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The Indus Valley Civilization was an ancient civilization located in what is Pakistan and northwest India today, on the fertile flood plain of the Indus River and its vicinity. Evidence of religious practices in this area date back approximately to 5500 BCE. Farming settlements began around 4000 BCE and around 3000 BCE there appeared the first signs of urbanization. By 2600 BCE, dozens of towns and cities had been established, and between 2500 and 2000 BCE the Indus Valley Civilization was at its peak.
Two cities, in particular, have been excavated at the sites of Mohenjo-Daro (Indus Valley Civilization) on the lower Indus, and at Harappa (Harappan Civilization), further upstream. The evidence suggests they had a highly developed city life; many houses had wells and bathrooms as well as an elaborate underground drainage system. The social conditions of the citizens were comparable to those in Sumeria and superior to the contemporary Babylonians and Egyptians. These cities display a well-planned urbanization system.
There is evidence of some level of contact between the Indus Valley Civilization and the Near East. Commercial, religious, and artistic connections have been recorded in Sumerian documents, where the Indus valley people are referred to as Meluhhaites and the Indus valley is called Meluhha. The following account has been dated to about 2000 BCE: “The Meluhhaites, the men of the black land, bring to Naram-Sin of Agade all kind of exotic wares.” (Haywood, p. 76, The Curse of Agade)
The Indus Civilization had a writing system which today still remains a mystery: all attempts to decipher it have failed. This is one of the reasons why the Indus Valley Civilization is one of the least known of the important early civilizations of antiquity. Examples of this writing system have been found in pottery, amulets, carved stamp seals, and even in weights and copper tablets.
Another point of debate is the nature of the relationship between these cities. Whether they were independent city-states or part of a larger kingdom is not entirely clear. Because the writing of the Indus people remains undeciphered and neither sculptures of rulers nor depictions of battles and military campaigns have been found, evidence pointing in either direction is not conclusive.
By 1800 BCE, the Indus Valley Civilization saw the beginning of their decline: Writing started to disappear, standardized weights and measures used for trade and taxation purposes fell out of use, the connection with the Near East was interrupted, and some cities were gradually abandoned. The reasons for this decline are not entirely clear, but it is believed that the drying up of the Saraswati River, a process which had begun around 1900 BCE, was the main cause. Other experts speak of a great flood in the area. Either event would have had catastrophic effects on agricultural activity, making the economy no longer sustainable and breaking the civic order of the cities.
Around 1500 BCE, a large group of nomadic cattle-herders, the Aryans, migrated into the region from central Asia. The Aryans crossed the Indu kush mountains and came in contact with the Indus Valley Civilization. This was a large migration and used to be seen as an invasion, which was thought to be the reason for the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization, but this hypothesis is not unanimously accepted today.
Thus, the Indus Valley Civilization came to an end. Over the course of several centuries, the Aryans gradually settled down and took up agriculture. The language brought by the Aryans gained supremacy over the local languages: the origin of the most widely spoken languages today in south Asia goes back to the Aryans, who introduced the Indo-European Language into the Indian subcontinent. Other features of modern Indian society, such as religious practices and caste division, can also be traced back to the times of the Aryan migrations. Many pre-Aryan customs still survive in India today. Evidence supporting this claim includes: the continuity of pre-Aryan traditions; practices by many sectors of Indian society; and also the possibility that some major gods of the Hindu Pantheon actually originated during the time of the Indus Valley Civilization and were kept “alive” by the original inhabitants through the centuries.
Itinerary
- Day 01: ✈ Karachi: Arrival at Quid-e-Azam International Airport. After welcome reception by the team of Active Tours, you will be transferred to centrally located hotel along with your luggage. Reminder; half day is free for you to rest/relax after taking long flight to Pakistan OR there will semi-day tour of Karachi. Karachi is the most populated city of Pakistan and centre of trade and industry in Pakistan. It’s a city of interesting contrasts, on one side skyscrapers and 19th century Victorian buildings and on the other side narrow dusty streets. Short panoramic tour and then visit to the Mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah aka. Quaid-e-Azam (Great Leader) – the founder of Pakistan. Mausoleum is made of white marble and has a stunning Chinese made dome. After visit we will proceed to Masjid-i Toba Mosque which has one of the biggest domes among all mosques in the world. The mosque has such a perfect acoustic that one person on one edge of the mosque can hear another person talking on the other edge. It has a worshipper capacity of 5000 people. After the visits transfer to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation at hotel.
- Day 02: Karachi: Folowing breakfast, we will start full day city tour of Karachi, the tour will include visit National Museum where the ruins Indus Valley Civilization and the examples of Buddhist Gandhara art are exhibited. Later on, visit the open-air clothe washing are of public people – Dhobi Ghat and see lots of clothes left to get dry. Later, walk in the most famous street of Karachi, Zaibunissa Street. Following the lunch break visit the shopping areas; Abdullah Haroon Street, Zeinab Bazaar and Bori Bazaar. Later, visit Clifton Beach where there are parks, restaurants and game fields and souvenir shops. After the visits, transfer to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation at hotel in Karachi.
- Day 03: Karachi – Chaukundi – Thatta – Hyderabad: Following breakfast, we will depart from the hotel for Chaukundi Necropolis where there are many tombs carved and made by sand stone. It is one of those places where can be seen best the Islamic style of architecture which is typical of Sindh. After the visit here, visit historical Makli Necropolis which is in UNESCO World Heritage List. It is one of the largest necropolises in the world with its 8 km square area. It’s predicted that almost 125.000 Sufi saints were buried here. Later on, visit to Thatta near Makli Necropol. Lunch will be taken in Thatta. The experts think that antique city of Pattala was once founded here. Pattala was the city where Alexander the Great stopped to rest with its troops. The history of modern Thatta dates back to 600 years ago. Thatta was very important for the Musulmen in Lower-Sindh who rebelled against Delhi. The city was once under Portugal and Mughal occupation. From Mughal period, there are important monuments. The most of important of all is Shah Jahan Mosque. It’s a valuable memory of its period with its dome, red bricks, blue coloured glaze tiles and its acoustic. This mosque was built as an appreciation to the Thatta people just because they supported Shah Jahan during his rebellion to his father. After visiting the mosque, we leave Thatta and go for Hydarabad to accommodate. Dinner at hotel.
- Day 04: Hyderabad – Hirabad – Bhitshah – Sehvan – Larkana: Depart from the hotel at 08.00 a.m. We will visit the tombs of Talpur Kings who were controlling the area in 17th and 18th centuries. Later on, we leave Hydarabad and go for Bhit Shah. Here we will visit an architectural wonder, the shrine of one of the most beloved Sufi saints in Pakistan – poet, musician Shah Abdul Latif Bhattai. After the visit, drive to Sehwan with a journey of 2, 5 hours, viewing the scenic views on the Indus Highway to see the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is another important Sufi saint and philosopher. He preached religious tolerance among Muslims and Hindus. The shrine was built in 14th century and a golden plated door was donated by late Shah of Iran. After visiting the shrine, drive to Larkana. Dinner and accommodation in Larkana.
- Day 05: Larkana – Mohenjodaro – Sukkur: Following the breakfast drive to Mohenjo-Daro for a full day tour. Mohanjo-Daro is in UNESCO World Heritage List. It was one of the most important cities of Indus Civilization along with Harappa. According the excavations which firstly started in 1922, the city had perfect system of agriculture, dealt with trade interactions with other civilizations. They built their buildings using baked brick. They were interested in beautiful arts as well. We will have information about the lifestyle of Mohanjo-Daro public. Water pipes and channels is a sign of their excellence in engineering. Lunch will be taken in the restaurant in Mohanjo-Daro. After the visit drive to Sukkur for accommodation. Dinner at hotel.
- Day 06:Sukkur: Today we will visit Sadu Bela Island for boating and to witness blind dolphin. We will also have an ample time to visit Teerath Asthan is an historical Hindu temple build by Bankhandi Maharaja in 1823. Back to hotel for overnight stay.
- Day 07: Sukkur – Bahawalpur: Following the breakfast we’ll drive to Punjab. While driving to Bahawalpur, we will stop at Bhong to see the magnificent Bhong Mosque which was constructed in 50 years. This mosque was awarded Aga Khan Architecture Award in 1986. Later on, visit to Uch Sharif which was founded by Alexander the Great. Despite being a small town right now, it was once the centre of Uch Kingdom. It was the political and cultural centre as well, along with its sister city Multan. There are important monuments from Muslim reign. The most important of those are the tombs with their stunning appearance. We will visit the tombs of Bibi Jawindi, Baha el-Halim, Sheikh Seyfeddin Gazroni and Jalaluddin Bukhari. After visiting Uch Sharif, drive to Bahawalpur for accommodation. Dinner at hotel.
- Day 08: Bahawalpur – Multan: Following the breakfast, city tour of Bahawulpur tour. Bahawulpur is such a peaceful city in which the transportation is mostly made by bicycle rickshaw, has tree-lined streets, large houses with verandas. Our first destination is to visit Derawar Fort, Shahi Mosque and the tombs around it in Cholistan Desert. After half-day tour, return to Bahawulpur for lunch. After the lunch visit Museum, free time in Bahawulpur Market. After the free time, drive to Multan for accommodation. One hour drive to Multan and check-in the hotel. Dinner at hotel.
- Day 09: Multan: Following breakfast, full day city tour of Multan. Multan is in such a strategic point of trade ways as it is an important industrial city dating back 2000 years ago. City is famous with shrines and is called city of shrines. Morning till afternoon our tour will includes visiting famous shrines of Shah Rukhn-e-Alam, Bahauddin Zakariya, Shah Shams Tabraiz, Yousuf Gardezi and Sultan Akbar. Latter, we will visit Hussain Agahi Bazaar. Dinner will be served at local restaurant and overnight stay will be at hotel.
- Day 10: Multan – Harappa – Lahore: Following breakfast, drive towards Lahore. After a journey of 2-3 hours, we will visit Harappa which is on our way. We will have information about the social life, economical system and writings of Harappa. After visiting Harappa, drive to Lahore and if time permit, we will visit Waga border to witness flag lowering ceremony. We will back to Lahore city, check-in at hotel for overnight stay.
- Day 11: Lahore: Following the breakfast full day tour in the cultural capital of Pakistan, Lahore. First destination is old Lahore city which was walled during Mughal Empire reign. Lahore Fort is our first visit. The fort is in UNESCO World Heritage List along with Shalimar Gardens. We visit the the fort and its places available in and around it. After visiting the fort, we will see Badshahi Mosque, the 2nd biggest mosque of Pakistan and 5th biggest mosque in the world. In its architecture Islamic, Persian, Central Asia and Hindu features can be recognized. Later, we will walk in the old & historical bazaar and we will visit Golden Mosque, Wazir Khan’s Mosque and Royal Bath which are on our way. The impressive wazir Khan’s Mosque is constructed by Shah Jahan’s Prime Minister Ilumuddin Ensari. Later, visit to Iqbal Park and see Minar-e-Pakistan which was erected in honour of the date 23 March 1940 when the independence Pakistan idea was declared officially for the first time after the meeting in the park. After the visit, continue with Lahore Museum. We will have the possibility of seeing Buddhist sculpture of Ghandara art and manuscripts, miniatures, rugs from Islam period. After the museum visit, we will walk in the Anarkali Bazaar and will listen the story of Anarkali. The bazaar has been active for 200 years. After the free time in Bazaar, visit Shalimar Gardens. After the visits, transfer to the hotel. Dinner at hotel.
- Day 12: Lahore – Rohtas – Islamabad: Following the breakfast check-out from the hotel. First destination is Rohtas Fort which is in UNESCO World Heritage List. The fort is built by Sher Shah Suri in purpose of defending the city against Mughals. The fort is still intact. It reflects the early Islamic architecture. After the visit, lunch at Dina than continue drive to Islamabad for 2 hours. Short tour of Islamabad, including Lok Virsa Public Museum where we will have information about local culture. Following the visits, transfer to the hotel. Dinner at hotel.
- Day 13: Islamabad – Taxila – Rawalpindi – Islamabad: Following the breakfast, drive to Taxila. It’s an important city of Buddhism period and is in UNESCO World Heritage List. After seeing the ruins, visit Taxila Museum. Later on, we will back to Islamabad visit Shah Faisal Mosque, Pakistan monument, Shakarpara Hill before sunset and the garden in which Pakistani and allied countries’ politicians erected trees, a view of Rawal Lake and many fountains. After the visit, return to Islamabad city centre and transfer to the Margalla hills where we will have our farewell dinner. After the dinner, transfer to the hotel.
- Day 14: Islamabad✈: Transfer to Islamabad International Airport at 02.30 a.m. Flight at 04.35 a.m. From peace and serenity of Southern Pakistan to the hustle and bustles of “modern” trends, you say Khuda Hafiz, the typical farewell, as you depart after a tour into Shangri-La. End of the tour.