LARKANA:Historical ruins of Jhukar-jo Daro are at verge of destruction as villagers have started occupying lands surrounding them and releasing sewage water into the ruins.
The ancient Jhukar-jo Daro is located near Village Mitho Dero along the Indus Highway, about 10 kilometers away from here and approximately 25 kilometers from World Heritage monuments of Moenjo Daro.
No boundary wall has been constructed by Sindh Culture, Tourism and Archaeology Department around the Jhukar ruins due to which land grabbers have occupied its precious land. Village boys play cricket over the ruins, ignoring the importance of this ancient site.
No museum has so far been established here by the Sindh Government to preserve its artefacts.
During rainy seasons precious artifacts are found by the villagers and taken to their homes.
The total area of Jhukar-jo Daro is estimated to be 1300 x 830 feet and it consists two parts, A and B. The distance between both parts is about 300 feet. ‘
A’ part is round and height of ‘B’ part is approximately 17 feet.
This site was excavated and explored in 1928 by known archaeologist N. G. Majumdar but it was also seen previously by R. D. Banerji in 1918 who had opined that there are signs of a Buddhist Stupa.
Majumdar excavated both A and B areas and found rare things from there. He presumed that these discoveries have some connections with other historical civilizations.
He also discovered walls made of katcha (mud) bricks and inside them about 50 rooms which were cleaned. He found copper coins, stamps and other valuables after the rooms were excavated. The flooring of the rooms was made of mud and with fire-baked red bricks. The size of the bricks was same as the bricks of Moenjo Daro.
He also found a well which was made of fire-backed bricks.
Majumdar was sure that Jhukar Jo Daro had some connection with other such ancient sites including Moenjo Daro, Harappa and has also same cultural value.
The pots found from this site have roping signs which are different from those excavated from Moenjo Daro. He also found statue of ox, goat and pig. He also found toys including wheels of ox-cart and so many other things.
Majumdar mentioned names of all the material which he discovered during excavation in his book ‘Excavation in Sindh’.
Villagers of Mitho Dero said that during rains many old things are found from there including gold coins which are either kept by them or are sold to goldsmiths.
They said former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had also ordered excavation but the work was left incomplete. They said they have sent many applications to the concerned higher authorities for building boundary wall around the Daro but all in vain so far.
They also demanded preservation and excavation work so that hidden treasures could be revealed.
Moenjo Daro Curator Ihsan Abbasi told PPI on Sunday that encroachments at Jhukar-jo Daro are old. He claimed that no new occupation has been made. He said 10 to 12 houses were constructed over the land which we presume belongs to the Daro.
He said according to their record, the Jhukar-jo Daro is spread over a total of 33.39 acres land. He said we have already written to Revenue Department to carryout demarcation. He said he has written several times to Sindh Culture, Tourism and Archaeology Department to start preservation work including construction of boundary wall but funds are yet to be allocated and released.
He said the ancient archaeological monuments were previously under federal government which did nothing to preserve these historical sites of Indus Valley Civilization and after handing over to provinces, some time and huge funds are required to preserve them properly.
He said Jhukar is located on Main Indus Highway and is an ideal place for establishing tourist spot, as it has Buddhist religious tourism potential.
However, Sindh Culture, Archaeology and Antiquities Department Director General Manzoor Hussain Kanasro told PPI that a grant of Rs20 million for historical sites was approved for 2018-19 but its release is still awaited. He said as soon as the funds are released, the boundary walls and preservation work at about 30 to 35 schemes will be started including Jhukar-jo Daro.
He said a lot of work is to be carried out at all ancient sites in Sindh for which funds are required.
He said renovation of Sir John Marshall’s car, present in Moenjo Daro, still require one and half months as its some parts have been imported from Germany then it will be sent to Moenjo Daro.