A Trip to Thatta
Thatta, one of the historically significant places, restoring the treasure of culture, heritage and advent of Islam has its own importance. It is the second most famous tourist attraction in Pakistan. It is located in Southern Pakistan (LAAR).
The rich history of Bhambhore city, chirping sound of migratory birds at Haleji lake, stunning art of tiles and mosaics on the walls of Shah Jahan Mosque, ancient necropolis of Makli, breath-taking scenery of Keenjhar lake, love stories of Sassi-Punhu and Noori-Jam Tamachi coupled with the historical record of many dynasties and famous conquerors namely, Mohd. Bin Qasim, Raja Dahir, King Nadir Shah are associated with city of Thatta.
Thatta was once the capital of Sindh, which is known as ‘Gateway of Islam’ and it is all due to Thatta. Post the conquest of Mohammad Bin Qasim, after the rule of Raja Dahir (last Hindu Ruler of Sindh), Islam was welcomed on the land of Thatta. He also built the first mosque therein which is considered as ‘Ancient mosque of South Asia’.
Makli
The history of Thatta dates backs even from the birth of Pakistan as a nation. It has the privilege of having world’s most ancient Necropolis (Makli). One can witness beautiful sculptures which drawn on these graves that reflects their ancient-ness. Almost 5,000,000 graves are present at Makli and out of them 1,250,000 are of Sufi saints.
Shah Jahan’s Mosque
Further, the next must-visit place is the Shah Jahan’s mosque. As clear from its name, it was built by Mughul emperor, Shah Jahan to promote Islamic culture. Shah Jahan’s mosque has its matchless beauty. Its beautiful artwork with blue and white tiles and mosaics with unique designs and angles can easily make an art lover fall in love with it. This mosque is built in such an angle that if a person perfroms Azaan (Call of Allah for Namaz) standing at one Mahrab, it can be heard in whole the mosque. This mosque is wide-spread over large area. It is even said that this mosque has hundred gates for its entrance, but it’s not an easy task to count all of them properly. It requires alertness, consciousness and time.
Love story- Sassui & Punhun
The city of Thatta got its historical background due to city of Bhambhore (Bhanbhore). It was first known as Dumbel, but after the conquest of King Bhambhore, this was renamed as Bhambhore. This city was once centre of writers, poets and literates. Bhambhore city is also famous for the love story of Sassi-Punhun. Sassui was a Sindh fishwoman and Punhun was his Baloch husband. Sassui was the daughter of a priest and as per a prediction by a Hindu palmist, she would marry a person of different faith in her future. This prediction felt like a disgrace to Sassui’s father and as a result he enclosed her in a wooden box and set her afloat her in Keenjhar lake. An old fisherman opened the box and was delighted to see such a beautiful baby. Being an old and childless man, he and his wife adopted her and named her as Sassui (Beauty of Moon). In her youth, she grew up so beautiful and attractive that every guy was waiting to marry her, but she refused all and chose Punhu as her sole partner. Punhun was one brave handsome man of Kech Makran (Balochistan). Punhun after convincing Sassui’s parents and even adopting his lifestyle as a fisherman, married Sassui. Unfortunately, this story couldn’t get happy ending due to several conspiracies made by brothers of Punhun who wanted Punuh to leave Sassui and return back to Balochistan. They somehow succeeded in achieving their goal by kidnapping Punhun. Sassui alone set out to find him out. She walked bare feet in deserts on thorny bushes and mountains. She was restless and with swollen eyes, messy hair, bleeding feet with her lips calling out the name of Punhun. She was alone!
This couple is also celebrated and sung by Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai in his album ‘SUR SASSUI’. Shah bhittai has depicted this scene in his poetry.
Dungar dukh na de, Adda de. Pandh punjani aya. Aloo Miyan
Chadhaday jabal chot te, sassui sathin khe pae sade. Adda de.
(Oh my lord ! help me out to bear the pains of these hardships that I’m having in the search of my punhun. Oh my Friends, help me out to find my punhun. Oh lord! )
Her journey finally ended after finding his Punun, who was also in search of her from a long time. Punun found Sassui’s grave and died subsequently and is buried next to her. Deeply moved by this story, the waves of Keenjhar lake catches the focus of tourists.
Lakes – Haleji and Keenjhar
The climate of Thatta is mostly humid and warm due to coastal areas of Haleji lake and Keenjhar lake and rainfall is observed throughout the year. Haleji lake is a popular spot for Siberian and other migratory birds. The sweet chirping voice of these birds are ear-pleasant and attract tourists and other inhabitants too.
Keejhar lake is real identity to city Thatta. It is also known as Kalri lake (Salty lake) as the water channel system was juxtaposed with the Arabian sea and hence, its water was so salty that it was unable to use for healthy life. During World War II, people of Thatta gave British troops access to use the water of Keenjhar lake, by which its salinity reduced with much usage and it became suitable for daily use. The water of Keenjhar lake meets with Sonehri lake to provide fresh-water to inhabitants of Karachi and Thatta.
Love story - Noori and King Jam
Keenjhar lake has a love story associated with it i.e. at the centre, there is tomb of Noori built on the mountain. It is also a myth that no one has ever been able to reach the tomb of hers. Noori was the daughter of a poor fisherman. Her beauty and simplicity was famous all over Thatta, which also accentuated King Jam Tamachi to fall in love with her at first sight and married her. She being the youngest and prettiest amongst all other wives of King Jam, was a case of jealousy and envy for other queens. Being the wife of a king, she was offered so many jewels, luxuries and silk dresses, but she refused all and chose her simple life and to spend rest of life with King Jam. They both spent a lot of time together at Keenjhar lake while catching fishes and singing songs.
Shah bhittai has quoted this as
Noori hath main tokri, Jam hath main jaar
Saaro dehn shikaar, keenjhar main kalh thiyo.
(Noori holding the basket and Jam tamachi having a fish net in his hands spent whole of their time in catching fishes at keenjhar lake).
These are some insights in to what one can witness and enjoy in the city of Thatta. Do experience the beauty of Thatta yourself. Welcome to Pakistan!. BHALIKAAR!