By: Dr. Kaleem Ullah Lashari
The Hoat Baluch when compelled due to siltation of Kalmet bay moved towards south, along the coastal areas. They increased their interaction with the distant relative. Hoats already dependant on grazing fields in the areas of Las, Bela, Kohistan and Vallies of Malir & Mol rivers (present day district of Lasbela, Dadu and Karachi).
One of their first halting grounds were at Bala, near the Valley of Winder River. The deteriorating climatic conditions, and failing rains compelled them to criss cross greener pastures falling in the areas under influence of Bulfats in Kohistan areas could not be avoided.
Their farther drift southwards (to values of Hub River) proved fateful. Kalmatis, as they were called now, loved it and they came to identify themselves with the area. They adopted the old graveyard at Bhawani Sarai. Situated on RCD Highway near Hub town. it is an important archaeological site, visited by thousands of enthusiasts every year.
This graveyard is an important evidence about the tribal movement. through these vallies, apart from being a tool in examining the ever developing art of erecting and carving such beautiful graves. Bhavani Sarai Graveyard has all the specimen of developing styles of ’Rumi’or ’Ghari’(the carved grave).
These exquisitely carved graves are presently in a very bad maintenance. The fallen structures present a view of unwanted heritage. That is encouraging people to take away the meticulously carved slabs. as unwanted item on the part of state run heritage maintenance services.
With each slab gone. we are losing touch with past, the graves here carry names of the persons interned, each slab is having marks: these are various and are dubbed as mason’s marks orjoining marks or assembly advice marks, apart from its intrinsic lovely carving.
Only the serious intent to maintain the graveyard will achieve the end of ’free for all’ attitude, and will inculcate the desired discipline. hence the preservation of heritage protocol can be enacted.
The preservation bid will include the restoration of the fallen structures, replacement of missing members; that will be within the permissible limits of conservation conventions, not at all a bid to create but to facilitate the restoration activity.
The eminently endangered structures can be re-strengthened and fallen graves restored, the causes once identified, can be rectified. the decay and loss can be arrested and its presence can be assured for future generations.
The Bhavani Sarai provides the indicators to know about the arrival of tribes from. Iran and Baluchistan to the coastal towns of Sindh. including Karachi. in the late medieval period.
The Kalmati Baluch and localized Jokhio tribes, besides the hill tract inhabitants including Buyat tribe were the major players of the history of southern Sindh and lower Baluchistan. The local folklore and poetry is full of the exploits of these people. but it fails to provide with any time relevant information. The Bhavani graveyard is one of the two such sites which provide us with lots of inscriptions, names of the tribal chiefs. their descent. their titles. and above all their placement on the grave structures can help assign the time frame in which they lived.
The conservation work on this site will be welcome by the locals. as well as all the heritage lovers in Pakistan, as the fact will get immediate attention of concerned public and private sector organizations, in the relevant quarters/field. |
