Chaukhandi Tombs

The Chaukhandi Tombs, Sindh

The Chaukhandi Tombs graveyard is located near Karachi in Sindh, Pakistan. It is a significant funerary site known for their unique and intricately carved yellow sandstone tombs. Dating back to the 16th century and afterwards, these tombs exhibit a unique architectural style exclusive to Sindh and Balochistan, characterized by elaborate stone carvings that integrate regional, Islamic, and pre-Islamic motifs. This distinctive architectural style is not found in any other Islamic countries.

The Chaukhandi Tombs are situated near Landhi, to the left of the National Highway linking Karachi and Thatta. This style of tomb construction, often referred to as 'Chaukhandi style,' can also be observed in parts of Sindh and Balochistan. Estimates suggest that there are approximately 200 to 300 such graveyards across these regions. The tombs typically feature a pyramidal form with a broad base that narrows through stepped levels, culminating in an intricate top. The sarcophagi are adorned with some of the region's finest stone carvings, closely resembling those at the Makli Necropolis in Thatta. The carvings include complex geometric patterns, human and figural depictions, and regionally significant symbols.

A notable feature of these tombs is the differentiation in carvings based on gender. Male graves are often embellished with images of horsemen wielding shields, swords, bows, and arrows, while female graves display depictions of jewelry, such as bracelets, necklaces, rings, and anklets.

The discovery of the Chaukhandi Tombs is credited to British officers during the British Raj when they conducted an archaeological survey of Western India. J.P. Vogel was the first scholar to document these graveyards, studying them alongside burial sites in Hinidan and the Manghopir oasis.

Scholars use various terms to describe these tombstones in Sindh and Balochistan, including 'chaukhandi,' 'rumi' or 'shami,' and 'ghariyoon' (the chiselled ones). The term 'Chaukhandi Tombs' generally refers to tombs constructed in a tiered, pyramidal structure; however, its precise meaning remains debated. Some scholars associate the term with the location of Chaukhandi graveyard near Karachi, where members of the Jokhia tribe are buried. Others interpret it as an architectural reference to a four-pillared pavilion or an open-roofed enclosure as 'chau' means 'four'. In Sindhi tradition, a 'chaukhandi' refers to a sacred four-walled structure built around a revered person's grave. Another interpretation links the term to canopy-like structures (chattris) within the cemetery. Some of these chattris can be found at the Chaukandi graveyard at Karachi.

These tombs are primarily associated with Baloch warriors and their families especially Jokhio tribesmen who settled in the region between the 16th and 18th centuries. The graves are adorned with elaborately chiselled stone slabs featuring human, figural, and conventional motifs. It is widely believed that these tombs belong to the Jokhio tribe.

Recognized for their historical and artistic significance, the Chaukhandi Tombs are listed on UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. Initially protected under The Antiquities Act of 1975, the administrative control of the site was transferred to the Sindh government following the 18th Amendment. Presently, the site remains under the jurisdiction of the Sindh Government, which has also proposed the development of an archaeological park at the location to ensure its preservation and promote its cultural heritage.