CHOLISTAN
DESERT

Derawar
Fort is the best surviving example of the forts which used to desert
caravan routes
The
Cholistan Desert, also locally known as Rohi, is a large desert
in the southern part of Punjab, Pakistan that forms part of the
Greater Thar Desert, which extends to Sindh province and the Indian
state of Rajasthan. It is one of two large deserts in Punjab, the
other being Thal Desert. The name is derived from the Turkic word
chol, meaning "sands," and istan, a Persian suffix meaning
"land of."
In
ancient times, Cholistan was a fertile region with a large river
fed by meltwater from the Himalayas, and so has a high density of
ancient settlements from the Indus Valley Civilization period dating
back as early as 4000 BCE. The region later became a center for
caravan trade, leading to the construction of numerous forts in
the medieval period to protect trade routes - of which the Derawar
Fort is the best preserved example.
Geography
:
Cholistan covers an area of 25,800 km2 (10,000 sq mi) in the Bahawalpur,
Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan districts of southern Punjab. The
nearest major city is Bahawalpur city, 30 km (19 mi) from the edge
of the desert. The desert stretches about 480 kilometers in length,
with a width varying between 32 and 192 kilometers. It is located
between 27°42' 00 to 29° 45 00 north, and 69°57' 30''
to 72° 52' 30'' east. 81% of the desert is sandy, while 19%
is characterized by alluvial flats and small sandy dunes. The entire
region is subject to desertification due to poor vegetation cover
resulting in wind erosion.
Climate
:
Cholistan's climate is characterized as an arid and semi-arid Tropical
desert, with very low annual humidity. The mean temperature in Cholistan
is 28.33 °C (82.99 °F), with the hottest month being July
with a mean temperature of 38.5 °C (101.3 °F). Summer temperatures
can surpass 46 °C (115 °F), and sometimes rise over 50 °C
(122 °F) during periods of drought. Winter temperatures occasionally
dip to 0 °C (32 °F). Average rainfall in Cholistan is up
to 180mm, with July and August being the wettest months, although
droughts are common. Water is collected seasonally in a system of
natural pools called Toba, or manmade pools call Kund. Subsoil water
is found at a depth of 30–40 meters, but is typically brackish,
and unsuitable for most plant growth.
Geology
:
Cholistan was formed during the Pleistocene period. Geologically,
Cholistan is divided into the Greater Cholistan and Lesser Cholistan,
which are roughly divided by the dry bed of the ancient Hakra River.
Greater Cholistan is a mostly sandy area in the south and west part
of the desert up to the border with India, and covers an area of
13,600 km2 (5,300 sq mi). Sand dunes in this area reach over 100
meters in height. Soil in the region is also highly saline. Lesser
Cholistan is an arid and slightly less sandy region approximately
12,370 km2 (4,780 sq mi) in area which extends north and east from
the old Hakra river bed, historically up to the banks of the Sutlej
River.
Soil
quality is generally poor with little organic matter in the Greater
Cholistan, and compacted alluvial clays in the Lesser Cholistan.
A canal system built during the British era led to irrigation of
the northern part of Lesser Cholistan.
History
:
Though now an arid region, Cholistan once had a large river flowing
through it that was formed by the waters of the Sutlej and Yamuna
Rivers. The dry bed of the Hakra River runs through the area, along
which many settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization/Harappan
Culture have been discovered, including the large urban site of
Ganweriwal. The river system supported settlements in the region
between 4000 BCE and 600 BCE when the river changed course. The
river carried significant amounts of water, and flowed until at
least where Derawar Fort is now located.
Over
400 Harappan sites had been listed in Cholistan in the 1970s, with
a further 37 added in the 1990s. The high density of settlements
in Cholistan suggest it may have been one of the most productive
regions of the Indus Valley Civilization. In the post-Harappan period,
Cholistan was part of the Cemetery H culture which grew as a surviving
regional variant of the Harappan Culture, which was then followed
by the Painted Grey Ware culture.
The
region became a center for caravan trade, leading to the construction
of a dense network of forts in the medieval period - of which the
Derawar Fort is the best preserved example. Other large forts in
Cholistan include Meergarh, Jaangarh, Marotgarh, Maujgarh, Dingarh,
Khangarh, Khairgarh, Bijnotgarh and Islamgarh - with the suffix
"garh" denoting "fort." These forts are part
of the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and run roughly
parallel to the Indus and Sutlej Rivers 40 miles to the south. Smaller
forts in the area include Bara, Bhagla, Duheinwala, Falji, Kandera,
Liara, Murid, Machki, Nawankot, and Phulra forts.
Economy
:
Livestock :

Camel
grazers in Cholistan
The backbone of Cholistan economy is animal rearing. Few other livelihood
opportunities aseide from livestock farming are available in the
region. Agricultural farming away from the irrigated regions in
Lower Cholistan are unavailable due to the lack of steady water-supply.
Camels
in particular are prized in Cholistan for their meat and milk, use
as transportation, and for entertainment such as racing and camel
dancing. Two types of camels are found in Cholistan: Marrecha, or
Mahra, is used for transportation or racing/dancing. Berella is
used for milk production, and can produce 10–15 liters of
milk per day per animal.
Mother
& Child
It has the major importance for satisfying the area's major needs
for cottage industry as well as milk meat and fat. Because of the
nomadic way of life the main wealth of the people are their cattle
that are bred for sale, milked or shorn for their wool. Moreover,
isolated as they were, they had to depend upon themselves for all
their needs like food, clothing, and all the items of daily use.
So all their crafts initially stemmed from necessity but later on
they started exporting their goods to the other places as well.
The estimated number of livestock in the desert areas is 1.6 million.
Cotton
and wool products :

Semipermanent
Cholistani huts, known locally as Gopa
Cholistan produces very superior type of carpet wool as compared
to that produced in other parts of Pakistan. From this wool they
knit beautiful carpets, rugs and other woolen items. This includes
blankets, which is also a local necessity for the desert is not
just a land of dust and heat, but winter nights here are very cold,
usually below freezing points. Khes and pattu are also manufactured
with wool or cotton. Khes is a form of blanket with a field of black
white and pattu has a white ground base. Cholistanis now sell the
wool for it brings maximum profit.
Textiles
:

Cholistani
textiles
It may be mentioned that cotton textiles have always been a hallmark
of craft of Indus valley civilization. Various kinds of khaddar-cloth
are made for local consumption, and fine khaddar bedclothes and
coarse lungies are woven here. A beautiful cloth called Sufi is
also woven of silk and cotton, or with cotton wrap and silk wool.
Gargas are made with numerous patterns and color, having complicated
embroidery, mirror, and patchwork. Ajrak is another specialty of
Cholistan. It is a special and delicate printing technique on both
sides of the cloth in indigo blue and red patterns covering the
base cloth. Cotton turbans and shawls are also made here. Chunri
is another form of dopattas, having innumerable colors and patterns
like dots, squares, and circles on it.
People
:
As per the 1998 Census of Pakistan, a total of 128,019, with a 2015
estimate of 229,071, with 70% living in Lesser Cholistan. The average
household size is 6.65.
Local
crafts :
As mentioned above, the Indus Valley has always been occupied by
the wandering nomadic tribes, who are fond of isolated areas, as
such areas allow them to lead life free of foreign intrusion, enabling
them to establish their own individual and unique cultures. Cholistan
till the era of Mughal rule had also been isolated from outside
influence. During the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar, it became a
proper productive unit. The entire area was ruled by a host of kings
who securely guarded their frontiers. The rulers were the great
patrons of art, and the various crafts underwent a simultaneous
and parallel development, influencing each other. Masons, stone
carvers, artisans, artists, and designers started rebuilding the
old cities and new sites, and with that flourished new courts, paintings,
weaving, and pottery. The fields of architecture, sculpture, terra
cotta, and pottery developed greatly in this phase.
Camel
products :
Camels are highly valued by the desert dwellers. Camels are not
only useful for transportation and loading purposes, but its skin
and wool are also quite worthwhile. Camel wool is spun and woven
into beautiful woolen blankets known as falsies and into stylish
and durable rugs. The camel's leather is also utilized in making
caps, goblets, and expensive lampshades.
Leatherwork
:

Cholistani
musicians
Leatherwork is another important local cottage industry due to the
large number of livestock here. Other than the products mentioned
above, Khusa (shoes) is a specialty of this area. Cholistani khusas
are very famous for the quality of workmanship, variety, and richness
of designs especially when stitched and embroidered with golden
or brightly colored threads.
Jewellery
:
The Cholistanis are fond of jewellery, especially gold jewellery.
The chief ornaments made and worn by them are Nath (nose gay), Katmala
(necklace) Kangan (bracelet), and Pazeb (anklets). Gold and silver
bangles are also a product of Cholistan. The locals similarly work
in enamel, producing enamel buttons, earrings, bangles, and rings.
Ecology
:
Flora :
Subsoil water in Cholistan is typically brackish, and unsuitable
for most plant growth. Native trees, shrubs, and grasses are drought
tolerant. There are 131 plant species in Cholistan from 89 genera
and 24 families.
A
man-made forest called Dingarh was developed by The Pakistan Council
of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) on more than 100 ha. Dunes
were fixed and stabilized by mechanical and vegetative means, and
the area is now covered with trees with orchards of zizyphus, date
palms, and grassland grown with collected rainwater and saline groundwater.
Fauna
:
The wildlife of Cholistan desert mostly consists of migratory birds,
especially Houbara bustard who migrates to this part during winters.
This species of birds is most famous in the hunting season, even
though they are endangered in Pakistan (vulnerable globally), according
to IUCN Red List. Their population has decreased from 4,746 in 2001
to just a few dozens in recent times. In December 2016, a Qatari
prince, had his hunting license rejected due to the species being
endangered. Another prince, Dr. Fahad was fined with Rs. 80,000
($760) and all of the birds he caught were set free for hunting
without permit and license. The other endangered species in this
desert is Chinkara, their population has also decreased from 3,000
in 2007 to just a few above 1,000 in 2010 due to non-permit hunting
of the species by influential political families.
•
Forts in Cholistan
• Derawar Fort
• Islamgarh Fort
• Mirgarh Fort
• Jamgarh Fort
• Mojgarh Fort
• Marot Fort
• Phoolra Fort
• Khairgarh Fort
• Nawankot Fort
• Bijnot Fort
Terra cotta :

Derawar
Fort, Cholistan Desert
The Indus civilization was the earliest centre of ceramics, and
thus the pottery of Cholistan has a long history. Local soil is
very fine and suitable for making pottery. The fineness of the earth
can be observed on the Kacha houses which are actually plastered
with mud but look like they have been white washed. The chief Cholistani
ceramic articles are their surahies, piyalas, and glasses, remarkable
for their lightness and fine finishing.
In
the early times only the art of pottery and terracotta developed,
but from the seventh century onwards, a large number of temples
and images were also built on account of the intensified religious
passions and the accumulation of wealth in cities. The building
activity reached to such an extent that some cities actually became
city temples. In fact the area particularly came to be known for
its forts, villas, palaces and havelis.
Source
:
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Cholistan_Desert