|
 |
|
Geography |
|
Sindh is located on the western corner of
South Asia, bordering the Iranian plateau in the west.
Geographically it is the third largest province of Pakistan,
stretching about 579 km from north to south and 442 km
(extreme) or 281 km (average) from east to west, with an
area of 54,407 square miles or 140,915 km² of Pakistani
territory. Sindh is bounded by the Thar Desert to the east,
the Kirthar Mountains to the west, and the Arabian Sea in
the south. In the centre is a fertile plain around the Indus
river. The devastating floods of the river Indus are now
controlled by irrigation techniques.
Karachi became capital of Sindh in 1936, in place of the
traditional capitals of Hyderabad and Thatta. Other
important cities include Sanghar, Sukkur, Shahdadkot, Kamber
Ali Khan,
Sehwan, Mirpukhas, Larkano,Nawabshah, Shikarpur,
Khairpur Mir's, Nawabshah,
Kashmor,
Dadu,
Umerkot,
Tharparkar,
Jacobabad,
Ghotki,
Ranipur,
Gambat, (Jam Shoro) (Tando Muhammed Khan)(Tando Allah
Yar)Sobhodero,
Hingorja,
Nao shahro Feroz,
Moro,
Qazi Ahmed and
Sehtharja. |
|
Climate |
|
A subtropical region, Sindh is hot in the summer and cold in
winter. Temperatures frequently rise above 46 °C
(115 °F)
between May and August, and the minimum average temperature
of 2 °C
(36 °F)
occurs during December and January. The annual rainfall
averages about seven inches, falling mainly during July and
August. The Southwest Monsoon wind begins to blow in
mid-February and continues until the end of September,
whereas the cool northerly wind blows during the winter
months from October to January.
Sindh lies between the two
monsoons - the southwest monsoon from the
Indian Ocean and the northeast or retreating monsoon,
deflected towards it by
Himalayan mountains — and escapes the influence of both.
The average rainfall in Sindh is only 15 to 18 cm per year,
but the loss during the two seasons is compensated by the
Indus, in the form of inundation, caused twice a year by the
spring and summer melting of Himalayan snow and by rainfall
in the monsoon season. These natural patterns have changed
somewhat with the construction of dams and barrages on the
Indus.
Climatically, Sindh is divided in three sections -
Siro (upper section centred on Jacobabad), Wicholo
(middle section centred on Hyderabad), and Lar (lower
section centred on Karachi). In
upper Sindh,]
the thermal equator passes through Sindh. The highest
temperature ever recorded was 53 °C
(127 °F)
in 1919. The air is generally very dry. In winter frost is
common.
In central Sindh, average monsoon wind speed is 18
km/hour in June. The temperature is lower than upper Sindh
but higher than lower Sindh. Dry hot days and cool nights
are summer characteristics. Maximum temperature reaches
43-44°C (110-112°F). Lower Sindh has a damper and humid
maritime climate affected by the south-western winds in
summer and north-eastern winds in winter and with lower
rainfall than central Sindh. The maximum temperature
reaches about 35-38°C (95-100°F). In the Kirthar range at
1,800 m7 and higher on the
Gorakh Hill and other peaks in
Dadu District, temperatures near freezing have been
recorded and brief
snow fall is received in winters. |
|
Demographics and society |
|
Sindh Demographic Indicators |
| Indicator |
Statistic |
| Urban population |
48.75% |
| Rural
population |
51.25% |
| Population
growth rate |
2.80% |
| Gender ratio (male per 100
female) |
112.24 |
| Economically active
population |
22.75% |
The 1998 Census of Pakistan indicated a
population 30.4 million, the current population can be
estimated to be in the range of 42 to 44 million using a
compound growth in the range of 2% to 2.8% since then. With
just under half being urban dwellers, mainly found in
Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Ubauro and Larkana.
Sindhi is the sole official language of Sindh since the 19th
century. The British required all officers posted to Sindh
to become fluent in Sindhi upon posting to Sindh. In 1972,
the first elected Sindh assembly since the dissolution of
the province restored this status but successive governments
have failed to implement the law and many officials in the
Sindh government cannot speak, read or write the language.
Large sections of the population speak Sindhi and Urdu
languages with other languages spoken including Siraiki,
Kutchi (both dialects of Sindhi), Balochi, Brahui. It is
estimated that Urdu speaking Muhajirs make up 15% and native
Sindhis make up only 60% of the total population of Sindh,
and Balochis, Pashtuns and Panjabis a significant part of
the rest. Both Balochi Sindhi and natives speak Sindhi
language as their mother tongue. By language, Sindhi
speakers make up 50% and Urdu speakers make up 13%, while
20% of the total population of Sindh speaks Pashto, Panjabi,
Balochi, Seraiki, Thari, Persian, Kutchi, Gujarati, and
Bengali.
|
Historical populations |
| Census |
Population |
Urban |
|
| 1951 |
6,047,748 |
29.23% |
| 1961 |
8,367,065 |
37.85% |
| 1972 |
14,155,909 |
40.44% |
| 1981 |
19,028,666 |
43.31% |
| 1998 |
30,439,893 |
48.75% |
| 2008 |
~43,000,000 |
|
Sindh's population is predominantly
Muslim, but Sindh is also home to nearly all of Pakistan's
Hindus, numbering roughly 1.8 million. However, most Sindhi
Hindus migrated to India at the time of the Partition.
Smaller groups of Christians, Parsis or Zoroastrians,
Ahmadis, and a tiny Jewish community (of around 500) can
also be found in the province.
The Sindhis as a whole are composed of
original descendants of an ancient population known as
Sammaat, various sub-groups related to the Siraiki or Baloch
origin are found in interior Sindh. Sindhis of Balochi
origin make up about 30% of the total population of Sindh,
while immigrant Urdu speaking Muhajirs make up 15% of the
total population of the province. Also found in the province
is a small group claiming descent from early Muslim settlers
including Arabs, Turks, Jews, Afghans and Persians. Most of
the urban population of Sindh including Karachi and
Hyderabad are descendants of people who migrated to Pakistan
in 1947 |
|
History |
|
The first known village settlements date
as far back as 7000 BCE. Permanent settlements at Mehrgarh
to the west expanded into Sindh. This culture blossomed over
several millennia and gave rise to the Indus Valley
Civilization around 3000 BCE.
The Indus Valley Civilization rivaled the
contemporary civilizations of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
in both size and scope numbering nearly half a million
inhabitants at its height with well-planned grid cities and
sewer systems. It is known that the Indus Valley
Civilization traded with ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient
Egypt via established shipping lanes. In ancient Egypt, the
word for cotton was Sindh denoting that the
bulk of that civilizations cotton was predominantly imported
from the Indus Valley Civilization.
A branch of the Indo-Iranian tribes,
called the Indo-Aryans are believed to have founded the
Vedic Civilization that existed between Sarasvati River and
Ganges River around 1500 BCE and also influenced Indus
Valley Civilization. This civilization helped shape
subsequent cultures in South Asia.
Sindh was conquered by the Persian
Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BCE, and became part of
the Persian satrapy (province) of Hindush centred in
the Punjab to the north. Persian speech had a tendency to
replace 'S' with an 'H' resulting in 'Sindu' being
pronounced and written as 'Hindu'. They introduced the
Kharoshti script and links to the west in the region.
Subsequently conquered by Greeks led by
Alexander the Great, the region came under loose Greek
control for a few decades. After Alexander's death, there
was a brief period of Seleucid rule. Sindh was then
conquered by the Mauryans led by Chandragupta in 305 BCE.
Later, during the reign of the Buddhist king Ashoka the
region would solidly become a Buddhist domain. Following a
century of Mauryan rule which ended by 232 BCE, the region
came under the Greco-Bactrians based in what is today
Afghanistan. These rulers also converted to Buddhism and
spread it in the region.
The Scythians shattered the
Greco-Bactrians fledgling empire. Subsequently, the
Tocharian Kushan Empire annexed Sindh by the 1st century CE.
Though the Kushans were Zoroastrian, they were tolerant of
the local Buddhist tradition and sponsored many building
projects for local beliefs.
The Huns and remnants of the Kushans,
Scythians, and the Sassanid Persians all exercised some
degree of control in Sindh until the coming of the Muslim
Arabs in 711 CE.
During the reign of Rashidun Caliph Umar,
an expedition was sent to conquer Makran. This was first
time when Muslim armies had entered Sindh. The Islamic army
defeated the Hindu king of Sindh Raja Rasil on the western
bank of river Indus. The armies of Raja accordingly
retreated to interior Sindh. Caliph Umar, on getting the
information about the miserable conditions of Sindh stopped
his armies from crossing the river Indus and, instead,
ordered them to consolidate their position in Makran and
Baluchistan. Caliph Umar's successor Uthman also sent his
agent to investigate the matters of Sindh. Upon getting the
same information of unfavourable geographical conditions and
the miserable lives of the people, he forbade his armies
from entering Sindh. During the Rashidun Caliphate only the
south western part of Sindh around the western bank of river
Indus, and some northern parts near the frontiers of
Baluchistan remained under the rule of the Islamic empire.
It was finally Conquered by Syrian Arabs, led by Muhammad
bin Qasim. Sindh became the easternmost province of the
Umayyad Caliphate referred to as Al-Sindh on Arab
maps with lands further east known as Hind.
Ironically, these resemble the current border between the
two nations of Pakistan and India. The defeat of the Brahmin
ruler Raja Dahir was made easier by the tension between the
Buddhist majority and the ruling Brahmins' fragile base of
control.
The Arabs redefined the region and
adopted the term budd to refer to the numerous
Buddhist idols they encountered, a word that remains in use
today. The city of Mansura was established as a regional
misr or capital. Arab rule lasted for nearly three
centuries, and a fusion of cultures produced much of what is
today modern Sindhi society. Arab geographers, historians
and travelers also sometimes used the name "Sindh" for the
entire area from the Arabian Sea to the Hindu Kush. The
meaning of the word Sindhu being water (or ocean) appears to
refer to the Indus river.
Arab rule ended with the ascension of the Soomro dynasty,
who were local Sindhi Muslims, and who controlled the
province directly and as vassals from 1058 to 1249. Turkic
invaders conquered the area by 977 CE and the region loosely
became part of the Ghaznavid Empire and then the Delhi
Sultanate which lasted until 1524.
The Mughals seized the region and their
rule lasted for another two centuries, while another local
Sindhi Muslim group, the Samma, challenged Mughal rule from
their base at Thatta. The Muslim Sufi played a pivotal role
in converting the millions of native people to Islam.
Though part of larger empires, Sindh continued to enjoy a
certain autonomy as a loyal Muslim domain and came under the
rule of the Arghun Dynasty and the Tarkhan Dynasty from 1519
to 1625.
Sindh became a vassal-state of the Afghan
Durrani Empire by 1747. It was then ruled by Kalhora rulers
and later the Balochi Talpurs[6]
from 1783.
British forces under General Charles
Napier arrived in Sindh in the 19th century and conquered it
in 1843. It is said that he sent back to the Governor
General a one-word message, "Peccavi" – Latin for
"I have sinned". In actual fact, this pun first appeared
as a cartoon in Punch magazine. The first Aga Khan helped
the British in the conquest of Sindh and was granted a
pension as a result.
After 1853, Sindh was divided into
provinces, each being assigned a Zamindar or 'Wadera' to
collect taxes for the British (a system already used under
the Mughals). In a highly controversial move, Sindh was
later made part of British India's Bombay Presidency much to
the surprise of the local population who found the decision
illogical. Shortly afterwards, the decision was reversed and
Sindh became a separate province in 1935. The British ruled
the area for a century and Sindh was home to many prominent
Muslim leaders including Muhammad Ali Jinnah who agitated
for greater Muslim autonomy.
In 1947, when the British left, Pakistan
was created from the partitioning of British India. All of
Sindh was allotted to Pakistan. In 1947, 25 per cent of the
population of Sindh was Hindu Sindhi. Most of the Hindu
Sindhis were city dwellers and were largely occupied with
trade and commerce. They were responsible for the export of
products made in Sindh and contributed significantly to the
economy of Sindh. When the partition of British India
occurred the Sindhi Hindus expected to remain in Sindh.
Generally, there were good relation between Hindu Sindhis
and Muslims Sindhis. When large waves of Mohajirs started to
pour into Sindh, violence erupted on the streets. The Hindu
Sindhis were forced to flee Sindh, leaving everything
behind. Many Hindu Sindhis wanted to return to their native
Sindh when the violence settled down, but this was not
possible. Property belonging to the Hindus was appropriated
by the Mohajirs. Hindu Sindhis are scattered throughout the
world and many feel like a stateless people and still regard
Sindh as their homeland. Many Sindhi Hindus still reside in
the province of Sindh.
In later years, Sindh has been the
destination of a continuous stream of illegal immigration
from South Asian countries, and Afghanistan, including
Pashtun and Punjabi immigrants to Karachi. Many native
Sindhis resent this influx. Nonetheless, traditional Sindhi
families remain prominent in Pakistani politics, especially
the Bhutto dynasty.
In recent years Sindhi dissatisfaction
has grown over issues such as illegal immigration, control
of the natural resources of gas, petrol and coal, the
construction of large dams, perceived discrimination in
military/government jobs, provincial autonomy, admission to
educational institutes, and overall revenue shares. |
|
Pakistan
Resolution in the Sindh Assembly |
|
The Sindh assembly was the first Indian
legislature to pass the resolution in favour of Pakistan.
G. M. Syed, an influential Sindhi activist,
revolutionary and Sufi and one of the important leaders to
the forefront of the provincial autonomy movement joined the
Muslim League in 1938 and presented the Pakistan resolution
in the Sindh Assembly. G. M. Syed can rightly be considered
as the founder of Sindhi nationalism. |
|
Education |
|
The Narayan Jagannath High School at
Karachi was the first government school established in
Sindh. It was opened in October 1855. The province has a
high literacy rate compared to other parts of Pakistan,
mainly due to the importance of Karachi. The major academic
institutions of Sindh include the Aga Khan University,
Bahria University, University of Karachi, Sindh University,
NED University of Engineering and Technology, Institute of
Business Administration (Karachi), Dow University of Health
Sciences, National University of Computer and Emerging
Sciences, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences
(Jamshoro), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology,
Quaid e Awam University of Engineering and Technology
Nawabshah, Isra University Hyderabad, Hamdard University
Karachi, Baqai Medical University Karachi, Shah Abdul Latif
University Khairpur (SALU), Chandka Medical College (Now
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Medical University,Larkana, Peoples'
Medical College Nawabshah, Sindh Madarastul Islam Karachi,
D. J. Sindh Government Science College, and the Indus Valley
Institute of Art and Architecture, Shaheed Z. A. Bhutto
Institute of Science and Technology Karachi, Larkana,
Nawabshah, Sindh Agricultural University Tandojam, Iqra
University and the Sir Syed University of Engineering &
Technology,Institute of Business Administration (IBA)
Karachi and Sukkur
This is a chart of the education market of Sindh
estimated[12]
by the government in 1998.
| Qualification |
Urban |
Rural |
Total |
Enrollment Ratio (%) |
| — |
14,839,862 |
15,600,031 |
30,439,893 |
— |
| Below Primary |
1,984,089 |
3,332,166 |
5,316,255 |
100.00 |
| Primary |
3,503,691 |
5,687,771 |
9,191,462 |
82.53 |
| Middle |
3,073,335 |
2,369,644 |
5,442,979 |
52.33 |
| Matriculation |
2,847,769 |
2,227,684 |
5,075,453 |
34.45 |
| Intermediate |
1,473,598 |
1,018,682 |
2,492,280 |
17.78 |
| BA, BSc… degrees |
106,847 |
53,040 |
159,887 |
9.59 |
| MA, MSc… degrees |
1,320,747 |
552,241 |
1,872,988 |
9.07 |
| Diploma, Certificate… |
440,743 |
280,800 |
721,543 |
2.91 |
| Other qualifications |
89,043 |
78,003 |
167,046 |
0.54 |
There are six Cadet Colleges also.
Admission to state run educational institutions in Pakistan
is based on the provincial level. The other three provinces
have a merit-based intraprovincial admission policy. Sindh
is an exception to this general rule, where admissions are
allowed on district domiciles of the candidates and their
parents. This arrangement discriminates against meritorious
students of Sindhi ethnic background, denying them admission
to educational institutes and courses of their choice.
Currently there is a lot of resentment of this admission
policy. Sindhis are demanding intraprovincial merit-based
admissions to state run educational institutes, similar to
the one existing in other provinces. This will provide equal
opportunities to all students of Sindh. Furthermore, the
armed forces have also entered the education sector. They
are funded by government and operate like private costly
education providers. |
|
Arts and crafts |
|
The skill of the Sindhi craftsman
continues to exhibit the 5000-year-old artistic tradition.
The long span of time, punctuated by fresh and incessant
waves of invaders and settlers, provided various exotic
modes of arts which, with the passage of time, got
naturalized on the soil. The perfected surface decorations
of objects of everyday use - clay, metal, wood, stone or
fabrics, with the floral and geometrical designs - can be
traced back to the Muslim influence.
Though chiefly an agricultural and
pastoral province, Sindh has a reputation for 'Ajrak',
pottery, leatherwork, carpets, textiles, and silk cloth
which, in design and finish, are matchless. The chief
articles produced are blankets, coarse cotton cloth (soosi)
camel fittings, metalwork, lacquered work, enamel, gold and
silver embroidery. Hala is famous for pottery and tiles;
Boobak for carpets; Nasirpur, Gambat and Thatta for cotton
lungees and Khes. The earthenware of Johi, metal vessels of
Shikarpur, relli, embroidery, and leather articles of
Tharparkar, and lacquered work of Kandhkot are some of the
other popular crafts.
The pre-historic finds from different
archaeological sites such as
Mohenjo-daro, engravings in various graveyards, and the
architectural designs of
Makli and other tombs provide ample evidence of the
people in their literary and musical traditions.
Modern painting and calligraphy have also developed in
recent times and some young trained men have taken up
commercial art collections. |
|
Cultural heritage |
|
Sindh has a rich heritage of traditional
handicraft that has evolved over the centuries. Perhaps the
most professed exposition of Sindhi culture is in the
handicrafts of Hala, a town some 30 kilometres from
Hyderabad. Hala’s artisans are manufacturing high quality
and impressively priced wooden handicrafts, textiles,
paintings, handmade paper products, blue pottery, etc.
Lacquered wood works known as Jandi, painting on wood,
tiles, and pottery known as Kashi, hand woven textiles
including
Khadi,
Susi, and
Ajrak are synonymous with Sindhi culture preserved in
Hala’s handicraft.
The artisans of Hala rarely get the
justified price of their labour. The middlemen have been
exploiting the artisans for decades selling the handicrafts
at exorbitant profit margins at tourist hot spots of Karachi
Lahore and Islamabad and even abroad. There is a dire need
of patronizing the handicraft cluster of Hala, provide the
artisans a platform to sell their products in cities and
export markets so as to enable them earn handsome amount of
their produced goods.
The Small and Medium Enterprises
Authority (SMEDA) is planning to set up an organization of
artisans to empower the community. SMEDA is also publishing
a directory of the artisans so that exporters can directly
contact them. Hala is the home of a remarkable variety of
traditional crafts and traditional handicrafts that carry
with them centuries of skill that has woven magic into the
motifs and designs used.
The diverse Sindhi cultures, lifestyles,
traditions as well as geographical conditions have
influenced Sindhi art, and for over a century handicrafts
have been a source of pride and a livelihood for the people
of Hala. Kashi woodwork and other products made by the
artisan community of Hala have established a position in the
domestic and international markets. Jandi woodwork of Hala
gives a glimpse of the richness of Pakistani culture and
tradition has been followed through generations.
Sindh is known the world over for its
various handicrafts and arts. The work of Sindhi artisans
was sold in ancient markets of Armenia, Baghdad, Basra,
Istanbul, Cairo and Samarkand. Referring to the lacquer work
on wood locally known as Jandi, T. Posten an English
traveller who visited Sindh in early 19th century said, the
articles of Hala could be compared with exquisite specimens
of China.
Jandi is famous all over the world due to its delicacy,
durability and the natural beauty of the wood. Jandi is
rendered on lamps, candle stands, flower vases, jewelry
boxes, cigarette boxes, ash trays, pots, swings, cots,
dressing tables, chairs & tables, bedroom sets, sofa sets,
and telephone stands. The Jandi work also has its drawbacks.
The persons associated with the business said that lacquer
furniture and items have a long life but acid, alcohol, and
oil will damage the colour. Moreover, direct sunshine and
water can destroy the life of the products. Hala has also
preserved the extraordinary traditional ceramic techniques.
The village potters known as kumhaar
across the Indian sub continent are still producing
exquisite earthenware in Hala. In Pakistan the finest
examples of Kashi work are in the Sindh province. Kashi work
consisted of two kinds: (a) Enamel-faced tiles and bricks of
strongly fired red earthenware, or terracotta; (b) Enamel
faced tiles and tesserae of lightly fired lime-mortar, or
sandstone. Some authorities describe tile-mosaic work as the
true Kashi.
Hala’s apparel tradition is one of the world’s oldest
with handlooms and power looms dating back to the Indus
valley civilization. The hand-spun and hand-woven cloth
called "Khadi" was being exported to various countries since
time immemorial.
Since Khadi deals in natural fibres viz.
cotton, silk and wool only, spun and woven in natural
environment, it can boast of being 100 percent natural,
unlike handloom and mills which receive cotton yarn, blended
with some regenerated cellulose fibres. Khadi cloth has
found its place in haute couture and on the ramps of most
eminent fashion devas.
Over a period of time cotton was mixed
with silk to create Mashru, a double layered material with a
thick cotton base and a silken warp woven in satin weave, a
purely Indian innovation. It was woven specially for the
ladies. In the Susi weave the cotton weft lay against the
skin; hence it was permissible to wear it. In the
Ain-i-Akbari, it is mentioned that Susi, a reputed silken
fabric from Shush, a town in Persia, was originally brought
to the Deccan via Alexandria during the 11th century. Susi
lost its silken character somewhere along the line and
reappeared as a cotton fabric in Lahore in the 1620’s. Susi
later became synonymous with Sindh, the primary production
centers being Hala and Hyderabad.
Technological improvements were gradually
introduced such as the spinning wheel [charkha] and treadle
[pai-chah] in the weavers’ loom, to increase refinement in
designing, dyeing and printing by block. Painting process
amounted for a much higher volume of output. The refined,
lightweight, colourful, washable fabrics from Hala became a
luxury for people used to only woollens and linens of the
age.
Ajrak has been in Sindh since the birth
of its civilization. Blue colour is dominantly used in
Ajrak. Also, Sindh was traditionally a large producer of
indigo and cotton cloth and both used to be exported to the
Middle East. Ajrak is a mark of respect when it is given to
an honoured quest, friend or woman. In Sindh, it is most
commonly given as a gift at Eid, at weddings, or on other
special occasions - like homecoming.
Along with Ajrak the Rilhi or patchwork
sheet, is another Sindhi icon and part of the heritage and
culture. Every Sindhi home will have set of Rilhis - one for
each member of the family and few spare for guests. Rilhi is
made with different small pieces of different geometrical
shapes of cloths sewn together to create intricate designs.
Rilhi is also given as a gift to friends and visitors.
It is used as a bedspread as well as a blanket. A
beautifully sewn Rilli can also become part of a bride or
grooms gifts. Rural women in Sindh are skilful in producing
Sindhi caps.
Sindhi caps are manufactured commercially
on a small scale at New Saeedabad and Hala New. These are in
demand with visitors from Karachi and other places and these
manufacturing units have very limited production due to lack
of marketing facilities. |
|
The Sindhi Language |
|
Sindhī (Arabic script:
سنڌي, Devanagari
script: सिन्धी) is spoken by about 15 million people in the
province of Sindh, and by about 2½ million more across the
border in India. In Pakistan it is written in a modified
Arabic script. |
|
Places of interest |
|
Sindh has numerous tourist sites with the
most prominent being the ruins of Mohenjo-daro near the city
of Larkana. Islamic architecture is quite prominent in the
province with the Jama Masjid in Thatta built by the Mughal
emperor Shahjahan and numerous mausoleums dot the province
including the very old Shahbaz Qalander mausoleum dedicated
to the Iranian-born Sufi and the beautiful mausoleum of
Muhammad Ali Jinnah known as the Mazar-e-Quaid in
Karachi.
- Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai @ Bhit Shah.
- Shrine of Shahbaz Qalander @ Sehwan.
- Ruins of Mohenjo-daro & Museum near Larkana.
- Ranikot Fort near Sann.
- Aror (ruins of historical city) near Sukkur.
- Mazar-e-Quaid Karachi.
- Kahu-Jo-Darro near Mirpurkhas.
- Sadhu Bela Temple near Sukkur.
- Minar-e-Mir Masum Shah @ Sukkur.
- Mohatta Palace Museum @ Karachi.
|
- Gorakh Hill near Dadu.
- Jama Masjid Thatta @ Thatta.
- Makli Graveyard, Asia's Biggest @ Makli, Thatta.
- Rani Bagh @ Hyderabad.
- Sukkur barrage @ Sukkur.
- Kotri Barrage near Hyderabad.
- Talpurs' Faiz Mahal Palace, Khayrpur (princely
state).
- Talpur Forts @ Kot Diji
- Forts at Hyderabad. and Umarkot
|
|
|
Gorakh
Hill |
|
The
Gorakh Hill is Highest Hill Point In Sindh among the Kerthar
Mountains Range. Gorkah Hill Is located in North-west of
District Dadu along with Balochistan Border. Gorakh Hill is
under Develop Project. You reach Gorkah Hill Top from Dadu
City with 4x4 Vehicles, which are available from Dadu and
Johi. Gorakh Hill Top is 93Km From Dadu City, at the
milestone of 17Km you reach the small city of Johi which is
the Taluka of District Dadu, and Starting Point Of kacho
Area and the milestone of 41Km you reach the last small town
Before Gorakh Hill Wahi pandi which is the settled in the
lap of Kerthar Mountain Range. After Wahi Pandi the Road is
Towered Slowly at the milestone of 53Km you are Enter in
Yaroo Pass (Yaroo Sain Jo Luck) after Crossing Yaroo Pass
2500ft Above See Laval and the journey continue in Mountains
and at the milestone of 76Km you reach the Base camp of
another Highest Pass of Kerthar Mountain Range it is Khanwal
Pass the base camp is on elevation of 3000ft and the Top of
Khanwal pass on the Elevation of 5000ft Above See Level. The
Distance Between Khanwal Pass Base Camp To Khanwal Pass Top
Is 4Km. The 4Km Journey is too zigzag. After reach the Top
of Khanwal Pass Drive continue to Gorakh Hill Top which is
the 13Km. At the Top Of Gorakh Hill you can stay in Rest
House or Camping at top Because the Gorakh Hill Is Under
Development Sindh Govt. have some project Like Hotel,
Restaurants, and a chair lift at Top. |
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Ranikot |
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It
is the largest fort of its kind in the region and maybe in
the world, It is situated in the of the Kirthar Range about
30 km southwest of Sann, Jamshoro district of Sindh,
approximately 90 km north of Hyderabad, in Pakistan. It has
an approximate diameter of 9 km. Its walls are on the
average 6 meters high and are made of gypsum and lime cut
sandstone and its total circumference is about 29 km of
which 8 km walls are man-made. While originally constructed
for bow and arrow warfare it was later expanded to withstand
firearms. |
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Bhambore |
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About 64 km east of Karachi, on the
National Highway, is an interesting archaeological site,
Bhambore, originally the sea-port of Debal where the young
Arab warrior Mohammad Bin Qasim landed his armies in 711 AD.
Three different periods in Sindh history coincide here: the
Scytho-Parthians, the Hindu-Buddhist and the early Islamic.
There is a museum and a rest house at the site. |
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Chaukundi Tombs |
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The Chaukundi Tombs are attributed to
Jokhio and Baloch tribes and were build between 15th and
18th centuries. It is situated 20km east of Karachi. |
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Keenjhar Lake |
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Some 24 km north of Thatta, is the large
man-made
Keenjhar Lake, which is 30 km long and 10 km wide. The
lake has facilities for angling and boating. PTDC motels
offer food and accommodation. |
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Makli Hill|Makli Tombs |
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One of the largest necropolises in the
world, with a diameter of approximately 8 kilometers, the
Makli Tombs are supposed to be the burial place of some
125,000 Sufi saints. It is located on the outskirts of
Thatta, the capital of lower
Sind until the seventeenth century, in what is the
southeastern province of present-day Pakistan. |
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Hala |
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Hala is famous for its glazed pottery and
enameled wood work. Situated on the National Highway about
56 km from Hyderabad, it is frequently visited by hundreds
of devotees of Hazrat Makhdoom Noah (10th century Hijra), a
contemporary of Mughal Emperor Akbar and a religious divine,
who converted a large number of people of Islam and also
translated the Quran into Persian which is one of its
earliest Persian translations in South Asia. |
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Hyderabad |
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Situated at about 164 km northeast of
Karachi, Hyderabad was the capital of Sindh during the reign
of the Talpur Mirs in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, it
is known for Sindh University, Jamshoro; the provincial
museum; the Institute of Sindhology and the Sindhi Adabi
Board and also for colourful handicrafts such as glass
bangles, glazed tiles, lacquered wood furniture, handloom
cloth called 'soosi', block-printed 'Ajrak', leather shoes,
etc. Historic monuments include old Mud Fort, Sheikh Makai
Fort, Kalhoro Monuments, Talpur Monuments and Miani Forest. |
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Manchar Lake |
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About 16 km from Sehwan,
Manchar, the largest fresh water lake in Asia, is as old
as the Indus River. Spread over 254 km², it is a perfect
spot for relaxing and the best location for duck-shooting
during winter. |
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Moen-jo-Daro |
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About 563 km from Karachi off the Indus
Highway lie the world-famous ruins of Moen-jo-Daro (the
Mound of the Dead), now being preserved with UNESCO's help.
The museum at Moen-jo-Daro is unique and a visit takes you
back centuries back when the location was a civilized city
and a busy river Port. Air and train services from Karachi
and an air-conditioned rest house have been built there. |
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Other places |
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Among other historical sites are Amri,
Umerkot (the birthplace of Emperor Akbar) and the legendary
Arab city of Mansura near Shahdadpur in Sanghar district.
Other interesting places include Matiari, town of old
beautiful mosques and one of the centers of 'Ajrak'. On its
outskirts lie the ruins of a Buddhist stupa. Nasarpur is
famous for 'Khes', exquisite embroidery, decorative pottery,
and wood work. It is also a holy place for the Hindu
community. |
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Personalities of Sindh |
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Famous Women Sindhi
poets
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