Form source to delta, the Indus flows over 3000 km, first through Tibet and Ladakh before entering the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Fed by glaciers and streams, it passes through dramatic gorges, slows down through the five river plain of Punjab then finally reaches the Sindh province and its delta on the Arabian Sea.
Crossing the length of the country, it’s Pakistan’s longest river and cradle of the ancient Indus civilization, seen at its best in Mohenjo Daro.
The Indus Valley Civilization and Mohenjo Daro
Some 5000 years ago, the Indus civilization flourished across a vast area from Afghanistan to northern India. Blessed, at times threatened by the Indus, this highly organised society claimed skilled artisans, efficient farmers and priests and deities said to anticipate Hinduism. Over 1000 settlements have been found to date, including remains of major cities.
Harappa in Punjab was the first but Mohenjo Daro in Sindh steals the limelight as one of the world’s great archaeological finds. Roughly five km around, the site covers the man made mound known as the citadel, with a sophisticated Great Bath and Halls, and the lower town with living and trading quarters. Seals, toys, jewellery and other artefacts are displayed in the museum.
The Indus in Punjab, the Five River Plain
The people of Punjab still offer prayers and coins to Khwaja Khizr, the water deity. The Indus and its five Punjab tributaries brought good harvests but also disasters. Today the rivers are much tamer, even the Indus, dammed to control its flow and generate electricity. Meanwhile the vast network of colonial canals turned the Punjab into Pakistan’s breadbasket, attracting over 50% of the population.
Some ancient towns have vanished, others have moved away from the Indus, but the valley is dotted with cultural sites from imposing forts and ancient ruins to the Mughal wonders of Lahore, glittering mosques and holy shrines. Hund in the north marks the spot where Alexander the Great and 50 000 men crossed the Indus on a boat bridge.
The Sindh and Indus Delta
Framed by the Kirthar mountains and the Thar desert, the southern province of Sindh takes its name from the Indus, originally called Sindhu, or ocean. Floods, wind and drought took their toll but over the centuries, land and water came under control. Today irrigation schemes support orchards of mango and guava, wheat, millet, cotton and much more.
Out in the wild, thorn bush and sand have replaced the jungle but there are patches of tamarisk forest, hot springs and lakes, home to waterfowl and thousands of boat people. The Indus river dolphin is still present, though groups have been isolated by the building of dams.
South east of Karachi, the Indus delta stretches over 200 km across at its widest point. It’s a unique ecosystem of mangrove swamps, streams, islands and creeks, unsuitable for agriculture but with rich fishing grounds providing among others delicious pomfret and prawns.
Crossing the length of the country, it’s Pakistan’s longest river and cradle of the ancient Indus civilization, seen at its best in Mohenjo Daro.
The Indus Valley Civilization and Mohenjo Daro
Some 5000 years ago, the Indus civilization flourished across a vast area from Afghanistan to northern India. Blessed, at times threatened by the Indus, this highly organised society claimed skilled artisans, efficient farmers and priests and deities said to anticipate Hinduism. Over 1000 settlements have been found to date, including remains of major cities.
Harappa in Punjab was the first but Mohenjo Daro in Sindh steals the limelight as one of the world’s great archaeological finds. Roughly five km around, the site covers the man made mound known as the citadel, with a sophisticated Great Bath and Halls, and the lower town with living and trading quarters. Seals, toys, jewellery and other artefacts are displayed in the museum.
The Indus in Punjab, the Five River Plain
The people of Punjab still offer prayers and coins to Khwaja Khizr, the water deity. The Indus and its five Punjab tributaries brought good harvests but also disasters. Today the rivers are much tamer, even the Indus, dammed to control its flow and generate electricity. Meanwhile the vast network of colonial canals turned the Punjab into Pakistan’s breadbasket, attracting over 50% of the population.
Some ancient towns have vanished, others have moved away from the Indus, but the valley is dotted with cultural sites from imposing forts and ancient ruins to the Mughal wonders of Lahore, glittering mosques and holy shrines. Hund in the north marks the spot where Alexander the Great and 50 000 men crossed the Indus on a boat bridge.
The Sindh and Indus Delta
Framed by the Kirthar mountains and the Thar desert, the southern province of Sindh takes its name from the Indus, originally called Sindhu, or ocean. Floods, wind and drought took their toll but over the centuries, land and water came under control. Today irrigation schemes support orchards of mango and guava, wheat, millet, cotton and much more.
Out in the wild, thorn bush and sand have replaced the jungle but there are patches of tamarisk forest, hot springs and lakes, home to waterfowl and thousands of boat people. The Indus river dolphin is still present, though groups have been isolated by the building of dams.
South east of Karachi, the Indus delta stretches over 200 km across at its widest point. It’s a unique ecosystem of mangrove swamps, streams, islands and creeks, unsuitable for agriculture but with rich fishing grounds providing among others delicious pomfret and prawns.
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