THATTA: Theriro or Thari hills — a long sandstone outcrop overlooking the alluvial plain, 10 metres down to the south of the road linking Gharo with Thatta — is considered a site of historical importance, with the discovery of signs or monograms engraved on its hill structure. These discoveries are under constant threat due to the uninterrupted encroachments around it by the land mafia.

With the excavating of the sand and the extraction of carved stones, this is a matter of great concern, according to a team of archaeologically-curious people.

The team includes Masood Lohar, explorer of archaeological sites, and office-bearers of the Thatta Historical Society, historian Dr Muhammad Ali Manjhi, Abdul Qadir Gandhro and Nawaz Qureshi, all in the quest of determining the exact route of Alexander’s army, from the coastal areas of Thatta district through the Makran coast to the Persian capital, Persepolis.

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“Gedrosia appears to be the Greek form of Gwadar. The Macedonian conqueror, on his way back to Babylon, marched through the Pabb range of Balochistan. There are reports of Greek signs and wall carvings in those mountains.

“We are trying to document those before they vanish forever in the wake of natural disasters and increasing human activity,” remarked Lohar, while talking to Dawn.

The Theriro Jabal monograms of Alexander’s army were discovered by archaeologist Dr Asma Ibrahim years ago.

“The fort and pier constructed by the Macedonians at Theriro suffered heavy damage by a massive earthquake in the 9th century, with an epicentre only 8 miles north-east near Jungshahi,” said Lohar. He added: “The subsequent earthquakes in the 17th and 19th centuries further damaged the structures.”

Showing photographs of the mint marks/monograms they found on the hill, Lohar disclosed that unscrupulous elements were frequently extracting precious stones and excavating the sand from the site, hence causing irreparable losses to the hill that houses the remains of the fortress built by Alexander the Great.

Theriro hill is located near the Gujjo town of Thatta district and the team was of the view that a careful archaeological study of the site can reveal a wealth of information about Alexander and his army.

Different customs were in practice to mark victory or the presence of a certain ruler in a conquered area. In this fortress, the signs engraved show monograms on Greek and Indo-Scythians coinage.

Referring to Arrian’s Anabasis of Alexander, General Haig’s The Indus Delta Country and Henry George Raverty’s The Mehran of Sindh, Dr Manjhi remarked on how the legendary personality of Alexander has always been a very important part of the history of the world, as well as of the subcontinent. Alexander not only camped at Mayen Nagar near the historic site Kalan Kot at Makli, but also he praised its environment.

Praising the research work of Dr Asma Ibrahim, the team suggested further research on the subject, proper protection and preservation of the historical site and its enlistment on the archaeological sites list.

They also called for a strict ban on cultivation of land around the hill and the site to be guarded properly.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2015

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