The book is first of its kind, which has unfolded many an unknown facets, of Chaukhandi tombs. These tombs are otherwise well known for their unusual style of architecture and profuse surface decoration in countless varieties of decorative motifs. Each Chapter of the Book, based on historical, epigraphical and ethnological studies, is fully documented and provides well researched information about the discovery and origin of Chaukhandi tombs, meaning of ‘Chaukhandi’ and its connotation, evolution of Chaukhandi style of architecture and its special characteristics. The study has revealed that the heavy concentration of Chaukhandi tombs is in and round Thatta, Malir Valley and Hub river basin. According to the author, this region, in all probability, is the place of origin of Chaukhandi style of architecture, where seed for its initial planning was sown, germinated and developed The book, inter-alia, contains details about (a) structural components of the graves crowned by canopies and their external ornamentation (b) persons lying buried in various Chaukhandi tombs and their ancestry and (c) the time-frame of the construction of Chaukhandi tombs. The book provides fascinating study on such themes as figural representation and its significance, curious motifs, arms and armour and jewellery, as are depicted on the grave-stones. The book also brings into lime-light the pastimes of the people and the costumes worn by them, as could be ascertained from the hunting and other pictorial scenes carved on the tombs. The book spreading over 21 Chapters contains 107illustrations in black and white and 16 colour plates.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shaikh Khurshid Hasan
Shaikh Khurshid Hasan is a well known Archaeologist and Scholar. With more than 35 years service in the Federal Department of Archeology and Museums holding various senior positions, his contribution has been varied and multifacet from archaeological research, conservation and preservation of Cultural Heritage to the development of museums, organization of special exhibitions and serving many a Commissions and Committees, set-up by the Govt. of Pakistan and Specialised Organizations. He has participated in a number of International and National Conferences, Seminars Symposia. He also chaired some of their academic sessions. Mr. Hasan served in 1985 as Unesco Consultant in Bangala Desh and Sri Lanka providing excellent ‘Plants of Action’ for the preservation of their Cultural Heritage. Islamic art and architecture is, how3ever, Mr. Hasan’s field of specialization. With this in view, he has not only studied the Islamic monuments of Pakistan, but also of several muslim countries like Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Bangala Desh. He has contributed a number of research articles, which were published in Journals of repute both at home and abroad. He is author of several books. His book on ‘Chaukhandi Tombs in Pakistan’ Has been rated as a scholarly work of considerable merit. The book was adjudged by the National Book Foundation of Pakistan’ as second best book published in 1996.Amongst the books co-authored by him is Mohenjodaro; a 5000 year Old Legacy’. It was published by Unesco in 1980, as a Part of its International Campaign to save Mohenjodaro. Mr. Hasan is a fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society, London and member of such literary societies like Pakistan Historical Society, Karachi, Institute of Central and West Asian Studies, University of Karachi, Society of Asian Civilizations, Islamabad etc. In recognition of his contribution in the field of ‘Archaeology’, the Govt. of Italy had conferred upon him the ‘Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic’ in 1993. He is associated with the Quaid-e-Azam Mazar Management Board, Karachi as Honorary Archaeological Advisor, Aiwan-e-Nawadarat. He is a member of the Board of Governors, National Fund for Mohenjodaro, set-up by the Govt. of Pakistan.
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