Description of Historical Buildings:
The new district of Rajanpur may not be very rich in its archaeological finds but it is fairly important for a few of its remains which are likely to arouse the keen interest of the students of archaeology and scholars of history. A few sites that stand to speak about the history of the ancient times have neither been visited by any one nor have been explored to uncover the truth of history. Their unqualified virginity is an exquisite invitation to the academic quest of the archaeologists and historians to connect the events in the missing links of history of the district. A few of the important sites are as follows:
1. The Fort of Harrand:
The Fort of Harrand is perhaps the most promising place from the archaeologist and history students’ point of view. The fort of Harrand is situated to the West of Harrand Town and is about three hundred yards away from it. Presently, it lies in ruins which however remind us of its glorious past that was once it might have possessed. The eastern gate and a few renovated rooms are occupied by Border Military Police who have established one of their posts in this fort. This is the only portion which has been left somewhat intact from the vagaries of time.
It is very difficult to gauge the exact date of the erection of the fort but general speculation persists that the fort was constructed at a time when the ancient civilization of Mohaen-jo-Daro was at its zenith. It was then a small fort which is supposed to have been built by a Raja named Hernakis. After him his son Lok Bhagat succeeded and made improvements in the fort, since then it has been used as a cantonment or outpost of invading armies. Its strategic importance has been a recognized fact of history as a number of its archaeological components suggest the presence of Arabs in the area. A story current with the elders says that Muhammad Bin Qasim came to the area in person in order to find his way for crossing the Indus to capture Multan. Others have told that he came here chasing the young son of Raja Dahir who was at that time the Governor of Kasmore. However, It is very difficult to agree to such legendary narrations, but one can say that an Arab contingent might have set its feet in the area in search of a route to cross the river Indus to conquer Multan. There is a strong possibility of these Arabs establishing a military post in the fort. The speculative possibility has same confirmation due to the following facts
- Some of the copper coins found in the fort have Arabic inscription on the faces.
- The tiles used in the construction of the fort possibility by Arabs, are also inscribed in Arabic scripture.
- There is a lonely tomb like grave of Hazrat Isaaq, reported to be on the religious preachers who came along with military contingent of the Arabs. His grave is near a place called Mut Khund which is about 16 Kilometers away from the main town of Harrand.
As already pointed out the fort of Harrand has been an important military post in the area and continued to remain so still the times of the British. The Sikhs had occupied and reconstructed it to fortify it with their military regiments. Sawan Singh was the first military governor of the area. He fell fighting against the British who occupied it in 1849. Since then up to the creation of Pakistan it remained a military post of the British government in India.
2. Dillu Roy Therre:
Rajan Pur District has been distinguished for its ancient and cultural traditions in every era. The present ancient forts and ruins in this area reveal the fact that it has been junction of the rise and fall of numerous civilizations. No one knows how many centuries the land of Rajan Pur District has seen and the history of how many centuries is hidden in it. Dillu Roy Therre is one of these primitive ruins. These ruins are located in the Mauza Gadden Wala, 5 kilometers away in the west of Jampur city.
In 1855, when the Deputy Commissioner of Dera Ghazi Khan Capt. Polack commenced partial unearthing of the Therre, the ancient history of the carved stamps, bricks and idols revealed this city. The history of this city is about 5500 to 6000 BC old. In the Third BC, when the caravans of the Aryans came into the Indus Valley, Dillu Roy Therre was the central city, joining together through land and river, Harappa and Mohinjo Darro, the two distinguished cities of the Indus valley. Inscriptions dug out from Dillu Roy Therre, engraved in different languages reveal that after Dara Shah, Synithans nations came here and after them Maid tribes came here. Pythons, the Aryans, the Darden, the Kush and the Hun people came here.
All of the above mentioned peoples came here and then went to the other areas of India. The latest research shows the fact that in 3000 BC, when the Samarians , the Dravidians and the Somians passing through the mountain passes happened to come here on the bank of the rivers and established hamlets, Dillu Roy Therre was existing here as a developed city that time. So it is proved that Dillu Roy Therre came into existing from the civilization which has connections with the civilizations of Multan, Och, Harrapa , Mohinju Darro and the Samiry civilization in Iraq.
In the times of Alexander, the Great, the Queen Noshaba ruled over this city. That time, the Indus River flowed in the west of Dillu Roy Therre. The relics found out from these ruins witness the fact the skilled people lived in this city. Clay utensils with beautiful engraving on them testify their expertise.
An idol of Mahatama Budh, carved on black stone, dug out here is exhibited in the Museum of Bahawal Pur this time. Besides, the stone wheels of catapults, the statues of the lions, the daily used utensils and golden coins have been carved out here. There was a trench all around the city. Protective barracks were built along with the wall of the fort.
Before the advent of Islam, Bull-worship was in vogue here. After the advent of Islam, a large number of the people had embraced Islam. From 712 AH to 736 AH, when RajaDillu Roy, a ruler from the Somra tribe , ruled here, this city was collapsed down by an earthquake for his heinous practices and tyranny. The author of the well-known book “ Tuhfatulkaram, writes that Raja Dillu Roy had to suffer even in his life for his heinous deeds. His tyranny and brutality caused the desolation and destruction of not only of these Therre but also of Arorr and Barhmanabad . After 712 AH, when this city started desolating, the rest of the people also migrated from here. In the zenith of progress, this city was populated over 1 square kilometer. Protective posts were set up on the four corners of the city. These posts were set up on the high mounds where guards were posted. These Therre are now in the custody of the department of archeology and the work of its engraving is still under deferment.
3. Their:
A place lying in ruins called “Their” in Saraiki dialect. One such place has been located about half a Kilometre outside the town of Rajanpur. It has now been turned into Graveyard. As and when the place is dug for a grave people discover rusted coins of various ancient periods. It is not possible to read the inscription on their faces. A number of very solid and well hosted catapult balls have also been excavated from this area which establishes the pushing of the Arab soldiers through this district. Casual excavation of “There of Daloo Rai” near Jampur where similar things have been found further confirms the above facts.
Other Buildings:
There are no historical buildings which can be included in the narration of historical monuments. However, some ancient buildings on the patterns of Mughal architecture are situated at Kotla Mughlan near Jampur. Asni is another important place where old buildings stand almost in ruined. There is a mosque near Asni called “The Qubi Wali Masjid” it is also built in the pattern and design of the Mughal architecture. The residence of the present chief of the Mazari tribe in Rojhan is fairly old and possesses a unique architectural value.
Fazilpur
Fazilpur is the shrine of the great Peer / Sufi Hazrat Chan Charagh Shah Sain a.k.a. Ghorrey Shah Sain. Fazilpur is situated in the center (heart) of the District Rajanpur. Fazilpur is considered as the heart of District Rajanpur especially in terms of politics. Major casts living in Fazilpur are Gopang, Mastoi, Mohajir (Yusufzai, Sherwani, Lodhi, Qureshi) Dreshak, Korai, Thaheem, Bhati and Zargar (Sunara).
Kot Mithan
Mithankot / Kot Mithan is the shrine of the great Sufi Saraiki poet Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Farid and regarded as a historical place in the district. Thousands of his disciples come to Rajanpur every year on the death anniversary of Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Farid.
Hajipur
Hajipur is the shrine of the great Sufi Hazrat Khawaja Noor Muhammad Narowala and one of the most frequently visited place in the district. On the death anniversary of Hazrat Khawaja Noor Muhammad Narowala, large number of people including his disciples come here to pay a visit to this shrine.
Harrand Fort
Harrand fort was built in British era. It is situated in the tribal area of Rajanpur.
Lalgarh
Lalgarh is situated in the foot-hills of Suleman Range Mountains. It is the headquarters of the Gorchani tribe. It is a small village having a population of about 3,000 inhabitants. Government offices include a Police Station, a Higher Secondary School, a Girls Middle School, a Civil Dispensary, a Veterinary Dispensary, a Telephone Exchange and NADRA office.
Chatool
A small village chatool is famous in the district as the shrine of great Sufi Hazrat Ameer Hamza Sultan located here in Lalgarh, Tehsil Jampur. It is visited by thousands of his disciples on his death anniversary.
Maari
Marri is the resort Hill Station in Rajanpur similar to Murree. Its altitude is 4,800 ft which keeps the weather a bit cool in summer. The highest Dragal mountain of this region is an altitude of 5400 feet.
Ada Chiragh Shah
Situated on Indus highway, this point is named in reference to the shrine of a Sufi peer Baba Chiragh Shah located there.