Chaukhandi tombs

Chaukhandi is a sandstone cemetery east of Karachi with over a thousand graves. The rectangular tomb structures are covered with geometric patterns and depictions of people and animals.

The burial grounds were created between the 15th and 18th centuries when members of the Jokhio and other tribes buried their relatives here. Under the Mughals, the cemetery was expanded and given the characteristic pyramid-shaped structures.

The monuments show flat reliefs of warriors on horseback, women wearing traditional jewelry, and scenes of hunting with falcons. The stonemasons carved weapons, bracelets, and garments so precisely that you can recognize the clothing of the upper class at that time.

Access is free and you can walk between the graves, but watch out for uneven ground and missing barriers. In the sun there is hardly any shade, so early morning or late afternoon are better times to visit.

Some graves have side niches where oil lamps once burned or small offerings were placed. The openings are mostly empty today, but you can still see the soot marks on the walls.