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Banbhore
Banbhore
is an archaeological site, located about 64 kms (40 miles) east of Karachi.
Archaeological excavations revealed a well planned city. Some scholars identify
Banbhore with Debal, the port of city where the Arab General Mohammed Bin Qasim
landed in 712 AD. The 17-year old general, who was the son-in-law of the then
Caliph of the muslim world, occupied the delta towns, marched north up the Indus
and within a few weeks had taken Multan. A little museum at the site traces the
history of the port. It has a good display of pottery of various types. After
the young General conquered the city, muslims built mosques other residential
buildings and fifteen walls around the town.
Banbhore
is also associated with the famous romance of Sassi and Punnu described by a
local folklore. Sassi belonged to Banbhore. The museum at the site houses a rich
collection of painted pottery, coins and beads etc. About the 10th century it
was the capital of a chief Bhambo Raja and was named Bhambor after him. This
town was later destroyed in 1250 A.D. In the center of a semi-circular palatial
building remains of a mosque with numerous Kufic inscriptions carved on dressed
stone slabs reveal that this was the earliest yet known mosque of the
sub-continent. Its discoveries throw light not only on the Muslim era but also
on pre-muslim times. They tell us about the civilization of early centuries of
the Christian era. Some human skeletons have also been found in streets and
houses. The Hindu temple of the pre-Muslim era has also been unearthed along
with coins belonging to Khilafat period. Other stone, glass and ivory objects,
pottery, jewelry, arms and certain human skeletons with arrows in their heads
show that this town came to a violent end.
This is the site of a large town that existed at least 1400 years ago. The pieces of pottery found by archaeologists are similar to those found at Taxila and known to be of the 1st century B.C. Banbhore has given our museums a strong archeological heritage. One which attracts tourists from all corners and all continents.
