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Welcome to Pakistan - The Land of Many Splendors
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Chaukundi
While
travelling on the national highway, 17 miles from Karachi, one can see clusters
of unusual graves in the shape of stepped rectangles. Built between the 15th and
19th centuries by Balochis and Burpats the tombs are of various sizes and
designs but fall into two basic types. One which support roofs on pillars while
other which consist of solid oblong pyramids standing two to four meters high
and competely covered with finely carved geometric designs. The stone of these
graves are exquisitely carved in relief with intricate motifs. The small rosette
is a frequent motif that may have some forgotten connection with pre-islamic
sun-worship, as may the sunflowers wheels and chrysanthemums, which also suggest
the sun. Squares, diamonds, triangles, zigzags and crosses are also used in
every possible combination.
Chaukundi
means four cornered and thus the site became famously known as chaukundi. The
distinguishing feature of these graves is the superb carving and engraving on
the slabs with various designs of jewelry; floral patterns, horses and even
their riders. The tomb slab of a woman's grave is embellished with designs of
jewelry, necklace, earrings and rings resembling those still worn today. The
men's graves bears stylised stone turban on top, carvings of weapons of war or
animal heads, horses and riders. This design may have originated in the Rajput
custom of temporarily burrying a fallen soldier in the battlefield and marking
his grave with his upright sword crowned with his turban.
