Banbhore

On the northern banks of the Gharo creek in Thatta district, Sindh, lies the ancient port city of Banbhore. Connecting the river with the sea, Banbhore was part of a broader international trade network linked to the Mediterranean, Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, and China, between the 1st century BC and the 13th century AD.

Where is it located in Sindh

See the location of Banbhore in Thatta district, approximately 6 km west of Gharo

Its origins, however, are still unclear. Is it the same port city mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (and other Greek sources) known as Barbarikon? Alternatively, is it the famed port town of Debal (‘Daybul’) mentioned in Arabic and Persian sources as a large port city at the mouth of the Indus that was conquered by Muhammad bin Qasim in 712 AD?

Its origins, however, are still unclear. Is it the same port city mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (and other Greek sources) known as Barbarikon? Alternatively, is it the famed port town of Debal (‘Daybul’) mentioned in Arabic and Persian sources as a large port city at the mouth of the Indus that was conquered by Muhammad bin Qasim in 712 AD?

Archaeological Findings

Unlike most other city sites in the delta, Banbhore developed as a fortified city, rather than as a citadel surrounded by a city, therefore it is a significantly larger and more complex site. Archaeological investigations at Banbhore (starting from the 1950s) have helped identify the age of the site and the different empires that have

(starting from the 1950s) have helped identify the age of the site and the different empires that have ruled here. So far they have revealed residential areas, markets, workshops, a large communal mosque, a Shiva temple, and a port frontage.

Unlike most other city sites in the delta, Banbhore developed as a fortified city, rather than as a citadel surrounded by a city, therefore it is a significantly larger and more complex site. Archaeological investigations at Banbhore identify the age (starting from the 1950s) have helped of the site and the different empires that have ruled here. So far they have revealed residential areas, markets, workshops, a large communal mosque, a Shiva temple, and a port frontage.

the wealthier occupants from the rest of the city and was built in the final stages of Banbhore’s occupation. The discovery of houses arranged around central courtyards, connected to each other by streets laid out in a grid, suggests a central authority was involved in city planning.

The city had three gateways: the eastern gate led to the ancient lake and outer city; the north-eastern gate connected a large semi-circular building to the lake and was used by inhabitants of the city; and a southern gate that overlooked the Gharo creek. A partition wall ran north to south through the city possibly to section off the wealthier occupants from the rest of the city and was built in the final stages of Banbhore’s occupation. The discovery of houses arranged around central courtyards, connected to each other by streets laid out in a grid, suggests a central authority was involved in city planning.

which lies the Hindu-Sassanian (3rd to 7th centuries AD) level. The lowest level comprises the Scytho-Parthian era (1st century BC to 2nd century AD) (Khan, 1960).

Given its long history, it is natural that Banbhore’s archaeological deposits have been found at different depths. Archaeologists have identified three main occupation periods buried beneath one another. The most easily one is that of the Islamic period (Umayyad and Abbasid, 8th to 13th centuries) , below which lies the Hindu-Sassanian (3rd to 7th centuries AD) level. The lowest level comprises the Scytho-Parthian era (1st century BC to 2nd century AD) (Khan, 1960).

Artefacts found at the site

According to published reports from the 2020 Pakistani- Italian excavation, the discovery of ivory makes Banbhore “the only ivory workshop known in the archaeological record worldwide. This is the most abundant recovery of ivory artefacts ever known from a certain archaeological context” (Fiorani, 2021).

Fragments of terracotta moulds, dated to the last period of the city, have been found which are thought to have been used to produce copper coins. Investigations from 2020 have revealed remains of an ivory workshop in the central area of the fortified citadel during the later Islamic period from the 12th to 13th centuries. According to published reports from the 2020 Pakistani- Italian excavation, the discovery of ivory makes Banbhore “the only ivory workshop known in the archaeological record worldwide. This is the most abundant recovery of ivory artefacts ever known from a certain archaeological context” (Fiorani, 2021).

activity and viability. However, the study of Banbhore’s artefacts has implications not just for the history of Sindh, but for the wider Indian Ocean world in which it served as an important node in the broader network of ports and coastal cities.

More work is yet to be done, especially maritime archaeological investigations of the site. Like other sites of the Indus Delta, Banbhore declined due to the Indus River changing its course during the 13th century, thereby reducing its commercial activity and viability. However, the study of Banbhore’s artefacts has implications not just for the history of Sindh, but for the wider Indian Ocean world in which it served as an important node in the broader network of ports and coastal cities.

Local Folklore

Banbhore’s importance in the Indus Delta can also be gleaned from its mention in Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s (1689-1752) poetry in Sindhi. Bhittai wrote in the 18th century, about five centuries after Banbhore had been abandoned, and yet, in the Shah Jo Risalo, it features as a backdrop for the famous love story of Sassui-Punnu.

Banbhore is named as the birthplace of Sassui who is declared at birth to be cursed. Her father, a Hindu king, places her in a wooden box and sends her down the Indus River where she is discovered and raised by a washerman. As a young woman, Sassui falls in love with Punnu, a prince of Balochistan.

The sacred knot that love has tied between Punhoon and me,
Now in beauteous Bhanbore (sic) to stay poisons for me shall be,
Do not advise me sisters, to -return to home and glee;
Because my breath is property of my beloved Hoat.

(Shah Jo Risalo translated by Elsa Kazi)

Sassui and her friends, or washing and dyeing done by Sassui’s father. In 2020, large earthenware jars, possibly used for dyeing and washing, similar to those mentioned in the aforementioned folklore, were discovered at the site.

Sindh’s oral narratives, folklore, and literature have also mentioned the site which helps explain its cultural and commercial significance. Some historians emphasise Sassui-Punnu’s relevance as a source of historical data that describes the various commercial activities at Banbhore, such as thread-weaving done by Sassui and her friends, or washing and dyeing done by Sassui’s father. In 2020, large earthenware jars, possibly used for dyeing and washing, similar to those mentioned in the aforementioned folklore, were discovered at the site.