Daily Times

DADU: Historians, archeologists and research scholars have demanded of both the Federal and Sindh governments to preserve and protect the 6000 years old historical site of Amri remains, located in Amri town, some 70km away from Sehwan city and 100km from Dadu city.

Historians said, since Amri remains is located close to the world’s biggest fort, Rani Koat, people of both areas maintain a close relations and it will be their common demand to protect both the sites of Amri and the Rani Koat fort. Famous historian, Prof, Aziz Kingrani said that Amri remains need immediate preservation. He said, Amri, like Indus Civilization holds ancient the status of heritage.

He said that supper flood of 2010, rains and animals left stranded over the Amri have forced to site towards destruction. “Amri remains are older than the Moen Jo Daro,” he said. “It was one of the oldest historical sites of the country and should be.” A resident of Amri town, Ahmed Bux said that there was a need to conduct research on Amri remains, but no one was paying even attention to protect the heritage.

He said, animals were left there to roam freely, which is further damaging the site. Further, he complained that funds allocated for the protection of the site were being embezzled by the Archeological Department of Sindh government and District Administration. Moreover, some influential people have encroached upon major parts of the sites, he added.

Ahmed Bux told daily Times that local people have opened a museum in a room of an old house, where all items like coins and other things, that were used by the people in Amri township, were kept, but unfortunately that room had become shabby and can collapse. The Executive Director, Society for Research and Heritage Site (SRHD), Roshan Ali Khushik said that Rani Koat was located at a distance of 40km from Amri remains.

People living in Rani Koat and Amri remains share heritage bondage of thousands year old. “Since it is located near River Indus, floods have damaged this historical site in time to time.” Further, he said that construction work of Right Bank Out Fall Drain (RBOD-II ) had started near the site to drain out the drain water of interior Sindh to Sea, but its construction has badly damaged the site.

“People of Amri were civilized. They had underground drainage system and an organized city planning even in the past. But unfortunately it will be vanished someday, if not conserved and preserved,” Roshan Ali Khushik said. Prof Saeed Ahmed Mangi, Director of Institute of Sindhiology, Jamshoro and professor of Art and Design, Sindh University, Jamshoro, said that the art work used in the fort Rani Koat was related with religious combination.

He suggested carrying out carbon test to determine the period of Rani Koat fort, items found from the Amri remains should be studied and both of the sites should be protected. An anthropologist, Qurban Ali Khushik said that Amri remains, located in Amri town has 6000 years old history, while fort of Rani Koat located at Kheer Thar range mountains, near Sann town are facing destruction due to negligence of Archaeology Department.

He said that the history of Rani Koat fort was a big mystery as no one had reached its final conclusion, therefore there should be research and studies to determine its period and people. He also urged the government to announce these sites as tourist spots so as to attract visitors.