BHANBHORE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

The archaeological site of Bhanbhore dates back to the 1st century BC. Some archaeologists believe that it is the ancient port city of Debul, the first point of entry for Arabs to the Indian subcontinent. The Arab commander Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim reportedly landed there in 711-712 before going up the Indus and conquering Sindh province. There is not much left today except for the ruins of what would be the oldest mosque built on the subcontinent, those of a Hindu temple, the famous entrance gate to the port and some partially reconstructed foundations. The adjacent museum exhibits artifacts discovered during excavations (pottery, sculptures, coins, etc.) dating from the 1st century BC to the 13th century AD and testifying to different cultural influences (Scythian-Parthian, Hindu-Buddhist, Islamic).