Shikarpur, the city once known as the Paris of Sindh is a district present in the Upper Sindh. Shikarpur district, in Larkana Division consists of Shikarpur, Khanpur, Lakhi and Garhi Yasin. Shikarpur shares the name with a town/village in Uttar Pradesh in India as well.
Location
Shikarpur is located Upper Sindh. It borders with district Jacobabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Ghotki and Khairpur. It is situated about 18 miles from the right bank of the River Indus. The city was known as Paris of Sindh because of its commanding location and strategic importance for trade. Shikarpur was the commanding trade route through Bolan Pass and merchants from it had trade dealings with most of Central Asia.
About Shikarpur
Shikarpur is spread over 3000 Square kilometers and hosts a population of 1,000,000 people . It has a literacy rate of 33% only. Languages spoken in Shikarpur include Sindhi, Balochi, Brahvi, Saraiki and Urdu. Being a tropical area, extreme winters and summers are experienced here as the weather is hot and humid with rainfall about 100 millimeters only. The economy of Shikarpur consists of industries, trade, commerce, fishing and agriculture. Shikarpur consists of seven gates (dars in Sindhi) including Lakhi gate, Hathi gate, Karan gate, Hazari Gate, Wagoono gate, Siwi gate and Khan Puri Gate and, a window known as Siddiq Marri.
Shikarpur is known for its famous Achar (pickles) throughout the world. Besides that people also look forward to Shikarpur’s mithai (sweets) and Lakhi gate’s famous Kulfi Faluda. In the olden times, it was famous for grandeur in the form of floral wood carvings on doors, windows and balconies of the houses attracting several visitors. Now remains and glimpses of this grandeur can be spotted in different buildings in the district. As Sarfaraz Memon puts it in his article, ‘centuries ago, it was better known for its schools and as a hub for trade in gold, spices, cotton – all part of merchant traffic to Central Asian states.’
As per the book, Exploring Sindh, Shikarpur has 1273 primary schools, 65 middle schools, 51 high schools, 5 colleges, and 7 Government colleges of technology, 1 university which is a campus of Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, 5 vocational institutions and 2 commercial institutions. Whereas, as per the Sindh Government’s Population Welfare Department’s website and according to the 1998 census, Shikarpur has 609 Primary schools, 62 Middle Schools, 49 High Schools, 47 Higher Secondary Schools and no universities. The figure seemingly exaggerated and merely on record, Professor Dr. Anwar Figar Hakro, renowned Sindhi scholar reveals that Shikarpur has 3 boys’ schools namely Government Boys High School 1, Government Boys High School 2, Shah Latif High School, City High School, Osto Fatih Mohammad High School and Qazi Habibullah High School. There are 3 girls’ high school namely Iswari Bai High School, Osto Fateh Mohammad High School and Sukha Pul Government School. There are 2 colleges for boys and 1 college for girls. The college is offers degrees of Bachelors in Science (B. Sc), Bachelors of Arts (B.A) and Masters of Arts (M.A).
Famous hospitals of Shikarpur include Hiranand Ganga Bai Hospital and Rai Bahadur Udhaw Das Tarachand Hospital. There is only one library in Shikarpur which is Qadir Buksh Library.
Shikarpur has a railway station as well.
Interesting Facts about Shikarpur
The first dramatic society known as the Dharamupkars Amateurs Society was established by Thakurdas Nagrani, Session Judge, Aga Safi, Maharaj Tejbhandas and others at Shikarpur, Sindh in 1897.
Professor Shawairan of Bombay University was a professor of Sociology and belonged to Shikarpur. He is credited with writing the first book of sociology in Sindhi.
Shikarpur, used to have its own currency (coin) long ago which Shikarpur written on it.
K.V. Joshi was the first engineer in pre-partition time period to have done remarkable work in Shikarpur, which is evidently seen today as well. His work remains a bench mark to date which no engineer has yet been able to match.
In pre-partition days, Shikarpur used to have mobiles libraries. Books were driven on carts around the town, borrowed by people and turned. This signifies the intellectual capabilities and education of Shikarpuri at that time.
Shikarpur city was famous for its underground drainage system. The streets of Shikarpur were washed by hydrants twice daily in the pre-partition time.
In pre-partition times, Shikarpur had music schools where Hindu girls learnt dancing as well. Widwa mandals (Houses for widows), were run by Hindus where widows were taught skills to be able to support their livelihood.
The Kohinoor diamond, with Shah Shuja, grandson of Ahmed Shah Abdali was brought to the Shahi Bagh (Royal Garden) of Shikarpur.
Shikarpur was the first city to have an intermediate college.
Hindu traders of Shikarpur invested a lot in the city. The city was built beautiful as they invested their earnings in the city.
Two traders namely Sital Das and Chella Sing donated Rs.100,000 and Rs.50,000, respectively for C&S College which was built from 1927 to 1932. It was inaugurated by the governor of Bombay as Sindh was a part of Bombay province at that time.
As per Professor Israr Ahmed Alvi, Shikarpur was the first in Pakistan to get an independent power plant more than a century ago. It belonged to a Hindu trader and used to provide the city an uninterrupted supply.
Shikarpur was originally a planned city, where all its seven doors and window closed after 8 p.m.
Professor Anwar Figar Hakro has prepared a map of the Shikarpur city from 80 years ago. He estimates its population was not more than 50,000 at that time.
The first ever eye hospital in the subcontinent was built in Shikarpur in 1893 known as Sir Henry Holland Eye Hospital.
Shikarpur was the first town to have an old-age house.
Sikarpuris are the pioneers of the financial instrument called ‘Hundi’, which was acceptable in different parts of the world and was considered as good as gold.
History
As the name says, the literal meaning of Shikar is hunting and Shikarpur is derived from Shikargah or hunting ground which was originally used by past rulers as a game reserve. The place where Shikarpur is located is said to be a large forest or large tract of pastoral land which was used for grazing and hunting by the affluent class till early 17th Century.
There are different accounts of how Shikarpur came into existence, but historical accounts agree to the fact that this hunting ground was used by Daudpotas. Daudpotas, sons of Daud as the name says were sons of Daud Khan and a tribe of weavers and warriors. They are credited with finding Shikarpur in 1617 A.D when the large forest/pastoral area came in their possession. In about 1748 A.D, these Daudpotas were expelled from the area due to continued rebellion and went and settled in former Bahawalpur state.
Daudpotas returned to gain control of the area and during the days of Mughal ruler, Jehangir (1605-1628). The Mahars, led by Sher Khan Mahar, resisted their migration back from Bahawalpur which ensued a battle. The Mahars had a bigger army but as the Daudpotas had come prepared, Amir Bahadur Khan Daudpota in a great battle defeated Mahars and Jatois near present Shikarpur and regained control of the area. He then found a new town of Lakhi, 14 kilometers south-east of Shikarpur which exists to date with the same name.
When Amir Bahadur Khan Daudpota died, Bakhtiar Khan Kalhoro, jagir of Bakhtiarpur (now part of Jacobabad) took over Shikarpur in 1695 defeating his inexperience son Amir Mubarrak Khan Daudpota and looked after government affairs till 1701. In 1701, Mian Yar Mohammad Kalhoro was accepted genuine ruler and Shikarpur was handed over to Amir Mubarrak, who ruled for 48 years (1678-1726). Enemity developed between the Daupotas and Kalhoros and after Amir Mubarrak’s death, Mian Noor Muhammad Kalhoro, son of Mian Yar Mohammad attacked Shikarpur and fought with Amir Sadiq, son of Amir Mubarrak, took over it and annexed it.
In 1739, Nadir Shah attacked Sindh and Shikarpur was given back to Amir Sadiq in 1740. After Amir Sadiq was killed in a battle in 1745, the Kalhoros took over Shikarpur again. In 1748, Shikarpur was annexed to Qandhar state and Sindh was annexed to Kabul by Nadir Shah in 1754. Talpurs took over Sindh then but till 1828, Shikarpur continued to be a part of Kabul.
In 1835, Shah Shuja fled Qandhar and took refuge in Shikarpur but vacated it soon under the efforts of Pir Nizamuddin Sarhandi. In 1842, the English took over Shikarpur. These were the last days of the Talpur rulers and Shikarpur being in a remote area had fell victim to mismanagement and was an easy target to take over.
They had planned this much ahead through extensive travels and research to the city and kept in mind Shikarpur strategic location which gave them access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. It served as an entrance to Punjab and Balochistan and, had better chances of progress due to which it became an important trading centre. Businessmen of Shikarpur became known around the world because Shikarpur was located on the waterways and land routes. Shikarpur’s Hundi system, a forerunner to the current banking system had flawless credibility.
Shikarpur was built with substantial planning and was a walled city. It had schools, colleges and central shopping centres. Trade was thriving in this area and the city had plenty of fertile land, greenery, fruit gardens, etc. People of Shikarpur were known to be honest, loveable and men of character. Historical records show that between 1770 and 1842, at least 24 libraries existed which had a huge collection of books and manuscripts.
The English built the civil hospital in 1843 and Municipal party in 1855. It has 7 talukas in 1901 and administratively was one of the largest districts of Sindh. Its prosperity attracted Muslims, Hindus, Balochs and others to come settle here and it grew to become one of the most prosperous cities. From 1855, people began taking part in building it up when more amenities were added to the city and it is known to be the only city that was built by the civil society. Shikarpur rose to the political arena when landlords and wealthy businessmen from the city joined the political mainstream. One significant name is of Shaheed Allah Buksh Soomro, who was Chief Minister of Sindh from 1920s to 1941. In 1940s, Shikarpur was a peaceful and settled place. Cinema and stage dramas were popular in those days and Shikarpur gave Sindh some of the best stage plays. This art form later became an establish institution. Shikarpur also made rich contribution to classical music in Sindh and annual music festivals known as Handas were a permanent feature of life in Shikarpur. The architecture of Shikarpur was significant and the beauty of the city consisting of beautiful wood carvings and masonry that had took years to complete. Newspaper and articles also used to focus on international issues.
Famous Places in Shikarpur
Famous Places in Shikarpur include:
Dhak Bazaar (Covered Market)
Located in the center of the old city, Dhak Bazaar or covered market is a long, narrow street with shops on both sides. It is covered with woodwork of pure teak. This served as a cool shade during the hot summers. Shikarpur along with other contemporary cities like Bukhara, Samarkand, and Istanbul at that time had a covered street market.
Shahi Bagh (Royal Gardens)
Shahi Bagh, literally translated to be royal gardens was built in 1871. These were the biggest and most beautiful gardens with thousands of varieties of flowers found in them. There was also a zoo present here which has a large population of lions, cheetahs, bears and wild boars. These animals were later shifted to Karachi Zoo. The garden also had a wooden pavilion that was designed by Perston Phel and constructed by Sir W. Merewether.
The 7 gates of Shikarpur
The 7 gates of Shikarpur signify and are a remembrance of the mud fort that was built here by the Daudpotas.
Shikarpur these days
These days Shikarpur is a disowned, crumbling city, gripped with poverty, illiteracy, corruption, mismanagement, ignorance and lawlessness. After partition, several Hindus settled here left for India who were assets and real builders of the city, after which the city has been less owned. Education is in a deplorable state, historical buildings destroyed, infrastructure destroyed, streets getting narrower due to encroachment, temples devastated, wood work sold or taken away, heritage not maintained and immense pollution.
Renowned People of Shikarpur
Shikarpur has produced several renowned people. These include politicians like Shaheed Allah Bux Soomro, the Chief Minister of Sindh before partition, Sir Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah, the1st Governer of Province Sindh, Barrister Ahmed Mian Soomro, Mohammad Mian Soomro, Former Governor Sindh and Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Ghuos Bux Khan Mahar, Imtiaz Shaikh, Dr.Ibrahim Jatoi, Iftikhar Soomro, Aftab Shahban Mirani, Former Defense Minister, Raheem Bux Soomro, Agha Siraj Khan Durani and others.
Among well-known poets are Sami and Shaik Ayaz. Well-known writers include Agha Saleem, Badam Natawan, Moonis Ayaz and others.
Other renowned personalities include Professor Dr. Anwar Figar Hakro, the first Ph.D from SALU, Khairpur who is a renowned scholar with several books to his credit, Professor Israr Ahmed Alvi and Shahab Osto. In the field of medicine, Dr. Younis Soomro (Orthopedic Surgeon) and Dr. Rufina Soomro (Breast Cancer Specialist) are prominent names due to their expertise and accomplishments. In the field of music, Bedil Masroor and Shaman Mirali have made a mark in singing.
Issues in Shikarpur
Shikarpur is gripped with several issues. These include educational issues, social issues, women issues, men issues, law and order situation, time issues, lack of recreational spots, lack of infrastructure, lack of job opportunities, organizational issues and political issues.
Educational issues include lack of quality education and institutions. There is an acute shortage of institutions. For example, Shikarpur needs at least 5 colleges for girls but has only one. Four others are needed at Station, Kafla Qillam Bazaar and Alif Shah Mazaar at Karan gate. In Khanpur, there is no girls high school. Due to lack of institutions, there is also shortage of teachers and most importantly quality teachers. Most parents are not willing to send their daughters far off and few institutions are unable to accommodate and entertain the large influx of students. Schools are in deplorable conditions and people are unable to afford education for their children due to poverty. Further education is highly expensive in Pakistan and due to lack of sufficient scholarships, most deserving students fail to achieve higher education. There is a lack of research rooms, libraries, reading rooms, forums and other facilities for building intellectual capabilities and pursuing interests. Degrees offered are a very limited choice for people unable to go for pursuing education elsewhere due to money and family constraints. There is only one or two halls/auditorium available including Jumani Hall, near Fire Brigade which was built pre-partition. There is a lack of affordable and proper transport within the city as well. Students having the will to go for further studies find themselves short of choices and lack awareness over career options available to them as no proper career planning or exposure to different fields is given to them. There is no virtual, medical or engineering university. When the world has advanced so much, students of Shikarpur like most others in Sindh still know of engineering, medical and teaching as the available career options. Due to poverty, local teachers are usually less qualified, gripped in domestic issues and generally depressed and short-tempered which causes more corporal punishment. This further leads to lack of interest in studies and a greater dropout rate. Copy culture is another curse on education due to which students face issues for job attainment at a higher level. Corruption has involves passing exams by bribing authorities, other students to appear for you and bribing school teachers. Principals of different schools have also been using government funds for the schools for their personal purposes like building/repairing their own houses.
Women issues are that there is lack of places and institutions for dealing women related problems. There are no skill development, vocational, skill building institutions that specifically support women. This puts widows, single parents and other poor women at a disadvantage for support their families and livelihoods. There is also no place specifically for women to gather and hang out at, small, congested homes and continuous domestic problems is a leading issue for depression and hopelessness.
Men issues are that there is lack of places for peace of mind or any free space for building intellectual capacities. The usual places to gather are hotels and Otaqs where peace of mind is mostly unattainable. There is lack of economic opportunities as good jobs and employment opportunities are not available in the city. Due to this, most people are poor and struggling to survive. Pressure of the household responsibilities is on the men due to which they have these issues.
Law and order situation is really bad in Shikarpur. Due to poverty, crime rate has increased as people are forced to resort to wrong ways to cope up with living in the Pakistani society facing high inflation. Kidnappings happen more often and as the people as too poor to pay ransom, promising budding youngsters are heartlessly murdered. Theft and pick pockets are another curse to the society.
Time issues include people doing private jobs to support their families and unable to pursue further studies or focus on other aspects of self or city development.
Organizations have not been able to maintain a noteworthy presence in the city amidst such a poor economy, political strife and lack of security. This has put the city at a huge disadvantage as NGOs working are usually lacking funds and if supported with funds, lack the expertise to utilize them effectively for the betterment of the society. Also, there is corruption in these organizations because of need issues and weak leadership.
Recreational spots are for fun, entertainment, outing and relaxation. Unfortunately, Shikarpur lack recreational spots which can cater to peoples budding need to go out, enjoy and relax. The famous Shahi Bagh was the only park they could go to which has now been deprived of its zoo and has not been maintained at all. It has been captured by dacoits who have found it as a safe haven and steal from people coming to Shahi Bagh. Due to this, out of fear people have stopped visiting it. There are no other such spots unlike in bigger cities.
Infrastructure of the city is the most pathetic condition. There has been a large influx of people from smaller villages and katcha areas. During the first floods, most people that came to Shikarpur did not return to their respected areas. These people have caused encroachment and are responsible for narrowing down the already narrow streets. Huge contracts taken for developing the city end up in corruption and little or no work is done for improving the infrastructure. Work done is also of poor quality material due to which it has not been sustainable. This has resulted in roads in a very bad shape, no organized sight of roads and electricity and a very sad sight of the city. With increased traffic, there has been no maintenance and planning to balance things in the city.
Pollution is another major concern in Shikarpur. The streets of Shikarpur are flooded with garbage and this is the root cause for spread of different diseases due to which children usually end up falling ill. There is a lack of awareness for hygiene and cleanliness due to poverty and lack of education.
The grand architecture of the city is in shambles now. With homes abandoned, land grabbing and educated people moving out of the city in search of better livelihoods, a vacuum has been created and the city continues to suffer because of it. The beautiful wooden cravings have been taken off by people and fitted in their houses in other cities. Most have been stolen out of houses in which people are no longer living or seldom visit. The government has not been maintaining any heritage and due to poverty, people of Shikarpur are unable to renovate, maintain or build their houses.
The Dire Need for a Better Education
Shikarpur is engulfed with multiple issues haunting the lives of its inhabitants. A lot of issues are because of poverty and illiteracy. This makes education the biggest issue as lack of education gives birth to illiteracy which leads to evils in society such as unemployment, poverty and corruption. Shikarpur previously had remarkable education and literacy but today, people of Shikarpur are met with disappointment when it comes to standard of education available to them. There is a need for more schools, colleges, universities, better qualified teachers, libraries, scholarships, career counseling and job facilitation to overcome feelings of hopelessness among the society.
A collective effort will be needed to gradually bring this change and make it a reality. Educated and skilled citizens will prove to be more responsible, aware citizens which will prove to be an asset to their family, their city and ultimately to the country.
Education will improve health and medical conditions in the city. Skilled people will think more logically, be empowered, earning and able to differentiate between right and wrong. They would give education to their families as well and having grown in Shikarpur, will be more sensitive towards caring for it. They will use their votes more effectively and be able to choose better leaders to whom they can demand their rights and hold accountable rather than blindly believe and follow.
Once their needs are satisfied, they would be able to look into and handle all social problems with a wider vision and solve them. Earnings from better jobs would improve living standards of people and heritage will be taken care of. With more purchasing power, there will be a provision of better quality of goods and services becoming available in the city. As standard of living will improve, pollution would decrease, crime rate would decrease, city will be better maintained and development work will be pursued. Recreational spots will develop with time along with trade opportunities to attract people and create more employment.
Therefore, I think the key focus should be education which can help improve the quickly worsening off city immensely and in much needed ways.
The beautiful city of Shikarpur that was once known as the Paris of Sindh and rulers fought for control of it has lost all its past glory. Every Shikarpuri remembers its past and pities its current sorry state. The city has been abandoned by the people who built it or those from it that moved out of it in search for greener pastures.
The city is indeed a tragic one as on decline it has lost a lot. However, a lot can and really needs to be done to protect, conserve and improve the city. It has a rich history and importance significance in the past. It should not be lost away due to sheer ignorance. The city deserves to be owned and least we can do, is try to make it the Paris it was and has potential of being.
jawad
Nov 10, 2012 @ 23:32:25
you named ghazi habibullah its name is qazi habibullah
hareemsoomro
Nov 14, 2013 @ 20:31:46
Correction made! Thanks 🙂
hafeez ur rehman khan pahore
May 11, 2014 @ 08:08:10
great master piece from history of shikar pur.i m searching about rai bahadur udhy daas tara chand and his family.kindly help me regarding this
hareemsoomro
Jul 06, 2014 @ 01:55:42
Sure I shall look it up and get back
Nazeer
May 20, 2018 @ 11:50:48
An excellently written, comprehensive piece on Shikarpur.
Agha Abdul Rahim Durrani
May 23, 2018 @ 09:58:19
good work in shikarpur city i also lived in shikarpur sindh and i love my city truly ❤
SB
Mar 31, 2013 @ 18:21:53
Hello
I enjoyed your blog posts, thanks for writing them. I’d like to connect with you and learn more. Can you send me an email address please?
Thanks,
sOma
Sep 13, 2013 @ 10:44:37
thx for these blog cretive.
thz iz really helpfull for my project…….
hareemsoomro
Nov 14, 2013 @ 20:31:23
I am glad it was of help to you 🙂
Bashir Abbasi
Sep 23, 2013 @ 20:39:52
Really amazing introduction is given by you. Commentary is superb, sound, and highly informative in its nature. I really appreciate you. The geography, political boundaries, political, social and educational personality of district are introduced carefully.
hareemsoomro
Nov 14, 2013 @ 20:31:00
Many thanks for your appreciation! 🙂
bilal kazi
Nov 14, 2013 @ 12:53:16
you have mentioned ghazi habibullah high school which is wrong kindly changed ghazi habibullah high school to qazi habibullah high school
hareemsoomro
Nov 14, 2013 @ 20:32:09
Corrected! Thanks 🙂
Aangli Khan Banglani
Nov 28, 2013 @ 07:06:24
You have done an excellent work and i appreciate you for this task.
Adal
Jan 02, 2014 @ 19:57:42
following links might add to the useful info this blog provides on the city
http://www.wmf.org/project/shikarpoor-historic-city-center
http://tribune.com.pk/story/532544/sindhi-heritage-with-exhaustive-mapping-academic-documents-the-slow-disappearing-of-shikarpur/
Shikarpuris must act to save what is left of the incredible heritage of their city.
farha soomro
Jan 22, 2014 @ 13:21:23
shikarpur is best city no douood
Ravindra
Feb 24, 2014 @ 10:31:01
I read your article about Shikarpur. It really very informative and interesting,
Under interesting facts paragraph there is mention about K.V. Joshi first Engineer and work done by him. Myself(age79 yrs).elder brother Aravind(84yrs)and younger brother Surendra(Not alive) are his sons. We spent our childhood days in Shikarpur. We left Shikarpur in 1942 when our father applied short service commision during 2nd world war and was posted at Jabalpur. We two brothers stll cherish our memories
hareemsoomro
Feb 27, 2014 @ 22:51:12
Hello dear Sir,
Never thought would get to hear from you through my blogpost but really glad to see your comment and the fact that you managed to see my post.
Many thanks for the appreciation and truly great to hear from you.
Where do you reside now?
Ravindra K Joshi
Mar 03, 2014 @ 06:42:18
I’m staying in Bombay (Mumbai) and my elder brother Arvind is settled in USA. He makes frequent visits to India.
hareemsoomro
Mar 03, 2014 @ 06:49:47
Glad to know so and hear from you yet again 🙂
Never thought my blog would reach out to you, I am Shaheed Allah Bux Soomro’s great grand daughter.
I compiled this information on Shikarpur as an assignment for my Sindh Studies course in Bachelors, had published it on blog as was unable to find a comprehensive overview on Shikarpur on the net.
Ajit Ravindra Joshi.
Feb 25, 2014 @ 16:49:57
I also read the blog and about Shikarpur. It was really a proud feeling to see mention of my grand father, K V Joshi and such rich words about him. Thank you for the same. ( I am Ravindra Joshi’s son )
hareemsoomro
Feb 27, 2014 @ 22:52:06
Many thanks for your comment, your grand father truly deserves the praise! 🙂
Ajit Ravindra Joshi.
Mar 05, 2014 @ 11:58:37
🙂 thank you
Abc
Apr 24, 2014 @ 19:39:23
Can u also write about the history of jumani hall..would really like to know.
hareemsoomro
Jul 06, 2014 @ 01:54:08
Sure, I would give it a try and post the material I can gather inshaAllah
Anuja
Nov 05, 2015 @ 16:30:10
Any updates on this? I would love to know more as well
Anuja Jumani
Jun 09, 2016 @ 04:11:30
Hi, were you able to find any more details on Jumani Hall? I would love to know more about it’s history and present use
Abdul Karim Awan
Jul 06, 2014 @ 00:15:46
Hi Hareem,
You have really done an amazing job for which you should be given prize or at least a compliment. I would say you are a star.. I also belong to Shikarpur and by cast I am Awan, I have lived in Awan Mohalla which is near Hathi Dar.. I am great son of Abdul Karim Awan and Great grand son of Abdul Ghaffar Awan, I am sure your parents will recognize my forefathers.. we migrated to Karachi many years ago and I completed my MBA from Dubai and living here for last 10 years.. Mr. anwar Figar Hakro lives just next to our home in Shikarpur. Its really nice to know about my city, its history, culture etc.
Thank you once again.
hareemsoomro
Jul 06, 2014 @ 01:55:08
Great to know about you and many thanks for the valued appreciation 🙂
Shamlal Chhabria
Jul 24, 2014 @ 16:38:23
My ancestors lived in shikarpur sindh.my grandfather Mr Tulsidas chhabria had a shop in Dhak bazaar.he left shikarpur in 1955.I was told by a friend (Moolchand chhabria )of this recently that he was the Mukhi (head of panchayat) at Mohan Maharaj darbar.I would like to known what is the condition of the darbar.
hareemsoomro
Jul 26, 2014 @ 13:08:01
Hello,
Thank you for your comment and glad to hear from another family that can trace back its roots to Shikarpur 🙂
The Mohan Maharaj Darbar you are referring to is locally known as ‘Khatta wari Darbar’. It is in good condition, well-maintained and still run by the Hindu community. It is used as a guest house, for organizing weddings and even used for panchayat proceedings here. A pandit is also dedicated for continuous prayers at the darbar.
If you would like to know more or want some clicks of the darbar, let me know and I shall mail it to you 🙂
Shamlal Chhabria
Jul 26, 2014 @ 16:57:24
So kind of you. Please send me clicks and a video I would like to show it to my mother Manohari bai to.they we’re residing near chotta lala school.
hareemsoomro
Nov 02, 2014 @ 12:06:22
I just got the chance to come to Shikarpur. I shall share both with you shortly, apologies to have kept you waiting till now
AMAR P. KHATRI (TANDON)
Oct 05, 2014 @ 16:06:57
Our family lived in Lakhidar area of Shikarpur. I was born there on 15th August 1943 and have some memories of my ancestral house. Would love to know more about Shikarpur and share interesting tit bits with other like minded people.
hareemsoomro
Nov 02, 2014 @ 12:05:32
Please do share your memories and any pictures you have of your childhood 🙂
kagzi irshad
Oct 13, 2014 @ 19:47:52
Good efforts!
hareemsoomro
Nov 02, 2014 @ 12:04:46
Thank you 🙂
Aftab Soomro
Nov 04, 2014 @ 12:18:30
very thanks for initiating establishment of a platform in English about history ,culture etc of historical city .it would be prudent and better to support text with pictures.any way i hope its continuation.
regards
Aftab Soomro
hareemsoomro
Nov 09, 2014 @ 20:19:42
Thank you for your appreciation and the suggestion.
I have been working on it and the text shall be supported with pictures soon inshaAllah 🙂
Vishal Lakhi
Nov 09, 2014 @ 16:19:34
Hi my name is Vishal Lakhi and my grand father is from Sikarpur and he use to stay near Lakhi Dar and we had 4 buildings of 2 storey over there and the whole family use to stay together before partition are the buildings still there it was naed after our family LAKHI if you can give some info it will really be great.
hareemsoomro
Nov 09, 2014 @ 21:58:19
Hello Vishal,
Great hearing from you and knowing about your family.
Where does your family stay now?
As for Lakhi Dar, it sure is still there and a hotshot for most trade and acquiring most commodities.
I am not sure about the buildings you are talking about, shall inquire about them and get back
vishal Lakhi
Nov 15, 2014 @ 16:27:28
Thanks for your reply , we live in Bombay (Mumbai).Well my grandfather use to say at that time it was the tallest buildings in Lakhi dar and named after our family LAKHI if u can get some info and pics that will be great ….. Are you based in Shikarpur ????
hareemsoomro
Nov 17, 2014 @ 21:12:17
I shall mail you a few pictures if that helps you to recall.
No I am based in Karachi and good to know about you 🙂
Smeeta Panjabi
Nov 11, 2014 @ 11:02:29
great job… really appreciate…….. it is very nice that there is someone to share things about our roots, our forefathers…. which we have only heard about.
hareemsoomro
Nov 13, 2014 @ 17:46:11
Hi Smeeta,
Thank you for the appreciation/
Can I know where are you currently residing and the name of your forefathers please? 🙂
Look forward to hearing from you and stay connected for hearing more about Shikarpur
vishal Lakhi
Nov 15, 2014 @ 16:29:41
hareemsoomro are you on facebook …..
hareemsoomro
Nov 17, 2014 @ 21:13:24
Yes I am, you can search with the name 🙂
Vishal Lakhi
Nov 18, 2014 @ 21:15:24
Yeah got it , I have send a requestand also the pics you have posted of khatwari dharbar, it was really nice to see the pics you have posted on facebook also like to tell you we have a khatwari dharbar In Khar bombay near my home and only if you can send some pics of lakhi dhar
Agha Zulfiqar Ali
Nov 18, 2014 @ 07:08:50
it is very nice ans simple compilation of material regarding shikarpur .keep it up best of luck .if u need any help regarding information of any matter it will be appreciated . May ALLAH bless u
Iqbal Bhai
Jan 31, 2015 @ 20:05:33
Hareem Soomro hi I use to visit Shikarpur in year 1963 when we had our flour mill near station road by the name Century Flour Mills (Bawany Roller Flour Mill ) it got Burned after few years because no fire brigade facility there ,,today I heard of bomb tragedy and I remember our tragedy because of lack of facelity I am sorry for Shikarpur
AJoshi
Feb 01, 2015 @ 01:10:03
Excellent blog article on Shikharour. Very informative. Such a rich cultured city with so many things that would even put today’s cities to shame. Also read other articles and have to say it was an eye opener in many ways.
hareemsoomro
Apr 06, 2015 @ 05:32:57
Thank you for the kind words and appreciation 🙂
Vik Chaudhary
Apr 04, 2015 @ 10:02:25
On this visit to Bombay/Mumbai, learnt about the fascinating history of my wife’s family – Sindhi Sardars (Sikhs) – who were born and lived in Garhi Yasin, where they were landowners and farmers. I showed an older aunt her town on Google Maps and she got excited talking about Shikarpur, which was, then, the big town nearby (18 km). That led me to your superb post, Ms. Hareem Soomro, and just wanted to say many thanks for creating such a rich history for us all. Now that our family lives in San Francisco, it’s fascinating to trace back our roots through time. Great communication and writing skills, and very interesting history! Bravo!
hareemsoomro
Apr 06, 2015 @ 05:36:33
Many thanks for your appreciation. Glad to learn about you and get the message across to another one who has roots here 🙂
Faraz Mahmood
Apr 22, 2015 @ 07:58:12
Correct me if i am wrong. You have mentioned about Shahi Bagh, but you have made no reference ‘Ganesh Baagh’ which is located in front of Deewan Hotel, Lakhidar.
Muhammad Baqa Qazi
May 07, 2015 @ 07:55:11
Kindly write the Name is Qazi Habibullah, wa the famous personality of Shikarpur and was first Barrister of Sindh. He devoted his life for sake of Education and he ran School onwards. His grave is in his School on the west corner of school. Secondly the first Doctor graduate was also famous personality belonged to Shikarpur, Dr. Sarah Siddique, the first Asian doctor.
Udhavlal raheja
May 25, 2015 @ 13:29:33
I was born in karachi but lived in shikarpur. Now I am more than 80 yrs old .I have lived in shikarpur nr bulasher nr panj pir nr hathidar.I have heard some interesting facts about how the family of Allah bux and Moulabux who were essentially our neighbours were converted. Your research is interesting.I have mentioned some facts pertaining to shikarpur in “Raheja family tree” on google.
Udhavlal raheja
May 26, 2015 @ 07:00:49
Hello
If you dont mind . The mohan maharaj’s darbar was somewhere in locality called “chabootro” which falls between one end of dhak bazar and lakhidar.It should not be mistaken for “Khatwari darbar”.
Naveed Soomro
Jul 04, 2015 @ 20:55:53
Highly Commendable effort miss Hareem Soomro. Shikarpur was a center of attraction before partition DAT z why we see most of the hospitals, Schools , Colleges were built before partition. People of Shikarpur claim that they did not benefit from this partition instead they could not see any development after partition DAT could overshadow or even match the services given by people in pre partition Era. Otherwise a wonderful blog written by the great Allah Bux Soomro Sahib’s grand daughter.
Fayaz Shaikh
Jul 16, 2015 @ 02:39:48
GREAT STRUGGLE I HAVE NO WORDS ON UR PRAISE & PRESENTATION… BUT ALLAH BLESS U…. MY BIRTH PLACE IS ALSO LOVELY SHIKARPUR BUT I HAVE MIGRATTED TO KARACHI STUDY & JOB … BUT I REMEMBER DAILY THEIR DEWAN JO FALUDO & LAKHIDAR & ALSO EVERY THING.
Tasneem
Oct 24, 2015 @ 12:37:51
you did not mention about any abbasi dynasty is there any ? before coming to Bahawalpur they have little or much there at shikarpur and sukkar
muhammad zafar ul haq qureshi
Nov 13, 2015 @ 19:06:47
i m old student of islamia school shikarpur in sixties pl contact me if u r so
Anees Shah
Dec 14, 2015 @ 05:46:43
Appreciable work.
Pankaj Chugh
Mar 20, 2016 @ 13:06:31
hello ,
My ancestors belonged to Shikarpur , post-partition they came to India , they have told me that they were dryfruit sellers and they had a huge building , can u guide me of any history of “Chughs” in Shikarpur at the same time Thanks for writing such an informative article !!
hareemsoomro
Mar 22, 2016 @ 08:09:57
Hi, I shall look that up and get back
aqeel maka
Mar 22, 2016 @ 02:44:33
Very informative, I got much from this.
Waqar Ahmed Dahar
Apr 04, 2016 @ 07:59:33
Can you share when Shikarpur was made District?
Shyam Nandlal Wadhwani
Apr 12, 2016 @ 01:34:05
I live in Mumbai. My grandfather (mothers father) Nana Late Rai Sahib Kishinsingh Chimansingh Lulla was an eminent citizen of Shikarpur in Sind in the pre partition days. He passed away in 1935 and a memorial committee of citizens erected his bust as a memorial and also renamed the road from Lakhi gate to Nousharo gate after him .I can email you a copy of the speech delivered on the occasion of the bust unveiling . Mr Joshi mentioned in your blog was also part of the proceedings on that day . I shall sincerely appreciate if you can kindly let me know if the bust continues to exist there and if the road is still named after him.
My wife’s grandfather (mothers father ) nana was Seth Chellasingh Bajaj after whom the Chellasing & Sitaldas College in Shikarpur is named. I would also be happy to hear more on the current status of this institution.
Shamlal Chhabria
Jan 15, 2023 @ 13:59:55
Hi I am Shamlal Chhabria staying in Bangalore my father RAMCHAND TULSIDAS LEKKHRAJ KIMATRAM CHHABRIA used to talk and remember Mr SOBRAJ SINGH LULLA .any details you can share,we had a shop in DHAK BAZAAR .
Shyam Nandlal Wadhwani
Apr 12, 2016 @ 12:19:23
I live in Mumbai. My grandfather (mothers father) Nana Late Rai Sahib Kishinsingh Chimansingh Lulla was an eminent citizen of Shikarpur in Sind in the pre partition days. He passed away in 1935 and a memorial committee of citizens erected his bust as a memorial and also renamed the road from Lakhi gate to Nousharo gate after him .I can email you a copy of the speech delivered on the occasion of the bust unveiling . Mr Joshi mentioned in your blog was also part of the proceedings on that day . I shall sincerely appreciate if you can kindly let me know if the bust continues to exist there and if the road is still named after him.
My wife’s grandfather (mothers father ) nana was Seth Chellasingh Bajaj after whom the Chellasing & Sitaldas College in Shikarpur is named. I would also be happy to hear more on the current status of this institution.
Ilook forward to hearing from you
Shyam Wadhwani
Apr 12, 2016 @ 12:25:41
I live in Mumbai. My grandfather (mothers father) Nana Late Rai Sahib Kishinsingh Chimansingh Lulla was an eminent citizen of Shikarpur in Sind in the pre partition days. He passed away in 1935 and a memorial committee of citizens erected his bust as a memorial and also renamed the road from Lakhi gate to Nousharo gate after him .I can email you a copy of the speech delivered on the occasion of the bust unveiling . Mr Joshi mentioned in your blog was also part of the proceedings on that day . I shall sincerely appreciate if you can kindly let me know if the bust continues to exist there and if the road is still named after him.
My wife’s grandfather (mothers father ) nana was Seth Chellasingh Bajaj after whom the Chellasing & Sitaldas College in Shikarpur is named. I would also be happy to hear more on the current status of this institution
hareemsoomro
Apr 13, 2016 @ 04:42:20
Hello,
Thank you for your message. I shall definitely look it up and get back to you.
It was be great if you can share the speech with you though 🙂
Regards
Shahtaj Ahmed bhutto
Jan 05, 2020 @ 23:59:33
Very detailed article
Thank you So much for highlighting the issues of shikarpur city and the history of shikarpur City
Shyam Wadhwani
Apr 13, 2016 @ 05:25:16
Can I email it to you please. I have it in a power point presenation form.
My mother who is now 86 informs me that her family (Lullas) were neighbours to Shaheed Allah Buksh Soomro family and were very close family friends. .
Also can I have the email id of Mr Ravindra Joshi so that I may also forward him a copy.
Dr. Safi
Aug 05, 2018 @ 20:18:20
The college called C&S still exists with the same name but the road has changed. Lots of respect for your nana as I also studies from the same college. With massive respect from shikarpur.
Aamir Mustafa kamario
Apr 16, 2016 @ 19:05:22
Dear Sister,
you have done a marvelous job, really appreciable.
However, with due respect, i must make you remember that you did not mention an other renowned personality, peace loving politician as well as Chief Sardar of Garhi yasin taluka namely Sardar Himat Ali Khan Kamario (Abro). you forgot to mention Kamario family of Shikarpur district.
Shyam Wadhwani
Apr 17, 2016 @ 10:51:09
Speech delivered by the Chairman of the R.S. Kishinsingh Chimansingh Lulla Memorial Committee on the occasion of the opening of the bust of late R. S. Kishinsingh Lulla on 7th November 1936
Ladies and Gentlemen
We have met here today to honour the memory of the late lamented Rai Sahib Kishinsing Chimansing Lulla ,whose untimely death at the age of 49 on 21 April 1935,created wide gap in the ranks of public spirited citizens of Shikarpur .It is a matter of honour for me to participate in the opening ceremony of the bust of late Rai Sahib, which will stand as a fitting memorial to his public spiritedness and philanthropy.
It was my privilege to have him as my personal friend and can bear testimony to his many qualities of head and heart and I believe that this large gathering assembled here in no uncertain terms confirms the same. He belonged to the well known and respectable family of Lullas. He was a municipal councilor for nine years ,an honorary magistrate for the last three years and was a member of the District Local Board, and was granted Rai Sahib ship in 1930 for his many sided public activities. Like his father Seth Chimansing Ramsingh, he was one of the foremost contractors and his activities extended through Sind and the Punjab.
Seth Kishinsing was a member of several public institutions and was connected with every prominent religious ,educational and social and commercial movement. Every deserving cause received ready response from him. He contributed generously to the Harijan movement ,and was a succour to the destitute: Many widows and orphans depended on his generosity for their maintenance. His help to the local Arts college was substantial one and if God had spared him he would have rendered help which few could have surpassed. But the crowning act of selfless generosity was the part he played in the creation of Rao Bahadur Uhavdas Tarachand Hospital- the premier institution of Shikarpur, the like of which it is hard to find elsewhere in Sind. He not only contributed generously himself but was chiefly instrumental in collecting large funds from the public for the purpose. It was under his and his brothers vigilant and experienced eye that the whole edifice was erected which is so magnificent and economical. It was in fact this hard work that shattered his health and perhaps in no small measure contributed to his death.
Kind and truthful as he was, many people sought his advice and help in settling their private disputes and it often happened that he spent from his pocket to send away the disputing parties satisfied. Such is the man whom we have met here to honour and I request Mr. Menesse, our popular Administrator ,to unveil the bust of the late Rai Sahib Seth Kishinsing of the revered memory. The sum of Rupees five thousand has been donated by his friends and admirers for the purpose. I thank all of them on behalf of myself and the memorial Committee.
Finally I thank Mr. N.H.Menesse and Mr. K.V. Joshi on my behalf and on behalf of all those that have assembled here, for granting us the site for putting up the memorial and Road from Lakhi gate to Nousharo gate to be perpetually named after him. I also thank you all, ladies and gentlemen, for the very great trouble you have taken to grace this occasion with your presence and to pay homage to the noble departed soul.
K.M.Bulchandani
Chairman
Memorial committee
Some of his contributions were
Rs 10000/- R.S.Kishinsing Bashasing fund (for pure patients)
Rs 5000/- Towards Udhavdas Tarachand Hospital
Rs 4500 Lady Dufferin Hospital ,Shikarpur
Rs 1000/ Ishwarbai Maternity Home
Rs 2600/-Flood relief fund
Rs 1100/ repairs to Mirza Bund
Rs 2500/- Drainage fund
Rs 1200/ Scouts Head Quarters Shikarpur,
Rs 500/- Consumptive House, Dharampur
Rs 1500/- Maternity Home Gariyasin
Rs 1000/ C & S College ,Shikarpur
farishta pirzada
Oct 20, 2019 @ 13:22:52
hi i just read your comment.. im doing a research on the issues of conservation and protection of shikarpur so will you be able to mail the speech as i am trying to collect as many data as i can
drnoorullahsoomro
Apr 17, 2016 @ 19:46:43
Great Effort My Dear Worthy Daughter Hareem Soomro ❤ Proud to be Shikarpuri ❤
qadeer khan
Jul 20, 2016 @ 20:39:08
who created map of shikarpur please tell the name?
Beenish
Jan 07, 2017 @ 12:27:56
Do you know anything about dreha family ,their history
Asim Bijarani
Mar 18, 2017 @ 13:41:05
nice hareem
Yasir
Apr 02, 2017 @ 10:55:07
wow.. mazo achi wayo parhi karay
Mangi Imtiaz Ahmed
Apr 13, 2018 @ 05:49:07
Really taken aback to read this intro of my lovely city. I also tried to compile a Shikarporian profile in 2003, but the distt admin was reluctant to help me out. anyways, your job is commendable
Dr. Safi
Aug 05, 2018 @ 20:13:35
Thank you. I am preparing for civil services interview part. Wandering about prrparing knowledge of my home town, suddenly found this piece of excellent write-up. Thank you again.