Tulamba,
situated on the eastern bank of the Ravi River between Mian Channu and Abdul
Hakeem in Khanewal district, bears witness to a captivating past. This
historically significant town has been the subject of study and exploration by
researchers and scholars, shedding light on its intriguing heritage. The
Archaeological Survey of India has played a pivotal role in unraveling the
enigmatic tale of Tulamba.
According
to Mehboob Tabish, a respected researcher and writer, Tulamba was originally
under the rule of the Malohi tribe of Jatt people during Alexander the Great's
reign. The tribe displayed immense bravery and courage, fiercely resisting
Alexander's attack. This resistance stands as a testament to the valor and
resilience of the Malohi tribe.
The
Muslim history of Tulamba traces its origins to the arrival of Muhammad bin
Qasim, who passed through the town en route to Multan. The area he traversed is
now known as Qasim Bazar, marking his significant presence in Tulamba. The
present town of Tulamba is believed to have been constructed by Shujawal Khan,
the son-in-law and Minister of Mahmud Langa of Multan, between A.D. 1510 and
1525.
The
old fortress, which had miraculously escaped the ravages of Timur's conquests,
once stood over a mile south of the modern town. Constructed with brick walls,
remnants of this ancient fort can still be observed through the horizontal
lines of the courses on the outer faces of the ramparts. Curiously, when the
Ravi River altered its course, diverting to a more northerly path, the fort was
abandoned due to the loss of its vital water supply. The bricks from the old
ramparts were then repurposed to build the walls of the new town. Intriguingly,
these walls exhibit numerously carved and molded bricks placed in various peculiar
positions, sometimes individually, sometimes in lines, and occasionally even
upside down.
Originally
known as Kulamba or Kulambha, the town eventually acquired its present name,
Tulamba. The exact meaning behind the name remains unknown, but it has been
consistently spelled as Tulamba by various Muslim authors throughout history.
One of the earliest mentions of Tulamba can be found in Sharf-ud-din's History
of Timur. During Timur's conquest, the town surrendered under specific terms,
which were predictably broken by the invader and his troops. The soldiers
pillaged and burned the houses, subjecting the inhabitants to slavery, while
the fort was spared to avoid delaying Timur's advance toward Delhi.
Tragically,
Tulamba would suffer another invasion in A.D. 1480, when Amir Shekh Ali, the
Governor of Kabul under Shah Rokh, led an assault on the town. Once again, the
invading forces violated their promises, plundering Tulamba, massacring
able-bodied men, and reducing the town to ashes. The women and children were
taken captive, enduring a fate of slavery.
Religion
has also played a significant role in the history of Tulamba. Baba Guru Nanak,
the founder of the Sikh religion, embarked on his first journey (Udasis) and
visited Tulamba. Centuries later, Guru Hari Rai, the seventh Sikh spiritual
master, dispatched a preacher to Tulamba with the mission of spreading the
teachings of the Sikh faith. These spiritual connections have left an indelible
mark on Tulamba's religious landscape.
At
the heart of Tulamba stands its mighty fort, which was reconstructed by Sher
Shah Suri. This architectural marvel now serves as a girls' high school and
houses the offices of the town committee. The fort comprises twelve bastions
that support its grand fortification
