick covered with ceramic tiles in shades of blue and white. The tiles, with beautiful geometric and floral designs, create an exquisitely detailed mosaic pattern, and are considered outstanding examples of the glazed ceramics being produced in Thatta during that time.

Makli Hill, another of the city's highlights, is considered one of the largest and oldest necropolises in the world, located on the outskirts of Thatta. This vast burial site, covering more than 10 square kilometers, is the final resting place of about half a million people and is famous for its majestic mausoleums decorated with elaborate and beautifully decorated monuments.

The mausoleums and tombs of illustrious personages are mainly divided into two major groups according to the reigning dynasties; Samma and Tarjan mainly. One of the most outstanding is the Samma Tomb, remarkable for its simplicity and its marked difference from the elaborate designs of Mughal architecture.

On the other hand, the tomb of the Rajput Samma Jam Nizamuddin II is also impressive; a square structure built in sandstone and decorated with floral and geometric medallions. Another very striking one is the mausoleum of Isa Kan Tarjan II, a two-story stone building built with majestic domes and balconies. The necropolis is definitely an architecturally rich place.

Thatta, once a thriving metropolis, a center of trade, culture and religion, still remains a treasure trove of historical monuments and culture, making it a major tourist attraction in Pakistan. The mausoleum complex of the Makli necropolis and the great mosque of Shah Jahan are the tip of the iceberg of the wonders hidden in the beautiful city of Thatta.

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