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Lahore, Nov 10 (PTI) A 16th century inn (rest area) from Sher Shah Suri’s era has been uncovered by the archaeological department of Pakistan’s Punjab government during excavation near the Harappan ruins, about 220 km from Lahore, an official said on Monday. The inn site is located on the south side of the main Sher Shah Suri Road. It was constructed during the time of Sher Shah Suri (1540-1545) as a resting place for postal convoys. Sher Shah Suri was an Afghan ruler who founded the Sur Empire after overthrowing the Mughal Empire temporarily. He defeated Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1540 and established his own dynasty, but the Sur Empire was short-lived, and the Mughals eventually regained control after his death in 1545. According to Punjab Tourism Secretary Dr Ehsan Bhutta, the bricks found at the site are of Harappan-era with features of the Sher Shah Suri-era like veranda, restoration rooms, water pond etc. “More excavation will tell us about the lifestyle of people living here. Hopefully more Harappan features will be unearthed,” he said. He said the archaeological excavations have exposed the main gateway on the northern side, along with three rooms on both sides of the gateway. A triangular area (45×30 metres) has been exposed, revealing numerous small rooms with an entrance. He said the excavation team has discovered terracotta figurines, gaming objects, fragments of bangles, wheels, toy cart, and a significant faience seal or tablet. Dr Bhutta further said that Pakistani rupees 800 million has been allocated for excavation of four sites – Harappa; Taxila; Rohtas Fort and Tila Joggian and Cholistan desert forts. “Rohtas and Harappa excavations have started, while the work on the remaining two sites will begin soon,” he said and added all artifacts recovered will be numbered, chemically analysed in a lab and then exhibited at a museum for education and research purposes. PTI MZ GSP GSP
