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Needless to say that Mosques have
great importance in the world generally and in Pakistan
especially. In our Homeland these religious institutions have
been playing a special role in the Social, Political and
Cultural life of the society. In this part of the globe like
other parts of the Muslim world evolution of the mosque
architecture has been a remarkable phenomenon since the advent
of Islam. In this respect the province the province of Sindh has
a pioneering role in founding one of the oldest mosque
architectures. Nevertheless, in the efforts of doing justice
with the history of Pakistan, the evaluation of mosque culture
and architecture all over the country is a genuine requirement,
but as the province of Sindh being the Babul Islam (Pathway of
Islam), possessing special significance. Hence, evolution and
development of mosque architecture in Sindh seems to be a
priority. The National Institute of Historical and Cultural
Research, which is responsible for undertaking coordinated
research and development efforts in the domain of history and
culture of Pakistan, is continuously making efforts to bring
forth authentic research-based publications to rejuvenate the
historical memory of the nation. Obviously, we hope to undertake
such activity with respect to other provinces and regions of
Pakistan in future.
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Born on 4th April, 1929,
Shaikh
Khurshid Hasan, an archaeologist of repute, holds a
Post-Graduate Degree in General History and a Diploma in
"Archaeology" from Rome University. Apart from in service
training, he received specialized training in the fields of
"Archaeology and Museology", from foreign Institutes.
He joined the Federal Department
of Archaeology in April 1952 and retired in April 1988. He held
various senior positions in the Department and also served as
its Director General. With more than 36 years service in the
Department, his contribution has been varied and multifaceted
from archaeological research, conservation and preservation of
architectural heritage to the development of museums,
organization of special exhibitions of cultural relics both at
home and abroad and serving many Commissions and Committees,
set-up by the Government of Pakistan and Specialized
Organizations. He also acted as Secretary, Quaid-e-Azam Relic
Commission, set-up by the Govt. of Pakistan in 1969.
The Islamic art and architecture
and conservation of historical monuments are, however, Mr.
Hasan's main fields of specialization. He has contributed many
research articles on various aspects of the Cultural Heritage of
Pakistan, which were published both in national and foreign
Journals of repute. He is author of several research books.
Worth-mentioning are (i) Chaukhandi Tombs in Pakistan, (ii)
Islamic Architectural Heritage of Pakistan (Funerary Memorial
Architecture), (iii) Historical Forts of Pakistan, (iv) Ancient
Hindu Temples and Shrines in Pakistan, (v) "Religious
Architecture of Gandhara, Pakistan-Buddhist Stupas and
Monasteries" and (vi) "Welfare Aspects of Muslim Architecture in
Pakistan".
Among the several books
co-authored by him, is "Mohenjodaro, a 5000 year old legacy". It
was published by UNESCO in 1981, as part of its international
campaign to save Mohenjodaro.
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