Field guides / Sindh / Tomb of Sultan Ibrahim
Field guide · Heritage
Tomb of Sultan Ibrahim
It is located in the Makli necropolis of Thatta.
A monumental octagonal tomb on Makli Hill, holding Sultan Ibrahim Khan Tarkhan — a member of the dynasty that ruled Sindh from 1554 until Akbar's annexation in 1593.
Why go
- ✦A monumental octagonal tomb on Makli
- ✦Stands just south of As'habi Baba's tomb
- ✦Eight identically shaped pointed arches
- ✦Cardinal arches deliberately larger than those on the angles
History
The Tarkhans took Sindh after the Arghun dynasty ended, and ruled from Thatta. Their dead were buried on Makli, the ridge above the city, alongside Samma rulers, Mughal governors, saints and scholars across roughly four centuries of use.
Historical Significance
Part of the Makli necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 and one of the largest funerary grounds on earth, with an estimated half a million graves spread over some ten square kilometres.
Architecture
It is monumental, octagonal in plan, and set on a platform raised only 20 centimetres. All eight sides carry pointed arches of identical shape, but the four at the cardinal points are slightly larger than the four on the angles — a small hierarchy built into an otherwise regular form.
Why Visit
One of the better-preserved Tarkhan tombs on Makli, and a good place to read the dynasty's architecture against the Samma tombs nearby.
Interesting Facts
- Makli holds an estimated half a million graves across roughly ten square kilometres
- The necropolis was in use for around four hundred years
- It stands beside the tomb of As'habi Baba
Planning tip
Best Time to Visit, October to February. Summer on the Thatta plain is severe and most of these sites offer no shade.
Getting there, Thatta is about 100 km east of Karachi on the N-5. The town's monuments, the Makli necropolis and Banbhore can all be reached in a single run from the city.
Allow, Half a day for Thatta town and Makli together; a full day if Banbhore is included.
What to Do
Make Tomb of Sultan Ibrahim Part of a Trip
GreenPak resorts within reach, and the journeys that travel this region.
Nearby
Straight-line distance from Tomb of Sultan Ibrahim, within 30 km.
