KOHAT, July 24: The 17 historical sites identified in Kohat for inclusion in the ‘travel guide of Pakistan’ by the federal tourism ministry have lost most of their grandeur because of corrosion and plunder by smugglers.

The document includes sites such as Tanda Dam, caves of Aad Samud dynasty, Kohat springs visited by Guru Nanak, shrines of Zinda Pir famous as Ghamkol Pir, Hazrat Haji Bahadar and Pir Baba Kabli, family graveyard of Ahmed Shah Abdali, the Kohat Fort where Alexander camped with his army, the Municipal Committee building, Cavagnari House, the cemetery where the mother of Miss Ellis, who was killed by Ajab Khan Afridi during the colonial period, lies buried, Guava gardens and hilly track.

The Handy Side Gate at Darra Pass erected in the memory of then regional army chief who subdued the Afridis, Toi Banda rest-house from where Shah Khwarzam crossed the Indus in the 12th century to save his life from the chasing army of Halaku Khan, Khushal Garh rest-house, Mir Kheli and a 16th century mosque in Shahpur village are also in the list.

The list prepared by the district government and approved by the nazim skipped a number of places like the palaces of the Durrani king and princes, the hilly track used by the army of Alexander to cross the Darra Pass, the Dhoda ground where Emperor Zaheeruddin Babar camped, eight of the 12 remaining gates of the walled city of Kohat and the Khushal Garh iron bridge. Most of the sites which have tourism potential have lost their original look because of negligence of the archaeology department and the district administration.

The Durrani family graveyard and the ruins of Aad and Samud have been robbed of precious tiles, gravestones, coins and statues, while some graves have been demolished and reconstructed by their caretakers. The 16th century mosque in the graveyard of the family of King Ahmed Shah Abdali has been repaired and whitewashed by members of the Tableeghi Jamaat to save its sanctity. The old mosque has become a den for drug sellers and addicts. Despite repeated requests by the heirs of the former king, the provincial archaeology department has not taken any steps to preserve it.

The shrine of Zinda Pir, visited by millions of people, has been reconstructed by his grandsons and followers.

The Kohat Fort constructed by the Durranis on the hilltop where Alexander camped with his army before marching towards north serves as the headquarters of the IXth army division. Only the tunnel which served as its only entrance and the trench surrounding it are in their original form.

Experts say the archaeology department should seek funds on emergency basis for preserving and developing the national heritage.