The Shikarpur district in Sindh is recognised for its rich tradition, culture, history, trade, civilization, politics, commerce, fabulous architecture, monumental buildings, narrow streets and brotherhood throughout its four-century-old history. The district is situated around 18 miles from the right bank of the Indus in Larkana division, with a population of 1.4 million.
The district was established in 1617 AD. It has four talukas, including Lakhi Ghulam Shah, Garhi Yasin, Khanpur and Shikarpur itself. According to historians, in the 17th century, Shikarpur had a land full of forests and was a favourite hunting ground (Shikargah) of the Daudpota tribe.
As of now, Shikarpur district borders meet with Larkana, Jacobabad, Khairpur Mir, Sukkur and katcha area bordering the Ghotki district. The two national highways N-65 and N-55 intersect the city of Shikarpur making it the junction points of four provinces. The city was constructed inside a fort during the rule of Kalhora’s, a Baloch-origin dynasty which ruled parts of present-day Pakistan from 1701 to 1783.
Ahmed Shah Durrani, founder of the Durrani Empire and of modern day Afghanistan, took control of Shikarpur after defeating Mian Noor Muhammad Kalhoro and affixed it to his territory. Since then, caravans from Afghanistan started visiting Shikarpur as well as many Hindus and Muslims and the district soon became a trade hub.
Shikarpur has always been an important trading industry as it commands the trade route through the Bolan Pass. Merchants, from Central Asia including Iran, Iraq, Samarkand, Sumatra, Geneva, Rome, Japan, Burma and Honolulu, carried out trade of gold, cotton, spices etc.
The Dhak Bazaar, covered with a sagwan wooden roof, adds to the beauty of Shikarpur and makes it an architectural marvel
Another interesting fact about the district is that the Central Bank of India (CBI) branch in Shikarpur was constructed before partition in 1940, with the collaboration of Shikarpuri Hindu traders. (The CBI unfortunately was turned into a residential building).
The Dhak Bazaar, covered with a sagwan wooden roof, adds to the beauty of Shikarpur and makes it an architectural marvel. More so, visiting the bazaar itself is a unique experience for visitors.
Shikarpur was once known as the ‘Paris of Sindh’ and was popular for its education institutes while it also enjoyed the status of the first city to have an intermediate college when two traders Sital Das and Chella Sing donated Rs 0.1 million and Rs 50,000 respectively to build the C&S college which functioned from 1927 to 1932 when Sindh was a part of Bombay.
In the British era, a primary school was inaugurated by British officers and it enjoys the status of the first primary school in Sindh. Thus, from the 77 graduates across Sindh during the 1930s, 70 were from the Shikarpur district.
Renowned columnist and writer Nasim Bhukhari said that Shikarpur was the first city in Pakistan to get an independent power plant more than 100 years back. It belonged to a Hindu trader and used to provide the city with an uninterrupted electric supply.
Hindu philanthropist Rai Bahadur Udhodas Tarachand established the RBUT hospital in the district and wrote his name on the floor of the main entrance of the hospital so that patients could step onto his name and he could earn the pleasure of God. Nowadays, the RBUT has been updated as the District Headquarters Hospital Shikarpur.
There are eight gardens including Ganesh Park, Shahi Bagh, which was known for its thriving vegetation and scented flowers. Shahi Bagh had a zoo with a number of lions, cheetahs, bears and other animals, who were later shifted to Karachi Zoo. The garden had a wooden pavilion that was designed by Perston Phel and constructed by Sir W. Merewether in September 1871.
To provide entertainment to the people of Shikarpur, three large scale cinemas including Afshan Cinema, Plaza Cinema and Naz Cinema were established, but with growth in popularity of CDs and internet, the business of the cinemas reduced and Naz cinema is the only one that continues to exist.
Among the more popular eatables, Kulfi Faluda still remains a famous treat. Shikarpur is also known for its famous Achar (pickle) across the world as well as for Deewan’s Mithai (sweet).
Despite the district’s rich culture and popularity, people of Shikarpur could not maintain their precious and expensive assets they got from their forefathers and sold out precious doors, expensive windows, balconies and valuables to rich people in Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore and Islamabad at high prices. These valuables can be found at fancy restaurants in Karachi’s DHA, Lahore, Islamabad and in the homes of the rich and famous personalities.
Published in Daily Times, July 17th 2018.