Tibba Talwara – Lodhran

Tibba Talwara or Tivala/Tivara was the fort named after the son of Great Asok, Emperor of the Mauryan Empire. Tivala was supposed to be Asok's successor but died before Asok. This fort was last rebuilt 1,300 years ago by the descendants of Bhatti King Mangal Rao. This study will investigate the historical and archaeological review of Tibba Talwara/Tivala.

Background

Tibba Talwara is a historical place in Lodhran District, Punjab, Pakistan, approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) away from Lodhran. Taba Talwara is a mound, and there used to be a fort here. It is a historical mound. Many historical places in Pakistan should be mentioned somewhere. Taba Talwara has been forgotten since the partition of India. This Talwara fort is now only Taba Talwara and will disappear in the next two to four years. The archeology in the museum reflects the clay lion found here, which is still present in the Bahauddin Zakaria University Saraiki department. Talwara Fort was a high-walled fort. This fort was surrounded by three rivers, including the Beas River, Sutlej River, and Hakra River, about whose height Shahabuddin Dehlavi wrote in his book "Tarikh Uch" that it was so high that it was difficult for birds to fly.

However, the local people have made up stories; they believe this fort belonged to a Hindu king named Talwara, who was buried under the earth because of his sister's curse. No one knows the truth. Its remains can be estimated from the walls one thousand three hundred years ago, and many birds made their homes there. Talwara Fort is about 12 square kilometers now, and people have found gold coins and ornaments there. This place is closer to Haveli Naseer Khan Road from Lodhran city. There was no fort here before. There are only fields around Talwara Fort. People come here from far and wide to visit. Families also come. The people here also say that bone structures were also found in this place, which were then placed in graves, and they were found in small numbers, and mass graves were arranged for them. There are lands and forests around this fort. Ashoka Raja named this fort after his son Tavara. Ashoka belonged to the Maurya dynasty. For a long time, the Bhatti rulers attacked here and renamed it Tawarase Talwara. One thousand-three hundred years ago, the descendants of the Bhatti rulers came here and rebuilt it. Finally, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi came here and defeated the Bhatti rulers.

Historical Review

The Indus Valley is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Apart from Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, there are thousands of places in Pakistan where traces of ancient civilizations and old settlements are found. 

Figure 1: Tibba Talwara (Tivala)

These historical places also include the "Taba Talwara" of Lodhran. Taba Talwara is a large Haveli Nasir Khan Road mound two kilometers from Lodhran. Still, unfortunately, these ancient monuments are in the possession of a resident of Lodhran instead of government custody. According to the records of the Finance Department, this category is already allotted by the Partition of India. Taking advantage of this allotted minute, the person started selling the land of this historical site and lifting the archaeological soil with bulldozers, tractors, and trolleys to make the land cultivable.

On this, the president of a local organization called Lok Seva wrote letters to the district administration and the Department of Archaeology, requesting them to stop excavating and take these artifacts into government custody. As a result, the work of lifting soil has been temporarily blocked.

In recent days, SDO Archaeology Multan has also inspected "Taba Talwara" on the instructions of the department and has sent its recommendations to the Department of Archaeology by taking pictures of this historical place. He has written to the Department of Archaeology to immediately conduct a scientific survey of Taba Talwara to find its historical status and appoint watchmen to protect it from further destruction. The "Taba Talwara" area, which covers 32 acres, has now been reduced to only 12 acres. Most of the land has been made arable, and crops have been grown on it.  "Tibba Talwara" or "Talwara Fort" was a very high fort. Shahabuddin Dehlavi writes in his book "Tarikh Ouch" about "Tabah Talwara" that the walls of this fort were so high that the flight of birds was not possible, and a vast river surrounded it. Historian Taqi Shamim Lodhran has attributed "Taba Talwara" to Tiwara, a son of Ashoka the Great (232-273 BC). British-era Extra Assistant Commissioner Multan Roy Hakam Chand writes in "Tawarekh Multan" that this fort was settled eight hundred years ago.

Who was Tivala?

Tivala (born 3rd century BC), also referred to as Tivara was Maurya Emperor Ashoka's son from his second queen, Karuvaki. He is the only son of Ashoka, mentioned by name in his inscriptions, and his mother in the Queen Edict. He was his father's favorite child and probably the crown prince, being his mother, the only wife of Ashoka, living in the palace advising him on his matters. Tivala was Ashoka's only son, known to have existed based on historical records. Tivala was also considered a potential heir to his father's throne. However, Tivala may have predeceased Ashoka and thus could not succeed him as Emperor. Tivala is also believed to have been his aging father's favorite child.

Asoka – The Great

Ashoka the Great was a king who ruled the Mauryan Empire, a large kingdom in India from 322 to 185 BCE. He is known for his renunciation of war and promoting peaceful social conduct. He also helped establish Buddhism as a major world religion during his rule. The Mauryan Empire was at its height under Ashoka's leadership, stretching from Iran to most of the Indian subcontinent. Initially, he ruled using a political treatise called the Arthashastra, but after a fierce campaign against the Kingdom of Kalinga, he renounced war and converted to Buddhism. We have learned about him mainly through the writings of Buddhism. According to these texts, he is considered an exemplary role model for his virtuous behavior. His empire did not last long after his death, but scholars have recognized him as one of the most fascinating ancient monarchs for his peaceful efforts and religious tolerance.

Archaeological Review

Tiba Talwara is located in the form of a large mound on Haveli Nasir Khan Road, two kilometers from Lodhran city. Unfortunately, this ancient relic is in the possession of Kanwal Masih, a resident of Lodhran, instead of in government custody. According to the records of the Finance Department, it has already been allotted to the Division of India. Taking advantage of this allotted minute, Kanwal Masih started selling the land of this historical site and lifting the archaeological soil through bulldozers, tractors, and trolleys to make the land cultivable.

Waris Malik President Lok Seva wrote letters to the district administration and the Department of Archeology requesting them to stop excavating and take the archeology into government custody. As a result, the work of lifting soil has been temporarily blocked. In recent days, Malik Ghulam Muhammad, SDO Archeology Multan, also inspected this Taba Talwara on the department's instructions. He took pictures of this historical place and sent his recommendations to the Department of Archaeology. Taba Talwara, covering 32 acres, now consists of only 12 acres. Taba Talwara, covering 32 acres, now consists of only 12 acres. He has written to the Department of Archeology to immediately conduct a scientific survey of Taba Talwara to find its historical status and appoint two watchmen to protect this historical place from further destruction.

Taba Talwara, covering 32 acres, now consists of only 12 acres. Most of the land has been made arable, and crops have been cultivated. Taba Talwara, or Qila Talwara, was a very high fort. Shahabuddin Dehlavi writes about it in Tarikh Uch, saying that the walls of this fort were so high that birds could not fly, and a vast river surrounded it. Historian Taqi Shamim Lodhran attributes Talwara to Tiwara, a son of Ashoka the Great (232-273 BCE). Roy Hukmachand, Extra Assistant Commissioner, Multan, writes in his book Tawarikh Multan that this fort was settled eight hundred years ago. It has been deserted for five hundred years now. Sikh nations used to extract iron, salt, and coins from here.

On the mound, pottery pieces are scattered, and the carvings on them reflect the civilization of their ancient era. Fragments of pottery are scattered on the mound, and the carvings made on them represent the civilization of their bygone era. They are sad.

According to Waris Malik, President Lok Seva, Talwara has been an important commercial center and a large military cantonment in terms of its population and heritage. Traces of its river port can be seen on the northwest side, and the ruins of the ancient paved bricks measuring 3*15*9.1/2 in the lower ground level and 2.1/2 in the middle level. *9*14 and in the uppermost part 2,1/2*8*11 size is found. This shows that this ancient city has been destroyed and repopulated many times. Apart from this, pieces of pottery are scattered all over the mound, and the carvings made on them show the civilization of their ancient era. It is housed in the Saraiki Area Study Center museum, Zakariya University, Multan. According to local people, some people come here at night to search for coins through metal detectors.

Waris Malik President Lok Seva wrote letters to the district administration and the Department of Archeology, as a result of which the excavation work has been temporarily stopped. Waris Malik President Lok Seva wrote letters to the district administration and the Department of Archeology, as a result of which the excavation work has been temporarily stopped.

There is a need to protect this historical archeology from further loss by taking it into the government's custody and preserving the history and old civilization of this region for future generations by building a museum here. Excavation on a scientific archaeological basis, determination of land owners through land revenue records, and appointment of watchmen are required to protect the 2nd century BC archeological site of Tibba Talwara in Lodhran district. The archaeology department should immediately write to the Lodhran revenue department and deputy commissioner to furnish the land ownership record of Tibba Talwara, bringing experts and archaeologists to excavate the site, determine its historical value, and appoint watchmen to stop digging.

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ہم نیوز، لودھراں:قدیم ’’ٹبہ تلواڑہ‘‘ تباہی کے دہانے پر، May 31, 2019