Kohistan (Sindh)

Kohistan
ڪوهستان (Sindhi)
Region
CountryPakistan
ProvinceSindh
Languages
 • Main languageSindhi
Time zoneUTC+5 (PST)

Kohistan (Sindhi: ڪوھستان) also called Sindh-Kohistan[1] and Sindhi Kohistan[2] is a Mountainous, Cultural and Historical region in western Sindh while it historically included the Mountainous areas of Lasbela,[3][4][5][6][7][8] it's located between Indus river to the east & Hub river of Balochistan to west.[9] it's located across the Kirthar Mountains, Dadu District, Jamshoro District, and Gadap of Karachi.[10][11][12][13][14] The entirety of the Kirthar Mountains are a part of Kohistan.[15]

Etymology

the name "Kohistan" is derived from Persian, koh 'mountain' and -stān 'place/land', literally meaning the "land of mountains".[16]

History

Kohistan was under Achaemenids and Sasanians when they ruled Sindh, Later Kohistan came under the control of Rai and Chach dynasties of Sindh.[17]

The Chinese traveler Xuanzang visited Kohistan of Sindh during 630 a.d, he talks about the tribes of Western Sindh (Kohistan) being ferocious, raising cattle, recognizing no organized government, and although they were Buddhists and looked like them, but this face of theirs was only apparent, as otherwise they were cruel and wicked.[18]

The tribes of Kohistan played an important rule under the Soomra and Samma Sultanates of Sindh and also during the Arghun and Tarkhan Kingdoms. When the Arghuns supplanted the Samma dynasty, the Burfats, and other Kohistani tribes launched guerilla attacks on them. They ransacked villages under the domains of Arghuns. After the Mughal occupation of Sindh the Mughals gave these Kohistani tribes Jagirs as far as Sehwan.[19]

Kohistan came under the occupation of ruler of Lasbela Malik Pahar Khan Burfat during 1705 A.D, after conquering Kohistan Malik Pahar Khan Burfat set his eyes on Kachho area of Dadu which was under the rule of Mian Yar Muhammad Kalhoro. At that time, Mian Yar Muhammad Kalhoro was also expanding the borders of his rule toward the south., in 1117 AH / 1705 AD, a war broke between Mian Yar Muhammad and Malik Pahar Khan in which Malik Pahar Khan was Defeated.[20][21][22]

Malik Pahar Khan Burfat's son Malik Izzat Khan, became a general in the Kalhora army and fought many battles. He died in 1776 and was buried near the government degree college, Kotri.[23][24][21]

Archaeology

Sindh Kohistan is home to numerous archaeological sites, including ancient graveyards, rock carvings, prehistoric settlements, and man-made monuments. Among its most notable sites are the Taung Tombs, which contain around 350 carved stone graves decorated with depictions of swords, horsemen, peacocks, serpents, and jewelry. Other archaeological landmarks include Meeri Je Bhuthi, a man-made pyramid, and the historic Kerchat area.[25]

Folklore and Shrines

Sindh Kohistan contains several shrines and sites associated with local folklore. Among the most prominent are the shrine of Baba Ratan Nath (locally known as Rathan Shah by Muslims), which is maintained by the descendants of Jam Lohar Burfat, and the Tak Makan Cemetery near Kodhiri Mountain. Believed to date to the 12th century, the cemetery contains the tomb of Piraro Palari and is associated with a local legend about a Nithalo who is said to have built the necropolis. An inscription found at the site has been interpreted as indicating a 12th-century origin.[26]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ahmed, Mukhtar (2014). Ancient Pakistan – An Archaeological History. Vol. III: Harappan Civilization – The Material Culture. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. p. 133. ISBN 9781495966439.
  2. ↑ Ornithological Society of the Middle East (1987). Bulletin of the Ornithological Society of the Middle East. Ornithological Society of the Middle East. p. 6.
  3. ↑ Allana, Ghulam Ali (1986). Sindhi Culture: A Preliminary Survey. Karachi: Indus Publications. p. 102.
  4. ↑ Pirzada, Zuhaib Ahmed (28 October 2022). "Fighting Floods And Diseases With Precious Livestock, Herders Return From Indus-Kohistan To Destroyed Lives". The Friday Times.
  5. ↑ Ursani, Muhammad Ismail (1956). Sindhi Sabajhra (in Sindhi). Hyderabad: Sindhi Kitab Ghar.
  6. ↑ Gorchani, Akhtar Hassan Khan (2007). The Sindh Police: Brief History and Developments, 1947–1997. Karachi: Oxford University Press.
  7. ↑ Handbook of comparative and historical Indo-European linguistics ; Volume 1. Berlin Boston: De Gruyter Mouton. 2017. p. 433. ISBN 9783110393248. The five major dialects of Sindhi are Vicholi, Lari, Lasi, Thari, and Kachhi. Four dialects are spoken within the borders of Sindh itself. Siraiki, in Upper Sindh, is not to be confused with the Punjabi language of the same name. Vicholi, considered the standard dialect, is spoken in central Sindh, while Lari is the dialect in southern Sindh. Lasi is spoken on the western frontier of Sindh and in Balochistan. The Sindhi spoken in the Thar desert of the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan is called Thari. In Gujarat, Kachhi is spoken along the Rann of Kutch and in the Kathiawar peninsula.
  8. ↑ Austin, Peter (2008). One thousand languages: living, endangered, and lost. Berkeley (Calif.): University of California press. p. 126. ISBN 9780520255609. Sindhi has six major dialects: Siraiki (Seraiki), Vicholi, Lari, Lasi, Thari (Thareli) and Katchhi (Kachchhi). However, other sources consider at least Katchhi to be a separate language. In addition, the name Siraiki is used to describe a different language variety, sometimes listed as a separate language and sometimes as a dialect of Punjabi.
  9. ↑ Kalhoro, Zulfiqar Ali (2018). Archaeology, Art and Religion in Sindh. Karachi: Culture and Tourism Department, Government of Sindh. p. 8.
  10. ↑ Phalkaro, Muhammad Bakhsh Mashkoor (2017). Sindh Ji Kohistan Jo Tarikhi Jaizo (in Sindhi). Hyderabad, Sindh: Sambara Publication.
  11. ↑ Sargani, Farooq (1 March 2024). "From the Iron Age Forward: Exploring Sindh's Kohistan". The Friday Times.
  12. ↑ Kalhoro, Zulfiqar Ali (17 July 2020). "Heroes of the Cattle Raid". The Friday Times.
  13. ↑ Hasan, Masudul (1975). Gazetteer of Pakistan: Sind. Lahore: Ferozsons.
  14. ↑ Grierson, Sir George Abraham (1919). Linguistic Survey of India. Vol. 8. Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India.
  15. ↑ Man and Environment. Vol. 24. Indian Society for Prehistoric and Quaternary Studies. 1999. p. 36.
  16. ↑ Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica. 1964.
  17. ↑ Kalhoro, Zulfiqar Ali (25 May 2022). "Ancient Rock Carvings of Gadap, Karachi". The Friday Times.
  18. ↑ Panhwar, M. H. (1983). Chronological Dictionary of Sindh. Institute of Sindhology, University of Sind. p. 225.
  19. ↑ Kalhoro, Zulfiqar Ali (2012). The Tombs of Burfat Tribe at Taung, Thana Bula Khan, Sindh (Pakistan) (PDF). Ancient Asia. p. 2.
  20. ↑ Lashari Kaleem 2012, p. 29.
  21. 1 2 Kalhoro,Zulfiqar 2012, p. 80.
  22. ↑ N.A Baloch 1970, p. 36.
  23. ↑ N.A Baloch 1970, p. 36-37.
  24. ↑ Lashari Kaleem 2012, p. 30-31.
  25. ↑ Kalhoro, Zulfiqar Ali (12 February 2021). "Rock Art of Karachi". The Friday Times.
  26. ↑ Sargani, Farooq (1 March 2024). "From the Iron Age Forward: Exploring Sindh's Kohistan". The Friday Times.
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