Ancient , 6, 2000-01: 57-67

MASTOOR FATIMA BUKHARI SADOOR GRAVEYARD

ABSTRACT – The Sadoor graveyard in the midst of desert environs, built by hand made bricks is an exceptional burial place. The bricks on the individual graves are piled up in a pyramidal form. The bricks are not bounded together. This mysterious graveyard consists of at least 135 graves. Some of the graves, grave slabs and memorial stones are described in this paper. The graveyard perhaps belongs to Baluch tribes having migrated to Sindh in Ancient times. INTRODUCTION The Sadoor necropolis is located some 44 kilometers southeast from Saleh Pat in Deh Kartar of district Sukkur. The exact geographic location of Sadoor Graveyard is at Longitude 69o.06′.10″ east and Latitude 27o.15′.30″ north. The site can be conveniently approached from the irrigation channel # 186 on Nara canal towards Channereji and the nearby village of Ghulam Muhammad Rajar. Two other villages surround this place; from Jumman Bhambhro village, the site is on its west and from Jummo Rajar village the graveyard is in the south direction. This graveyard was discovered by the author during the survey carried out for the research project titled as “Documentation of Buddhist Period Sites in Upper Sindh”; sponsored by Directorate of Research, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Sindh. Survey work began during January 2001, and the area was found to be extremely rich in cultural heritage ranging from Kot Dijian to Early Historic period settlements and monuments. The ancient cultural material remains were scattered on the slopes of sand dunes and valleys between the mounds. This fascinating and mysterious burial ground consisting of at least 135 graves was also part of the present documentation where every grave was made up of hand made bricks. The bricks used were plain, large, with denticulated edges and were rectangular in shape. Another noteworthy feature of this graveyard was that the top of the graves was set with cylindrical bricks. Generally, each grave within this graveyard from distance reflected as if they were small pyramids (Plate 1).

Plate 1: A general view of Sadoor Graveyard

 Department of , Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur (Sindh-PK)

57 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING This area is a part of with uprising sand dunes and Bhits. There are many Dhands or salt lakes within these dunes. The force of the S. W. monsoon is not felt here. The soil is loose and sandy presenting a dry and arid appearance and lies on fine clay. In some parts of Sukkur and Khairpur there has been very little rainfall or floodwaters. (Pithawala, 1976:51). These Bhits are covered with vegetation, herbs, shrubs, small trees and plants. Some medicinal plants like Calotopis procera (Willd) R.Br., Salvadora persica, (Linn.) Alhagi maurorum (Medic.), Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew., are also found here. The climate is arid; in summer temperatures raise very high upto 53oC. There are valuable herds of camels, cattle, goats and sheep’s. This area abounds in goats and is main supplier of meat, and other by-products, such as Desi/Aslee Ghee, butter and fur. Local people live in canopy huts with sloped roofed huts made of reeds. Talab (water tank) Dhoro or Dhands. (lakes) are the main sources of water. Shinning sand dunes are scattered all over. Some houses are made up of bricks but mostly life is nomadic. Bhambhra, Rajar and Mangria are the main tribes living in this area. DESCRIPTION This graveyard is not in use anymore. The local villagers bury their dead at a distance of some 50 yards away from Sadoor graveyard. All graves here are made up of hand made burnt bricks. As mentioned above, this graveyard has a cluster of at least 135 graves among them six graves are randomly selected as sample, including two large graves SGYD-I and SGYD-II which are massive in shape and size and covered with lime plaster. All the graves are constructed without any mortar or any bonding agent. Nevertheless, the main features of the selected graves are given below: SGYD - I This grave has been constructed on a square platform measuring 3.10 meters in length and 2.20 meters in width (Plate 2). It is built by hand made burnt bricks covered with lime plaster. The square platform is decorated with small posts/ pillars as of the Charpai (Cot) carved on each of the four corners of the platform and one in the center (length - wise). The pillars have various sizes of bricks containing cut and dressed bricks; which are very accurately cut and dressed to fit and fill the space properly.

Plate 2: Largest grave with decorated corners

58 SGYD - II

This is the second largest grave; its length is 2.90 meters and width is 2.10 meters (Plate 3). It has a square base slightly tapering upwards, and built of burnt bricks, lime plaster is also used. This is another grave, which is constructed in a massive shape and size. Large numbers of bricks have been used to create such a high elevation; towards its top it is in tapering style/manner.

SGYD - III

This is a very high, rectangular pyramid, built by hand made burnt bricks without the use of any mortar, mud plaster or other type of binding agent. The bricks are set in a compact manner. The structure consists of 60 layers of bricks. The construction methodology is different, from the above two graves (Plate 4).

SGYD - IV

This grave is also like other square based structure, built of burnt bricks and a total of 52 layers of bricks are used in this grave. No mortar is used in the construction of this structure as Plate 3: View of second largest grave

well (Plate 4:4)

59 Plate 4 and 5: A high rectangular pyramidal grave

SGYD - V

This is a brick pyramid. Bricks used in this grave are also hand made. Some bricks are over fired and top of the grave is set with three large cylindrical slabs. This structure indicates extensive nature of experimentation, different type of bricks are used and set here (Plate 6).

SGYD - VI

This is a small low-lying and, not very high grave. It contains only 06 4 layers of hand made, denticulated5 large burnt bricks. The top layer bricks are decorated with different geometrical motifs. This low grave is not in a pyramidal shape; only the decorative variations could be seen (Plate 7).

Plate 6: This grave is built by hand made bricks, top of grave set with cylindrical large slab.

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Plate 7: A small grave with hand made denticulated bricks.

During documentation of this necropolis it was observed that majority of the burnt bricks used here are denticulated in style. The specification of the graves has been symbolized with different type of symbols and motifs. The selected patterns used here are dots, geometrical shapes and natural motifs. The dots are simply made on the surface; dots are connected with lines, within circles and within triangles. The geometrical designs include zigzag lines, small triangles, chess/chequer pattern and squares with horizontal and vertical lines. The natural motifs contain animal and radiating sun decoration. All motifs are probably created through an implement made from “Kana” reed with very sharp knob. It is thought that some impressed designs are prepared with fingers. Generally, all these symbols are unique in shape and style that distinguishes it is an identification symbol of the personage buried in it.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME GRAVE SLABS OR MEMORIAL STONES

The memorial stones are beautifully carved with geometrical and floral motifs, moon or sun motifs, few animal motifs, natural motifs and finger impressed designs. For the different types of art used in graveyards, tombs or on memorial stones, a term “Sindhian Art” is used. The Sindhian Art is a pure expression of beauty and simplicity, the most common motifs and images in Sindhian Art are geographical pattern and floral designs. Among the most curious and interesting objects produced today are the graphic pattern on textiles (Khes) , Rillies, tiles, and wood designs in ceramic and lacquer works, incision on tomb stones, leather and boat (Brohi, n.d.:112).

In the Sadoor necropolis very interesting and unusual discovery were the memorial stones; where each slab was carved in a different manner, which means that different patterns were used for the identity of deceased there was no name written/ depicted on any slab. The memorial stones must have been fixed or erected, but with the passage of time these have fallen around the graves. Some of the important memorial stones from Sadoor Graveyard (M.S.S.G.) are described here.

M.S.S.G-I: -

This piece of terracotta slab is rectangular in shape and is carved, with multiple designs comprising of geometrical cube motifs, triangular lines and chequer pattern; all patterns are depicted on the same slab (Plate 8).

Plate 8: Memorial stone with geometrical motifs.

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M.S.S.G-II, III AND IV: - These are big slate or slab containing geometrical pattern, large triangle decorated with small triangle, small dots inside the triangles and figure. The plate 9B is a piece of memorial stone, geometrically decorated with small and big holes incised and

stamped within the squares and circles (Plate 9, 9A and 9B).

Plate 9: A large memorial slab. Plate 9a: Beautifully designed triangles and dot motifs on memorial stone.

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Plate 9b: Some broken but beautifully designed memorial stones.

M.S.S.G-V:

This memorial stone is decorated in a geometrical manner, and designed with beautiful pattern of incised lines (Plate 10).

M.S.S.G-VI:

Geometrical motifs cubes, triangles, dots and crosses, in different patterns (Plate 11).

M.S.S.G-VII:

Geometrical motifs, cubes triangles and sun motifs (Plate 12).

Plate 10: A Memorial stone with lines.

Plate 12: A Memorial stone with geometrical motifs, cubes, triangles and sun motifs.

Plate 11: A memorial stone with geometrical motifs, cubes, triangles, dot and crosses with different patterns.

63 64 M.S.S.G-VIII:

This is very special memorial stone. It has geometrical, floral and animal motif, block lines, leafs of flower, sun motifs, fish, etc. The upper triangular portion of the slab shows landscape with naturalist motif (Plate 13).

The different patterns of these memorial stones show that every stone is carved with versatile patterns for the purpose of identification of each grave. They didn’t engrave names but preferred to carve designs on their ancestor’s graves.

DISCUSSION

Sadoor graveyard is locally known to belong to Mehrani sub-clan of a Baluchi tribe. Mehrani is not a very common cast whose lineage can be traced into Jamali Baluch’s (Sadik, 1901:25). A tradition prevails among the Baluch tribes that they came from Aleppo through Baghdad along the border of the Persian Gulf to Makran, whence they spread into Plate 13: A very special memorial stone with floral and the Indus Valley. They were animal motifs, flowers, leaves, fish and landscape pattern expelled by Yazid the second Ummyad Calliph (680-684 A.D) and they settled for a time in Kirman before proceeding to Makran. The tradition is supported to some extent by the similarity between the names of Baluch tribes settled in Sindh and to some tribes in Syria at the present day. But it would be a futile attempt to trace the Baluch to any single stock.

The graveyards of the ancient tribesman stand in desolate part of Sindh, or nestled amidst primitive “bastis” of Balochistan. The majority of the extant are attributed to the Baluch and were built between the 15th and 14th centuries. In the early 14th century the Baluch, because of their excellent horsemanship and ability in combat, first came into Sindh as soldiers. The Baluch developed into a respected warrior class and by the 16th century became one of the dominant people of Sindh. This growth reached its apex a century or so later and is reflected in the development of their graveyards and tombs (Ethel, 1980:11).

The tombs in Balochistan were built of burnt bricks and those in Indus Delta and Kohistan of Yellow Jungshahi (near ) stone. These grave yards and tombs are

65 mainly in Makran, Kharan, Kalat, Indus delta and Kohistan area of Dadu and Karachi Districts. In Kohistan, Mirpur Sakro, Karachi, Kotri, Johi and adjoining districts of Kalat and Lasbela, the families and friends of the dead erected monuments such as Chowkhundi or Numl tomb for their loved ones in their ancestral graveyards. These tomb stones were set in little clearing where the weary traveler, passing by, might notice them and pause a while, remembering the local heroes, who had laid their lives. These graveyards of warriors are practically the only evidence and source of their history, since recorded history of the tribes.

It is also very difficult to determine the causes of the extensive movements in the course of which the tribesmen made them appear in Sindh. It may be that feud with the neighboring tribes compelled them to leave their settlement and drift towards Sindh, or perhaps, they were driven by the need to seek new pastures and grazing grounds or may be drought, which brought desolation to the coastal area of Balochistan. These semi- nomadic and pastoral people seek relief in the more hospitable areas of Sindh. All tribal migration under taken in search of food and fodder or shelter, were accompanied by their Kith and Kin, women and children and their flocks. Such tribes men occupied areas several kilometers away from hamlets and villages, built cemeteries of considerable size keeping with their tribal customs. The location of these graveyards indicates the routes and places, which mark the course of migration and temporary settlements of the tribes.

INTERPRETATION OF SYMBOLS OR CARVING DESIGNS

The symbols with geometric pattern used in Sindh and Balochistan have same design in the textiles, , jewelry and woodcarvings. Another patterns are the square, diamond, triangle, herringbone, zigzag, cross and omega motifs used in every possible combination. Circle is a dominating pattern, sunflowers and large circles may be interpreted as the sun or moon. The sun has long occupied a prominent place in the Sindhian Art. All these geometric designs can be traced on the tombs and graves from Makran to Sindh.

CONCLUSION

In lower Sindh and Balochistan there are numerous architectural forms of the tombs and graveyard. The most impressive are the pyramidal structures attributed to the Baluch’s with a predominance of Rajput. The typical type of rectangular pyramidal shape of Sadoor graveyard is unusual due to bricks used instead of stone as in other graveyards.

These graves are made up of burnt bricks, but no evidence of a kiln, or brick making area is found near this graveyard. It must have been too difficult and expensive to bring these bricks from out side or from any other area. Some resemblance of these bricks is found from Tahir Faqir-Jo-Daro (Saleh Pat and graveyard of Jillaniabad). Bricks are not set with mud plaster but just layers of bricks are set one upon other without any binding force. “The burial practices have always, caught popular imaginations, flourishing under repressive dictates of religion. The art flourishing in epic poetry and funeral architecture in the areas from Kutch and Kathiwar to eastern Iran, Rajput states in

66 the east and Baluch principalities in the west encouraged these in-formal arts” (Lashari, 1992:35).

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Fig. 1: Decoration on memorial slabs.

Apart from geometrical and floral motifs, natural landscape depicted is beautiful showing the artistic skill, mountains, horse, valley, flowers and sun, are shown in that period that give evidence of the people having migrated or may have come from mountainsides and settled here. This graveyard stands unfinished with hand made bricks, slabs of memorial stones scattered near the graves (fig.1). The red burnt bricks used in the cemetery here are of an abnormal size like those seen only in ancient buildings. Most of the bricks used here are denticulated patterned; their edges are cut in different manner. Few of them are decorated with floral, geographical and natural motifs these bricks provide a clear demonstration of how the carvers engraved designs and set patterns in bricks. Bricks had many designs like chess pattern, circle, some circles, which are small like polka dots some have small hole inside bricks, sun motifs, natural and animal motifs all made by very sharp knob of Bamboo stick. Some designs are finger impressed. These bricks are piled upon one another in a pyramidal form. These graves are not cemented with any mortar. Mortar was known to the Baluch but it was not used in the construction of the tribal graveyard and tombs, thus the given structure deteriorated when exposed to extreme of climate, heat and cold, and the blasting desert winds.

R E F E R E N C E S

Aitkan, E.H., 1907 – Gazetteer of Sindh, printed for the Government at the “Mercantile Steam Press, Karachi. Brohi, A.A., n.d- History on tombstones Sindh and Balochistan, , , Hyderabad. Ethel Jane, W. Bunting, 1987 - Sindhi Tombs and Textiles the Persistence of Pattern, Maxwell Museum of Anthropology and the University of Mexico Press, Albuquerque. Lashari Kaleem, 1992 – Evolution of Stone graves in Kohistan and Coastal areas of Sindh, Balochistan, Journal of Archaeologist Forum, Vol.1, (I):25-45. Lashari Kaleem, 1995, Structural Development of Stone Carved Graves in Kohistan, Res. Jour., The Archaeological Review, Vol.4, (I & II), Karachi M. Siddique G. Memon, 1990 - The Tombs of Talpur Mirs, Institute of , Jamshoro. Pithawalla Maneck, 1959 - A Physical and Economic Geography of Sindh, Sindhi Adabi Board, Jamshoro, Hyderabad. Mughal, M.R., 1997 - Ancient Cholistan, Feroze & Sons, Karachi. Sadik Ali, S., 1901 - The Musalman Races Found in Sindh, Balochistan and Afghanistan,

68 AUTHORS’ ADDRESS: MASTOOR FATIMA BUKHARI, Department of Archaeology, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur (SINDH-PK) E-mail: [email protected]

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