UNESCO World Heritage Site (Makli Necropolis)
Former capital of Lower Sindh
Shahjehan Mosque has extraordinary acoustic properties
Makli Necropolis has over 500,000 graves
History Through the Ages
Samma Dynasty (14th–16th century)
Thatta reached its peak as the capital of the Samma dynasty, one of Sindh's most powerful ruling dynasties. The city was a major centre of Islamic scholarship and the arts.
Arghun & Tarkhan Period
After the Sammas, Thatta was ruled by the Arghuns and Tarkhans, who developed it further. The city was captured briefly by Humayun during his exile, who received hospitality from the local rulers.
Mughal Period
Shah Jahan, grateful for hospitality he received in Thatta during his rebellion against his father, commissioned the stunning Shahjehan Mosque in the city. The mosque, famous for its extraordinary acoustics, is one of the finest Mughal buildings in present-day Pakistan.
Decline & Legacy
Thatta declined after the Mughals and is now a small town. The Makli Necropolis — one of the largest Islamic cemeteries in the world, with over 500,000 graves — is a UNESCO World Heritage Site adjacent to the town.