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Sehwan Fort as a Case Study for Rapid Recording, Virtual Interpretation
and Digital Tourism

While Sehwan and its shrine to Lal Shahbaz Qalandar attract thousands of pilgrims annually, the historical values of the Sehwan Fort, conquered by multiple dynasties that have ruled Sindh throughout its history, are often overlooked. The strong historical links between the Sehwan Fort and Alexander the Great’s conquest of Sindh have ensured that this site remains the subject of continued speculation and study. Following the recent flood emergency in 2022 and resulting damage to many built heritage sites across Sindh, there exists an urgency to rapidly record endangered and high-priority sites like the Sehwan Fort in the province. Additionally, with plans for conservation and restorative work to commence at the Fort, it is imperative that a pre-disturbance recording of the existing site be undertaken. Preservation through digital record is an integral part of heritage management and emergency response as it offers a high precision time-sensitive snapshot of a site. Such documentation is essential for developing baseline datasets about sites and their condition, to ensure interventions are focused on the relevant parts of a site, and to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented conservation activities. The Maritime Archaeology and Heritage Institute (MAHI) has been conducting rapid recording of endangered coastal sites since 2021, and as a case study for this conference, has recorded the Sehwan Fort. Using photogrammetry and 3D modelling, the site was rendered within a digital environment where historic structures, artefacts, interpretation, historical research and oral histories were combined to create an immersive, interactive, and multidimensional heritage experience of the Fort. This presentation will discuss the possibilities of combining multiple virtual experiences into adigital heritage trail for cultural tourism. Such virtual trails offer advantages beyond site documentation, including public/remote access, educational opportunities, and improved engagement with the heritage sites that make up the story of Sindh.

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