Posted on November 24, 2007
Filed Under History & Culture, Pakistan, Thinking aloud |
My earliest memories about Mohenjo Daro are related as child on a study trip. I was then 8 years old and for that age, it was nearly impossible to know the importance of such rich World Heritage site. I came to know the significance of this ancient city latter as a student at my Higher Secondary College (Cadet College) Larkana, Pakistan that is located at a distance of around 3 Kilometers from Mohenjo Daro.
Those of you, who are familiar with this site of an urban pre-historic Asian city, must know that it’s located at a distance of approximately 24 kilometers from Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan. Larkana is a town in upper Sindh. Apart from Mohenjo Daro, Larkana is famous in Pakistan and abroad for being home to two seasoned Pakistani politicians; former Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Benazir Bhutto. She too is a former Pakistani Prime Minister . I will talk about this aspect of Larkana in some other post; at the moment, let’s get back to Mohenjo Daro.
When I was a student back there in Larkana, we use to pay visits to Mohenjo Daro almost every then and now. In fact at times, we use to jog to Mohenjo Daro and back every morning for weeks. I stayed in Cadet College for 5 years feeling the p
resence of such a great place nearby. It offered me a deep sense of association with our ancient past. This post is an attempt to re-visit Mohenjo Daro in my sweet memories.
Mohenjo Daro came to limelight after 1922 when R.D. Banerji, an officer of the Archeological Survey of India discovered it. Latter, John Marshall, K.N. Dilkshit, Ernest Mackay and numerous other officers of Archeological Survey carried out excavations through 1930s. At the moment, further excavations are banned due to problems related to conservation of the exposed site. The last project of excavation was carried out in 1964-65 by Dr. G. F. Dales.
History
Mohenjo Daro was built around 2600 and abandoned around 1700 BC. This city belongs to Indus Valley Civilization (IVC); the other name of this Civilization is the “Harappan Civilization”. The Indus Valley Civilization is considered as one of the very well developed ancient Civilizations that existed on the face of earth. This civilization was located on the banks of river Indus in Pakistan and north-west of India. Two most developed and urban cities of this Civilization were Mohenjo Daro and Harappa.
The City
The ancient city of Mohenjo Daro sometimes called Moenjo Daro (Mound of Death) was very well planned and urban in it’s out look. The ruins of the buildings are suggestive of a very well organized social system with castes dealing with different trades and crafts. Important building structures include the great bath the remains of a university, the market place and granary. The people of then Mohenjo Daro were experts and the construction of great bath is a testimony to their expertise. It has very well built pool with stair leading downwards, in fact it is reported that the pool was lined with natural tar to avoid leaks. Apart from this, the world’s first urban sanitation plan can be witnessed operating in Mohenjo Daro even in pre-historic era.
My Visits to Mohenjo Daro
As I told you earlier, I lived in Larkana for almost 13 years, initially, as a student at Cadet College Larkana and latter, as a medical student at Chandka Medical College Larkana. My stay in Larkana offered me numerous chances to visit Mohenjo Daro. We use to go there and enjoy being near to our ancient pre-historic past. Many a times I use to stay in the rest house for night or two since my best friend’s father was project director of Mohenjo Daro and he used to help us in getting place to stay. I do have many vivid memories as if, it is just yesterday that I am back from Mohenjo Daro and writing all this. To me among all, my last visit to site is worthy of mention.
It was New Year night that we planned to spend it at Mohenjo Daro. All arrangements we
re made and our group left. We wanted to bid the last sun of 2004 good bye there at Mohenjo Daro. We went to bank of river Indus and happened to see the beautiful scene of sun, setting slowly and it felt as if I am seeing a dream. Everything appeared gold plated. I can still feel the cold of a December evening blended with soothing warmth of setting sun. It was one of those moments that I will never forget. Latter we came back and started the party, dancing and singing. At around 11:00 pm we went out. It was dead silent, pitch black and chilling cold outside. We were having plans to enjoy Bar B.Q. and the plan got executed. We were like shivering out of cold but we enjoyed every bit of it. In this way the time passed, we stepped in New Year. Latter, we came back to our rooms and kept chatting for rest of the time.
Though known as a cliché at the moment but very well said that thing of beauty is a joy for ever. Having all those beautiful memories residing in my mind, I never feel unhappy and they keep me cheerful. So, I will suggest you to have few for your well being too.
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[...] Mohenjo Daro was built around 2600 and abandoned around 1700 BC. This city belongs to Indus Valley Civilization (IVC); the other name of this Civilization is the “Harappan Civilization”. The Indus Valley Civilization is considered as one of the very [read more] [...]
Dear Farrukh,thanks for this nice piece of history. It also refreshes the memory of that new year eve, i really miss all that fun.
Very well written post from an ‘insider.’ You have captured the essence of the place Dr. Farrukh. Thanks for sharing.
@Shirazai:
Thank you very much for taking sometime out to read this post. Keep coming back!
Dear,
This is wonderful piece of experience and thanks to share with us. i read and amused to be up there in “Mohenjo Daro”.
Regards,
M.Ilyas
@M.Ilyas:
Thank you very much Ilyas
Every bit of the story has refreshed every moment in my mind. Thanks to you Dr Farrukh.
@Waseem:
Thanks buddy.
Well people I want to tell you that in above comments you will find Subhash and Waseem, both were with me in Medical School though Waseem was our favorite junior. Subhash infact was also in Cadet College Larkana and both were part of the group visiting Mohenjo Daro on new year eve.
thanks - what a good post -
I have to re-visit this place and your post has inspired me …
@Raza Rumi:
Thank you sir for taking so much time out to read and appreciate my work.
[...] way that it appears sending a direct impact on Mohenjo Daro and Harappa. It is said the some of the basic cultural element in Mohenjo Daro and Harappa has roots in Kot Diji. Not only this but Kot Dijians very creative craftsmen who used [...]
Dear All,
While hiding myself from the cold night in a my room in Amsterdam, the memories of my college made me to google my beautiful Cadet College Larkana. I visited number of websites and then found this page. I am basically from Larkana and when i read your peice, I really liked this well written story. It also refreshed some of my memories about our college. Probably among you Subhash Chander would recognize me. I was from the second batch. I lived in Jinnah House for four years.
Keep it up all u guys! May Allah bestow all of you with great successes in life. Amen
Keep in touch,
Warm regards,
Sohail Ahmed Shaikh
I happened to read my niece’s book of world history reding short notes on the world’s ancient civilizations.On rreading the short note on mohenjadaro I felt very interesting to note that the ancient city was a planned one.All ancient civiliztions were on the banks of the great rivers.While the Egyptians built mammoth pyramids feeding hundreds with the surplus grains from the fertile delta, what the harappans did was to build a planned city highlighting the achievements and make them useful for good way of life.