Law to be drafted to declare Sehwan as Protected Heritage Town: Murad

• Trans Indus Research Institute for Cultural Studies
• International conference on Sehwan & Alexander
• Now difficult to run a campaign to protect Rani Kot

SEHWAN, Jan 15,2022- Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that necessary law can be drafted to declare Sehwan as a Protected Heritage Town,.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah laid the foundation stone restoration of Sehwan Fort by laying bricks.

Sehwan Fort is being restored by Endowment Fund Trust (EFT).

Sehwan Fort was built at the end of 5th century or early 6th century, Chief Minister said and added that the Sehwan Fort is 1.27 km long and 15 m high.

In 326 BC, Alexander the Great conquered this fortified city of Raja Sambas and killed 80,000 monks, including Sambs.

Bactrian Greece ruled from 187 BC to 80 BC,

In 712 AD, Muhammad bin Qasim liberated this fort from Bajira, the governor of Raja Dahir.

Mahmud Ghaznavi conquered this fort in 1026 AD.

In 1541 AD, King Humayun tried to conquer this fort but failed. Later, King Akbar’s Commander Abdul Rahim Khan defeated Khanan Mirza Jani Baig and after that Sindh came under the control of Mughals.

In 1701 AD the Mughal prince used this fort as a special place against the rising power of Kalhoras but soon Sindh was handed over to Kalhoras.

Addressing the gathering Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said, “I am quite satisfied that EFT has restored Nokot Fort in Thar.

Now difficult to run a campaign to protect Rani Kot

Referring to Rani Kot, Chief Minister Sindh said that major environmental protection work has been done on I am sure that the task of protection of Rani Kot would have been difficult, but it was brought to an end.

Now it is difficult to run a campaign to save it.

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Fort Sehwan with a mysterious history was indeed a challenge, Chief Minister said.

The EFT has not sought any financial assistance from the government for itself which is a good thing, Chief Minister Sindh added that I am happy that today they have a financial amount of Rs 1.6 billion.

Sehwan is the oldest city of Pakistan and its history is centuries old. The history of Sindh dates back to many years before the arrival of Alexander the Great.

Chief Minister Sindh said it is unfortunate that not much attention has been paid to Sindh’s heritage, he added that the provincial government has taken steps to restore cultural and historical heritage.

However, he said, we need funds, international assistance and historical references and documentation.

Our scholars, historians and cultural institutions should give their recommendations to the government.

Priorities in the cultural sector needed

There is a need to formulate suggestions regarding priorities in the cultural sector, as we must have a natural sensitivity to our cultural values,

There should be a goal for our future policies.

He urged to develop techniques to guide and create awareness among the young generation.

It is time to gather information on Sindhi history, art and culture.

Trans Indus Research Institute for Cultural Studies

Monique Curanan, a world-renowned archaeologist, has started excavations in Sehwan under the auspices of French Museum, Sindh Chief Minister said and added that EFT should consider setting up conservation laboratory at any place in Dadu district.

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Department of Culture and EFT should train youth so that skills and jobs can be created for youth.

He favoured the idea of establishment of Research Institute, Trans Indus Research Institute for Cultural Studies and said Sindh government will determine the EFT grant for this institute.

International conference on Sehwan & Alexander

All the major cities conquered by Alexander the Great became known as Alexandria / Alexander, the Chief Minister of Sindh said and informed that every year Alexander Festival is held in these cities. An international conference on Sehwan & Alexander should be held early next year and asked the EFT to propose a committee for this conference and start planning for it.  We will support this project to focus on Sindh.

The event was attended by Endowment Trust officials, local, political, social and senior officials of the culture department