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    Shared Sacred Spaces: The Case of Udero Lal in Pakistan

    Written by: Sania Ahmed Khan
    Posted on: November 13, 2018 | | 中文

    A figurine of Jhulelal in the Jhulelal Mandir, Ghulamullah, Sindh

    According to various historical texts, Jhulelal or Udero Lal, is said to have lived in the subcontinent, in the 18th century. Sindhi Hindus consider him as an incarnation of the highly revered deity Varuna, while Sindhi Muslims believe that although born Udero Lal, the saint later converted to Islam, and was renamed Sheikh Tahir.

    Ghulam Abbas Shaikh, the Muslim sajjada nashin of Udero Lal

    Ghulam Abbas Shaikh, the Muslim sajjada nashin of Udero Lal

    As the legend goes, Mirkh Shah, the tyrannical ruler of Thatta, ordered the local Hindus to convert to Islam. Taking refuge near the river Indus, they prayed for help until a vision of Varuna appeared. He told them that their savior would be born to an aged couple living nearby in Naserpur. This child was named Udero Lal and also 'Jhulelal,’ due to a tale that his cradle could swing on its own. On growing up, Jhulelal peacefully resisted the authority of Mirkh Shah, and convinced him to permit the Hindus to live in Sindh.

    The Udero Lal Research Project (ULRP) was launched in January 2016, by French researcher Michel Boivin, who teaches at the Centre for South Asian Studies (EHESS, Paris). Other participating scholars included Zahida Jatt (anthropologist, University of Sindh, Jamshoro), Kamran Kumbher (historian, EHESS) and Masooma Shakir (architect, N.E.D. University, Karachi). The project aims to understand the processes through which these religious communities of Sindh co-exist, and whether there is a shared religious culture, with the figure of Udero Lal at its centre.

    Recently, a seminar and photo exhibition was held at Alliance Française de Karachi, to shed further light on the project. In the early phases of the project, the team surveyed eleven sites devoted to Jhulelal in southern Sindh. While shrines devoted to Jhulelal can be found all over the world, Michel Boivin’s team selected the sites at Udero Lal and Tando Adam as the focus of their research, since both exhibited some degree of shared religious culture.

    The Hindu gaddi nashin of Udero Lal, Mata Bina, performing the ritual of the dhago

    The Hindu gaddi nashin of Udero Lal, Mata Bina, performing the ritual of the dhago

    The shrine at Udero Lal village, 60 km north of Hyderabad, is of considerable importance, since both Muslims and Hindus visit it. The former believe the saint interred there is Udero Lal, while the latter believe its Sheikh Tahir. As discussed by Masooma Shakir, the very architecture of this shrine, which has elements of Central Asian architecture and specific spaces for Muslims and Hindus, reflects its flexibility as a place where followers of both religions are welcome.

    The Udero Lal complex in Sindh

    The Udero Lal complex in Sindh

    The shrine at Tando Adam Khan, named Jhulelal, was one that the team came across unexpectedly during the course of their fieldwork. While Jhulelal is an alternate name for Udero Lal, it is also the moniker of the Sufi Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, whose main shrine is located in Sehwan Sharif. At Tando Adam, the Hindu community has built a miniature replica of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’s mausoleum. Each year, they also celebrate his death anniversary. Nevertheless, the shrine remains a purely Hindu space, with surrounding buildings dedicated to deities such as Shiva. By celebrating a Sufi mystic in a Hindu space, a shared sacred space has yet again been created.

    The ritual of janeo is performed by Hindus, under the guidance of a Hindu priest, but with Muslim musicians

    The ritual of janeo is performed by Hindus, under the guidance of a Hindu priest, but with Muslim musicians

    While the legend and imagery surrounding Udero Lal/ Jhulelal/ Sheikh Tahir is fascinating in itself, his figure as well as the multiple shrines are far more significant due to the message of peace and tolerance they symbolize.  In a world where religious differences are increasingly leading to violence, these shared sacred spaces give us hope that interfaith harmony is indeed possible.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021