Makli Necropolis
Makli Necropolis spreads across 10 square kilometres near the city of Thatta in Pakistan's Sindh province. The site sits on a plateau approximately 6 kilometres from Thatta, which served as the capital of lower Sindh until the 17th century. It lies roughly 98 km east of Karachi at the apex of the Indus River Delta. A legend claims the name comes from a Hajj pilgrim who stopped here and declared it to be Makkah for him. Sufi saint Sheikh Hamad Jamali reportedly named the place Makli or Little Makkah after hearing this story. Historian Ali Ahmad Brohi argues that historical evidence does not confirm this tale. He suggests the name originates from an ancient Mahakali temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. Brohi points out that stones resembling those of a temple appear in the tomb of Jam Nizamuddin II.
Sufi saint Shaikh Jamali established a khanqah gathering site at Makli before being buried there. The 14th century Samma ruler Jam Tamachi venerated the saint and wished to be interred nearby. This act began the tradition of using Makli as a major funerary site. The necropolis rose to prominence during the rule of the Samma dynasty when they made their capital near Thatta. Tombs dating from the Samma Dynasty cluster together in a 5-acre section at the northern end of the site. The Samma were Rajput princes who seized control of Thatta in 1335. Their tombs show strong influence from Gujarati styles while incorporating Muslim and Hindu decorative elements. The site houses approximately 500,000 to 1 million tombs built over a 400-year period.
Funerary architecture here synthesizes Muslim, Hindu, Persian, Mughal, and Gujarati influences into what is known as the Chaukhandi style. The earliest tombs displayed three to six slabs of stone stacked into small pyramids. By the 15th century decorated rosettes and circular patterns began appearing on these structures. More complex patterns and Arabic calligraphy with biographical information emerged later. Pyramidal structures from the 16th century feature minarets topped with floral motifs unique to Turkic Trakhan dynasty tombs. Structures from the 17th century at the Leilo Sheikh part resemble Jain temples from afar with prominent influence from Gujarat. Several larger tombs include carvings of animals warriors and weaponry uncommon to Muslim funerary monuments. Some later tombs are made entirely of brick with only a sandstone slab.
The impressive royal mausolea divide into two major clusters: Samma cluster and Tarkhan Arghun and Mughals cluster. The tomb of King Jam Nizamuddin II completed in 1510 measures 11.4 metres on each side. It was built of sandstone and decorated with floral and geometric medallions. Its dome was never built leaving the interior exposed to the elements. The exterior features 14 bands of decorative motifs containing both Quranic verses and Hindu symbols. A frieze depicting local ducks stands as the sole exception to geometric patterns. Darya Khan died in 1521 after rising from slavery to become Prime Minister. His tomb resembles a Rajasthani fort. Isa Khan Tarkhan I ruled from 1554 to 1565 and introduced a new cenotaph-style rectangular layout. The mausoleum of Isa Khan Hussain II Tarkhan died in 1651 features cupolas and balconies.
Common questions
Where is the Makli Necropolis located in Pakistan?
The Makli Necropolis spreads across 10 square kilometres near the city of Thatta in Pakistan's Sindh province. It sits on a plateau approximately 6 kilometres from Thatta and lies roughly 98 km east of Karachi at the apex of the Indus River Delta.
Who named the Makli Necropolis and why did they choose that name?
Sufi saint Sheikh Hamad Jamali reportedly named the place Makli or Little Makkah after hearing a legend about a Hajj pilgrim who declared it to be Makkah for him. Historian Ali Ahmad Brohi argues that historical evidence does not confirm this tale and suggests the name originates from an ancient Mahakali temple dedicated to the goddess Kali.
When was the tradition of using the Makli Necropolis as a major funerary site established?
The tradition began when the 14th century Samma ruler Jam Tamachi venerated Sufi saint Shaikh Jamali and wished to be interred nearby. The necropolis rose to prominence during the rule of the Samma dynasty when they made their capital near Thatta and seized control of the city in 1335.
How many tombs are contained within the Makli Necropolis and over what time period were they built?
The site houses approximately 500,000 to 1 million tombs built over a 400-year period. Tombs dating from the Samma Dynasty cluster together in a 5-acre section at the northern end of the site.
What architectural styles characterize the tombs found at the Makli Necropolis?
Funerary architecture here synthesizes Muslim, Hindu, Persian, Mughal, and Gujarati influences into what is known as the Chaukhandi style. Structures from the 16th century feature minarets topped with floral motifs unique to Turkic Trakhan dynasty tombs while structures from the 17th century resemble Jain temples from afar.
When was the tomb of King Jam Nizamuddin II completed and what are its dimensions?
The tomb of King Jam Nizamuddin II was completed in 1510 and measures 11.4 metres on each side. It was built of sandstone and decorated with floral and geometric medallions but its dome was never built leaving the interior exposed to the elements.
All sources
9 references cited across the entry
- 1webMakli HillAga Khan Trust for Culture and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- 3newsمکلی قبرستان: جام نظام کا 'سانس لیتا' مقبرہ، 'جہاں کیل لگانا ممنوع ہے وہاں پہاڑ توڑنے کا آلہ استعمال ہوا'Shabina Faraz — 22 February 2021
- 4bookHistory On Tombstones: Sind And BaluchistanAli Ahmad Brohi — Sindhi Adabi Board — 1986
- 5newsIn Pakistan, imposing tombs that few have seenUrooj Qureshi — BBC Travel — 8 August 2014
- 6bookLeadless Decorative Tiles, Faience, and Mosaic: Comprising Notes and Excerpts on the History, Materials, Manufacture & Use of Ornamental Flooring Tiles, Ceramic Mosaic, and Decorative Tiles and Faience, with Complete Series of Recipes for Tile-bodies, and for Leadless Glazes and Art-tile Enamels, Volume 1WJ Furnival — W. J. Furnival — 1904
- 8webMakli NecropolisAsian Historical Architecture
- 9bookCulture and Customs of PakistanIftikhar Malik — Greenwood Publishing Group — 2006
- 10bookThe Islamic Architectural Heritage of Pakistan: Funerary Memorial ArchitectureShaikh Khurshid Hasan — Royal Book Company — 2001