A Peek in the Thar Desert: Two Days in Umerkot

The Historical Umerkot Fort Constructed in 1746 AD

Gateway to Tharparkar

Geographical significance, historical roots, cultural vibrancy, agricultural diversity, and religious sensitivity provided Umerkot with a unique positioning, a city which is often overshadowed by the other big names of the interior Sindh.

The city is located at the Eastern entrance of the Thar desert in the South West of Pakistan, and hence nicked as "Gateway to Tharparkar". The fact that it is the only commercial hub on the Pakistan side of the world's 9th largest subtropical desert, which stretches towards East into the Indian state of Rajhistan to become the Great Indian Desert, promises much for an explorer's perspective.

Entering Umerkot; the Gateway to Thar

Promise Low Deliver High

However, I kept my expectation level intentionally low, before departing for the 2 day self drive whirlwind trip during the long Eid weekend.

Reason? Actually, that was my first ever visit of the region, which is more famous for drought and poverty in a country which has itself been ranked one of the lowest in the human development index. So I did not want to destroy the taste of the adventure because of high hopes and big excitement.

Off the Beaten Path

Approaching Karachi Toll Plaze

Sunrise!

We started our journey after offering Fajar prayers, around 6:30 am, on Saturday, November 5, 2011 and crossed Karachi Toll Plaza just around sunrise. I wanted to take the longer Tando Adam - Mirpurkhas route, as suggested by the googlemaps, rather than taking the traditional Hyderabad - Mirpurkhas one. Amid this confusion, we ended up traversing around the less traveled Nasarpur - Tandoallahyar road. The scenic countryside full of green crops and occasional sights of colossal bulls with perfectly rounded horns made up for the low quality link road.

Tea Break

It was around half past ten when we crossed Mirpurkhas in the direction of Umerkot and took a sojourn to pour میٹھا کم پتی تیز tea into our breakfast starved stomachs. There we also gave a confirmation call to our host Fasial, an ex-NEDian and a young son of the soil, who was suspicious, in light of his ten years Karachi experience, that we would be able to start the journey before sunrise!

Rains, Floods, and Bad Roads

The 80 km Mirpurkhas-Umerkot road had been badly hit by the heavy rains earlier this year prolonging the journey for another two hours. Parts of the road, with lower elevation, were secured through temporary sand barriers on both sides: بچاؤ بند, as the rain water engulfed the surrounding land including ready crops.

Overloaded Bus as People Going Back Homes for Eid

Reaching the Baithak

It was around 1:00 pm when we made it to the destination, i.e. to the Faisal's permanent residence in Umerkot city, after a continuous six and a half hours, around 350 km, road drive. The کڑک tea was ready even before we entered the guestroom, بیٹھک! The room was cool, even though it was around 30 Celcius outside, not because of the high ceiling but actually due to the air-conditioning, which I fortunately noticed before making a cliche statement!

The tea was followed by the simple but filling lunch, پلاؤ, after which Faisal introduced us to his friend Vash Dev to answer our unending questions about rains, culture, religion, mode of transport, India, and what not!

From Left: Faisal (host), Nadeem, Abdullah, and Myself

Sunset in the Desert

Sunset in the Desert

After the welcome show of hospitality, Faisal advised us to drive out in the desert to watch the sunset. On our way we saw a few tent villages for flood ridden people, however, most of them were thinly populated showing a sign that effectees had started returning back to their homes after the water level had come down in some places. Nearby, there was a long queue outside a water filtering plant, an expected sight in the water scarce Thar.

Due to heavy rains, the desert has turned green, a sight which Tharis see once in a decade for such a long period!

Desert Turned Green After Heavy Rains; Good For Cattle

Modern Camels!

When You're Happy and You Know It!

Cattle Farming

In Desert, Cattle Enjoy the "First Right of Way"

Cattle farming is one of the main revenue sources for the people of Thar, which we witness a couple of times when huge herds comprising of hundreds of cows, bulls, and buffalos were roaming around freely. At one point, when one of the herds was crossing the main road, we had to pause the journey for about quarter of an hour, until we found a space to sneak out!

Youth Power

The Place Where Faisal Set-up the Medical Camp for Flood Effectees

Fasial also showed us the place where he put a medical camp during the crisis period with the help of his University fellows. That was a commendable effort showing that Pakistani youth has a lot of potential and a will to fight any type of crisis and given that we get rid of the corrupt leadership, be it political or otherwise, they can steer the nation out of all problems.

Akbar's Birthplace

Village Kids in Front of the Monument

On our way back, we did a detour to see the birthplace of the most famous Mughal Emperor; Abul Fateh Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar, or Shahanshah Akbar-e-Azam (d. 1605 AD), who was born in Umerkot when his father Nasiruddin Muhammad Humayun (d. 1556 AD) was hiding from his rival Sher Shah Suri (d. 1545 AD). The monument has been rebuilt after it was destroyed, or collapsed, under Army's control during the recent Pakistan India tensions.

Nonetheless, presence of this historical monument adds to the rich heritage of Umerkot.

Please Read!

Night View of the Monument

Cow and Religion

In the evening, we went out for an easy stroll around Umerkot city. The most notable thing was the presence of freely roaming cows, which tells a lot about the character of the city!

Cow: Mother God to Hindus

Umerkot is the only city in Pakistan with significant Hindu population - maybe due to its proximity to India - which has a dominant role over city's trade and culture.

I got a bit curious to see the special protocal گاؤ ماتا has got there, especially with Eid-ul-Adha around the corner when Muslims all around sacrifice the same cow, and other farm animals, in the memory of Ibrahim (A.S) and Ismail (A.S)! However, I was pleasantly surprised that despite being the majority, Muslims of Umerkot are in an implicit agreement with Hindus to confine themselves to the sacrifice of goats to show respect to the religious beliefs of their fellow citizens! Those who could not afford expensive goats, are also not deprived and can sacrifice cows in the surrounding Muslim-only villages in a way that would not offend their brethren!

This religious sensitivity, and harmony, is the another unique proposition of the city of Umerkot.

Thadal

The stroll ended up at a famous road side restaurant where we had a sumptuous dinner of Chicken Karhai, کڑھائی, and BBQ Lever, کلیجی! However, the highlight was Thadal, تھادل, the flagship Thar cold drink made up of چار مغز, an Indian food ingrediant which is a combination of four kinds of seeds and nuts including almond, and other constituents. The refresher is famous for its cooling effect and suits hot and arid climates.

Undoubtedly, that was one the best drinks I have ever had in my life! No exaggeration!!

Having the Drink of My Life

Day Ends

Before going to sleep, I had a long discussion with Faisal on topics ranging from local politics, Hindu Muslim relationships, scarcity of water, NGOs, health and hygiene of the rural population, and our potential role in bringing any positive change to the lives of indigenous people.

I was surprised to learn that the former Foreign Minister and veteran PPP leader, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is originally from Multan, has got a decent following in the district mainly because of his inherited religious seat.

The Roundabout!

Umerkot Fort

Next morning, after offering Fajar prayers, we walked towards Umerkot Fort to catch the sunrise. Weather was really pleasant, cool with a pinch of humidity due to dew fall. View of the city from the high watchtower, with the sun rising from the desert, was worth the effort.

Impressive Entrance

The Watchtower

Stairs

Taking A View from the Watchtower

Defense!

Sun Peeking From the Desert

Hold, Fire!!!

Sunrise

Please Read!

Attack!

That Was Too Heavy I Tell You!

The Museum

The small time museum is one of the few things one can see in the otherwise rubble-ish fort. The watchman was kind enough to unlock the facility even before the opening hours after charging meager PKR 10 per person entrance fee. A few excavated stones were showcased around the entrance while a collection of gold and silver coins from Mughul era were also on the display. On the other side of the room, hand written copies of “Akbarnama”, اکبر نامہ, and various other similar books were exhibited.

Coin Collection

Silver

Gold

Excavation

Akbar's Biography

A Colonial Building

Collector's Office

The Troupe

The Remaining Glory

An Arch

Graffiti Everywhere

Walls of the historical fort, except for the front one, were in the sorry state. Followers of Pir Pagara, پیر پگاڑا, did not even spare the front wall while a political sign board in front of the main entrance was also completely out of place. But that’s what it usually happens in a country where people have more serious things to worry about!

Dilapidated Walls

Uncompromising Following!

Halwa Puri, Karak Tea, Peacocks, and Red Chilies

The Breakfast

On our way back from the fort we did some window shopping in the surrounding bazaars, which has already wakened up, and then picked the breakfast, حلوہ پوری, from a roadside vendor.

Magic! An Integral Part of Hindu Culture

A Local Fruit. Don't Know the Name1

Bangle Shop

In the Making

Traditional Bnagles

City Street

Another round of کڑک tea was the need of the hour to do away with the drowsing effect of the oily feast after which Faisal took us a bit out of the city for a taste of rural life. The surprise came when we spotted a couple of wild peacocks while wandering around cottonseed and red chili crops.

Wild Peacock

Tube Well; The Lifeline

It Digs Deep

Ready Crop

Red Chili

A Farmer

Women Farmers

Visiting the Bazaar and the Temple

It was around noon when we peeked into the main bazaar, which was crap full because of the Eid next day, to bargain for traditional handmade embroidery. The humble looking handicraft shop had lot to offer, products ranging from the PKR 100 wallet to the PKR 25,000 bed sheet! This time we were guided by Vash Dev who then took us to a nearby Hindu temple which is devoted to کالی, the Goddess of Death.

Handicraft Shop

Hard Work!

The Temple

Tun-Tun!

Kaali

Back to Home

We wanted to make it back to Karachi in the daylight, however, it was inappropriate for Faisal to let the guests go without the lunch, so we had yet another hospitable meal, بریانی, before we packed into the car again at around 3 pm. The return journey was quick, thanks to the helping fellows, as we did not make a stopover, and by 8 pm we reached Karachi after an event-less journey except for the bad road patches on Mirpurkhas-Hyderabad under construction highway.

Next Journey

The journey did not end as we had already planned for the next road trip in the near future, this time to the other end of the Thar desert, i.e. to Nagarparkar, inshallah, the farthest South Western Pakistani city touching the Indian border.