Makli: World’s largest graveyard found in Pakistan
Near the top of the Indus River Delta in the southern side of Pakistan, in Sindh province is a huge cemetery containing half a million graves in an area of approximately 10 km2 is the famous place called Makli.
On the edge of the 6.5km Makli Hill plateau, the plateau of Makli Necropolis which was associated with the nearby town of Thatta, once was the capital and center of Islamic culture was considered as an outstanding testament to Sindh civilization from 14 to the 18th century.
The vast necropolis of Makli is one of the largest in the world. Kings, queens, governors, saints, scholars and philosophers are buried here in brick or stone monuments, some richly decorated with glazed tiles.
Among the notable monuments built in stone are the tombs of Jam Nizamuddin II, who reigned from 1461 to 1509, and of Isa Khan Tarkhan the Younger and his father, Jan Baba, whose mausoleums were built before 1644. The most colorful is that of Diwan Shurfa Khan (died 1638).
Makli: World’s largest graveyard found in Pakistan
The unique assemblage of massive structures features an impressive sequence of monumental buildings in different architectural styles. These structures are distinguished by the fusion of different influences in a local style. These influences include Gujrat-style Hindu architecture and Mughal imperial architecture, among others.
Distant Persian and Asian examples of architectural terracotta were also brought to Makli and adapted. An original concept of stone decoration was created in Makli, which may have been determined by the imitation of painted and glazed tile patterns. The historical monuments of the Makli necropolis are eloquent testimonies to the social and political history of Sindh.
