Type: Monument - Tomb
Province: Sindh
District: Thatta
Period: Historic
Relative Chronology: 14th-16th Century CE
Description: The tomb of hamshira-e (sister of) Jam Fateh Khan is located to the northeast of that of Malik Rajpal at Makli Hill necropolis in Thatta, Sindh. This three-tiered mausoleum is square in plan, measuring 9.05x9.05m. At a later stage, a rectangular chamber, measuring 9.05x3.96m, was added on its eastern side. The foundation and platform of the tomb are constructed in stone, whereas the rest of the structure is built from burnt bricks set in lime mortar. Both internally and externally this edifice is thickly coated with lime, a common feature of the Samma period monuments. This tomb has three pointed-arch entrances, one each on the north, south and eastern side. Enclosed in rectangular frames, these archways are identical in style, however, the southern one is relatively larger in size. Under each archway is placed a rectangular door having slightly slopping jambs and a lintel above. A doorsill of the archway has at its center a half moon design, which is carved in the shape of a sunflower. The lintel, jambs and the doorsill are made of the locally available yellow Jangshahi stone. The tympanum of the entrance is enclosed in a rectangular frame. Stylistically the façade of the tomb on all sides is almost identical, the entrance is flanked on either side by three pilasters in brick masonry. The simple parapet is exquisitely plastered. The first tier of the building is square, the second one (drum) is octagonal, while the third one is circular surmounted by a hemispherical dome, mostly collapsed now. This style appeared at the Makli Hill for the first time. Arabic inscription is carved inside the tomb chamber consists of verses from the Holy Quran. It is carved in thulth style on a rectangular piece of stone and fixed in the masonry to the right of the mehrah. The Arabic inscription is comprised of two pans. In the first part we can see Quranic Verse no. 79, Surah-e- Bata Israel (Al-Quran: Chapter 17, Verse 79). In the second part genealogy of the deceased person is given, while, the third part is written in Persian, which shows the date of construction of the tomb. Internally the tomb chamber is provided with a pointed-arch mehrab (niche), enclosed by a rectangular frame. Above the cornice level are laid arched squinches, those on the four corners are alcoves whereas at the four cardinal sides are in the form of arched-openings. The eight squinches, four on the corners and four on the cardinal sides, are converted into sixteen to mark the phase of transition from the second or octagonal tier to the third or circular tier, which acts as a rim for the dome. The dome is mostly collapsed, but its partially intact north-eastern part reveals that it was wrought in corbelling method. The area above the squinch level is treated with chevron pattern executed in naked brick, which is one of the characteristic features of the tomb.
Latitude: 24.775755556
Longitude: 67.902847222
Ownership: Federal Government
Legal Status: Not Protected
Title of Publication: Inventory of Cultural Property in the Province of Sindh, Pakistan, 2015
Published In: Government of Sindh, Vol 4
Year of Publication: 2015
Bibliography/Reference: Jansen, Michael, Yasmeen Lari
