Papers by Zahida Rehman Jat
Negotiating Borders and Borderlands: The Indian Experience , 2023
Journal of Contemporary Archaeology, 2016
The nation state, as a concept, relies on an assumption of boundedness—on the idea that governabl... more The nation state, as a concept, relies on an assumption of boundedness—on the idea that governable units are culturally unified and locationally discrete. Displacement often works to make this boundedness a material reality. Demographics are reshuffled in accordance with essentialist understandings of cultural origins. Yet, displacement also exposes the impossibility of a national sovereignty based neatly on historic spatiality. Even if people are ‘going home’ to what is seen to be an ancestral homeland, they are leaving familiar landscapes shaped by their own personal pasts. In this paper, we discuss the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan as an example. We describe the yet contended uses and meanings of built landscapes associated with out-migrating Partition refugees on both sides of the border. Through this example, we assert that displacement is not a singular moment, but a long, drawn out negotiation of access and national belonging. Thus, archaeologies of forced and undocume...
It was July 2016 and I was standing in front of an old house in Hirabad, one of the pre-Partition... more It was July 2016 and I was standing in front of an old house in Hirabad, one of the pre-Partition neighbourhoods of Hyderabad, Sindh.
Udasipanth, though originated in Punjab but was brought to Sindh by Sri Chand and other Udasi sai... more Udasipanth, though originated in Punjab but was brought to Sindh by Sri Chand and other Udasi saints making it one of the important religious traditions in Sindhi devotional system. It is a unique, heterodox and very inclusive tradition that blends elements from Vedanta, Sikhism, Nathism and other local orders and cults. This paper discusses how Udasipanth originated and then developed in Sindh by also imbibing regional and local influences and thus became 'indigenized'. It also highlights various dimensions and aspects of Udasipanth like Sri Chand's visit to Sindh, his portrayal as 'savior', various Udasi establishments, renowned Udasi saints and contemporary rituals and practices.
Khwaja Khizar's shrine as seen from the boat. On a warm morning this March, I was passing under t... more Khwaja Khizar's shrine as seen from the boat. On a warm morning this March, I was passing under the heavy iron vaults (arches) of the Lansdowne Bridge, in a small jeep over the Indus River in Rohri, Sindh. The spring sun had turned the water into molten gold; some buffaloes were idly bathing in it, their black skin gleaming in the sunlight. I could see the cities of Rohri and Sukkur sprawling on both sides of the river. I was lost in thought as we were speeding by Rohri and its beautiful pre-Partition houses and their enigmatic
Earlier this year, I went to Laki, which is about 18 kilometres from Sehwan. Laki is famous for i... more Earlier this year, I went to Laki, which is about 18 kilometres from Sehwan. Laki is famous for its natural streams, but once I got there, I also realised how important Hinduism has been to Sindh and how embedded the religion is with the geography of the region. In his magnum opus, Sindh Revisited, 19th century British scholar and traveller Richard Burton describes Laki as a place of pilgrimage for Hindus. The devotees called the streams dharan tirtha, which means " constant flow of the earth in a holy place. " The natural stream I saw in Laki. I saw men, women and children climbing the hills to visit a cave dedicated to the saint, dharan pir. I followed them and on the way up, I noticed a tree where people had tied multicoloured cotton threads. It was a 'wish tree' and the threads are only removed when a person's prayer has been answered.
Architecture not only provides shelter but also mirrors a societys standard of living, norms and... more Architecture not only provides shelter but also mirrors a societys standard of living, norms and values. The old buildings are not mere tangible realities rather they provide clues to human understanding and living patterns, including aesthetic sense. This research work aims to document some residential buildings built in colonial era in the old neighborhoods of Hyderabad (Sindh) and to explore the ornamentation patterns, usage of spaces (by different genders) and how the inhabitants have used, altered or retained the built structures. The research methodology involved in this study uses photographic, descriptive and ethnographic documentation. As most of the old buildings are threatened and are being rapidly destroyed to be replaced by modern structures, this study has been helpful in documenting their important features and various aspects of colonial architecture that are getting lost with the passage of time and replacement of the old buildings by contemporary architecture.
Contrary to the orthodox definitions of religions, Udasipanth is an ascetic tradition closely rel... more Contrary to the orthodox definitions of religions, Udasipanth is an ascetic tradition closely related to Sikhism that is very inclusive and heterodox. It was founded by Baba Sri Chand in Punjab and was brought to Sindh by him and by later Udasi saints. During one of his sojourns, Sri Chand came to Thatta and remained there for some time, later on people built a Darbar on that spot which is still present. That Udasi darbar has a number of visual, iconographic and ritualistic elements that are generally associated with totally disparate religions, however, here they harmoniously blend and coexist. This research paper explores the origin of Udasipanth in Sindh and then highlights and analyses the heterodox practices, representations and elements present at Sri Chand darbar at Thatta, Sindh.
Key Words: Udasipanth, Heterodox, Iconographic, Practices, Traditions
Gujranwala is one of the cities of Punjab that have contributed to its history, especially during... more Gujranwala is one of the cities of Punjab that have contributed to its history, especially during Ranjit Singh's rise to power and the establishment of the Sikh empire. This is where Ranjit Singh was born to Sardar Maha Singh, who belonged to Sukerchakia misl in 1780. Sheranwala Bagh is home to the monuments of the Sikh rule in Gujranwala. I had been hearing about the charm of Sheranwala Bagh for a long time, and every time I went to visit
It is not just that people are anchored in space. They also claim that space, develop it, build o... more It is not just that people are anchored in space. They also claim that space, develop it, build on it, divide it up into varying shapes and sizes, and mark it as their own. They design and build dwellings, that is, they produce the spaces to live in the space they have claimed. How a group designs its housing relates to its cultural habits. As spatial cues encode social information, studies of domestic architecture provide data on basic issue of ethnography such as social organization, religion and economic activities'. (Rapoport 1982, Schwerdtfeger 1982 in Low et al. 2003)
Hyderabad is one of those cities where the magnetic pull of nostalgia can be felt to a maximum, o... more Hyderabad is one of those cities where the magnetic pull of nostalgia can be felt to a maximum, owing to the ever glorious landmarks of a bygone era. It is one of those cities where the past silently trudges along with a noisy and loud present. Apart from its new face where it is adorned with high rise buildings, bustling, busy markets thronged with heavy locomotive traffic; there is another face where the past lurks behind colonial buildings, hiding under electrical wires and large hoardings. The same old face can be seen written over the aged, gnarled and wrinkled face of an elderly person who has witnessed it, in all of its glory, and sailed through some of its sadness. The story of this city dates back to the time of the Arab invasion when it was a mere fishing village. It came into prominence when Kalhora ruler Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro established it as a capital of his empire in 1768. Afterwards, it was passed on to Talpur and into British hands until the creation of Pakistan in 1947. Despite having a very bumpy history, this city has shared innumerous happy and prosperous times as well, like when its streets used to be washed with rose water. It once hosted a large number of gardens that overflowed with green parks where children played and their laughter echoed, and libraries that were brimming with books, all that were testimony of its grandeur and peaceful public life. However, those times seem to have been shrouded in dust and the missing vitality of it seems almost impossible to imagine. The opulence of this city was partly owing to rich and welltodo Hindu businessmen and merchants who traded in indigenous goods and exported them all across Europe, Middle East and South East Asia and were generally called 'Sindhi workies'. Then there were Amils, literate Hindus who first served in Kalhora and Talpur courts and then joined the British civil administration. They built many large buildings ranging from public to private, domestic, religious and welfare types. At the time of partition, most of the Hindu population of Hyderabad left for India, vacating the buildings that were then occupied by refugee families from India. A plaque exhibiting the name of owner. The British government and civil society also built many distinctive buildings that are scattered across the older sections of the city. The main clusters are located at Tilak Incline, Heerabad, Pakka Qila , market area and Serey Ghat sections. A vast majority of these edifices have now been razed to the ground due to commercialisation and, now, only a handful of them are still standing.
This research study deals with documentation of the use of spaces of the Hindu and Jain temples a... more This research study deals with documentation of the use of spaces of the Hindu and Jain temples and Sikh gurudwars in Gujranwala and Narowal districts of Punjab province. These worship places that once served as the religious centers before partition of the subcontinent have now been inhabited by refugee families that came to Pakistan from east Punjab in 1947. The spaces are now been converted into domestic ones and their utilization from places of worship has been altered in order to fulfill the domestic needs. So, this study would highlight how the present inhabitants perceive those spaces and how they deal with them. It will also be explored whether the people have any information of the historical significance and importance of these structures or not and how they treat various sections of these buildings. The paper finally explores how preservation of heritage can contribute to tourism development and boost up the economy of the people.
From Sacred to Profane: Documentation of the Usage of Spaces of the Pre-Partitioned Temples and G... more From Sacred to Profane: Documentation of the Usage of Spaces of the Pre-Partitioned Temples and Gurudwaras in Punjab, Pakistan
Zahida Rehman Jatt
Abstract: This research study deals with documentation of the usage of spaces of the Hindu and Jain temples and Sikh Gurudawars in Gujranwala and Narowal districts of Punjab province. These worship places that once served as the religious centers before partition of subcontinent have now been inhabited by refugee families that came to Pakistan from east Punjab in 1947. The sacred spaces are now been converted into domestic ones and their utilization from places of worship has been altered in order to fulfill the domestic needs. So, this study would highlight how the present inhabitants perceive those spaces and how they deal with them. It will also be explored do people have any information of the historical significance and importance of these structures or not and how they treat various sections of these buildings. The religious structures that are studied in this paper are in very dilapidated conditions and are nearly on the verge of extinction. So, this study would also help in documenting and keeping a visual and descriptive record of these threatened buildings.
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Papers by Zahida Rehman Jat
Key Words: Udasipanth, Heterodox, Iconographic, Practices, Traditions
Zahida Rehman Jatt
Abstract: This research study deals with documentation of the usage of spaces of the Hindu and Jain temples and Sikh Gurudawars in Gujranwala and Narowal districts of Punjab province. These worship places that once served as the religious centers before partition of subcontinent have now been inhabited by refugee families that came to Pakistan from east Punjab in 1947. The sacred spaces are now been converted into domestic ones and their utilization from places of worship has been altered in order to fulfill the domestic needs. So, this study would highlight how the present inhabitants perceive those spaces and how they deal with them. It will also be explored do people have any information of the historical significance and importance of these structures or not and how they treat various sections of these buildings. The religious structures that are studied in this paper are in very dilapidated conditions and are nearly on the verge of extinction. So, this study would also help in documenting and keeping a visual and descriptive record of these threatened buildings.
Key Words: Udasipanth, Heterodox, Iconographic, Practices, Traditions
Zahida Rehman Jatt
Abstract: This research study deals with documentation of the usage of spaces of the Hindu and Jain temples and Sikh Gurudawars in Gujranwala and Narowal districts of Punjab province. These worship places that once served as the religious centers before partition of subcontinent have now been inhabited by refugee families that came to Pakistan from east Punjab in 1947. The sacred spaces are now been converted into domestic ones and their utilization from places of worship has been altered in order to fulfill the domestic needs. So, this study would highlight how the present inhabitants perceive those spaces and how they deal with them. It will also be explored do people have any information of the historical significance and importance of these structures or not and how they treat various sections of these buildings. The religious structures that are studied in this paper are in very dilapidated conditions and are nearly on the verge of extinction. So, this study would also help in documenting and keeping a visual and descriptive record of these threatened buildings.