Uch Sharif is situated 50km to the west of Bahawalpur on a road leading from Ahmadpur East towards Panjnad, is well worth a visit. This is now of the oldest centers of learning and culture in Pakistan. It used to be at the confluence of the rivers with the Indus, but in 1790 the rivers deserted Uch for Mithankot. The ancient history of Uch Sharif involves the inevitable reference to Alexander, who ordered the city to be built in the first place, thinking that a spot where two rivers met was a likely site for a flourshing town.
In the 8th century, the town was under the rule of Chach, a Brahmin who is believed to have invented and given his name to the game of Chess. The first learned man to settle in Uch in the 10th century was Shaik Saifuddin Ghazruni who had the location picked for him by his camel. His uncle had told him to go and settle where the animals would take him. It chose Uch. tomb is said to be the oldest Muslim tomb in the subcontinent.
Some especially beautiful tombs and shrines are located at Uch, though sadly they have been allowed to decay. In 1998 the complex was listed by the World Monuments Fund, who has obtained a grant from American Express to help halt further deterioration. The best-known monument is the octagonal tomb of Bibi Jaiwindi. It was built in the 15th century overlooking the confluence of the rivers Satluj and Chenab. There is also the shrine of Hazrat Jalal-ud-Din Surkhposh Bukhari (The Saint of the Red Robes from Bukhara).
Uch Sharif tourist attractions:
- Shrine of Hazrat Jalal-ud-Din Surkhposh Bukhari
- Tomb of Bibi Jaiwindi
- Tombs of Bahawal Halim
- Ustad Ladla
- SheiKh Saifuddin Ghazruni
- Makhdoom Jahanian Jahangasht (The great traveler of the world)
- Rajan Qattal
- Ohaus Subharii
- Panjnad Head
- Uch Sharif Bazaar