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CHOWKANDI KARACHI - THE MYSTERIOUS LANDMARK OF HISTORY, TRADITIONS AND ROYALTY

Located at a half hour long drive and 29 km from the Jinnah International Airport Karachi to the East Karachi, Chowkandi in an anthology of ancient tombs and graves dating back to the 15 to 18th century. The word Chow means four, and Kandi means corners i.e. four corners. Although, the site has got no proper corners at all, yet it entangles a person in its mysterious routes and designs, telling the stories of the ancient beauty and grace, the love tales and the furious bloody wars among kings and tribal heads.

These masterpieces of human expertise in craftsmanship, Chowkandi tombs are enlightened with the inscrutable languages and signs. These amazingly crafted stones carry symbols and signs of swords, arcs, knives and anger. Beauty is another component of the Chowkandi tombs. Stone jewels and carvings show up the way those ancient queens and princesses assembled their feminist being. Chowkandi tombs are a collection of emotions, stories and reflections from the past.

Telling a new tale on each step, these tombs are now associated with several stories of the modern times also, due to their location away from the urban development. Some of these stories include the concepts of nourishing modern love stories, mysterious activities performed by tribesmen at night and the development of magical powers near the graves. However, daytime is considered the best to visit these tombs, as there are no proper lighting system due to government ignorance and lack of local interest in these tombs.

The tombs of Chowkandi can be easily identified by the signs on them. The tombs of women contain jewelry items and sings of dancing women. Bangles, necklaces, crowns and anklets are the most common jewelry items found. The men's tombs can be identified by the signs of swords, horses, arms and turbans. There are a few dual tombs also, which tell the tales of love, harmony and peace.

An institution of civilization in itself, Chowkandi tombs were built by the Baloch tribes. Jokhios are known to be more specific. Allah Dino has been performing the security responsibilities of these tombs since 25 years. An English fluent old lad, Allah Dino rejects the ideas of mysterious activities at night, and says that the tombs are equally safe to visit at night time also, however there is only the need of building a proper outer protective wall and installing a proper electricity system inside. He believes that people do not show interest in non-monetary things, however his love for these tombs has raised from his first day of service. He finds a strong association of his civilization and cultural heritage with these tombs.
 
There is a severe need of the government's interest in these tombs, as the tombs can be easily transported, stolen or smuggled at very high prices by the black traders. The huge stone carvings dating back to the 15th century is definitely a precious property of the nation and can add a lot to Pakistan tourism!