Chaukhandi tombs: a peculiar funerary memorial architecture in Sindh and Baluchistan (Pakistan)

Abstract

The Chaukhandi Tombs, some 29 kilometers on the left of National Highway (Karachi-Thatta-Hyderabad) are remarkable for their elaborate and exquisite carvings. Their style of architecture is not only typical but unique in the sense that it is nowhere else to be found in the Islamic world. According to a rough estimate, the number of such graveyards ranges between 200 to 300. The ‘Chaukhandi graveyard near Landhi town of Karachi city was brought within pale of Ancient Monuments Preservation Act 1904 in the year 1922. The meaning and connotation of the term Chaukhandi is still controversial whether it is an architectural term or the name of a place. These sand stone built tombs are attributed with Jokhia and kalmati tribes and believe to be built between 16th to 18th centuries. The tombs are generally pyramid in shape and are embellished with beautiful carvings depicting both geometrical and floral motifs. Some of the graves contain human and pictorial representations in the form of hunting scenes, jewellery, arms and amour etc. A detailed study by Shaikh Khurshid throwing the light on the origin, their style of architecture, the history of the people lying buried there, the system of burial, the various forms of figural representation and decorative motifs, their social life and above all their profession, as it shows from their depiction that mainly they were warriors, craftsmen. The motive of my research is to survey and document all such tombs in Sindh and Baluchistan, and to glorify the uniqueness and beauty of this peculiar funerary architecture, as with the passage of time and without any measure steps taken for the preservation of this site, due to human negligence and nature vandalism, have suffered irreparable damage. In order to find some new aspects of Chaukhandi Tombs, I have spent a good amount of time in this graveyard and have taken keen interest to take in-depth study especially with regard to the origin of their style of architecture and the indigenous influences on these tombs.