Lets Explore Naukot and its Historical fort, The gateway of Tharparkar

Assigned By : Sir Sohail Sangi

Lets Explore Naukot and its Historical fort (The Gateway of Thar)

Residentially I belong to district Badin. Fortunately, my village is in Taluka Tando Bago, which touches the criteria of both districts;Mirpur Khas and Tharparkar. This travel is towards Naukot from my village. Naukot is a Taluka city of Tharparkar district. Naukot has literary means " The new City" but it is a historical city. The city has a splendid and tall fort which is known as " The Fort of Naukot and The Gateway of Thar". The fort is not only upholding its existence but also the historical importance of this city.

This city is approximately 64 kilometers from Mirpur Khas city. Although some roads also connect Badin city through Pangrio and Jhuddo to Naukot, but they are intricate in terms of roads. Whether you come through Mirpur Khas or Badin, but the Jhuddo is a City through you have to pass. This city is also historical. The city is known for the Cattle emporium and old Railway station. Cattle Market is still organized every Monday, but the station has only lefts its symptoms. A type of sweets locally Called “Parry” is familiar in Jhuddo. Which is made of pure Milk.

Going towards Naukot around the road you will see somewhere long saline patches and somewhere beautiful green crop fields. These three districts Mirpurkhas, Badin, and Tharparkar are more productive districts of Chilly crop. But You will not find any Chilly crop around the city, because this area was also affected by heavy rains this year. Here you will find crops of wheat, maze, tomatoes, Cotton, sugar cane but it depends on the month of the crop. These crops are grown on the north side of the City while from the South after the fort the sand aggers begin where the crops are different.

On the sandy mounds different crops are grown but they are grown only when it rains. Crops like, Bajhira, Meho, Kondeer, Bajhira,Guwar, Mooth, Chibhar, Mung, Kareeng, Bagro, Lular, Marrero, Pipoon, Jowar, Khumbhi (Mashroom) and also green fodder for the animals are grown in this dry and sandy region.

Naukot city is a small city it consists population of twenty thousand. There are Muslims and Hindus who live together in the city, they look simple. In the city, different languages are spoken including Urdu, Punjabi and dhataki but Sindhi is common. The Naukot city is familiar due to metallic and mechanical work in beyondareas.

The fort is located on the south of the city. When you reach the fort it welcomes by two high-round Pillers which are approximately 50 feet long. This fort was constructed by Mir Karam Ali Khan Talpolur in 1814 for defense purposes against Rajputs. After this fort was under the control of Kalhora (A Sindhi ruler's Dynasty). Later this was controlled by Sir Charles of East India Company.

Fort illustrates its beauty with its strong gate. Although in 2011 it was damaged by heavy rains. After its devastation, the (ETF) Endorsement Fund Trust was set up to restore the fort. Up to now progressive work is still running.

The 12 battlement places for cannons over the pillars of the wall illustrates its defensive decoration. Its strongness could be measured by its walls which are 8 feet wide 50 feet is long. The inner shell of walls is constructed by adobes while the outer with burnt bricks. In hot weather, it feels cool while in the cold it feels warm. The top view from the fort is interesting and beautiful. when see the south you will the find hilly mounds of sand. while the north side is the plane, there are some crops and the city.

If you are coming here first time you should keep some things in your mind. Such as, If you are not familiar with driving in this area you must be careful about road crossing cattle. Some times dangerous accidents occurs which result the loss of human lives and as well cattle. You should also take your waste with you or should dispose in a perfect place rather than through it irresponsibly. I reached here by motorcycle, but if you want to come and visit the whole Thrparkar you need to have a car, it will be better if you have a Jeep because here roads pass over the sandyHills.

Generally, Tharparkar is a hot region. Therefore the better time to visit is September or after rains when the desert covers the cloak of greenery, and including humans birds and animals also seems happy.

If we look at Food and drinks you’ll not find any luxury hotel or restaurant in Naukot city, but there wll be some local and financially average restaurants. In terms of food, the Mithi city is quite good which is 48 kilometers afore. It includes Daw Hotel and Restaurants, Diamant Hotel, Café Thar, and Parkar Hotel and Restaurant.

If you travel after rains you must find Mushrooms. It is a delicious vegetable. It is a rich source of fiber, protein, and vitamin D. Forbye you will also find desert fruits including Berries, Chibber, and Watermelon.

This part concerned with Tharparkar and so is with culture. The culture of this area mixed up with Rajasthani, Sindhi, and Gujarati. People of Tharpark have a great passion n for folk music and folk poetry. Its music has a little taste of Rajasthani music it seems it inspired by it.

Handicraft or Art have been remained the important element of Thari society since the Indus Valley Civilisation. Common illustration of art include pottery ,ralli, cobbling, carpet-making, block printing, traditional decoration, puppet-making and embroidery. In Chachro taluka alone there are 6,000 handlooms (a loom operated manualy to produce art work).

It was the just Gateway of Thar but forehead it is an adventurous travel, from Naukot to Nagar Parkar. Where historical heritage, green andsandy mounds, mountains of Nagar, desert birds and animals and the culture of the people bightens the beauty of Tharparkar.

Short featured video on Naukot fort.