chaukhanditombs

About: Chaukhandi Tombs

The tombs of Chaukhandi establish an early Islamic graveyard located 29 km (18 mi) east of Karachi, Pakistan. They are famous for their sandstone carvings and are similar in style to the tombs near Thatta at the Makli Necropolis. They are constructed in the style of the graveyard in lower Sindh. The tombs are mainly connected to the (Jokhio) known as the Jokhio village’s family graveyard, though some societies, especially Baloch, were also buried here. In the middle of the 15th and 18th centuries, when Islam became powerful, they were mostly found under Mughal rule.

Architecture: Chaukhandi Tombs

This graveyard is unique because it has a main north-south direction. The more formal graves are made up of greyish sandstone, which has always kept exceptionally well over time in the mountainous climatic conditions. Tombs were designed on a joint base, either as single graves or as groups of eight graves. Six vertical tiles consist of a classical grave, with two long tiles on either side of the tomb showing the body length and the remaining two vertical plates on the side of the head and foot. A second grave, consisting of six more similar vertical plates but smaller in size, covering these six plates, giving a pyramid shape to the grave. Besides that, the upper box is covered with four or five horizontal tiles. The topmost structure with its northern end is shaped into a crown known as a headscarf. Sculptural designs, figures, and patterns, such as mounted horsemen, hunting scenes, weapons, and jewelry, beautify the tombs.