Diji ji Takri (Mound) Kotdiji, Khairpur (2020)

KOT DIJI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE 

February 23, 2020
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The ancient site at Kot Diji was the forerunner of the Indus Civilization. The occupation of this site is attested already at 3300 BCE.

Situated fifteen miles south of the Town of Khairpur KotDiji is the earliest known ruin of the great Chaleolithic Civilization of the Indus Valley. Excavation at the prehistoric mound of Kot Diji has dismissed the long-held view that” the Indus Valley Civilization was a static an uninspired monument of ultra-Conservation.

In 1946 Sir Mortimer Wheeler discovered a distinct glass of ceramic below the defenses at Harappa which he considered of an insignificant nature and belonging to some alien people. The excavations conducted by Dr. F.A. Khan at Kot Diji proved that the “alien pottery below the massive defenses at Harappa, in fact, belonged to a distinct pre-Harappan Culture”.

The ancient Kot Diji comprised a citadel where the ruling class lived and an outer part of the city that was the dwelling of the common populace. Today the main axis of the 40 feet high mound runs from east to west and measures 600 feet in length and about 400 feet in breadth. 

Excavations, both vertical and horizontal, on the top and the eastern slope of the mound have provided a complete cross-section of the Kot Diji site, revealing valuable information about the cultural sequence, and the art and architectural details of the occupation phases. The excavations extend the prehistoric chronology by 300 years beyond the date of the beginning of Harappa.

The few upper layers of vertical digging represent a typical mature phase of the Indus Valley Civilization contemporary to the Harappan Culture. The underlying 17 feet thick cultural accumulation is separated from the superimposed Harappan levels by a thick layer of Charred material suggesting a holocaust and a temporary discontinuity in the chronology of the settlement. The levels of occupation below this plane represent the older culture of Kot Diji, distinguished by a peculiar type of ceramic industry.

In the upper levels of Kot Doji excavation the general characteristics of the pottery and their designs are the same as observed in the Harappan pottery, possibly with a few minor differences, but the typical Harappan pottery, possibly with a few minor differences, but the typical Harappan steatite seals and terracotta human and animal figurines are very rare only one steatite seal depicting the “unicorn” was found and three terracotta female (mother goddess) and a dozen of bull figurines were recovered.

Below the layer of charred material, the cultural finds represent the Kot Diji culture. The most distinctive feature of the pottery in these layers are the fine thin body, short beaded or slightly everted rim, fugitive, broad band round the neck in red, brown, sepia or warm black one to three inches wide, painted on a cream or dull red slip. It is wheel made and has no visible affinity with the normal Harappan were higher in texture, form, or decoration.

Small finds from the Kot Dijian level are very rare. Still, they provide evidence of a highly developed culture, and compared with the Harappan specimens, they show superiority in technical skill.

Excavation has clearly revealed the evidence of settled conditions when the Kot Dijians manufactured well-finished pottery and built their houses in mud bricks. The people of Harappan borrowed some of the decorative designs and motifs on pottery from the Kot Dijians and above and they learned they are of fortification from the Kot Dijians to which their fortified cities, Harappan and Mohenjodaro bear witness.

NURSHINGH PHOWAAR TEMPLE, SOON VALLEY (2019)

 February 02, 2019

(All images copyright 2019 Mirza Ali Usman Baig, text written in this article is the author's Research and shouldn't be reproduced)

In the year 2019, we embarked on a memorable hike from Nurshingh Phowar to Katha Sagral. The entire trek was a feast for the eyes, offering breathtaking scenery with its limestone formations, rugged mountains, coal mines, rivers, fossils, waterfalls, and historic sites such as Nurshingh Phowar and Kot Satgarah.

During my journey, I came across a book on Soon Valley written by Muhammad Sarwar Khan Awan. In his book, he mentioned that in ancient times, this route extended all the way to Peshawar. The Soon Valley itself has been a treasure trove for archaeologists, as they have discovered remnants of numerous prehistoric Hindu temples and forts. One such temple stands in Nurshingh Phowar.

According to historical accounts, the origins of this place are intertwined with a Hindu Sadhu named Nurshingh Das. Legend has it that he arrived in the valley and was captivated by the serene and tranquil environment, prompting him to commence his meditation there. It is believed that a spring emerged from the adjacent mountains where the Sadhu sat. In honor of Nurshingh Das, his followers constructed a temple in the area.

The temple, constructed using limestone bricks, features a rectangular shape with a dome. Its appearance suggests that it may have been built upon the foundations of an older temple. Interestingly, the worship room inside the temple does not house any deity.

Adjacent to the temple, there is a pond that is filled with water sourced from the spring flowing down from the neighboring mountains. Prior to the partition of India and Pakistan, an annual festival used to be celebrated at this site during the month of Beesakh. Hindu pilgrims from various regions would gather here during that time.

Between 1831 and 1839, Ranjit Singh granted Gulab Singh the jaegers (land grants) of salt mines and the surrounding areas in Pakistani Punjab. A stone with Gurumukhi script can be found at the site, bearing an inscription that translates to:

"The mighty one could be found by only the true Guru (teacher)

15th Poh (a month in the Punjabi calendar), 1887

The land belongs to Nurshingh Phowar, given by Gulab Singh."

The exact period when Nurshingh Das arrived in the valley remains unknown. Nevertheless, it is crucial to take strong measures to protect and preserve this site of significant historical interest. The temple and its surroundings hold immense value, not only for their architectural and religious significance but also for the insights they provide into the region's ancient past.

    

An air flight of Life time experience 2015

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All label done by self

date of flight 24th July, 2015

I am Civil Engineer by Profession and trekking is my hobby from very young age. Pakistan is situated in terrain where great ‘Himalayas’, ‘Karakorum’ and Hindukush ranges meet. Pakistan has more than a hundred peaks that are above 7,000 meters. Out of the world's 14 highest peaks, four are in Pakistan.

Trekking of Concordia and K2 Base camp considered as a dream of every trekker of the world. In 2015, doing that trek was my biggest dream as well. This trek requires minimum of eighteen days.

However, the biggest hurdle in fulfilling that dream was my job. I worked at that time in private construction sector and getting eighteen days leave from job is somewhat impossible.

Well denying all these equation of impossibilities, I gave resignation from my job and left for K2 base camp trek on 24^th July, 2015. For K2 base camp one has to reach Skardu first.  I decided to take air flight from Islamabad to reach Skardu. That was a 45 minute flight. I did not have any idea that flight going to be most amazing and best fights of my life along the Karakorum’s. The thrill of viewing some of the world’s tallest mountain peaks, along with some of the picturesque valleys, dales, lakes and glaciers from the comfort of your aero plane seat is a novel, and at the same time a highly stimulating experience, the memory of which lingers long after the flight is over.

Soon after takeoff from Islamabad, the plane flies directly over the enchanting Northern Areas of Pakistan. I am blessed to  see Saifulmalook, Naran, Lulosar Lake, Toshi Ri(Sarwali Peak) mighty Nanga Parbat, Laila Peak, Seiri Dorkush, Kampire e Dior, Rakaposhi, Batura I,II,III,IV,V,VI, Sang e Marmar, Passu Sar, Diran, Shispare Sar, Ultar sar, Miar Chhish, Shispare sar, Ultar sar, Lupghar sar, Momhil sar, Trivor sar, Malubiting, khunyang Chhish, Spantik, Haramosh, laila Peak, Mlangutti sar, Bularunsar, KCH E, Disteghal Sar, Yazghil sar, Kunyang Chhish, Pumari Chhish, Yukshin Garden sar, Yutmaru sar, Hisper Sar, Glotter Peak, Kanjut Sar, Kapaltang Kun, Gloster sar, Lukpe Lawa, Broad Tower, Baintha Brak, Latok, Crown Peak, Skamri Peak, Chongtar, skyang kangri, Biale, K2, Skil Brum, Muztagh Tower, Praqpa Ri, PayoPeak, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I,II,III,IV, Thyor, Summa Ri, Koser Gunge, Choricho, Marble Peak,Mango gusor,  Yermanendu, Masherbrum, Mandu Peak, Chogolisa all I see in one single flight. I was spell bound and that was the memory that I keep with myself rest of my life.

Also, I feel myself very lucky and consider it as a reward from Almighty.  

The majestic Nanga Parbat (8,125m), the beautiful Rakaposhi (7,788m) and above all, the spectacular K-2 (the second highest peak in the world) towering above all others at 8,611 meters, leaving you simply mesmerized.

I also took photograph of all these great mountains and lakes from plane. The second and interesting part of my story was that, when I reached back to home it took me almost a year to exactly label these mountains with altitude on my photographs. I must mentions I followed various aerial photographs and surveys of great Karakorum for my reference. 

INDUS RIVER AT SKARDU

Also, besides providing some thrills and chills is, undoubtedly, a wonder that motivates you to a better understanding of the lure and charm that has seduced mountaineers to take on the perilous task of conquering these giants of nature, since time immemorial. A close visual, though intangible, contact with the manifestations of nature is a mystical experience that transcends one from the peripheral to the spiritual.