Exploring South Punjab’s Rich Culture, Historic Heritage

Iftikhar Ahmed

Multan: Renowned for its high-quality cotton, delectable mangoes, stunning monuments, and rich cultural heritage, South Punjab holds a special place in the hearts of its people.

Often hailed as a repository of Pakistan’s cultural and historical wealth, this region boasts of being the birthplace of the Indus Valley Civilization and is home to ancient Buddhist sites like Mound Dillu Roy in Dera Ghazi Khan. Influenced by Islamic empires, South Punjab is adorned with numerous monuments showcasing Islamic architecture and a way of life deeply ingrained in Islamic traditions.

Hidden from sight for centuries, the remnants of the Indus Valley Civilization in the Cholistan desert of Bahawalpur, particularly at Ganweriwala, were unearthed by the country’s esteemed archaeologist, Dr Rafiq Mughal, during an extensive survey conducted between 1974 and 1977. Presently, a team led by Dr Mughal, along with Saleem ul Haq and other experts, is actively excavating the site under the supervision of the retired Director of the Punjab Archaeology Department, Saleem ul Haq.Ancient Discoveries

Excavations at Ganweriwala resumed in March 2024 after a hiatus of four decades since its initial discovery.

Archaeologists attribute this delay to various factors such as water scarcity, inadequate funding, lack of road access, and insufficient manpower, all of which hindered efforts to unearth the remains of settlements believed to be the third largest of the Indus Valley Civilization, dating back to around 2600 BC, situated between Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.

Dr Rafiq Mughal had identified 414 sites, including Ganweriwala, during a survey conducted in 1976 across a 400-450 kilometer stretch from Fort Abbas to the Sindh boundary along the now-dry bed of the ancient Hakra river, as shared by Saleem ul Haq.

He further noted that remnants of ancient civilizations exist approximately 200-300 kilometers apart, with another site at Kundwala located at least 100 kilometers away from Ganweriwala, displaying ruins from both the mature and late Harappan periods.

The mature Harappan period, flourishing around 2600 BC, marked the zenith of the civilization’s development, followed by a gradual decline leading to the late Harappan period around 1950 BC.

Surface findings from Ganweriwala in 1975 indicated its status as a mature Harappan site, prompting speculation of uncovering remnants from the early period with deeper excavation, as remarked by Saleem Ul Haq, who anticipates finalizing the excavation report by the end of June 2024.

The excavation at Mound Dillu Roy, situated at the boundary of Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan districts, conducted by Director Archaeology South Muhammad Hassan several years ago, unveiled its Buddhist origins. Among the 1370 small artifacts discovered, notable finds included a finely crafted lion figure in the typical Gandharan style, a clay female statue, and seals, one of which bore an embossed Hellenistic figure.

Muhammad Hassan remarked, “The excavation at Mound Dillu Roy site provided significant insights into the Hindu-Shahi, Gupta, Sassaian, and Kushan dynasties. The findings filled crucial gaps in our understanding of the Gupta, Sassaian, and Kushan periods.”

Architectural Marvel

In addition to the subterranean treasures of ancient civilizations, South Punjab boasts numerous monuments, such as the Derawar Fort, renowned for its unique architecture and strategic significance.

Malik Ghulam Muhammad, a retired conservation expert credited with restoring and conserving around 50 monuments in South Punjab, highlighted that not all monuments in the region enjoy protected status, which is crucial for their restoration and preservation. He emphasized the routine preparation of reports on unprotected monuments to initiate steps for their preservation and promote tourism. Most of these monuments are concentrated in Dera Ghazi Khan, with some scattered in Muzaffargarh, Vehari, and Lodhran.Protected Heritage Sites

Among the protected monuments listed by Ghulam Muhammad are the mausoleums of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani, Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam atop the historic Qasim Fort mound in Multan, Darbar Hazrat Ali Akbar at Suraj Miani, mausoleum of Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Fareed at Kot Mithan, Hazrat Bibi Pak Daman, Hazrat Bibi Jawindi, Sawi Masjid, Hazrat Musa Pak Shaheed, Multan Clock Tower, Harand Fort, and others.

Dr Naseem Akhtar, Director of the Seraiki Area Study Centre at Bahauddin Zakariya University, highlighted the historical significance of the Indus Valley civilization in South Punjab, underscoring the uniqueness of Seraiki culture evident in its folk literature, aphorisms, and other cultural elements.

Former Director of the Seraiki Study Centre, Khalid Iqbal, emphasized the profound attachment of the people of South Punjab to their history, culture, and customs, which contribute significantly to the country’s agro-economy.

He stressed the importance of preserving South Punjab’s heritage and cultural diversity to promote tourism, stimulate economic activities, and foster a broader understanding of history among the younger generation.

The feature report was released by APP. All information and facts provided are the sole responsibility of the writer.