// About Pakistan //
It is a fact that the
birth of Pakistan is not a mere accident of history and
it can be proved that the people inhabiting this land have
asserted their separate status long before the historical
records formally came into being. It has existed as a separate
entity in various different forms and shapes and has contributed
enormously to the development of human civilization.
Very early traces of
human beings can be identified in Pakistan, e.g. some of
the stone age tools have been discovered over here that
point to the existence of very early human beings on this
land. Moreover, some of the stone carvings near Chilas point
to quite well developed artwork similar to the one that
has been discovered in Uzbekistan. The first known form
of life on this land relates to the development of a few
villages in Mehergarh near Sibbi in Balochistan. Here some
of the mud houses have also been excavated and some ancient
tools discovered.
Infact the land of Pakistan
is the place that saw the rise and fall of the Indus Valley
Civilization in Moenjo Daro and in Harappa, one of the oldest
civilizations that ever flourished on this earth. The city
of Moenjo Daro is called as the first planned city in the
world, in which streets are aligned quite straight and parallel
to each other, with cross streets cutting at right angles
so that wheel carts could commute easily. Well-developed
drainage system can also be observed in this city. As a
whole the Indus civilization is also thought to be the first
literate civilization in the world whose cities were the
centres for learning and excellence. This civilization is
thought to have lasted for about five hundred years to 1750
B.C.
Another important period
in the history of this land was the time when the Aryans
arrived here through the passes of the northwest some time
around 1500- 1200 B.C. These were the followers of the Vedas
and they promoted their ritual practices of animal sacrifice
and worshipping of gods. They developed another great civilization
namely Gandhara civilization in and around Taxila bringing
the influence of Hindu and Buddhist culture into this region.
Taxila was the capital of this civilization and they used
to call this land as the land of seven rivers. The city
of Taxila began to grow from 6th century B.C. It was also
over here that when the trade issue with the central Asian
states was raised; these people introduced the concept of
coins for the first time on this land. These people were
very skilful in the use of Iron that is manifested by the
large number of iron tools that have been discovered from
excavation.
In a way, Pakistan acquires
its major features through the Indus River that provides
it fertility, communication and direction. Pakistan’s location
is quite unique in the sense that it acts as a link between
Central Asia and South Asia. At the same time through the
Arabian Sea, it developed extensive relations with the ancient
civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia. It is also the land
that saw the invasion of Greeks under Alexander the Great
and the influence of Greeks can still be found in the northern
areas of modern day Pakistan particularly in Gilgit, Chitral
and Kailash. Alexander came to Taxila in 326 B.C. where
he was welcomed by the local king Raja Ambhi.
However, he had to fight
a great battle at the bank of river Jhelum opposite the
present village of Jalalpur Sharif against Raja Porus who
was the head of the heroic Puru tribe. The contacts of Alexander
and the Achemenian were very important for Pakistan from
the point of view of learning and these had a very positive
impact on the University of Taxila. They also brought Greek
knowledge with them and benefited themselves from the knowledge
of this great civilization. It was also in this time the
Buddhism flourished over here. The Buddhist monks moved
along the great Silk route freely and carried this religion
to the central Asia states. During this time, Gandhara Art
reached its peak and in a way it mirrors the social, religious
and common man's life of the time. This art represents a
blend of Greek, Buddhist and local customs.
Even during those old days regions comprising current day
Pakistan always looked towards west and had more connections
with the other famous civilizations such as Persian, Sumerian,
Babylonian and Greeks than with the Hindu civilizations
that developed near the Ganges river. It was only from the
time that Muslims came into India that the two wings of
the sub-continent (Sind and Hind) became under the control
of the central government in India. But even in this period,
many revolts and independence assertions are reported. Before
this, during the time when other great civilizations such
as the Mauryas (3rd century B.C.), Guptas (4th century A.D.)
and Raja Harsha (7th century A.D.) who ruled over southern
and central India, Pakistan was most of the time annexed
to the great civilizations of the west rather than a part
of the central Indian rules. Moreover it was with these
contacts with the western civilizations that have made a
marked impact on the languages that are spoken in Pakistan.
Other tribes and nations
who came from Central Asia such as the Huns and the Turks
also had a significant impact on Pakistan that can be witnessed
in the present day ethnicity, culture and food. Similarly
the Jats, Gakkhars, Janjuas and Gujars all trekked into
Pakistan and made their home here. Then came the Rajputs
and founded the feudal system in Punjab and Sindh that is
still present today in one form or another. Similarly the
Pashtuns settled over here and acquired the title of Khan
from the Mongols. Similar developments took place in Balochistan
and Wadera system was developed.
It was also again through the sea, that trade contacts of
this land with the Muslims were established With the coming
of Arabs in Sind, a large number of Muslim missionaries
also started coming over here to spread the message of Islam
to the masses. This period of time is quite significant
in the history of Pakistan as it was in this period the
country was brought closer to Central Asia and the Arab
world. Arabs and the Muslims Saints from Central Asia also
came here in large numbers. Similarly new trade routes were
opened in the reverse direction from those countries into
the Indus land. This period also saw rapid growth in the
economic field as agriculture was given special emphasis
due to the fertility of the soil.
Then came the Mughal
emperors who were the descendents of Amir Timur. This period
can be rightly declared as a golden period of this land.
Poetry and Architecture got huge importance in this period.
The great buildings made by the Mughal emperors are a testimony
to this fact. Sish Mahal, Badshahi Mosque, Taj Mahal, Shalimar
Bagh, Hiran Minar and Mosque of Wazir Khan are just a few
examples of the magnificent pieces of architecture of that
age. The mosque of Wazir Khan was also the centre of religious
and educational activities during the Mughal period.
The people of this land have been traditionally very stiff
and have always resisted the invasion of outsiders. This
was amply demonstrated during the British rule when the
Pathans of the north west frontier province (NWFP) and the
Hurs in Sind gave a very hard time to the British and never
accepted their superiority and the British had to arrange
a few treaties with them. The British acquired full power
by 1857 and reined till 1947 whereon the 14th of August,
the present day Pakistan came into being under the great
leadership of Quaid i Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
