Lucky Shah Mosque and Spring Jamshoro-Dadu 2009

 July 6, 2009

The shrine of saint Shah Sadaruddin Lakyari (Lakki Shah Sadar) is located on the Jamshoro-Dadu national highway, south of Sehwan. The place is also famous for sulfur springs for curing skin diseases. This was originally the site of a Hindu Shiva Temple on the bank of springs of Lakki Shah Sadar, but there is also a Muslim shrine here now. About eleven miles to the south of Sehwan is a small village of “Lakki” and about two miles from this village there are hot water springs that flow from the mountains. Since the flow of water was continuous it was also called “Dhara Tirath.” The springs bubble out at the base of an immense wall of rock, with a sponge-like texture and swirling lines, that rears straight up behind the Hindu temple. The nearby cave where Shah Sadar meditated is now a Muslim shrine.

Thanks to my colleague Mr.Zia I was able to see this amazing place famous for its mysterious spring, people there thought after taking a bath they were cured of all skin diseases. But do not be too fascinated by it, it is only a sulphuric water spring. 

Lucky Shah Shrine 

Char tukar Jabal - Aurore, Sindh, Pakistan (2020)

27.615037,68.917099

 Date of Visit 02/22/2020

Arore Rock

Aror or Alor or Arorkot is the medieval name of the city of Rohri. Aror once served as the capital of Sindh.

These hills were not as barren always, you'll find traces of old river channels most notably a few kilometers east of Rohri, where the city of Aror once stood with its pomp and glory. It was the seat of power when Muhammad Bin Qasim conquered Sindh. However it was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 962 AD and it is believed that the same earthquake changed the course of Indus, shifting the fortunes of the area once and for all.

This rock formation split neatly into four parts (the name literally means 4 pieces hill) has an interesting local legend affiliated with it, According to the legend, a saint did battle with the Hindu deity kali upon this hill & the force of the blow of his sword caused the hill to split into four. The saint is said to be a disciple of Hazarat Ali R.A
A small shrine exists at the bottom of the hill where he is supposed to be buried.

Sadhu Bella (2020)

(Pictorial Blog)

Date of Visit 23rd February 2020

It was established in 1823 by Swami Brakhandi Maharaja and is located in Sukkur on the Indus River. Swami Brakhandi Maharaj migrated from Nepal and settled in this part of Sindh. It is believed that he spent almost 40 years worshiping the goddess of food Mata Anporna, who blessed the land with abundant food

Historical Mosque Muhammad Bin Qasim (2020)

(All pictures are taken by author) 

Date of Visit 22-02-2020

The First Mosque in Sub-Continent

At the beginning of 8th century, the boundaries of the Muslim empire had expanded in all directions and soon reached the very limit of Sindhu valley. Then, due to some unpleasant happenings, the Arab Viceroy of eastern regions was prompted to launch a military expedition against the ruler of lower Sindhu valley named Raja Dahir, in 711 A.D. As a result, a young Arab general named Muhammad bin Qasim, a nephew of Hajjaj bin Yousaf, was dispatched to measure sword with Raja Dahir.

First, Muhammad Bin Qasim besieged the coastal city of Daybal which fell to Arab army. The occupation of Daybal was followed by other important towns of Dahir's kingdom such as Drawar, Alor, Nerun and Multan which, after a hard resistance, were captured by Muhammad bin Qasim. With the conquest of Dahir's kingdom, the boundaries of Muslim empire on the southern borders extended to the lower valley of river Sindh. It was a general practice among Muslim invaders, that wherever they went, marked out a place for offering prayer. Muslim invaders of Sindh also followed this practice and built mosques.

Muhammad bin Qasim defeated Raja Dahir on 10^th of Ramadan 711 AD. On 11th of Muharram, after appointing governors in all principal districts of Sindh, he left Brahamanabad and marched Towards Alore (Modern day Arore) where Fofi, son of Raja Dahir, had fortified his position. Muhammad Bin Qasim called his forces to a halt opposite the fort. This is where he built a mosque, known as Muhammad Bin Qasim Mosque. The ruins of the mosque still stand on top of a hill in Arore.

The remnants of the mosque built on a mound. Sadly, only few arches have survived but to our surprise, there were few praying mats and a speaker installed at the top, indicating that the mosque is very much active. The mosque is in Arore city, opposite Govt. Elementary Campus School Arore, Taluka Rohri District Sukkur. It is attributed to Muhammad Bin Qasim perhaps built in the 8th century A.D.

At present only two walls are remaining of the structure, the total area measures about 45’-0” x 78’-0” feet (3510 sft). The mosque consists of two entrances, decorated with Tudor arches and Tudor arched rectangular panels are designed symmetrically on the left and right side of the open arch. Tudor arched ventilators are also constructed on above of opening arch. Newly constructed area for prayers is made with cemented material. There is only one window on the western side wall and decorated with bricks jali. The limestone blocks were found in large quantity in various parts of the site where the cultural material was seen embedded in the section of a burrow. Mosque is almost 95% destroyed.