Makli Necropolis

Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan

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Makli Necropolis, near Thatta in Sindh, is one of the largest and most hauntingly beautiful funerary sites in the world—a silent city of the dead that spans over 10 square kilometers and holds between 500,000 to a million tombs. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a monumental testament to the cultural, spiritual, and architectural legacy of Sindh from the 14th to the 18th centuries.

The necropolis is divided into clusters representing different dynasties—Samma, Arghun, Tarkhan, and Mughal—each leaving behind intricately carved sandstone tombs, domed mausoleums, and pavilions that blend Islamic, Hindu, Persian, and Gujarati styles.

The tomb of Jam Nizamuddin II, with its temple-like jharoka and floral motifs, and the blue-tiled mausoleum of Isa Khan Hussain II Tarkhan are among the most striking. Makli’s architecture is as symbolic as it is stunning. Many tombs feature Quranic inscriptions, geometric patterns, and even carvings of animals and warriors—rare in Islamic funerary art.

The Chaukhandi style, with its stacked sandstone slabs and elaborate carvings, originated here and influenced funerary architecture across the region.