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Bhanbhore – A Historical City of Sindh

The Archaeological Site of Bhanbhore is situated 60
kilometers south-east of Karachi on the bank of Gharo
Creek in District Thatto of Sindh province of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan. Bhanbhore is an early Islamic
Archaeological Site which has a sequence from 1st
century BC to 13th Century AD. Whilst its earlier phases
are waterlogged, the surface remains of the site represent
the best-preserved early Islamic urban form in South Asia.
It is also the region's best-preserved medieval port.

South Gate of Bhanbore Fort where Muhammad bin Qasim entered
the Fort
There was no trace of a mehrab, but an inscription dating
727 AD (15 years after the conquest of Sindh by Arab
General Muhammad Ibn-e-Qasim) indicates that this is the
best-preserved example of an early mosque in the region,
while others have rebuilt. The evidence of the reuse of
carved stone from earlier Hindu structures suggests that
the site had undergone a major shift in cultural and ritual
focus. Beyond the walls, there are two substantial but
Tower of the North wall unfortified suburbs to the eastern and the north-eastern
corners. There exists a large artificial tank or reservoir, the
The port's plan consists of five main zones. The most port's drinking supply, and a large industrial area that
impressive zone is a 10m high mound which stands on the stretches along the latter's western edge with evidence of
shore of the creek itself. Measuring 610m by 305m, the textile processing, glass-making, glazing, and metallurgy
mound is delineated by a 3m wide limestone fortification industries. The presence of the industrial sector and the
wall with 46 rounded bastions and 3 gates. The latter port's wealth of imported ceramic and metal goods, in
appears to be connected to a gridiron arrangement of combination with its strategic setting at the mouth of the
streets. Mighty Indus River, reinforce the pivotal role of Bhanbhore
linking the international Indian Ocean traders with the
An interior wall divides the mound into western and eastern resources of the interior of Sindh/South Asia. Its role ended
sectors, with the floor plans of major structures preserved when the Indus shifted its course in 11th Century AD and
on the surface of the latter half. These largest structures the creek silted up, underlying the role that Nature has
have been identified as a mosque, an administrative played in shaping the heritage.
quarter, and a serai or inn.
An Archaeological Museum is established at the site,
The ground plan of its stone-built mosque is particularly where the artifacts so far discovered during excavation are
well preserved and consisted of a square plane, measuring displayed in chronological sequence. These include
34m by 35m with a central open courtyard, surrounded by Pre-Islamic pottery, Umayyad pottery, Abbasid and latter
cloisters. The western cloister formed the prayer hall and period pottery, Chinese pottery, Unglazed household pottery,
its flat roof was supported by 33 wooden pillars, resting on Pre-Islamic and Islamic period coins, Minor Antiquities, i.e.
sandstone bases. Sculptures, Inscriptions, Iron, Copper and Ivory objects, etc.

Aerial view of the Bhanbhore site

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