J.P.H.S., Vol. LXVII, No. 3 25 KALHORA PERIOD ARCHITECTURE IN SINDH SYED SHAKIR ALI SHAHA PROF DR QASID HUSSAIN MALLAHB ADirector, Conservation, Mohenjo Daro Culture, Tourism & Antiquities, Department Sindh, Pakistan e-mail: shakir ali <[email protected]> BDepartment of Archaeology Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur Mir’s, Sindh, Pakistan e-mail: Qasid Mallah <[email protected]>; The architecture of Kalhora period has since long attracted the interest of scholars resulting in the publications of quite a few works focusing on the development of architecture in this period and its continuity in the region. When the Kalhoras were emerging on the political horizon of Sindh, the Mughuls were bowing out of the most of parts of the Subcontinent. But the practice in the architecture and decorative art were more or less same in Mughul and Kalhora periods. However, Kalhora period buildings are mostly devoid of the evidence which is normally available in various degrees of the buildings of other periods of Sindh. Here efforts have been made to indicate that various phases of the development of architecture during the time of Kalhoras contributed in other related fields of life. Beside history of Kalhora rule, the architecture of mosques and tombs in its different stages of development has also been discussed, while the new architectural aspects introduced by Kalhoras and other patterns that had already gained popularity in Indian architecture are also included. It is hoped that that students of architecture and archaeology will benefit from the information and knowledge on the local architecture of Sindh.The research relates to a neglected field of enquiry as most of the famous works on the architecture of South Asia overlook the regional trends in the field. This paper is an attempt to fill the vacuum about the local architectural knowledge. Key Words: Mughul Architecture, Sindh Culture, Kalhora Architecture Introduction The Kalhoras who claim to be descendent of Hazrat Abbas, uncle 26 Kalhora Period Architecture ... of the Holy Prophet (œ), had migrated from Arabia to Makran with the army sent by the second righteous Caliph1 and later moved in Sindh in 12th century A.D. during the reign of Nasiruddin Qubacha2. But the author of Kalhora Dour-e-Hakoomat refutes it and argues that Kalhoras originally belong to Sindh and their centre was at Bakhar3. Historians believed that Mian Odhano was the first person in the family who reached Makran from Arabia. He left behind many children and grandchildren. The name of Thal, fifth in generation from Mian Odhano, is prominent in the genealogy of the Kalhoras who established their centre near Sehwan. After the death of Thal his son Bahal or Bhala succeeded him. His son, named Channey Khan, gained some popularity and moved from Kaher Belo and settled in Khambat pargana and lived with Odheja tribe4 and also died there.The tomb of Channey Khan is in Khuhra village north of Khambat/Gambat town in Khairpur, which is famous because of the tomb of Mian Channey Faqir5. Mian Channey had twelve wives and eighteen sons. He founded the city of Jhangara Bajara in west of Sehwan around 1220 A.D6. Majority of writers maintain that Kalhora dynasty seized political power under the leadership of Mian Yar Muhammad Kalhoro. However, the author of Kalhora Dour-i-Hukoomat is of the opinion that Mian Naseer Muhammad Kalhoro, was the first ruler of the dynasty, during last quarter of the 17th century. He became ruler of some parts of Sindh with the consent of Mughul Emperor Aurangzeb7. Mian Naseer Muhammad died in 1692 A.D. Then Mian Din Muhammad occupied the seat, who died in 1700 A.D. Mian Naseer Muhammad and Din Muhammad both are buried in Garhi, west of the Khairpur Nathan Shah town. Later Mian Yar Muhammad Kalhoro succeeded Din Muhammad Kalhoro and was also appointed Governor of Sibi and nearby areas by Mughul Emperor Aurangzeb. MianYar Muhammad founded his capital in Khudabad in present day Dadu district and died in 1718 A.D. He was succeeded by his son Mian Noor Muhammad Kalhoro who died in 1753 A.D. who in turn was succeeded by his son Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, who proved to be most capable ruler of Kalhora dynasty. He founded Hyderabad in 1768 A.D, and built a fort in the city and died after fourteen years rule in 1772 A.D. He is known in the history as the last strongest representative of Kalhora dynasty. After his death, his successors lost the political strength; however, they continued to rule till 1783 A.D. The rule of Kalhora dynasty had a short span, but its achievements included political stability in the region and its contributions towards public welfare8. According to H.T. Sorley there are five stages of Kalhora rule: J.P.H.S., Vol. LXVII, No. 3 27 · First stage was acceptance by the Mughul Emperor of members of the Kalhora tribe as viceroy or governors of Sindh, a period which began in 1701 A.D. · Second, the extension and consideration of local power of Kalhora Governor, Delhi had by 1736 A.D. recognized them as semi- independent rulers of the country. · Third, after the invasion of Nadir Shah in 1739, the transfer of political sovereignty over Sindh from the Mughul Empire to the Persian Kingdom resulted in the Kalhora becoming subordinate to the Persian monarch and liable to pay tribute to him. · Fourth, around 1747 the transfer of sovereignty from the Persian King to the Pathan kingdom at Kabul, following the military success of Ahmed Shah Durrani, the founder of modern Afghanistan. Through this change the Kalhoras became feudatories of Kabul and had to pay tribute to Afghanistan. · Fifth the struggle between Kalhoras and Talpurs began in 1778 A.D. and lasted at the end of 17th century A.D. It was a period of civil war in which the Talpurs with the help of Baloch people settled in Sindh were able to destroy the diminishing power of the Kalhora ruling family9. The power struggle between Kalhora and Talpur dynasties led to political instability in the country, and following the murder of a prominent Talpur; the situation became worse for Mian Sarfraz Khan Kalhoro. There was complete anarchy and disorder in the country. A reign of terror was let loose upon the Talpurs resultantly a tribal chief, Mir Fateh Ali Khan, could not tolerate all this and finally removed Muhammad Sarfraz Khan after his three year rule.10 Later Mehmood Khan son of Mian Ghulam Shah, and brother of Sarfraz Khan Kalhoro, was removed who ruled only for ten months. Subsequently Mian Ghulam Nabi, brother of Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, assumed the power in 1776 A.D. and was killed in the same year. After the death of Mian Ghulam Nabi, Mian Abdul Nabi Kalhoro took over as ruler of Sindh and ruled the country up to 1780 A.D. The killing of Mir Bijar Khan in 1780 further increased the difficulties of Mian Abdul Nabi Kalhoro who escaped to Qalat to take refuge and sent his family to Jodhpur. Taking advantage of the chaotic situation, Talpurs selected Abdullah Khan son of Bijar Khan their tribal chief and nominated Mian Sadiq Ali as ruler of Sindh in 1780 A.D. who ruled up to 1781 A.D. The last ruler of Kalhora dynasty Mian Abdul Nabi once again grabbed power in 1781 A.D. and ruled with ups and 28 Kalhora Period Architecture ... downs up to 1783 A.D. Finally the Kalhora lost their power when they were defeated in a battle near Halani. Talpurs took over the government and Mir Fateh Ali Khan became the ruler of Sindh11. The Talpurs continued with the already prevailing style of the architecture in Sindh. The mausoleums of Talpurs were much influenced by Kalhora funerary architecture, which owes its origin to pre-Mughul architectural traditions12. The Kalhoras reigned for less than a hundred years but their architectural remains depict a degree of elegance not observed otherwise in Sindh13. The Kalhora rulers were great patrons of art and craft. After the decline of Thatta many artisans moved and settled in newly established capital city of Khudabad where they were commissioned by Mian Yar Muhammad Kalhoro (1700-1719) and Mian Noor Muhammad Kalhoro (1719-1753) to construct tombs. The sole purpose was to promote the architectural art of Sindh14. Architecture Architecture is a form of art, which vividly portrays the life pattern of a particular society at a given time. Tracing the history of Islamic architecture; it is said that the advent of Islam blessed Sindh with a new form of architecture which was basically characterized by simplicity. Islamic architecture developed under the influence of religion and the building conceived as a mosque undoubtedly was the forerunner of all forms and manifestations of Islamic architecture. The mosque occupied a pivotal position in Islam. To facilitate and accommodate the people,the mosques were initially designed with a prayer hall as well as a Mihrab to indicate the direction of the Ka‘bah. Originally there was no mihrab in Masjid-e-Nabavi; the Qiblah was marked by a large stone block. With the development of mosque architecture, more structural elements (including Minaret) were added to the overall pattern. The first Minaret was provided in the mosque of Basra15. Religious architecture was introduced in South Asian Subcontinent in the 8th century by the Arabs who had already established their rule in Syria, Egypt, North Africa, Spain and Iran. The rich tradition of architectural form in those lands was fused with basic Islamic requirements resulting in the present aesthetic form.16 The new form of architecture in the shape of mosques, tombs, shrines and temples in different sizes can be seen all over Sindh especially in north western districts of Sindh.