Cholistan Desert
Cholistan Desert | |
---|---|
Punjab region | |
Borders on | Pakistan India |
Coordinates | 28°30′N 70°00′E / 28.5°N 70°E |
The Cholistan Desert (
Cholistan was a center for caravan trade, leading to the construction of numerous forts in the medieval period to protect trade routes - of which the Derawar Fort is the best-preserved example.[5]
Geography
Cholistan covers an area of 25,800 km2 (10,000 sq mi)[2][6] in the Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan districts of southern Punjab. The nearest major city is Bahawalpur city, 30 km (19 mi) from the edge of the desert. The desert stretches about 480 kilometres in length, with a width varying between 32 and 192 kilometres.[7] It is located between 27°42΄00΄΄ to 29° 45΄00΄΄ north, and 69°57' 30'′ to 72° 52' 30'′ east.[8] 81% of the desert is sandy, while 19% is characterized by alluvial flats and small sandy dunes.[7] The entire region is subject to desertification due to poor vegetation cover resulting in wind erosion.[7]
Climate
Cholistan's climate is characterized as an arid and semi-arid Tropical desert,[9] with very low annual humidity.[10] The mean temperature in Cholistan is 28.33 °C (82.99 °F), with the hottest month being July with a mean temperature of 38.5 °C (101.3 °F).[9] Summer temperatures can surpass 46 °C (115 °F), and sometimes rise over 50 °C (122 °F) during periods of drought.[9] Winter temperatures occasionally dip to 0 °C (32 °F).[9] Average rainfall in Cholistan is up to 180mm, with July and August being the wettest months,[9] although droughts are common. Water is collected seasonally in a system of natural pools called Toba,[9] or manmade pools called Kund.[7] Subsoil water is found at a depth of 30–40 meters,[9] but is typically brackish, and unsuitable for most plant growth.[2]
2022 Cholistan water crisis
In May 2022, in the desert areas of
Geology
Cholistan was formed during the
Soil quality is generally poor with little organic matter in the Greater Cholistan, and compacted alluvial clays in the Lesser Cholistan.[8] A canal system built during the British era led to irrigation of the northern part of Lesser Cholistan.[9]
History
Though now an arid region, Cholistan once had a large river flowing through it that was formed by the waters of the
Over 400 Harappan sites had been listed in Cholistan in the 1970s, with a further 37 added in the 1990s.[15] The high density of settlements in Cholistan suggest it may have been one of the most productive regions of the Indus Valley Civilization.[14] In the post-Harappan period, Cholistan was part of the Cemetery H culture which grew as a surviving regional variant of the Harappan culture,[14] which was then followed by the Painted Grey Ware culture.[8]
The region became a center for caravan trade, leading to the construction of a dense network of forts in the medieval period - of which the
Economy
Livestock
The backbone of Cholistan economy is animal rearing. Few other livelihood opportunities aside from livestock farming are available in the region.[18] Agricultural farming away from the irrigated regions in Lower Cholistan is difficult due to the lack of steady water supply.[7]
Camels in particular are prized in Cholistan for their meat and milk, use as transportation, and for entertainment such as racing and camel dancing.[9] Two types of camels are found in Cholistan: Marrecha, or Mahra, is used for transportation or racing/dancing. Berella is used for milk production, and can produce 10–15 liters of milk per day per animal.[9]
Livestock holds much importance for meeting the area's major needs for cottage industry as well as providing milk, meat and fat. Because of the nomadic way of life, the main wealth of the people are their cattle that are bred for sale, milked or shorn for their wool. Moreover, isolated as they were, they had to depend upon themselves for all their needs like food, clothing, and items of daily use. So all their crafts initially stemmed from necessity but later on they started exporting their goods to the other places as well. The estimated number of livestock in the desert areas is 1.6 million.
Cotton and wool products
Cholistan produces a very superior type of carpet wool compared to that produced in other parts of Pakistan. From this wool they knit beautiful carpets, rugs, and other woolen items. This includes blankets, which is also a local necessity for the desert as it is not always dust and heat, but winter nights here are very cold too, usually below the freezing point. Khes and pattu are also manufactured with wool or cotton. Khes is a form of blanket with a field of black white and pattu has a white ground base. Cholistan is now selling the wool for it brings maximum profit.
Textiles
It may be mentioned that cotton textiles have always been a hallmark craft of the Indus Valley civilization. Various kinds of khaddar-cloth are made for local consumption, and fine khaddar bedclothes and coarse lungies are woven here. A beautiful cloth called Sufi is also woven of silk and cotton, or with cotton wrap and silk wool. Gargas are made with numerous patterns and color, having complicated embroidery, mirror, and patchwork. Ajrak is another specialty of Cholistan. It is a special and delicate printing technique on both sides of the cloth in indigo blue and red patterns covering the base cloth. Cotton turbans and shawls are also made here. Chunri is another form of dopattas, having innumerable colors and patterns like dots, squares, and circles on it.
People
As per the 1998 Census of Pakistan, a total of 128,019 people, with a 2015 estimate of 229,071, with 70% living in Lesser Cholistan.[7] The average household size is 6.65.[7]
Local crafts
As mentioned above, the Indus Valley has always been occupied by the wandering
Camel products
Camels are highly valued by the desert dwellers. Camels are not only useful for transportation and loading purposes, but its skin and wool are also quite valuable. Camel wool is spun and woven into beautiful woolen blankets known as falsies and into stylish and durable rugs. The camel's leather is also utilized in making caps, goblets, and expensive lampshades.
Leather work
Leather work is another important local cottage industry due to the large number of livestock here. Other than the products mentioned above, Khusa (shoes) is a specialty of this area. Cholistani khusas are very famous for the quality of workmanship, variety, and richness of designs especially when stitched and embroidered with golden or brightly-colored threads.
Jewelry
The people of Cholistan are fond of jewelry, especially gold jewelry. The chief ornaments made and worn by them are Nath (nosegay), Katmala (necklace) Kangan (bracelet), and Pazeb (anklets). Gold and silver bangles are also a product of Cholistan. The locals similarly work in enamel, producing enamel buttons, earrings, bangles, and rings.
Ecology
Flora
Subsoil water in Cholistan is typically brackish, and unsuitable for most plant growth.[2] Native trees, shrubs, and grasses are drought tolerant.[7] There are 131 plant species in Cholistan from 89 genera and 24 families.[7] Most common of them are below;
- Prosopis cineraria [1]
- Haloxylon salicornicum Cholistan Desert Rangelands | Forest, Wildlife & Fishries Department
- Cenchrus ciliaris Cholistan Desert Rangelands | Forest, Wildlife & Fishries Department
A man-made forest called Dingarh was developed by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) on more than 100 ha. Dunes were fixed and stabilized by mechanical and vegetative means, and the area is now covered with trees with orchards of zizyphus, date palms, and grassland grown with collected rainwater and saline groundwater.[7]
Fauna
The wildlife of Cholistan desert mostly consists of migratory birds, especially the
Forts in Cholistan
- Derawar Fort[21]
- Islamgarh Fort[21]
- Mirgarh Fort[21]
- Jamgarh Fort[21]
- Mojgarh Fort[21]
- Marot Fort[21]
- Phoolra Fort[21]
- Khangarh Fort[21]
- Khairgarh Fort[21]
- Nawankot Fort[21]
- Bijnot Fort[21]
Terracotta
The
In earlier times, only the art of pottery and terracotta developed, but from the seventh century onwards, a large number of temples and images were also built on account of the intensified religious passions and the accumulation of wealth in cities.
See also
References
- ^ a b Journal of Asian Civilisations. Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations. 2002.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4020-4018-4.
- ISBN 978-969-503-283-1.
- ^ "What's in a Name? Or -Stan by Your Land". Slate Magazine. 25 September 2001. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Derawar and the Desert Forts of Cholistan". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ISBN 978-0-8061-3146-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4020-6970-3.
- ^ a b c d Malik, Sher Muhammad; Fazlur-Rahman; Ali, Amjad (2017) : Sustainability of subsistence livelihoods of agro-pastoralists in changing socioeconomic environment of Cholistan desert-Pakistan, Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences (PJCSS), ISSN 2309-8619, Johar Education Society, Pakistan (JESPK), Lahore, Vol. 11, Iss. 3, pp. 1100-1133.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Camel rearing in Cholistan desert of Pakistan". ResearchGate. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ a b Wariss, Hafiz Muhammad, Muhammad Mahmood Mukhtar, Shazia Anjum, Ghulam Raza Bhatti, Saeed Ahmad Pirzada and Khurshid Alam. “Floristic Composition of the Plants of the Cholistan Desert, Pakistan.” (2013).
- ^ "Cholistan desert experiencing worst condition of drought and water scarcity". 13 May 2022.
- ^ "Parched Cholistan". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ "Extreme heat leaves 50 livestock animals dead". The Express Tribune. 12 May 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-57607-907-2.
- ^ a b c Mughal, Rafique (Spring 2001). "Resurrecting Sir Aurel Stein from the Cholistan Desert" (PDF). Boston University Center for Archaeological Studies. 15 (2). Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 November 2021.
- ^ "Ancient Cholistan – Archaeology and Architecture - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ Saeed, Hajra (31 July 2018). "Forts of Cholistan". House of Pakistan. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ Farooq, Umar; Iqbal, Mhuhammad; Ahmad, Munir (2007). "Livestock Farming in Cholistan Desert of Pakistan: Setting the Development Strategies". mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Cholistan wildlife: Gazelles, migratory birds threatened by poachers - The Express Tribune". tribune.com.pk. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ "Qatar prince not allowed to hunt houbara bustard". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Cholistan Desert Forts". TDCP. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
- Mughal, M.R. 1997. Ancient Cholistan. Lahore: Feroz and Sons.